OoopusX is a rather new audiophile brand and their second release is the Op.22. After hearing some hype for this IEM, I was quite eager to try this out and see how it stacks up to other sub-50$ sets. This unit was graciously provided to me for a week by u/Josephhri. You can check out his channel here!

Disclaimer: A big thanks to Shenzhen Audio for originally providing this review unit. Thoughts and opinions are my own and I was not restricted or instructed to say particular things about this set.

Subjective Preferences, Sources and Tracks

I currently own the Ziigaat Lush and Truthear Hexa and these serve as my benchmarks. The TRN Black Pearl was used as the DAC/Amp for most of my testing. I typically prefer balanced sets that are tuned to the JM-1 target; a little bass or treble boost doesn’t hurt though.

Most of my library consists of rock with some jazz, metal, pop and orchestra sprinkled about. If your library is filled with EDM, rap or hip-hop, then your conclusion might be very different from mine.

Testing Tracks - YouTube Music | Apple Music

Build, Fit & Accessories

The Op.22 features a lightweight, plastic shell with decent build quality for the asking price of 35$ (3500 INR). I quite like the cyberpunk aesthetic and it stands out amongst its competitors. There is no semicustom shape to the inside of the shell and the nozzle is quite short and narrow. This may lead to better comfort for people with smaller ears, but I had to use eartips one size larger to create an effective seal.

The cable behaves quite well although it is unfortunately QDC and has no chin slider. I did not find it exceptionally comfortable with the QDC connector digging into my left ear. This could be rectified easily by forming the earhooks with a heat gun. The tuning mode dial feels solid and is quite satisfying to turn. I did not receive the full outer packaging but it is quite minimal. Enough waffling about the accessories, let's move on to the sound!

Sound

Bass

With the default tuning, the first thing you notice is the wonderful separation and imaging. In busy tracks like Tool’s Pneuma or Rush’s The Spirit of Radio, the bass guitars, kick drums and toms remain well distinguished with good body and timbre. The bass texture is lacking some crispness but this can be remedied to some extent with tip rolling. On Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, I turn the dial to add more rumble and slam while retaining mostly clear vocals. I found it easy and rewarding to switch between the tunings for every track or even sections of a single track. On Mountains by Hans Zimmer, I am able to savour the low percussion impact by turning the dial before the crescendo. The Op.22 demonstrates flexible and well-rounded lows that will satisfy nearly everyone but the extreme bassheads.

Mids

After my usual assortment of tracks, I did not have much to note down, because this set rarely places a misstep. The wonderful jazz album Clear Day by singer Emilie-Claire Barlow, in particular the cover of Coldplay’s Fix You, is the perfect album to test out the mids. From the thick bass to the light piano to the rich vocals, the Op.22 showcases brilliant timbre and tonality. As the track gets busier, every instrument of the Metropole Orkest remains well separated and imaged. Vocals are presented and layered extremely well without being pushed too forward.

Although some may prefer the relaxed upper mids, I was left wanting a bit more air and extension around 2kHZ for female vocalists with a higher octave range Adele or Celine Dion. For male vocals and guitar heavy tracks I would’ve preferred some more body from the lower mids around 500Hz. There are minor nitpicks that can be ironed with a handful of parametric EQ filters. OoopusX has settled for once and for all that excellent mids can be achieved on the tightest of budgets!

Treble

Overall, the treble is quite smooth and never falters into sibilance or shout. The upper treble and air in particular is well tamed. Violins and horns sound excellent with wonderful timbre. This set is fatigue free for long sessions and despite this quality, it does not lack resolution or detail. The intro to Saagara Shayana Vibho (A Prelude) by Agam has well mastered bird sounds that are staged accurately. Not many IEMs set themselves apart so well at this affordable price point.

However, all is not smooth sailing for the Op.22. There is a notable plateau in the lower and mid treble from about 3 to 7kHz. Transients of cymbal and drum hits are a bit harsh and unnatural. This is my only major gripe with this set but can be remedied with EQ again. It is still much better through the highs than plenty of other IEMs available.

Tuning Dial

The difference between the two dial positions is stark and it is easy to swap between them on the fly. One does not need to fiddle about with tiny switches, screws or nozzles to change the entire mood. With the dial turned to the bass mode, the mid bass packs an impactful punch. There is some bleed and muddiness but it is a worthwhile sacrifice to make for the few tracks that demand it.

Eartips

OoopusX provides two sets of eartips – regular silicone eartips and sticky Penon Liqueur-like tips. The regular silicone tips do not seal well for me and the bass is noticeable lighter and treble was smoother. The tackier tips sacrifice treble smoothness for excellent bass quantity and a tight seal. KBear Coffee tips with their wide bore and flange fit quite well with this set. The bass quality and texture improve noticeably and the Coffee remains my preferred tip on yet another IEM.

Comparisons

Kefine Klean SV

The Klean SV is the new and improved version of the Klean but it still doesn’t compete with the ooopusX. The Op.22 has better mids and smoother upper treble but has the same mid treble lift that plagues the SV, albeit to a lesser extent. Vocals have more energy on the Kefine but timbre is worse. Perceived technicalities are simply superior on the Op.22. The Klean SV is the better pick if you want a more V-shaped and dynamic tuning.

Tangzu Yu Xuan Ji

The Yu Xuan Ji is an underrated release from Tangzu that was a standout offering for its excellent stage, imaging and resolution. Compared to the Op.22 however, the forward Tangzu upper mids makes it sound thin, honky and shouty. The bass quantity is elevated on the YXJ and it retains excellent bass texture with the right tips. Through the lower and mid treble, the YXJ is simply smoother to my ears. It has a notable 8kHz peak and plenty of air but remains smooth to my ears. Perceived technicalities are excellent but the Op.22 matches it and surpasses the YXJ on tonality and timbre.

Truthear Hexa

The Op.22 comes incredibly close to matching what the Hexa offers for over twice the price. The lack of refinement in the lower treble unfortunately means that it falls a bit short to my ears. The Hexa offers more rumble and excellent bass texture. It presents vocals with a touch more intensity and air and remains smoother till the 8kHz resonance peak. For some, the Hexa may sound much brighter but for my I entirely prefer it. The stunning staging, imaging and separation on busy tracks is where the Hexa continues to display its crown as the budget neutral king.

Verdict

The Op.22 is now my default recommendation for those looking for a neutral, JM-1 tuned set even at twice it’s asking price. With just their second release, ooopusX have managed to offer a refined and mature set with class-leading tonality, timbre and technicalities. The tuning dial appears gimmicky just like the swappable nozzles or poor DSP implementations of competitors, but it is functional and offers a meaningful change. I am eager to see what ooopusX crafts next, particularly if they can continue refining their sound, accessories and material quality.

Who should buy it? Those who want a mature, neutral JM-1 tuning, an affordable platform for easy parametric EQ or a fun physical bass boost.

Who should not buy it? Those who prefer V-shaped tunings and gob loads of bass as well as those who can’t deal with elevated mid treble and QDC.

Electro Audio World's take :

I've been experimenting with the different performances of hybrid IEMs for a while now. The most interesting ones are the bone conduction driver models. In well tuned and sound engineered IEMs, I really like the color these hybrid drivers add to the sound performance.​

At the heart of this blue BGVP DMA is a sophisticated Triple Hybrid configuration:

1 × 9.2 mm Nickel Nanometer Diaphragm Dynamic Driver

1 × Sonion 2300 Series Balanced Armature

1 × Knowles RAD Series Balanced Armature

2 × Sonion Bone Conduction Drivers

* * * To read the full review, including source matching and comparisons with other IEMs, click here.

On paper, the dual bone conduction feature caught my attention. However, in practice, the real success lies in how subtly it contributes to the overall presentation.

Unlike some bone conduction headphones that artificially enhance perceived detail or create an unnatural sense of space, the DMA has tried to use this technology to improve note density, spatial perception, and low frequency texture.

The result is an IEM that sounds bigger and more immersive than its physical size suggests. After listening from multiple sources for a few weeks, here are my impressions:

Bass

The DMA delivers bass that strikes a perfect balance between authority and control. The 9.2mm nickel diaphragm dynamic driver produces significant sub bass extension while maintaining impressive balance across the entire low frequency range. The sub bass goes deep enough to satisfy even electronic music enthusiasts, but never dominates the overall presentation.

The first thing I noticed here was the texture in the bass. Many IEMs in this category can produce quantity, but relatively few can convincingly reproduce bass textures. This is what gives you pleasure.

The DMA performs remarkably well here. Bass guitars showcase string vibration. Electronic bass lines reveal subtle modulation changes. Large orchestral percussion instruments exhibit convincing body and resonance.

The mid bass effect is powerful and energetic without being bloated. Kick drums carry realistic weight while maintaining clean attack and damping characteristics.

The bone conduction implementation seems to provide an additional physical contribution to the bass notes without over increasing the quantity. This creates a tactile quality that's difficult to describe until experienced firsthand.

Listeners who prioritize quality over quantity will find much to appreciate here. I recommend trying it out somewhere if you have the chance.

Midrange

The mid frequency might be where the DMA stands out most distinctly from many of its competitors. Vocals come across with impressive naturalness and tonal realism. Male vocals, in particular, have excellent body and warmth. Female vocals sound vibrant, expressive, and highly engaging.

The Sonion and Knowles balanced armatures work seamlessly together, providing a spacious presentation without artificially distancing themselves.

There's a lot of detail, but the DMA never sounds clinical. I think achieving that balance is quite difficult. Many technically focused IEMs sacrifice emotional engagement in the pursuit of resolution, you know...

Acoustic instruments are beautifully rendered. Pianos have a convincing harmonic structure. Strings maintain a realistic tone. Piano wind instruments exhibit excellent tonal richness without becoming overly aggressive.

Complex arrangements remain orderly and easy to follow. Even dense orchestral passages maintain instrument separation and layering exceptionally well.

Treble

DMA focuses on creating a smooth and fatigue free listening experience rather than maximizing brightness or excessive high frequency emphasis.

I think it has succeeded in this. I hear a treble response that remains detailed and informative. Cymbals have a realistic metallic character.

High frequency percussion instruments maintain excellent clarity. Harmonics of string instruments sound natural. Most importantly, DMA has managed to prevent sibilance and harshness exceptionally well.

Even aggressive recordings remain enjoyable. Listeners sensitive to treble will probably appreciate this tuning philosophy as much as I do.

There is enough energy to maintain excitement and detail capture, in my opinion, but not enough to create listening fatigue during long sessions. I guess that's what matters. Isn't it?

The only area where some listeners might want more is the ultra high frequency extension.

Compared to some newer IEMs over $500, I would say DMA sacrifices a small amount of ultimate airiness in exchange for smoothness. Personally, I see this as a valuable trade off. Because it's quite successful in terms of price performance ratio.

* * * To read the full review, including source matching and comparisons with other IEMs, click here.

Pros: 

Excellent driver integration and impressive overall harmony
Natural and engaging mid frequency delivery
Rich bass with strong texture and physicality
Bone conduction application adds immersion without artificial sound
Wide and three dimensional soundstage
Comfortable ergonomic case design
High quality silver plated OCC cable included
Interchangeable 3.5mm and 4.4mm termination system
Easily driven from almost any source
Smooth and non fatiguing treble adjustment

Cons: 

Treble extension is somewhat limited compared to new flagship competitors
Original cable is good, but the interchangeable socket should have been locked with a screw system. The plug could come loose while on the move.

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All photos were taken by ADR >> Instagram: u/electroaudioworld

Used photo Gear : Sony A7 III + Sigma 24–70mm F/2.8 DG DN II Art Lens

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My full review of the Shanling EC Play can be found here:  https://mobileaudiophile.com/dacs/shanling-ec-play-review/

SHANLING EC PLAY REVIEW  (at the link) 

-Portable CD Player 

-CS43198 dac

-700 mW max output power 

Another week and another review period is over as I just published my review of the Shanling EC Play at MBA. Recently I made a social media post stating (in so many words) that I have been very pleasantly surprised at how gratifying it has been to listen to actual physical CD's again. I was not expecting that folks. If anything I was expecting to not even review the EC Play. That thought was flipped on its head when I sat down, chose a CD (album), got all my settings right, chose my iem and began to remember what it was to hear an album in this way. To take it all in, the artist's message, the small sonic journey, as if I'm hearing songs I've heard countless times yet in a fresh light. So Nostalgic for me! Friends, this is what I used to do. Before digital files and after cassette tapes there was a strong run of portable CD Players (which were much worse in comparison with the EC Play) and that is how I got my music. For years! You kids have zero idea what it was to go buy a physical album and hurry home to listen to your junk $5 earbuds and a dope Sony CD Player. Mind transported! So it was cool to kind of relive that a bit. Also, this CD Player is pretty much flawless in its functionality and sounds so good. Couple that with the fact that it has 700 mW of output power, the CS43198 dac and some of the best anti-vibrational tech that I've personally used. I know some of you have been in this new “CD Player” resurgence, but I'm fresh on it folks. So, I suppose I see what some of the hype was about. Again. Granted, nothing can totally peel me away from my daps, dac/amps and Terra bites of hi-res digital music, but I am so glad that Shanling decided to send the EC Play over because it offers one of the more satisfying respites from my digital collection. Anyways, my review doesn't have any comparisons and for that I am sorry. I simply have nothing to truly compare it against. However, I do provide my full experience, what I hear, what I see, and I do provide as much insight as possible into the Shanling EC Play. So, if any of you would like to learn a bit more about the EC Play than feel free to check out my review. For everyone else, just have a good day, listen to your tunes (if possible), stay safe, and take care. 

🔥🔥 EC Play Pros🔥🔥 

-Build Quality is a Shanling trait and the EC Play is built very well

-I happen to like the retro-modern and sleek design

-Bluetooth Receiver and Transmitter Modes work well, no issues

-LDAC

-Many different modes of listening

-700 mW of max power is fantastic for a portable CD Player

-Easy to understand controls and menu navigation

-Fantastic for sensitive iems, low output impedance

-No skips from the anti-vibrational tech

-Huge 12-hour battery life

-Nicely balanced sound, no exaggerated areas of the mix, low coloration

-Punchy and tight bass influence on my iems/headphones

-Melodic, airy, and also very clean midrange

-Non-fatiguing treble with nice extension and a smoother cadence

-Should reinforce good micro-detail retrieval

-Stage is fairly spacious for a source device, shouldn’t make your iems 

feel more closed-in

👎👎 EC Play Cons👎👎 

-For such a dope player, it is still considered niche (is this a con?)

-Bluetooth Transmitter Mode is limited to the SBC audio codec

-Small screen obviously isn’t as information-rich as a typical dap

-You are limited to CD listening unless you use in USB Dac Mode

-Anyone who streams music is pretty much out-of-luck with the EC Play

-The EC Play sounds awesome imo, however, it doesn’t carry that typical 

Shanling house sound and flavor as much as other Shanling devices

My full review of the Shanling EC Play can be found here:  https://mobileaudiophile.com/dacs/shanling-ec-play-review/

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. 

Fosi is mostly known for desktop amplifiers, so seeing them jump into the IEM market isn't something new. The IM4 enters a very crowded sub-$100 category, where there are already plenty of strong options.

After spending quite a bit of time with it, I can confidently say this isn't an IEM that tries to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it focuses on doing almost everything well while offering one of the most complete packages in its price range.

Test Gear

• Tanchjim Space Pro
• TRN Black Pearl
• CS31993 Dongle
• Usual Test Playlist

Build & Accessories

The first thing that stood out to me was the build quality.

The shells are fully CNC-machined aluminum and feel dense without becoming uncomfortable. They have a smooth matte finish that feels premium in hand and does a good job resisting fingerprints.

Comfort is honestly one of the biggest strengths of the IM4. The shell follows a pseudo-custom shape that naturally sits inside the ear without creating pressure points. Even after long listening sessions I never felt the urge to take them out.

Accessory package is excellent.

Inside the box you get three different styles of eartips, a solid carrying case, and an additional pair of brass nozzles if you want a slightly brighter presentation. The stock cable is surprisingly good as well. It doesn't tangle easily, has a working chin slider, and feels much better than what I normally expect around this price.

Sound

The IM4 follows a tasteful V-shaped tuning with a healthy amount of bass, clear vocals and enough treble energy to keep things lively.

It isn't a basshead set, nor is it trying to be an analytical monitor. It sits comfortably somewhere in between.

Bass

Bass is easily one of the highlights.

The IM4 has plenty of mid-bass impact, giving kick drums and bass guitars real physical weight. The sub-bass extends nicely, although it isn't the deepest or most rumbling presentation I've heard.

What I enjoyed most was how dynamic the bass feels. Notes hit with authority but remain controlled enough that they don't bleed into the midrange.

It simply makes modern music enjoyable.

Midrange

The midrange is slightly forward compared to many V-shaped IEMs.

Vocals have good presence and instruments sound clean and separated. Female vocals especially come through with excellent clarity.

That being said, the upper-midrange isn't perfectly smooth. On certain recordings vocals can sound a little sharper than they should, giving them a slightly artificial timbre. It isn't something I noticed on every track, but it does show up occasionally.

Male vocals carry enough warmth to avoid sounding thin, although they don't have the fullness of warmer tuned sets.

Treble

Treble has enough energy to keep the presentation engaging without becoming overly bright.

Cymbals sound crisp, there's decent extension, and the upper treble adds some welcome air to the presentation.

Where the IM4 slightly struggles is around the mid-treble region. Sensitive listeners may notice occasional sharpness depending on the recording, but thankfully it rarely crosses into genuinely fatiguing territory.

Technicalities

Technical performance is okay for the asking price.

Imaging is accurate enough for gaming and busy music, instrument separation remains respectable, and the stage feels wider than it is deep.

Detail retrieval won't embarrass more expensive competitors, but it also isn't the defining feature here.

Conclusion

The Fosi IM4 doesn't rely on one standout trick.

Instead, it combines premium build quality, excellent comfort, generous accessories, a genuinely good cable, and a fun sound signature into one very complete package.

Is it perfect? No.

The upper mids could be smoother, and the treble occasionally reminds you this is still a sub-$100 IEM.

But as an overall package, it's very difficult to complain.

FiiO yesterday (July 1) launched its first over-ear gaming headset, the FiiO FG3. Its key features include dual dynamic drivers, a 10-band parametric equalizer (PEQ), a microphone with Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), and an integrated DAC/headphone amplifier. Check out all the details below.

• English text: https://www.hifihub.com.br/en/product-launches/fiio-fg3-launched-with-dual-drivers-peq-and-enc-mic
• Portuguese text: https://www.hifihub.com.br/lancamentos/fiio-fg3-e-lancado-com-com-drivers-duplos-peq-e-microfone-com-enc

Hi, its me iceberg, and here’s a quick review of the Simgot ET142 - 1 planar and 1 PZT hybrid IEMs for $250, released in early 2025, but remain popular among audiophiles thanks to their unique and customizable sound.
So, the shells here are made of mirror-polished metal with a simple design and feature replaceable titanium nozzles with a blue tint. And thanks to their streamlined and friendly ergonomics, they fit comfortably even in small ears, providing excellent sound isolation.

And the main feature of this model is the replaceable nozzles, which dramatically change the sound from a bright W-shaped profile with gold and titanium nozzles, which emphasize the highs but make vocals sound metallic and fatiguing. And more balanced black and red nozzles, which smooth out that metallic tone and deliver a much more pleasant and listenable V-shaped sound with natural highs and emotional upper mids.

Personally I tested these with the Fosi K7 on various tracks, everything from Phil Collins to the Manchester Orchestra and Lana Del Rey, and was very impressed by the textured, deep bass, the lively midrange, and the controlled treble thanks to the damper inside, which smooths out the flaws of the PZT driver. Meanwhile, the soundstage is quite wide and spacious, with clear separation of vocals, instruments, and reverberations.

Overall, I would give the ET142 a 9 out of 10, but only with the right ear tips and a powerful source. For me, this remains a unique model on the market thanks to its combination of planar detail and the airiness of the PZT driver, premium appearance, and system of interchangeable nozzles. And I would even rank it higher than some of my favorite planar models, such as the 7Hz Diablo or Hidizs MP145 Pro, especially for vocal genres.

More about the Simgot ET142 in my FULL YouTube REVIEW:
https://youtu.be/CtpSEms8HbA

Disclaimers: Product was sent to me by BirdDance for review. BirdDance does not see this review before I post it. All opinions are my own.

I was contacted by BirdDance last month and was offered a chance to review the Z3. Prior to them contacting me, I had never heard of the brand and was curious what they had to offer for around the 50 USD price range.

The first thing I noticed is the build quality of the IEMs themselves. They are extremely well built for the price. Full metal shells that have a nice weight to them. They do not feel cheap or poorly built at all.

The design on the faceplate is simple and elegant. Not overdone at all. The ZhuAudio name is pressed into the metal faceplate, which means it will be rubbing off, which is an issue with some IEMs.

The cable is decent for the price. It's a 2-core twisted cable. The outer plastic covering does feel a little on the cheap side. The ear hooks are slightly stiffer than I would like, but it's not bad at all. The hardware on the cable is decent.

As for sound quality, I won't go too much into that here. Will be writing a full review soon with all things related to sound quality in a week or so. But it is a warmer, more vocal forward IEM. Mids are boosted, and the treble energy is taken down a little. In terms of bass, it's more mid-bass focused rather than sub-bass.

Overall for 50 USD, these are a great deal. The build quality of the IEMs, plus 3 sets of eartips, plus foam tips, and an included carrying case make this a great deal for around 50 USD.

If you have any questions about this set, let me know and I will try to answer them.

Thanks for reading.

Snowsky today (June 29) introduced a new version of its Snowsky Echo Mini Digital Audio Player (DAP) featuring 512MB of internal storage. The announcement comes less than a week after the Snowsky Echo (non-Mini) received a new 4GB variant. Here's what prompted FiiO's sub-brand to release an Echo Mini with just 512MB of internal storage.

• English text: https://www.hifihub.com.br/en/product-launches/snowsky-echo-mini-gets-512mb-version-as-memory-prices-soar
• Portuguese text: https://www.hifihub.com.br/lancamentos/snowsky-echo-mini-ganha-versao-de-512mb-por-causa-da-alta-da-memoria-ram

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.

Letshuoer EJ10 The Unobtanium

Another week another review. Some time you stumble upon a unicorn. I stumbled upon one such unicorn. Letshuoer EJ10. This one is not just unicorn but unobtanium also. So, when opportunity arose. I ran with all my strength to grab the opportunity. It was truly soul stirring experience to know more read on.

First of all, mighty thanks to AudioGeek India and Letshuoer for without their help this review wouldn’t have been possible.

I was not paid or compensated in any form for this review. All my thoughts and opinion expressed here are mine. After the review tour IEMS will revert back to its original owner.

My preference in terms of tonality & timbre DD > Hybrid > Planar

To know more about choice of music please check music genre section.

Now that all pleasantries have been exchanged Let’s get on with the meat and potatoes of the review.

Pros:

Bass nice balanced one

Vocals well done 

Soundstage vast one

Accessories

Build Quality

Cons:

Unobtanium 

Cloth cable

Build Quality:

Please note I received only carrying case with IEM shells and cable along with 2 sets of ear tips. No retail package was received. My impressions are based on this.

Shells are made up of metal with wood impregnated with resin faceplates. Nozzles are part of the IEM shells. They have lips to them. There is screen or metal mesh on the nozzles. 

Cable is cloth clad four core one. 4.4 mm jack adapter + cable separator + 0.78 mm 2 pin connectors + chin synch all are metal. Ear tips are of two type one is wide and another is medium bore both are silicone.

Provided carry case is hard leather, looks and feels premium. It can easily carry IEMs + cable + ear tips & small dongle. 

Overall Build Quality 5/5

Comfort:

Shells are metal yet lightweight for me. Shell size is medium. Provides nice passive noise isolation. Nozzles provide deep insertion with stock ear tips. Lips on the lip provide good grip. Say good bye to ear tip slip offs. 

Cable is cloth clad so its negative for me. It has memory of its own yet it can be easily rodeo wrapped. Has microphonics. 

Ear tips are soft and grippy. no ear pressure or pain was felt on extended usage.

Over all Comfort 5/5 Yes, I am biased. I am overlooking the cable issues.

 

 Music Genre Used for this Review:

Hip-hop/EDM/Rap/Rock both classic and hard/Bollywood Music/Pop/Jazz/Regional music etc.

   

https://music.apple.com/in/playlist/test-tracks/pl.u-8aAVXG6ivz8gyxX?ls

Sources:

I preferred mostly neutral and warm sources with EJ10. With Bright sources it didn’t gel well for me. With warm sources bass gets nice boost which adds more to its charm. 

General Sound Impressions:

Bass/Lows:

Bass notes are lesson in how to tune the sub bass and mid bass. Both are in adequate quality and quantity to scratch itch for bass notes. Yes, it’s not meant for bass heads. This is more for people who like neutral tuning or who like bass just few dBs above neutral.  I fall in the second type so for me it was perfect. It is textured and layered. You can make out different notes of different instruments.  Drums, Kick drums, tabla you name it you will be able to distinguish it. 

Sub bass rumbles, you can hear it and can feel it. It adds nice dimensions to the presentation. Mid bass is impactful. you can feel the physicality of it. Remember it’s not bass head level as the quantity is not up to bass head level. Sub bass over mid bass style set. Mid bass is quick and fast decay type and hence doesn’t muddy up anything. 

Guitars and string instruments, piano feel heavenly on it. If you want to add more bass to it pair it with warm sources that emphasize bass. It takes bass presentation few notches up. You can EQ it to get same effect.

Overall Bass/Lows 5/5

Mids:

Vocals on EJ10 are treat. Be it male or female vocals they are really good. The peculiarities of the singer’s voice are picked up properly and preserved. Vocals don’t get overshadowed by bass or treble. They stand at equal footing. Male vocals sound good. They have note weight but are they thick? No, they sound natural and not too thick.

Female vocals are similar story they sound good and natural. They don’t get intense. They are just perfect.  I really like the vocals on EJ10. It makes songs with vocal focus more enjoyable. 

Most instruments reside in the mids. There was no congestion or smearing. Each instrument felt natural and tonally correct. Clarity was excellent. 

Overall excellent mids performance 5/5.

Treble:

Nice EST treble. best I have heard on EST set up till this point. No oddities or spikes. Truly smooth tuned. It is neither overt nor subtle. It has enough bite to make listening experience exciting yet it never crosses line to become sharp or harsh. Yet some treble sensitive people find it close to their upper limit of tolerance. For me personally it sits at the best performance ever heard to this day. Details simply pop. You don’t miss any macro or micro details. They are not in your face. They are there to catch your attention but never attention grabber. They don’t force you to focus on them. It feels natural. Have I told you that it is best treble presentation ever heard by me? If not let me remind you again.  

Soundstage is amazing large atmospheric and just envelopes you. everything feels like floating around you.  it is wide and tall enough to create nice holographic stage. Vocal feel center and all the instruments are around it. It draws you in to song. You forget that you are listening to it via IEM. Only looks on people’s faces lets you know that you are lost in your little bubble. Letshuoer you have really gone all out with all gun’s blazing.

Overall Treble/Highs 5/5 why can’t I give it 6/5 sad.

Song Impressions:

I really feel this section is futile to wite as I really enjoyed every song on the EJ10. I know I am lying; few bass heavy songs were not the best reproductions I heard but you know I am biased here? When I love set just like my real-life partner, I ignore few things and call them the best in the whole wide world. Deal with it.  

Khoone Khorshid by Ali Sorena

This is album from Iran. I don’t understand Persian but love this song for its beat drop and flow.

Song starts with the sub bass notes, the rumble of it feels authentic. It creates atmospheric feel. Bass drops feel impactful. vocals feel center and don’t get drowned out by the music. Entire song has an intense atmosphere EJ10 does justice to it. Synthesizer notes here provide the nice background. These are captured expertly. Vocals modulation is captured well. Nowhere the song felt dull. It was an exciting and intense experience. I feel EJ10 captures the soul of this song to the fullest.

Despacito by Luis Fonsi 

My favorite song for quite some time. It pulls me into its vibe every time I put it on. I like all its variants except Justine Bieber version. I feel its blot on this song.   

Bass beats in the song are so contagious, if you don’t start vibing then something is wrong with you.be it drums or bongos, percussion instruments all feel nice and natural. Is it most emphatic presentation? honest answer, no, but it is equally enjoyable. Subtle notes from piano, synthesizer, guitars are nicely reproduced. They give nice background to the bass beats. Luis Fonsi’s melodic voice shines here. His ability to adjust pitch as per requirement makes this song amazing and EJ10 captures it well. Daddy Yankee has low pitched voice with bit of grunt to his voice this is captured accurately by EJ10. 

Honestly, I am sucker for nice vocal reproduction & EJ10 does that with panache. Entire song was rendered beautifully on EJ10.

Daisies by Nina Shallman

As described earlier I am sucker for well reproduced vocal presentation. Nina shallman is one of my favorite female singers. I know my choice is very off beat. But hey to each its own.

Staring bass beats of kick drums feel natural and emphatic. Nina’s voice is very seductive and delicate. She charms you due to it. The EJ10 captures it to the 100%. She was ethereal. I didn’t want to stop. I must have heard this song for scores of times at least before moving on.

String instruments feel excellent. Synthesizer notes feel great. Shakers are captured excellently. It was really difficult for me here to focus on the song to find its intricacies as Nina had me in thrall. So sorry for not being useful here. You need to hear it on EJ10 to understand what I am yapping about.

Born to Die by Lana Del Ray

Another one of my favorite female singers. Lana draws in with her way of singing. She croons to your soul. She tucks at something inside you at your heart, your emotions. She and Nina Shallman are the ones who pluck strings of my heart with ease. I don’t use their songs for review as I am biased towards them.

I have used this song to highlight prowess of this set.  It can make you fall in love with vocal centric songs. Vocal centric songs shine on the EJ10.

Bass beats, violin notes are natural and amazing. I didn’t do deep analysis here as I was lost in the emotions. Entire mix feels coherent. If you haven’t guessed by now, I was swept off by EJ10 here.

Final Conclusion:

What if some one told you that one day you will get real unobtanium and worst part is that you can’t own. Well, same thing has happened with me. What I usually look out for in any set is all there in Ej10. It is truly my set for my preferences. Saddest part is its unobtanium. You can’t purchase it.

Letshuoer has cooked here. I don’t think this will ever be erased from my memory. It will always remain as happiest and saddest part of my living memory. It truly bittersweet for me.

Enough of my mopping and sobbing. If you can get your hands on it just go for it as you will not regret it. It’s just an experience not to be skipped for anything. I am biased like anything on this one. So sorry for this. For accurate picture read other reviews to arrive at your own impressions.

Will I buy it? 200%, will I recommend it? 1000%

Thank you for enduring with me till the end. Now let’s grab cup of coffee and lets get high on safe high i.e. Music.

Letshuoer EJ10 the Unobtanium 5/5.

 

It's official: we're going to China! 🇨🇳

On July 5th, the Sonether team, made up of Audiofilia Brasil (Davi), MalcriadoAudioLover (Gabe), and Neoliberalindo (Gus), will travel to China to work on a collaboration with a Chinese audio company.

This will be the first official collaboration between Brazilian audio reviewers and a Chinese audio company to develop a product. It's a milestone that makes us incredibly proud, not just for our team, but for the Brazilian audiophile community as a whole.

During the trip, we'll be sharing behind-the-scenes content, factory visits, meetings, and parts of the development process, while keeping the biggest details under wraps until the right moment.

To everyone who has supported our work over the years, thank you. Opportunities like this simply wouldn't exist without this amazing community.

The countdown has begun.

See you in China. 🇧🇷🤝🇨🇳🎧

Follow us on our social media channels to keep up with this new chapter.

https://linktr.ee/sonether

Moondrop officially unveiled the second generation of its Bluetooth over-ear headphones, the Moondrop Edge2, today (June 29). Its key highlights include support for a 10-band Parametric Equalizer (PEQ), USB audio transmission, improved active noise cancellation (ANC), and a dynamic driver featuring a natural wood diaphragm. Check out all the details below.

• English text: https://www.hifihub.com.br/en/product-launches/moondrop-edge2-launches-with-adaptive-anc-usb-audio-and-10-band-peq
• Portuguese text: https://www.hifihub.com.br/lancamentos/moondrop-edge2-e-lancado-com-anc-adaptativo-peq-e-audio-via-usb

Sivga has been a maker that I have seen a lot of hype and buzz about, and I had been meaning to opine on their offerings for quite some time. Just in due time, right before my muscle strain and a few other injuries here and there, Sivga sent out the SM100 in my name, and I was honestly not prepared for this. The SM100 is one of those IEMs that simply refuses to let the sub-$50 market be taken lightly, and stick with me for the why. It is an IEM that surprised me in more ways than one, especially considering the kind of competition that exists at this price point. I thank Sivga for supplying me this unit for review.

UNBOXING, ACCESSORIES, FIT AND COMFORT

The box is compact, and the branding is well done in my opinion. It advertises the product well with a slight retro aesthetic, while the remaining information is printed around the box. Sliding the lid away reveals a paper-like protective layer, and once that's out of the way: the IEMs are nestled securely inside the hardboard packaging.

Accessories are disappointingly barebones, and especially so for $50. Not supplying a pouch or a carrying case feels a little stingy on Sigva's part, especially considering others are including two-three types of aftermarket eartips along with a pouch or a case, and it gets worse with one three sets of generic eartips. The stock cable terminates in 3.5 mm, feels nice in hand, doesn't feel overly prone to tangling, and also features an inline microphone, which some users will certainly appreciate.

Sivga also markets the SM100 as an IEM that does both music and gaming well. I hold the opinion that marketing IEMs as gaming-specific is a bit disingenuous, because if an IEM does imaging, perceived stage, attack, and decay well: it's naturally going to be a good gaming IEM. At the end of the day, good technical performance is good technical performance, irrespective of how the manufacturer chooses to market it.

Comfort and fit on the SM100 reminded me of the Sennheiser IE lineup: yes, it's that comfortable, thanks to the contoured design of the metal shells. I have had this IEM in my ears for hours on end, and not once did my ears fatigue, which is not something I get to say very often. As always though, your mileage may vary.

So now, here's the sound.

LOWS

Tipper: Mariscos

This is a precise, heavy-hitting track with everything executed with a great deal of neatness, but the Sivga SM100 leaves bass quantity out in the open in favor of a hell of a lot of polish in its overall perceived quality. The way the beats pulsate and ripple through carries a lot of embedded polish and a great degree of separation from the rest of the elements. The decay doesn't linger for longer than it should, and the attack feels surprisingly fast, giving every beat a clean start and finish without overstaying its welcome.

Rage Against the Machine: Bombtrack

The Sivga SM100 catches the bass play in the intro with a neat rumble going for itself, and once the rest of the instruments come in, the SM100 impresses with its separation first: beats from the kicks and toms have adequate punch and impact, although some resonance on the toms would have accentuated the overall perception of the drums even more. Tonality, prima facie, is balanced and doesn't alter the overall feel of the vocals, which is a good thing because the SM100, only through the first few minutes, feels overly warm. As the listening continues, however, that perception seems to mellow out toward a more balanced take, making for a much more even-handed presentation.

MIDS

Alf Linder: Cantique de Noel

Marianne's vocals sound hauntingly beautiful and are perfectly balanced in their tonality, and when the choir comes in, it is wonderfully separated from the leading vocals, which is a very good thing about the SM100 despite its price. The organ keys retain their timbre, and the rolling "R"s from Marianne are eloquent. Towards the end, when the choir gets more intense, there is no perceived shoutiness, and the keys conclude the track beautifully, bringing the track to a fitting close.

Queens of the Stone Age: First It Giveth

There's an excellent level of detail in the snare strokes captured and rendered by the SM100, while the timbre comes off as natural and unaltered. Vocals are planted center, and the cymbals are perceived to be quite forward with the same emphasis the SM100 gives the guitars as well, but they could have sounded fuller, which would have made the entire presentation more cohesive.

Tool: Lateralus

The Sivga SM100 makes the cymbals here sound brutally crisp and feel quite alive in their texture. Vocals have adequate weight, and towards the end of the track, through the breakdown, the wah-ing bass is very potent while not overdoing quantity. Drum strokes bounce off sounding energetic, but the guitars come off concerningly thin and now have an element of shoutiness. This could be further attributed to the track itself being faintly shouty, but what was heard, was heard, and the SM100 did come off faintly shouty.

HIGHS

Patricia Barber: Icarus

Patricia's velvety, lush texture is beautifully preserved while the bass rumbles without muddying, and the cymbals have a wonderful shimmer to them. The guitar here now feels adequately balanced, while the percussion maintains a wonderful timbre. The moment Patricia hits the straight sustain, as the cymbals power through, there is neither sibilance nor pierce on the Sivga SM100, which is a commendable feat.

Celine Dion: All By Myself

Cutting this section short: through the climax, the SM100 has a glimpse of shoutiness return to a more noticeable extent, but it quickly subsides once the rest of the instruments come in. As Celine's yodeling and the other vocal dynamics play out, the SM100 starts smoothing out the rough edges again, and especially during her note oscillations, I didn't observe any weird ringing-like effect or pierce.

PinkPantheress ft. Zara Larsson: Stateside

In this track, the Sivga SM100 does a wonderful job again: the bass and synth pulsate without any distortion or fatigue respectively. Vocals still feel adequate in weight and body, while the synths are executed very well: tonally balanced, timbrally accurate, and with no displeasure in perception. The isolation amongst the elements in this track is also done very well by the Sivga SM100.

CONCLUDING NOTES

The Sivga SM100 has a peculiar look and a peculiar obsession with getting things right. Well, it manages to get most of the fundamentals right, and whatever weaknesses I could perceive towards the higher end of the sound are an easy fix with some EQ and different eartips. I just wish the whole package felt at par with most of the sets under $50, where some come with multiple sets of eartips, some include cases or pouches, and others come with both.

The Sivga SM100 reminded me of the IE200 a lot, but everything else was a massive step-up. It reminded me of the Kefine Delci, but the SM100 felt a tad more neutral and gleaming with detail. It reminded me of both the Twistura Delta and the OoopusX OP22, but the Sivga had a better build, a better cable, and most importantly, at least through the lows, it significantly performed better. In my book, it manages to score whatever points were lost in the packaging department.

The curious case with the OP22, especially, is that its tuning switches give you different sounds right out of the box, it comes with a set of Penon Liqueur clones that work in tandem with its bass mode turned on, and it has one of the best performances through the highs that I have heard in an IEM, let's say within $120. Yes, the OP22 is that good, and it's worth mentioning that it is also cheaper than the SM100. Yet, the SM100 isn't a bad performer: it's just that the OP22 is too damn good. Hence, the SM100 walks away with a solid A in my book.

Will I buy it new? Absolutely.

Will I buy it used? Absolutely.

SOURCES USED

Primarily used with the EPZ TP35 Pro, Venture Electronics Abigail Pro and Odo dongle DAC amps. Recreationally used with the Shanling M9 Plus DAP.

EARTIPS USED (RANKED IN ORDER OF PERFORMANCE)

Divinus Velvet Narrow Bore/Standard, Spinfit W1, Final E, KBear Coffee.

TRACKS

• Rush: Limelight, Spirit of the Radio
• Daft Punk: Get Lucky, Instant Crush
• The Police: Message in a Bottle
• Alf Linder: Cantique de Noël, Cantate Domino
• Tipper: Mariscos, Cloaked
• Dave Brubeck: Time Out
• Tool: Pneuma, Schism
• Queens of the Stone Age: First It Giveth
• Pink Floyd: Comfortably Numb, Wish You Were Here, Time
• Tame Impala: The Less I Know the Better
• Animals as Leaders: The Woven Web
• Avicii: Levels
• Periphery: Marigold
• TesseracT: Juno
• Kanye West: Stronger, Flashing Lights, Devil in a New Dress
• Altın Gün: Goca Dünya
• Timbaland: Give It to Me
• Adele: Easy On Me (Live), When We Were Young
• Celine Dion: All By Myself
• Pavarotti: Nessun Dorma
• Mdou Moctar: Tarhatazed
• Cigarettes After Sex: Cry
• Meshuggah: Bleed
• A. R. Rahman: Tere Bina
• Alice in Chains: Down in a Hole (Live)
• Allen Stone: Give You Blue
• Florence + the Machine: Never Let Me Go
• The Smashing Pumpkins: Luna
• Patricia Barber: Icarus

WHERE TO BUY THE SIVGA SM100 (ALL NON-AFFILIATE)

https://sivgashop.com/products/sm100
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010425585295.html

Hi everyone, I’m back again to review the EPZ G30 gaming IEM. I received this unit from Huiyee, who kindly provided it for review purposes. Thanks to Huiyee and the EPZ team.

Here are my subjective impressions as an audio enthusiast. Briefly, here are the pros and cons of the EPZ G30:

(+)

• Possibly one of the most complete and appealing gaming IEMs in terms of its overall retail package at its price point.
• The design is quite expressive for a gaming IEM, but not excessive.
• True to its gaming nature, its imaging and soundstaging are good for its price bracket, and the separation is quite nice in my opinion.
• The tonality works well both as for gaming use and for casual music listening.
• The treble is tuned very neutral and balanced, meaning users can still enjoy the details in songs and games without suffering from fatique easily

(-)

• The soundstage doesn't feel fully 3D.
• If you are a treblehead, you will find the treble a little bit lacking in air.

These impressions are based on my preference for a V-shaped bright sound signature. Please don't use these impressions as a reference, as every ear is different and I'm only sharing my personal experience. FYI I’m just a casual gamer not a serious one. Always trust your own ears and audition if possible. If you find any mistakes, feel free to comment.

As usual, before going any further, let me give a brief description of the EPZ G30. The G30 is EPZ’s top of the line gaming IEM, priced at around 80 bucks, and was released last year.

EPZ’s gaming lineup, officially named the EPZ Esports series, currently consists of three models: the EPZ G10, G20, and the G30 which I reviewed here. The differences lie in their target markets: the G10, being the cheapest at around 40 bucks, targets students and strictly budget conscious buyers; the G20, priced around 50 bucks, caters to those needing better communication capabilities via an added boom mic and DSP; and finally, the G30, currently the most expensive of the bunch at a not too distant 80 bucks, which in my opinion is still quite affordable.

Looking at the product line, the EPZ Esports series shows real dedication in developing IEMs ranging from the entry- evel bracket (certainly a step above the KZ/CCA tier of entry-level) up to the low midrange class. On the promotional side, EPZ has partnered with the esports team DRG (Dragon Ranger Gaming), which is reportedly one of the top tier esports team in China. Furthermore, this IEM includes a subtle waifu marketing gimmick that stays tasteful, it isn't overexposed like certain other brands that pack in collectible cards and acrylic stands, which ultimately just inflate the final retail price without adding any real value to the product. Well, without further ado, here are the specifications and accessories you get:

• Impedance: 18Ω
• Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz
• Plug Type: USB Type-C with DSP
• Sensitivity: 105dB (±3dB)
• Driver Type: Hybrid 1DD (9.2mm DLC) + 1 Balanced Armature (Knowles ED 29689)

The accessories included in the box are as follows:

• IEMs ×1 Pair
• Cable ×1 (With Inline Mic)
• Carrying Case ×1
• Eartips (S/M/L) ×1 Set
• USB Adapter ×1
• Boom Mic ×1 (Boom Mic Version Only)

Unboxing + Physical Build

The outer packaging provided by EPZ this time heavily resembles a rectangular mobile phone packaging box. To be honest, looking at the actual contents inside, EPZ left quite a bit of empty space, the box easily could have been made much more compact. Visually, the packaging is quite attractive, featuring a subtle waifu illustration on the front lid with a color palette that is neither garish nor boring, finished with a nice bluish holographic sheen.

Now, before diving into the contents: the EPZ G30 is sold in two variants: one with a standard 3.5mm jack, and another with a USB Type-C plug plus a detachable boom mic. I highly recommend picking up the boom mic variant, as the price gap is negligible, in fact on several e-commerce platforms like Amazon and AliExpress, they cost exactly the same.

Moving inside the box, there is a hard carrying case that feels almost too fancy for a gaming IEM, featuring an off-white/cream leatherette finish, an embossed EPZ logo, and a rose-gold zipper. Unfortunately, there is no specific EPZ Esports logo on it. Size-wise, it isn’t overly large; if you want to store the G30 inside, you have to detach the boom mic for it to fit properly. This means if you use the case daily, you will be constantly plugging and unplugging the mic, something that worries me, as the mic connector uses a proprietary QDC-style dual-pin socket, which we all know isn't the most durable connection standard against wear and tear.

As for the cable, we get a thick, tangle-resistant twisted OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) cable measuring 1.7 meters, terminating in a DSP-equipped USB Type-C plug. The cable features an inline microphone alongside an integrated module for volume control and play/pause. If you opt for the 3.5mm version, the cable length is only 1.2 meters and it cannot accommodate a boom mic. The reason the Type-C cable is longer is to give desktop PC users extra reach. The cable is free of microphonics, and as a bonus, EPZ includes a USB Type-A to Type-C adapter, though its physical dimensions feel rather big for an adapter in 2026.

Turning to the eartips, the included stock tips are made of a fairly soft silicone with a regular bore size, coming in 3 pairs of different sizes that feel rather very usual. What isn’t usual is the IEM shell itself, which sports an asymmetrical color scheme: the left earpiece is translucent blue, while the right is translucent purple. The shells feel very solid as they are fully filled with resin, giving them a gorgeous, dense look, complemented by metal nozzles. The faceplates use the same resin material, stamped with the EPZ Esports series logo. A tiny hollow cavity behind the faceplate houses a single dot ventilation. Visually, the faceplate captures an aurora like effect that blends beautifully with the blue and purple tones of the body.

Ergonomically, I found the G30 comfortable enough for hours long gaming sessions, its deep insertion fit and lightweight build keep ear fatigue at bay. I tested the boom mic during group calls, and the vocal pickup was clean and clear despite lacking any built-in noise reduction. However, because it lacks noise reduction, it is prone to catching harsh wind noise if you sit right next to an electric fan or use it outdoors on a breezy day.

Regarding PEQ (Parametric EQ), users can access the DSP settings via the Walkplay app on Android, or via a web browser interface if you are on Windows or Mac; microphone gain equalization can also be tweaked inside the same app. Sadly, EPZ only provides one factory gaming preset. While this isn't a dealbreaker for me since it’s easy enough to build a custom EQ or copy profiles shared by other users, it would have been nice for lazy tinkerers if EPZ offered ready made presets tailored to different gaming genres, even though the single stock gaming preset works remarkably well for FPS games.

Sound Impressions

For these sound impressions, I used the stock DSP cable connected directly to my desktop PC. Switching from a standard 3.5mm analog cable makes it sound just a hair bassier, though frankly, the difference is not much. When plugged into my PC, Tidal only required a volume level of 3–5 out of 100, whereas on my Hiby R4 DAP, it needed roughly 24–26 out of 100. Here are my sound impressions which I’d classify as a balanced, mild U-shape,tested on a pure EQ.

Bass

The sub-bass rumble feels just adequate, there is just enough quantity to feel those subtle low-end vibrations, and it reaches a respectable sub-bass extension, even if it falls short of feeling truly visceral. The mid-bass is punchy, clean, and well-controlled, feels tight and fast which is a characteristic of a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) dynamic driver. The bass texture leans slightly dry, but realistically, a gaming IEM requires this exact type of bass presentation so it doesn't bleed into or mask the other frequencies. If you like to crave a heavy, thumpy bass response, this IEM isn't for you; however, if you appreciate a mature bass tuning, the G30 fits the bill nicely for the IEM around $100 bracket. Btw if you feel the bass lacks definition, simply just swap out the stock eartips for a pair with stiffer stems/flanges as the stock feels very flimsy.

Midrange

The lower midrange, particularly male vocals, carries just the right amount of note weight for my ears, sounding quite natural, though listeners who prefer a thick, full-bodied presentation might find it a little bit lean. In the upper mids, female vocals carry good note weight with crisp articulation, exhibiting dynamic energy and a touch of sweetness. Transient speed for instruments is snappy with solid separation, For the instruments positions like guitars and pianos sit one step behind the vocals. Male and female vocals sit parallel to one another in an intimate stage presentation, yet they never push so far forward as to become shouty neither sibilance.

Treble

The treble tuning on the EPZ G30 is wonderfully smooth and refined; it doesn't sound dark at all, coming across as strictly neutral with a rolled-off upper treble. While this makes the top end less exciting, it is a brilliant move for gaming IEM, especially in competitive FPS shooters where the relentless crack of gunfire usually fatigues the ears in minutes. EPZ managed to tune the treble so it retains details without turning sharp or piercing, unfortunately the trade-off are cymbals and snare hits lose their lively decay, and trebleheads will likely find the presentation a bit lifeless. The upside, however, is an utter lack of sibilance or piercing peaks, while still retaining a nice, crisp treble edge.

Technicalities

In terms of 2D soundstage and depth, the G30 feels reasonably wide, though not quite grand, backed by very respectable layering for its price. Imaging is tidy, allowing you to pinpoint audio cues accurately. However, on the 3D or vertical, the stage feels lacking in height; if I had to visualize its shape, it feels like a flattened ellipse. I suspect this is a side effect of EPZ rolling off the upper treble, which keeps the 3D headspace from feeling truly holographic.

Separation is commendable for a $80 IEM, instruments are distinct with zero audible frequency masking. Fast paced tracks pose no threat to the G30 thanks to its swift transient response. Driver coherency is equally solid, with the timbre and transients across both drivers blending together seamlessly.

Macro-detail resolution is quite good, rendering instrument notes with clear articulation, whereas micro-details are merely average rather than standout. The note attack produced from the upper midrange upwards lacks a bit of bite for my taste, even though the overall dynamic range holds up well.

Comparison with Simgot EG280

Tonally, the two aren't drastically different, but the EG280 pulls ahead with a much more effortless sense of detail. In terms of spatial imaging, the EG280 feels more intimate, whereas the G30 offers a more spacious presentation. For pure musicality, the EG280 sounds livelier, sporting a more dominant bass and upper treble response than the G30. On the flip side, build quality goes to the G30, its materials feel far more substantial despite also being made of full resin. The G30’s overall unboxing experience is also superior, though the price difference between the two justifies what you get. Both share identical PEQ customization capabilities. In my humble opinion, if your priority is gaming, the G30 is the better fit; conversely, if music listening takes precedence, the EG280 will serve you better. Comfort wise, the G30 wins out for my ears because its shell contours hug the concha more naturally, and its passive noise isolation is noticeably better, likely thanks to its fully resin-filled shell.

Conclusion

So, is the EPZ G30 worth buying? As a gaming IEM in the below $100 price bracket, the EPZ G30 feels like the complete package for an Esports Edition IEM, excelling not only in sound reproduction, but also in voice pickup, making it a genuinely lethal tool for competitive gaming. FYI there are gaming IEMs out there costing upwards of above $250 that don't offer a retail package this complete. For pure gaming, especially FPS games, the EPZ G30 is more than capable, offering tremendous value for money. When weighing its build quality, tonality, and included accessories, the entire package strikes quite a nice balance. Its shortcomings are very minor, strictly limited to a slightly rolled-off treble and a sound presentation that isn't quite as crystal-clear as of its rivals, but as a cohesive whole, the G30 is absolutely very worth. That's all, fellas. Thank you for reading. Cheers.

Want to check the current price or know more? you can find Simgot EG280 at the links below(unaffiliated links)

EPZ Official: https://epzaudio.com/products/epz-g30-hybrid-1dd-1ba-hifi-gaming-iems
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GG9BSF9Y
Amazon JP: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0GYY8K155
AliExpress: https://aliexpress.com/item/1005009790299722.html

​

Sivga M260 Review HERE:  https://mobileaudiophile.com/flat-head-earbuds/sivga-m260-review/

SIVGA M260 REVIEW 

What is up audio lovers? At the link above is my full review of the brand new budget flathead earbud named the Sivga M260. I honestly am very impressed at what Sivga was able to create here for a set which only costs $38-$43. You have that Sivga build quality, design/aesthetic, and their uncanny ability to tune something to sound unique. Such a well balanced and musical sound which doesn't lack at all in the technical department. Truly a very well rounded set. At any rate, if any of you are interested in checking out the M260 a little bit further then feel free to click the link above. Also, have a great day and I hope all is well. Have a good one everyone. 

🔥 M260 Pros 🔥 

-Feels more “complete” than most any other budget flathead style earbuds

-Great value for the cost! 

-Premium style build, all-alloy, durable

-The aesthetic design is simple, classy, elegant 

-One of the better fitting/comfort flathead earbuds for me

-Also, a nice detachable cable! Very happy about that

-Solid balance of the spectrum, very clean sound

-Timbre leans natural-fish, very musical with great techs

-Bass is snappy, tight punch, well enough defined

-Midrange vocals are quite nice with strong vocal clarity and presence

-Natural sweet toned midrange timbre

-Treble is detailed without the harshness

-Good note separation outlines distinct elements within the sound field

-Detail retrieval is better than many budget flatheads

-Open, and spacious stage

-Altogether a great value with no huge “realistic” weaknesses at $38

🥶 M260 Cons 🥶 

-The sublevels aren't particularly super deep or authoritative 

-Bass is about quality/control and so bassheads will want to look elsewhere 

-Midrange can feel a hair too thin in note body

-The overall sound can tilt a touch brighter than what I'd call lush or rich

-Treble can be a touch more relaxed than I'd like

-Siblance can show up depending on the foam covers you use

-Dense and complicated tracks can expose some limitations for the M260

Sivga M260 Review HERE:  https://mobileaudiophile.com/flat-head-earbuds/sivga-m260-review/

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.

Snowsky launched a cheaper version of the Snowsky Echo (not the Mini) last Monday (June 22). The only difference between the new model and the original one is the internal storage capacity. The rest of the internal hardware remains unchanged. Check out all the details about this new release below.

• English text: https://www.hifihub.com.br/en/product-launches/snowsky-echo-gets-cheaper-4gb-version
• Portuguese text: https://www.hifihub.com.br/lancamentos/snowsky-echo-ganha-versao-mais-barata-com-4gb