source : https://forum.powerampapp.com/files/file/102-poweramp-build-1026-uni-betaapk/

download from here and test it.

You can download the app on GitHub

It is easier to publish an update on GitHub.

Here's the link: [https://github.com/moss-apps/Flick\](https://github.com/moss-apps/Flick)

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.

Overview (TL/DR)

Nora is a balanced, neutral sounding IEM that focuses on offering a clean, coherent and natural sound, with good technical performance, a comfortable build and functional accessories, its only possible gripe being that the sound style is not the most versatile.

With a controlled sub-bass but a snappy and present enough mid-bass punch; a correct and uncolored, albeit not too forward, mid-range with lively vocals that doesn’t get shouty; and a detailed but also well controlled treble that balances the sound.

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WOULD RECOMMEND:

* For people that like more balanced and clean sound signatures.

* For people that want an uncolored “reference” sound (specially for monitoring).

* For people who want good technical performance for the price.

* For people that like lively vocals (specially female vocals).

* For people that want a sturdy build and comfortable IEM.

* For people that like to do EQ, since it works fine with it.

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WOULD NOT RECOMMEND:

* Not for people that like very thick, very full (lush), or very airy vocals.

* Not for people that like more outright warm/bassy sound signatures (not for bassheads even with EQ).

* People who are sensitive to boosted lower treble (4-6Khz) should be cautious with this set.

* Not for trebleheads (unless using EQ).

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Full disclosure, this set WAS provided by Tanchjim, I did NOT buy it with myself, but the opinions, as always, were given without any brand’s editorial direction, and on my own accord.

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REVIEW

INTRO

After testing the FOLA, a more expensive single DD from Tanchjim, I was a bit skeptical about NORA, you see, it was fine for the price, but being newer and more expensive yet using the same driver tech, it really didn’t impressed me much with its sound presentation, however, after testing Nora, I must admit that FOLA seems to be an “outlier” from the brand, rather than a representative.

Nowadays, with sets like the Reference from Crinear, and kickstarted by IEMs like Kima 2 from Dunu, a more “neutral” approach to sound has been turning more popular on budget price ranges, however, Tanchjim with NORA was, perhaps, the first brand to seriously try to take on this very “uncolored, clean, balanced” kind of sound and, in my opinion, they did a pretty good job with it, let me tell you about it.

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Fit and Comfort

The moment I had the Nora in my hands I knew comfort wasn’t going to be an issue, the shells, despite mostly being made of plastic and having a very basic shape, they feel very sturdy, yet light and small, with a long reaching, not too thick, nozzle. They seat and fit into my ears pretty comfortably, and it should work for most people.

The NORA includes 2 sets of basic white eartips on the usual S/M/L sizes, one set being a more narrow bore, and the other being a more wide bore, and, truth to be told, they aren’t remarkable, the narrow bore tips worked just fine for this review, but the wide bore ones feel a bit too small and flimsy IMO, still, you likely will get a seal.

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Drivability / Power needs

I would say, with a 125dB sensitivity and just 16 ohms impedance, NORA is not hard to move at all, maybe you get a slightly more refined sound with more power, but if you want to use it from a 3.5mm phone jack you will mostly just fine.

With nothing much to add, maybe just consider playing around with colored sources (warmer or brighter sources) of your preference, along with different eartips, to get the kind of sound that you like best.

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THE BIAS.

Before the sound review, I need to mention a few things about me: Bear in mind that every person perceives sound in a different way, and those differences are key to understand what each person does or doesn’t like, and how that will translate into a review.

My preference is a “neutral with bass boost” type of tuning, I don’t like too boosted treble, however, I can handle intense upper treble quite a bit, so, what is not too bright, too treble forward for me, could actually come as harsh for you, and what is bassy enough for me, could be too bassy or even muddy for you.

I’m also a bit susceptible to IEMs with boosting on the upper mid-range and the lower treble areas of the sound (specially around 3 to 4Khz), which affects things like high pitched vocals and instruments. Having boost peaks in those areas makes the sound be a bit too intense and harsh for me, so, when I say that the sound could be “shouty,” or too intense on vocals for some, I’m mostly talking about this.

Last thing is that I usually don’t struggle with iems with the called “Metallic / BA / Planar” Timbre that some people can’t really enjoy, I normally don’t have problems with neither of those, however, I do struggle with PZT driver timbre.

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SOUND

Bass

With those kind of IEMs, with a more neutral sound, focused on clarity and detail, while trying to avoid as much coloration as possible, bass is usually something that I know is neither going to bad nor impressive, but just as simply “fine” as it gets because is not the main focus of the sound.

The sub-bass in Nora is not the most present or the most rumbly, but you can hear it, seems to be reduced in order to achieve a very clean and balanced sound, as more extended sub-bass could make sound feel more “muddy”, however, this comes at the cost of not as much bass texture, working only for specific music genres.

Despite the sub-bass area, the mid-bass is pretty present, keeping the balance with the sound, having a tactile and agile punch to it without being any overbearing, is not a super strong hit, but rather a precise attack, that does have some enjoyable weight to it, even if is not “hammering” your ears.

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Mid-range (vocals)

Mid-range is one of the main focus of attention of this set, as its clean and natural tonality is why you would pick this kind of IEM for: having a more correct, and nuanced sound, especially on vocals.

For lower mid-range, where general instruments and most male vocals are prevalent, male vocals does sound a bit “thin” or “in the back”, not very forward, but this is a trade-off made for correctness though because, as said, vocals are not particularly colored by bass or treble, so they sound very accurate.

Now, for upper mid-range area, were most high pitched instruments and vocals exist, Nora offers more lively, yet still correct, female vocals that are fairly forward but well controlled, not coming off as shouty as other similarly tuned IEMs could, or that’s my experience, but it will all depend on how sensitive you are.

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Treble

Similar to the overall bass area, the treble area on Nora is present but not any overbearing, crisp and clear, but controlled, maybe just not the most energetic presentation.

For lower treble, that could make some vocals feel energetic, but also harsh or “shouty”, it has presence and a bit of a bite, giving you a detailed and lively sound without tuning too intense or harsh overall, maybe on 1 or 2 songs this might not be true, but overall is well present yet controlled.

Continuing with the tuning trend, upper treble is there but even more controlled than lower treble, to avoid any kind of oddity with tonality (affecting vocals) but still adding some clarity and space to the sound, now, by any means this is NOT a dark IEM, it does have some treble, but is also not really “bright” or “sparkly”.

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Technical performance

I already though that FOLA, for $200usd, was reasonable yet not the most competitive offering for around the price, in case of Nora though, for the $120usd or so it goes for, this performance is not only reasonable, but competitive in the price range.

Resolution: Based on price-tag, resolution is as crisp and clear as it should be, and it doesn’t feel like the tuning used for Nora hindered in any way the performance.

Detail retrieval: Now, I don’t think NORA is any “detail beast”, but do I think is from those kind of IEMs than lean more into the technical kind of sound, where detail is pretty present in most cases, that might help you discover new things.

Note-weight: One of my main gripes with FOLA was that the overall sound was a bit too “gentle”, fortunately for NORA; the weight on sound is better but still controlled, a nice in-between that doesn’t get tiring nor boring.

Soundstage: Even with a not particularly extended treble, Nora does manage to offer a fairly expensive sound, which is enjoyable for stuff like live tracks.

Imaging: Nora manages to present a pretty accurate and precise representation of sound, allowing it to follow it around pretty well, so it probably works for games too.

Separation: Again, for its price-tag, is totally fine, things can me distinguish well enough and nothing really overlaps.

Replay: Representation of the music is actually pretty good on NORA, things sound as it should as long as the music is well produced, though they might not impress as much if the music is poorly produced.

Harshness control: Thanks to its more balanced and controlled nature, especially on the treble area, there is not as much harshness to be found in the sound, but that said, it doesn’t deal with “harshy” music super well either.

Sibilance: Despite not being like a beast for controlling harshness in music, surprisingly, sibilance on vocals are pretty well controlled on Nora unless you use a pretty loud volume or have music with very bad recorded sibilance.

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Overall sound

Nora is a balanced, neutral sounding IEM that focuses on offering a clean, coherent and natural sound, what some people might call as “reference” tuning, with good technical performance for the price, a solid yet comfortable build quality and functional accessories, its only possible major gripe being that the sound style is not the most versatile depending on preference.

With a controlled though not too texturized sub-bass, but a snappy and present enough mid-bass punch; a correct and uncolored, albeit not too forward, mid-range with natural and lively vocals that doesn’t get shouty; and a present, detailed but also well controlled treble that balances the sound.

At a cheaper price, with arguably a better fit, and similarly good build quality despite using cheaper materials, I think NORA takes the crown over FOLA for a solid “neutral” IEM to pick under $200 bucks, bear in mind, I am a basshead, so the fact that I can vibe to this IEM despite not having a boosted bass at all already says a lot IMO.

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3 comparisons so you can grasp were this IEM lands:

First, versus the Simgot SuperMix 4, SM4 has a fairly better technical performance over NORA, it is a bit “cleaner”, has a more open soundstage and better separation, etc, BUT, it is not musical at all, and has extremely thin vocals, accessories are just ok on both, NORA is IMO the better “reference” sound, while SM4 is basically the nuclear option for technical performance at the cost of music enjoyment.

Then, versus the Tanchjim FOLA, FOLA in terms of accessories and build quality is an upgrade from NORA, but despite having a few better technical performance areas here and there, I actually lean in favor of NORA, as FOLA is just too “gentle” too “soft” with sound, while NORA is more snappy and lively, making it more musical as well.

And versus the Dunu Kima 2, given both fight in the same price range, this is a hard competition, but sadly for Nora, Kima is still my preferred flavor of “neutral”, as Kima 2 is as comparably technical as Nora (each one do their own things well), but Kima 2 just has the fuller vocals and the more well balanced sound while still sounding natural, accessories too are better on Kima 2, NORA only wins on “neutrality” itself if anything.

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Accessories

NORA´s package, besides the “eye-catching” waifu box, offers you essentially all you need for this IEM… but that means ONLY what you need, not bad, but I do think for the $110usd price tag, they could have done a bit better.

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• The cable included is a slightly thin, flexible and manageable, white colored, 0.78mm 2-pin “LITZ composite braiding with thick silver-plated OFC cores” cable with silver metal accents, which has both 3.5mm and 4.4mm interchangeable plugs that just plug in place.

Honestly, besides it feeling slightly thinner that I would like, being my second Tanchjim IEM tried, I kinda like this kind of cable, is not particularly bothersome in any way, is simply a good gable.

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• Just as mentioned, Nora includes 2 different sets of eartips, both on the classic S/M/L sizes, both being just no-name stock white eartips, one set being wide bore, and the other narrow bore.

This eartips work I mean, I used the stock narrow bore ones for the review, so they should seal just fine but MAN are these eartips basic, I really think Tanchjim could have at least put some branded eartips, at least made the wide bore better than at least were unusable for me.

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• Finally, in the package comes a basic carrying bag of… a weird material that is not cloth, is more like plasticky and it seems to be called “PP spunbond”.

I really don’t know how a proper carrying case couldn’t be fit in this price with the basic packaging and eartips but I don’t quite like it, it reminds me of those fake later bags that end up disintegrating eventually but that’s just a wild assumption though.

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It looks premium but the experience is just ok, like, it could be worse, it is enough to properly use the IEMs, but I do wish a bit more from Tanchjim and other brands eventually.

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Conclusions

As I said at the start of the review, my hopes for NORA were kind of low based on my previous experience with FOLA and the overall quality of accessories given, but I got to admit, I enjoyed using Nora quite a lot.

Price is decent, comfort is reasonable, accessories are usable, all in all Nora is still a solid option for those that want a more “reference”, natural, neutral sound on a budget and is, IMO; an easy recommendation to the correct person.

I want to thank Tanchjim for the continuous collaboration and everyone that takes the time to read this review, if anyone has more questions, or are curious about comparing to different IEMs, let me know and I will see how I can help.

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Thanks a lot for reading, the Budget Knight bids farewell, wishing you the best, good luck. – O.E.

Hello Community!

Kiwi Ears Aether is the subject under review claiming its turn today, the brand's flagship magnetic planar and one of the most striking on the market because of the size of its driver.

Price: €152-$170

Pros:

-Good impact in the bass, with speed and cleanliness.
-Transparent mids.
-Excellent resolution.
-Very accomplished technical capabilities: wide soundstage, great separation, very good positioning.
-Imperceptible metallic timbre.
-Great versatility for all genres.

Cons:

-The lower mids are somewhat thin.
-You have to feed it quality recordings: it highlights poor recordings.
-Recessed vocals.

Accessories:

-Two earpieces.
-Cable with 0.78 mm connection and 3.5 mm jack termination.
-Three sets of eartips in S, M and L sizes.
-Carrying and storage case.
-User manual.

Comfort, design and build quality:

Its design clearly opts for elegance, as the front plate with a reflective metallic glossy finish can never go unnoticed. It is embedded into the resin body of the monitor with a good overall feeling of manufacturing quality, since no protrusions or joints are noticeable.

The Aether is medium-large in size, with an oval shape featuring rounded edges to avoid creating harmful and uncomfortable pressure points. The fit may not be satisfactory for smaller ears and insertion requires several adjustments, since the nozzle is thick and, if you use the stock eartips, which are still not the best for the price of the package, you will achieve a favorable seal and sufficient comfort.

The cable simply does its job. It is a cable seen on many models from the brand and it works well, as it is light and flexible and does not transmit microphonics, although do not expect something of particularly high quality.

Technical aspects:

-15.3 mm single planar magnetic driver configuration.
-14-ohm impedance.
-105 dB sensitivity.
-Declared frequency response 20 Hz-20 kHz.

Configuration for the tests:

-Neutral source.
-Gain set to high.
-Dunu Candy eartips.
-Kiwi Ears Terras 4.4 mm cable.

Sound signature:

The lower end of the Aether, from the first impressions I got, is that it is very well controlled, but not in the sense of feeling insufficient; instead, it appears with depth, providing solidity to the musical presentation without invading the rest of the frequencies. The mid-bass has impact, agility and a very clean response, avoiding leaving any kind of trace with resonances that could muddy the listening experience. It does not attract attention because of an excess of quantity, but precisely because of that control I mentioned before. In addition, it provides a touch of warmth that supports the rhythm confidently, allowing the rest of the frequencies to have their own space.

But it is in the midrange where this planar magnetic model from Kiwi Ears truly finds its reason for being, where coherence shines, allowing the instruments to maintain their essence with a very natural timbre. The resolution delivers a highly gratifying texture, the note weight is convincing, and nothing seems to stand out above anything else. It does not have an overly expressive character, but that solidity and balance made it work for every genre I listened to throughout my sessions.

As for the treble, I like that, despite being a planar magnetic configuration, it does not resort to excessive brightness to appear or simulate a resolution that it does not actually possess. The extension of this range provides a clear sense of openness where the music breathes and reveals nuances and details that enrich the listening experience, but without becoming abusive or excessive in the amount of information presented. The definition remains consistent, partly helped by the fact that this is a range that makes itself noticed because of its presence and spaciousness. As a point worth keeping in mind, and one that may seem somewhat conservative for lovers of sharper treble, it is a somewhat restrained range, not boring, but... let's say... elegant; there is sparkle, but the energy is carefully measured.

Speaking of vocals, the lower-register male voices convey notable authority and a good dose of body that, from my point of view, sit one step above what would be considered natural. However, normal male voices have truly convincing articulation and timbre, as do female voices, which always shine and sound open, clean, with a very natural and detailed presentation. Overall, the vocals convinced me, finding a balance between naturalness and articulation, although this set may not offer too much intimacy, which, if we look at it from another perspective, contributes to a believable vocal performance.

Finishing with the more technical aspects, the soundstage offers a pleasant sense of spaciousness and prevents the music from feeling compressed, allowing everything to breathe naturally. The stereo imaging is precise and makes it easy to identify the position of each instrument within the mix. The separation between layers is very well executed, ensuring that even the busiest mixes remain organized and clean. Furthermore, the ability to extract small nuances appears effortlessly, without forcing an excessively analytical listening experience. It may not seek to dazzle with one particular technical aspect, but the overall presentation conveys a sense of maturity and balance that ultimately becomes much more rewarding in the long term.

Single-player videogames:

Check my blog to see how I analyze audio in this field.

Kiwi Ears Aether offers a very balanced experience if I stop to analyze it from a general point of view, as the action has strength thanks to a deep sub-bass that gives impact to explosions, collapses, and powerful blows without the sound losing clarity when the screen fills with effects. At the same time, the dialogue always maintains a very natural presence, making it easy to follow the story while the soundtrack and sound effects continue to perform at a high level.

That clarity also helps reinforce immersion. Small environmental sounds, such as the wind blowing through the trees, the echo inside a cave, the rain, or distant footsteps, appear naturally and make every environment feel more alive. Furthermore, the Aether maintains excellent layer separation, so even when music, enemies, sound effects, and voices occur simultaneously, each element finds its own place without blending into a single block of sound.

The sense of space complements that presentation very well. The soundstage is wide, well scaled across all three axes, offering a good perception of width and depth that makes exploring open worlds or traversing large environments especially enjoyable. All of this is complemented by very well-controlled treble, practically free of sibilance, so voices, metallic effects, and brighter sounds remain comfortable even during long gaming sessions.

And when it comes time to locate enemies or identify where a sound is coming from, the positioning performs excellently. The imaging is precise and makes it easy to follow footsteps, gunfire, or any directional effect with considerable confidence, making the Aether a very solid companion in this regard.

Multiplayer shooter videogames:

Check my blog to see how I analyze audio in this field.

For this type of game, the Kiwi Ears Aether makes it clear from the very beginning that its priority is to deliver a clean and easy-to-interpret sound. In Counter-Strike 2 this becomes immediately noticeable, as footsteps, reloads, or changes in surface at different elevations are positioned with considerable precision, allowing you to react confidently without having to struggle to figure out what is happening. That same clarity is very useful in Apex Legends, where abilities, gunfire, and the movements of teams and players can all occur simultaneously; the Aether maintains very good separation between all of those elements and prevents the sound from turning into chaos.

Moving on to Call of Duty: Warzone, the soundstage provides a pleasant sense of space that makes it easier to follow the action while explosions, gunfire, and footsteps remain easy to identify. And in an environment as busy as Battlefield 6, with vehicles, destruction, and large-scale combat, this set of monitors demonstrates excellent control by keeping every sound in its proper place. It does not try to impress by exaggerating the bass or the treble to make itself seem more detailed; it simply presents the soundstage in a coherent, organized, and precise way, which ultimately becomes much more useful when what matters is quickly understanding everything that is happening around you.

Final conclusion and personal evaluations:

Kiwi Ears Aether leaves me with the feeling of having had, for almost a month, a set of monitors that does not need to attract attention in order to convince, since its greatest strength lies in the naturalness with which it presents everything. Music flows, games are enjoyable, and it never gives the impression that one part of the sound wants to dominate another. It is one of those models that the more you use it, the more you end up appreciating it because it always delivers a comfortable, coherent, and highly enjoyable listening experience for any type of listener and for any genre.

That same personality is also, in a way, its least eye-catching point. If you are looking for a sound with a lot of character, exaggerated impact, or very pronounced brightness that impresses from the very first minute, the Aether will probably fall one step behind other, bolder alternatives. Here, everything is measured with very good taste and elegance, even if that means giving up a little spectacularity.

In the end, I believe it is an IEM designed for those who enjoy long sessions of music or videogames and value balance above excess. It may not be the model that impresses the most during a quick listen, but it is certainly one of those that gradually earns a permanent place because of how well it does practically everything.

I could summarize it by saying that the Aether is not fast food, but something that is cooked over a slow fire.

If you have made it this far, thank you for reading.

More reviews on my blog.

Social media links are on my profile.

See you in the next review!

Disclaimer:

This set of monitors was sent by Linsoul. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to test one of their products free of charge and that no conditions were imposed on me when preparing this review.

Despite this, my priority is to be as impartial as possible within the subjectivity that comes with reviewing an audio product. My opinion belongs solely to me and is based on what I perceive with my own ears. If your opinion is different, it is just as valid. Please feel free to share it.

My sources:

-Topping DX5 II for music and videogames on my main PC.
-NiceHCK Octave while I work.
-FiiO BTA30 Pro + FiiO BTR13 for wireless LDAC listening at home.
-FiiO BTR13 + FiiO Airlink + iPhone 16 Pro Max for wireless listening on the go.
-Apple Music.
-Local FLAC and MP3 files.
-Windows/macOS/iOS/iPadOS/Android.

What's your favorite track? Mine is 'To Bid You Farewell'

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.

DISCLAIMER: The Tanchjim Fola unit was kindly provided to us free of charge by Tanchjim Audio for review purposes. We’re genuinely honoured and excited to get back into Tanchjim Audio’s products. Our heartfelt thanks to the Tanchjim Audio team for this opportunity and their generous support to Aural Cafe.

Introduction: -

Today at Aural Cafe, we are reviewing the Tanchjim Fola, a dynamic driver-based High-Performance In-Ear Monitor from the Nanning, Guangxi, China-based Hi-Fi brand, Tanchjim Audio. At the heart of the Fola lies a distinctive 10mm dynamic driver utilising Tanchjim's 5th-generation DMT5 architecture, engineered to deliver clean and detailed sound.

Tanchjim Audio is a hi-fi audio brand under the umbrella of Nanning, Guangxi, China-based Nanning Heavy Hammer Technology Co. Ltd. Founded in 2015. The company was founded by an internal design team that collaborated with veteran acoustical engineers, some of whom had spent years developing high-end audio hardware for prominent legacy audio brands in Japan. Tanchjim gained global critical acclaim in the audiophile community with the launch of the Tanchjim Oxygen. The Oxygen became a benchmark for single dynamic driver IEMs due to its highly accurate Harman-neutral tuning and premium stainless-steel build. It was so popular and fan-demanding that they had to refresh and upgrade with a newer model following the same DNA, Origin. Following the Oxygen's success, the brand released popular mid-range models like the Hana, Kara, Darling, etc. During this era, Tanchjim solidified its clean, minimalist visual aesthetic and introduced its virtual anime brand mascot, Asano Tanch. They have also invested in developing their in-house portable source materials, such as Tanchjim Luna and Space Line-ups. We at Aural Café had the opportunity to review items like Tanchjim Origin, Kara, Space and Space Lite.

Tanchjim Fola features a 10 mm Dynamic Driver in a patented fifth-generation Dual Magnetic and double cavity acoustic chamber technology setup. The patented DMT-5 Acoustic Technology implemented in Tanchjim Fola resulted in not only pulling off the higher magnetic flux and stronger dynamics but also helping in achieving an ultra-low level of harmonic distortion at 1khz<0.056% at 94dB. The ultra-low distortion, along with the high-quality stainless-steel shell, contributed to cleaner tonal balance, accurate timbre, wider soundstage, imaging and separation. The story doesn’t just end here, but probably starts with the 10 mm dynamic driver, which features a specially designed DLC (Diamond-Like-Carbon) Diaphragm that is combined with a PU suspension edge to deliver a diaphragm that has high rigidity and equivalent compliance to achieve a hi-fi immersive experience and dynamics from the whole diaphragm.

Thanchjim Fola is also uniquely designed with a semi-open Helmholtz resonator rear cavity to optimise inner airflow, preventing ear-pressure fatigue during long sessions. The Helmholtz Resonance system makes way to Tanchjim Fola, which we have seen in Aria Ear Azuri and Sylva in recent times. Fola integrates a semi-open Helmholtz resonance chamber to precisely tune the upper-mid range and range of treble, where most of the harshness and shoutiness occur. This advanced acoustic system suppresses unwanted resonances that often mask upper-frequency detail, allowing the upper treble not only to shine but shine with natural brilliance. The result is crisp, airy sound with sparkle and openness, without any hint of fatigue or harshness.

The Tanchjim Audio team also implemented a replaceable conduit design on their IEM, Fola, to unlock more modes, which we have seen in the model like Tanchjim Origin. The high-quality replaceable tuning nozzles are easily unscrewed and replaced through the quickly disassembled thread structure, in our experience, while listening to different genres of music. The IEM comes fitted with Standard conduits along with Dynamic and Light conduits in the box. According to the Tanchjim Audio team, the inner cavity geometry of the three conduits of Fola is slightly different, bringing different resonance effects and unlocking more modes. The Fola comes with a rear cavity structure and a semi-open Helmholtz Resonator System to effectively manage air pressure inside the IEMs and to achieve immersive dynamics.

Tanchjim Fola is priced at US$ 199.99.

Specifications: -

·         Driver Configuration: 10 mm DLC Dynamic Driver with PU Suspension Cone

·         Impedance: 16Ω ± 5%

·         Freq Response: 2Hz-48Khz

·         Sensitivity: 126dB/VRMS

·         Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 1kHz <0.056% at 94dB

·         Cable: 1.2m OFC Plated Silver Wire in LITZ Structure

·         Plug: Modular 3.5mm, 4.4mm and Type-C DSP connector

Unboxing Experience, Design & Build: -

As you can see from our unboxing video (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/M4S7PmHKANA), the Tanchjim Fola arrived in a compact white cardboard box with a printed Anime Girl on it. The brand name TANCHJIM is printed on the top-left corner of the box using their signature fonts. The back of the box displays the technical specifications of the Fola in multiple languages, along with the frequency response graph. Upon removing the outer sleeve, we found the gray-coloured box with a printed Tanchjim logo on it, which we have seen before when unboxing the other Tanchjim products like Origin and Kara. After opening the lid of the box, we encountered the Fola papers and leaflets first. On finally removing the papers, the presentation feels thoughtfully arranged. The Fola IEMs rest elegantly in the upper section along with the tuning nozzles, while the lower compartment houses a finely crafted white resin carrying case beneath a paper cover. Upon opening the carry case, we found the silver-coloured stock cable. On keeping aside the cable, we are welcomed by the modular plugs. Upon removing the top part with IEMs, we were finally greeted by the two types of ear tip sets: wide bore and narrow bore, available in S, M, and L sizes. Overall, the layout is thoughtfully executed with an emphasis on practicality and precision, free from unnecessary flair, and focused instead on functional design and quality accessories. The unboxing experience feels very refined, reflecting Tanchjim’s commitment to delivering a true high-fidelity in-Ear monitor rather than relying on flashy packaging. We really appreciate their ability to put so many things inside the small-sized box.

When it comes to design, the Tanchjim Fola features a CNC-machined high-density forged aluminium alloy shell, a 316L stainless steel top cover, and a mirror-finished sapphire glass faceplate. This ensures a compact, minimal design with a compact finish. These carefully engineered internals play a vital role in shaping the sound, while also ensuring consistent build quality and strict quality control throughout the process. According to Tanchjim, this optimised structural design further enhances durability, with the alloy shells and the sonic experience. The meticulously crafted Fola faceplate lives up to the legacy of Tanchjim, showcasing an aesthetic and generational approach that we have seen before on Tanchjim IEMs. The right faceplate displays the Tanchjim Logo branding, while the left showcases the name FOLA, both rendered in sleek silver accents on the shiny stainless-steel cover. We also noticed a small circular vent near the 2-pin connector socket on each Fola shell.

When it comes to the cable, the Tanchjim Fola is equipped with a modular OFC plated silver wire code cable with Litz structure featuring gold-plated 0.78mm 2-pin connectors. This stock cable aims at minimising interference and ensuring clean signal transmission, along with maintaining the tuning philosophy. The modular cable offers both 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs to maximise the pairing with multiple types of devices. It also offers to use the discrete DSP profiles with the given Type-C connector. One can use the Type-C plug to use it with a mobile phone and sync the IEM with Tanchjim’s proprietary companion app to unlock the Parametric EQ, Virtual Surround Sound, Multiple Tuning Presets, etc. The stock cable is impressively lightweight, making it well-suited for everyday portable use. During our testing, we didn’t notice any significant microphonics, contributing to a smooth and distraction-free listening experience.

When it comes to build quality, the Tanchjim Fola feels genuinely top-notch, thanks to its advanced CNC machining construction. The metal shells appear durable and surprisingly lightweight, ranking among the lightest metal IEMs we’ve encountered in recent times. Complementing this is the 316L stainless-steel top cover. We also like to add here that the Fola features a unique semi-open Helmholtz resonator rear cavity to optimise inner airflow, preventing ear-pressure fatigue during long sessions. Passive isolation can be tricky for those with large ears, as the form factor of the IEM is comparatively small. When it comes to Ear tips, Fola includes two sets of T-APB Air Pressure Balancing tips in standard S, M, and L sizes, neatly stored beneath the IEM compartment of the packaging. While both sets appear similar at first glance, a closer look reveals that one of them is wide bore and the other is narrow. We at Aural café feel that the wide-bore tips should offer a more transparent top end with a neutral presentation, whereas the narrow-bore tips should lean towards a more musical tuning with slightly fuller and firmer lows in comparison to the wide-bore Ear tips.

Overall, we're pleased to see that Tanchjim Audio chose to prioritise a functional unboxing experience, opting for minimalist packaging to help reduce costs. Instead of spending money on an elaborate presentation, we at Aural Cafe are pleased by Tanchjim’s decision to include a high-quality cable, a spacious carrying case, and an impressive aesthetic look for an item priced at 199.99$.

Sound Analysis: -

We would like to clarify that our sound impressions of the Tanchjim Fola are based on its use with stock narrow-bore silicone Ear tips and the stock 4.4 mm terminated cable, paired with capable, neutral hi-fi sources. Any changes in sound when switching to the stock wide-bore Ear tips and DSP termination have been discussed separately in the Synergy section, which we recommend referring to for a more complete understanding. We would also like to note that the unit was subjected to approximately 50 hours of burn-in, as recommended by the brand, allowing us to better experience the true potential of Fola.

·         Tonality: - After testing the Fola with various high-fidelity DAPs, desktop DAC/Amps, and dongles across multiple music genres, we at Aural Cafe like to state that its tonality leans towards a neutral sound signature with a hint of warmth. This results in a rich and well-balanced sound signature, with a touch of sub-bass bias. When driven by a powerful source, the 10mm DMT-5 Dynamic Driver housed in a metal shell ends up keeping the neutral tonality of the IEM. The sub-bass takes the lead over the mid-bass both in quantity and quality. The sub-bass provides the rumble without overpowering the others. The transient response of the Fola reaches new heights with high-end amplification, clearly indicating that its dynamic driver scales well with better sources. The mids take the centre stage and are the star of the show as Tanchjim Fola ends up delivering a natural mid with superb timbre, soul and emotion. The mid-section of Fola shows top-notch clarity, even though some may experience a bit of forward upper-mids. High frequencies are clean and detailed, without becoming harsh. When it comes to timbre, the timbre of the musical instruments from the mid region, such as electronic and acoustic guitar, piano, saxophone and percussion instruments, showcases life-like timbre and texture, also the timbre of the musical instruments from the low section, such as snare and kick drums and bass guitar, is very tight and clean. When it comes to the detail retrieval ability of Fola, the micro details come out cleanly. When it comes to us, we at Aural Cafe enjoyed listening to blues, acoustic and vocal-centric tracks with Fola at the helm, such as ‘Messy’ by ROSE from the movie ‘F1’. We would also add here that the DMT-5 Acoustic Technology setup has been implemented superbly in Fola, making it closer to Tanchjim Audio’s flagship single-DD IEMs.

·         Lows: - The lows on Tanchjim Origin are tuned keeping in mind its neutral signature. The Lows in Tanchjim Origin are precisely tuned and don’t bleed, but rather merge smoothly with the Mids. The sub-bass is the main focus in terms of low-end performance. It reaches deep enough but not exaggerated by any means. When it comes to Mid-bass, the Tanchjim Fola showcases a tight and clean mid-bass with top-notch texture. We at Aural Café definitely loved listening to ‘All the Stars’ by Kendrick Lamar feat. Sza. Keeping in mind the overall tuning, we at Aural Cafe were decently satisfied by the articulated groove and natural body of the lower end of Tanchjim Fola, but a bass-head might crave more out of it. The transient response is good, all thanks to the very capable diaphragm dynamic driver. The attack is fast and clean, while the decay is short, preventing bleeding into the mids. We enjoyed listening to tracks such as ‘Party Monster’ and ‘The Hills’ by the Weekend, but yes, we would love a bit more impact in the Mid-bass region.

·         Mids: - Tanchjim Audio has skillfully tuned the mids using the same 10mm DMT-5 dynamic driver with the PU suspension cone, achieving an expressive and emotionally engaging presentation. The tight and clean mid-bass doesn’t end up bleeding into mids, because of which the Fola delivers a clean midrange. At Aural Cafe, we also believe that the aluminium alloy housing plays a crucial role in helping Fola to maintain ultra-low distortion and excellent clarity across the frequency range, particularly enhancing its midrange transparency. When it comes to the positioning of the mids, some may feel the midrange is a bit forward. The lower mids stay stable and with a hint of warmth, while the upper mids of Fola are very controlled with a hint of aggression. The upper mids of Fola add soulful energy and excitement to the overall sound frequency, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Sultans of Swing’ by the Dire Straits. When it comes to vocals, the Tanchjim Fola evince detailed and smooth vocals with lots of soul and feel, both in the case of male and female vocalist but we at Aural Cafe feel that the female vocals take a lead against male vocals when it comes to vocal texture, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Skyfall’ by Adele. That said, while the vocals exude soulful texture, the mild warmth adds body to the notes. When it comes to the timbre of musical instruments in this part of the frequency, the timbre of the musical instruments, such as electronic and acoustic guitar, piano, saxophone and percussion instruments, showcases a good tonal correctness.

·         Highs: - The highs on Tanchjim Fola are tuned in a very neutral and balanced way. The high frequencies on the Fola are crisp and airy. It is energetic for a neutrally tuned IEM, yet controlled with an ample amount of sparkle present. The upper treble is decently extended ensures the openness. There is no harshness in high frequency, and thus it becomes suitable for a longer duration of usage. The treble is smooth with a decent amount of air. We had a good time listening to ‘Stairway to Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin on Tanchjim Origin on Dethonray Listening M1 with the Linum SuperBax cable. As for the timbre of instruments in this frequency range, instruments like Piano and Cymbal, especially Cymbal hits, showcase precise shimmer, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Hotel California’ by the Eagles.

·         Soundstage & Imaging: - The Soundstage on Tanchjim Fola is holographic and immersive, with a Soundstage width taking a comfortable lead in comparison to the Soundstage depth and height. At Aural Cafe, we thoroughly enjoyed listening to ‘The National Anthem’ by Radiohead. The Fola’s immersive presentation pairs exceptionally well with genres like progressive rock and blues, as we experienced while enjoying ‘Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)’ by Pink Floyd. When it comes to instrument separation, it is distinct and precise. The instrument separation on Tanchjim Fola is quite good, and there are good amount of air between the instruments. Particularly when listening to complex metal rock tracks, the separation between instruments is excellent. When it comes to imaging, the Tanchjim Fola is quite accurate. The microdetails are also coming at very organic manner.

·         Synergy: - The Tanchjim Fola is an easy-to-drive IEM, but scales very high with powerful sources. The Single 10 mm DMT-5 composite DD in Tanchjim Fola loves powerful sources, and the Dynamics, Soudstage and Imaging reach to a different level with Sources such as Dethonray, Listening M1 and Honey H2. We would also like to inform you that the Tanchjim Fola responds well to the Source matching and merges really well with warm musical sources, Dethonray SG1 Gold in our case. So, if you are an audiophile who wants to test your portable sources' capability, then Tanchjim Fola can come in very handy in this case. When it comes to the dongles, Tanchjim Fola pairs really well with the iFi Go Link Max. When it comes to ear tips, we loved them with Divinus Velvet, and stock narrow bore tips over wide bore ear tips, although the wide bore adds a bit of air to the overall frequency of the Tanchjim Fola. When it comes to cables, the stock cable performs well considering the neutral tonality of the IEM, but the Linum Dualbax brings the mids a bit forward, while the Rhapsodio Copper Cable adds a bit more musicality to the whole sound frequency.

We would also like to talk about the replaceable nozzle in this part of the review. So, the Tanchjim Fola comes with three pairs of replaceable nozzles. The Tanchjim Fola comes with the Standard nozzle out of the box, along with a dynamic and Light pair of nozzles. We tested the effect of Dynamic and Light conduits on the sound frequency with the help of neutral sources such as Aune M1p, iFi Go Bar KENSEI and Dethonray Clarinet in our case. We would like to say that the Light pair of nozzles makes the soundtrack a bit more reference while the Dynamic pair of conduits adds a bit of dynamics and fun to the whole frequency and becomes handy and fun while listening to hip hop genre music, but we were ‘Comfortably Numb’ with the balanced Stock Standard conduits.

When connected via the Type-C DSP hardware plug, users can sync the IEM to the Tanchjim Companion App. The type-C DSP hardware plug doesn’t add anything special to the tonality of the IEM. But one can access tuning presets. The Quick-switch digital signatures, such as "Natural", "Balance", "Popular", and game-specific profiles like "Genshin Impact" applies the Auto-EQ to change the sound accordingly.

Conclusion: -

We would like to conclude this review by stating that we really enjoyed the neutrality with a unique sound signature using the same DMT-5 driver in Tanchjim Fola, considering the price range. The DMT-5 Acoustic Technology setup, which is no gimmick that we have already experienced in Tanchjim Origin, becomes even more mature with Fola at a lower price. The Soundstage, Transient response, Tonal balance, clarity and imaging are very precise. We also enjoyed Tanchjim Fola as it responds well to source matching, which becomes fun for Audiophiles like us. The added pair of Conduits is just a bonus and caters very well to the ever-demanding value-centric Audiophiles. We would also like to add that we would love a bit more mid-bass punch and texture along with a more natural treble, but if you are in this hobby and want to enjoy and experience top-notch technicalities without breaking the bank, then this IEM becomes an easy choice considering the build quality, premium accessories and sound technicalities. If anyone is willing to purchase, it is available for purchase locally and globally through the following links (Non-Affiliated link is given below).

-          https://www.amazon.com/TANCHJIM-Monitor-Distortion-Instrument-Earphones/dp/B0FNRWGC6B/

-          https://www.theaudiostore.in/products/tanchjim-fola-iem

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This is a development build, and we are testing its stability. Once completed, we will release the USB exclusive bit perfect mode with accurate floating point processing ☝️.

I just got these in my hands and MAN...

WHY did it took so long for anyone to figure out this kind of sound? balanced with forward enough vocals and a very present and punchy bass on top, is CRAZY to me it took this long.

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This are just my first impressions but for $120 MSRP this is the most reasonable "bassy/basshead" iem i have had the fortune to try under $200.

Bass is present, is forward and punchy, with nice weight and decent rumble.

Mid-range is forward without feeling shouty nor making male vocals feel too thin or left behind.

Treble is surpricely present and detailed enough without either making me feel is too much or too little most times.

Also, comfort is pretty decent, something that surprises me given my history of struggling to fit 75% of IEMs i try either because of a nozzle to thick or too short.

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Now my only gripe is that for $120, the reviewer for the collab Vivir Digital decided to put 2 cables (YES 2 CABLES) inside the box instead of a single interchangeable plug cable, just for the sake of the 3.5mm cable to have an in-line mic which, to be fair, has good quality of sound, but also likely drove the price up.

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Either way, if you guys want to ask anything else let me know, though I will review these so performance comments are saved for later once i give these a proper test.

TLDR, Cadenza 2 to is a solid 4/5 budget IEM. It’s a great package if you like a clean, sub-bass-focused presentation and clean midrange with mostly controlled treble (basically META tuning), but fast metalcore tracks and mid-bass-heavy songs will find its limits. Check out the notes in the images if you dont want to read, Or the video format and PDF notes here: https://youtu.be/fRckKo5M1ME?si=8Q3_803tQseK4ABV

The Cadenza 2 is basically the Strawberry Juice of IEMs (it should ve been kiwis pun intended, but kiwis are way too sour) . It’s got a sweet taste, a little bit of a sour and tangy bite, and just enough richness to balance the acidity out. What it isn’t is a strawberry milkshake—it lacks that heavy, thick milk-sweetness and full-bodied warmth. It’s rather a clean, refreshing drink, but not a thick, rich experience.

Mandatory Cable Praise

This thing feels incredibly nice and premium with absolutely zero memory wire frustration. It feels like the material used in Kiwi Ears’ black Terras cable (in collab with B Media), just without the swappable modular terminations and using slightly cheaper inner parts. For a $45 package, this cable is excellent.

Sound Performance

I'll speed run this part and yab a lot in the test tracks section

Bass

Subbass focus, good rumble, a bit fast decay. But midbass on weaker side, not anemic tho!

Mids

The midrange is clean and well-separated. Lower mids feel fine, and the upper mids are quite forward, vocals clear are and front-and-center. But on very high-pitched or tenor male vocals, the upper mids can get right to the edge of shoutiness.

Treble

The treble has decent precision and enough sparkle to keep things energetic without feeling completely blunt. It’s totally safe from high-frequency sibilance (6kHz and above is completely clean with good air). However, there is a bit of harshness right around the 5kHz region in the lower treble/upper mid transition that can fatigue you on some tracks.

Soundstage & Technicalities

the soundstage is very good, Open with good sense of depth.

Test Tracks

Sibilance / Harshness Test

• ❌Fallujah – "Venom Upon the Blade": This track has a very sharp mix with piercing guitar harmonics, and it definitely gets to the Cadenza 2. It triggers that 5kHz harshness right away. (Quick fix: A parametric EQ peak filter at 5kHz at -1dB with a Q of 4 completely cleaned it up).
• ✅Bring Me The Horizon – "Doomed" (Live at the Royal Albert Hall): During the bridge where the choir and full instrumentation swell, it passes perfectly. No sibilance here.
• ✅The Devil Wears Prada – "Where the Flowers Never Grow": At the beginning, the vocalist's "S" and "T" sounds are mixed a bit sharp. The Cadenza 2 passed this with zero annoyance—6kHz and above is totally fine.
• ❌Baby Metal & Knocked Loose: The high-pitched female vocals and harsh, frantic arrangements hit right at the edge of the upper mids and lower treble. You can't listen to these for extended periods; it will fatigue you on longer sessions.

What it Does Well

• Slow, Well-Mixed Tracks & Synth Wave: Slower tracks are always safe, but they are especially engaging here because of the sub-bass boost. The Dark Sun album by Dayseeker sounds amazing, blending vocals and synth wave elements beautifully.
• Medium Busy Tracks (Twenty One Pilots): Handled very well. The vocal-centric focus keeps everything clear and enjoyable.
• Hip-Hop: Highly engaging and fun thanks to that dedicated sub-bass lift.
• Mid-Centric Tracks (Breaking Benjamin, Starset, Linkin Park, Tool, Polaris, Parkway Drive): Tracks that heavily utilize the midrange—especially the lower mids—sound excellent. House of Protection's "Pulling Teeth" and various Counterparts tracks sound great on this set. (Even Baby Metal can go either way here; a track like "From Me to You" featuring Poppy is much more reserved and highly enjoyable).

Where it Lacks

• Mid-Bass / Dark Tone Tracks (Twenty One Pilots – "Drum Show", Alice in Chains – "Would?", Soundgarden – "The Day I Tried to Live"): These tracks rely on fast kick drums, a heavy mid-bass slam, or darker tones. The Cadenza 2 feels clean but lacks the necessary body and punch to make the drum/bass intros engaging.
• Health – "Demigods": The presentation here just starts falling flat. The track is very dark, and the Cadenza 2’s clean profile and missing mid-bass slam just don't offer the right presentation for this style of music.

Where it Chokes

• Invent Animate – Heavens album: This track combines tender vocals, intense guitar harmonics, and massive slamming. The single dynamic driver simply runs out of speed, completely botching the complexity because it chokes right where all of the Cadenza 2's weaknesses sit.
• Knocked Loose – You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To album: Frantic arrangements, harsh vocals, and heavy slamming limit-test this IEM, and the single driver struggles hard to keep up.

Direct Comparisons

• vs. Tangzu Wan'er 2: The Wan'er ($20) has less sub-bass rumble but features more mid-bass body, making it sound fuller and warmer on older rock tracks. However, the Cadenza 2 is noticeably more technical, cleaner, and comes with a vastly superior premium cable.
• vs. PRX: For metal music, I personally lean toward cheap planers like the PRX ($25). The PRX flat-out beats the Cadenza 2 in raw technicalities and speed for busy tracks, even if it lacks the sub-bass rumble and has that typical artificial planer timbre. The Cadenza 2 sounds much more natural, but the PRX is the better value for fast genres.
• vs. Simgot EW300: The EW300 ($70) is more expensive. It has much higher midrange resolution and features swappable tuning nozzles (the gold nozzle gives you better mid-bass). The EW300 can occasionally lean closer to sibilance, whereas the Cadenza 2 has that specific 5kHz edge instead. The Cadenza 2 offers slightly cleaner presentation for less money, making it a highly competitive value.

Rating

• Bright vs. Warm: The Cadenza 2 is the most bright-leaning of the budget bunch. The Wan'er is neutral-warm, and the PRX sits on the warmer side.
• U-Shape vs. V-Shape: The Cadenza 2 leans closer to a clean U-shape or W-shape.
• Musical vs. Analytical: The Wan'er is the most musical and relaxed. The Cadenza 2 sits in the middle with a clean profile, while the planer PRX is the most analytical.
• Soundstage (Narrow vs. Wide): It has great, very good width for a budget set, punching above its price tag.
• Casual vs. Advanced: It’s a casual, instantly engaging listen for 80% of standard music libraries because the tuning grabs your attention right away.
• All-Rounder vs. Niche: It’s not a complete all-rounder. Because it lacks that warm mid-bass body, tracks that require heavy punch and dark warmth will feel slightly left behind.

Final Thoughts

The Kiwi Ears Cadenza 2 is a beautiful budget option if you want a clean, wide, sub-bass-forward sound signature and a stellar cable out of the box. It handles standard playlists like a champ. Just be prepared to back off the volume a bit on hyper-aggressive, high-pitched metal mixes where its single driver hits its processing limits.