Intro

I remember when I first heard they had cut the wires out of audio. I remember sitting there thinking, “Oh, this is really cool!” At the time, wireless earbuds had this really heavy V, almost U-shaped tuning. They were bass-boosted, energetic, and honestly, they really spoke to me. Think Dunu DN-142, but leaning even harder into that V-shaped sound.

I believe the year was 2016, and the earbuds were the Apple AirPods Gen 1. Sure, there were true wireless earbuds before them, but these were the ones that really set the standard and made TWS mainstream, at least here in America. A couple of months later, Samsung dropped the IconX, and these were something completely different. The AirPods became what we know today, and damn near every pair of true wireless earbuds that followed seemed to take inspiration from that formula. Samsung, on the other hand, basically said, “Nah bro, that's boring as hell,” and dropped the IconX.

The IconX was basically a whole DAP stuffed into an earbud. I'm not even kidding. It had 4GB of internal storage, meaning you could actually load music directly onto the earbuds and leave your phone behind. The problem, and probably the reason you don't remember them, is that Samsung wasn't really marketing them to you or me. They were marketing them to athletes.

And I don't mean the guy down the road who's uncannily good at basketball, or Tom Jones Schmidt who can somehow get a birdie on a par 3 while he's so drunk he can't stand straight even with a back brace. No! We're talking professional runners, cyclists, and serious athletes. I'm sure Samsung sold plenty of them, but the entire campaign was so specifically targeted that most people probably never even knew they existed. I can tell you, though, they were epic. Hell, I'd go as far as to say they were iconic.

But those two products helped establish what wireless audio was supposed to be. And once something becomes the standard, why innovate?

Every gym bro, every teacher, every mom and dad with a newborn, basically every human on the damn planet who looked at a headphone cable and said, “Nah bro, wires are oppressive,” switched over.

The problem was that, for all the convenience wireless gave us, the sound often left a lot to be desired. A huge number of early TWS products were heavily bass-boosted and treble-boosted, and there was a reason for that. Bluetooth simply didn't have the bandwidth we were accustomed to getting from wired audio. It was like trying to run a Hoover Dam vacuum through a garden hose. There was only so much information you could push through the air, and manufacturers had to find ways to make that compressed signal sound exciting.

Then Sony said, “We got this,” and dropped LDAC.

Wildly enough, Sony had already developed LDAC in 2015, before the first mainstream true wireless earbuds even hit U.S. shelves. But the technology sat there for a couple of years before Android 8.0 Oreo brought native LDAC support to the Android ecosystem in 2017.

Suddenly, wireless audio had a way to transmit dramatically more information and start closing the gap between wired and wireless listening.

Of course, the rest of the technology still wasn't quite there. Bluetooth connections weren't always strong enough. The hardware was expensive. The chips capable of handling everything weren't exactly cheap.

And let's be honest. As fans of this hobby, we all know damn well that almost none of us were going to drop $1,000 on a pair of headphones just to get better wireless audio.

Right?

....RIGHT????

So a few years went by with relatively little movement. Then, around 2021, HiBy released the WH2, and TWS started feeling like it was finally moving forward again. HiBy positioned the WH2 as the first officially LDAC-certified TWS earphone, with support for transmission rates up to 990kbps.

Crazy what can happen in just five years, isn't it? Innovation is a funny thing. And that brings me to the ROSESELSA Ceramics Ultra.

I could lie to you and tell you that every aspect of the Ceramics Ultra represents some massive innovation. I could tell you the sound is so good that it's going to blow your mind like the meme.

It's not.

What it is going to do… or at least what it did for me… is become a part of your daily life.

Whenever I'm gardening, cutting down trees, working around the house, or doing damn near anything else, they're firmly planted in my ears. And that's actually what surprised me most about the Ceramics Ultra.

I didn't find myself reaching for them because I was reviewing them. I found myself reaching for them because I genuinely wanted to listen to them.

And honestly? I think that's worth talking about.

Disclaimer: These were sent to me by ROSESELSA for the purpose of this review. There was no monetary compensation for producing this review. While ROSESELSA provided the product, that did not influence my opinions or conclusions. As always, these are my honest observations and listening impressions.

The Tech Stuff

This is one of those sections I don't think anyone actually reads, but people would totally notice if I didn't add it! So let's make this fun: If you actually read this, drop your favorite color in the comments.

Did you do it?

Okay, good!

Let's look at what's actually under the hood of the Ceramics Ultra and see how far TWS tech has crawled out of that 2016 bottleneck we were just talking about.

1. The Core Architecture & Codecs

Unlike the primitive Bluetooth constraints of early earbuds that choked on high-bitrate audio, this thing is packing Bluetooth 6.0 with a Tensilica HiFi 5 DSP and a dedicated DAC/amp stage.

High-Res Support: It doesn't just settle for standard AAC and SBC. It handles high-resolution codecs including LDAC and LHDC 5.0, with transmission rates reaching up to roughly 1Mbps depending on codec and connection conditions. ROSESELSA lists SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LHDC 5.0 as supported codecs.

The Real-World Translation: You can actually feed a high-resolution source file into a wireless earbud without immediately being limited to the basic Bluetooth codecs we've been dealing with for years.

That's right! That's four separate codecs in one tiny, comfortable shell! 

Really quick I'd like to talk about the difference between LDAC and LHDC 5.0 because I know until now I had actually never heard of it so maybe you haven't either! 

LDAC and LHDC are competing high-resolution Bluetooth codecs designed to transmit more audio data than basic SBC or AAC. LDAC is more widely supported, while LHDC can offer similarly high or slightly higher bitrates depending on the implementation, in my testing though with the Ceramics Ultra, LHDC was considerably more stable than LDAC, and I couldn't hear an obvious difference in sound quality between them.

Oh and none of them work with iPhone! So if you're an iPhone user, welp you're SOL!

2. The Driver

ROSESELSA threw in a single 10mm dynamic driver featuring its HR+ Planck diaphragm design.

The company says the driver uses a rigid diaphragm structure paired with a flexible surround, allowing for greater excursion than a conventional TWS driver. Rather than pretending I independently measured that claim, I'll tell you what I can actually hear... the driver moves some serious air.

And that matters.

Because whatever the engineering behind it, the result is a driver capable of producing some genuinely physical low-end without completely burying everything above it.

ROSESELSA also lists the Ceramics Ultra as a 2026 Red Dot award winner.

3. ANC and Practical Tech

The Ceramics Ultra uses active noise cancellation rated up to 50dB, along with a dedicated wind-noise reduction mode and four microphones. It also includes a low-latency gaming mode. On paper, this is exactly the kind of feature set you'd expect from a modern TWS product. The interesting part is finding out how much of that technology actually matters once you start using the thing.

And that's where the testing gets interesting.

The Unboxing

When you first open the box, you're presented with the device itself... nothing else on the surface. But once you pull the product out, you realize that there are two additional boxes underneath. One is hiding the eartips, and the other hides the charging cable.

It's all presented in an elegant, minimalistic way that, although not stunning, is nice on its own.

You can watch the whole unboxing here!:

https://youtube.com/shorts/aAaeB3LB83c?is=2XjwuTGRIhobuYBh

The Battery Life

Okay, this is insane!

Listen, I've read about a bajillion tech spec sheets over my life, and the biggest lie they all tell is about battery life. Every time they say 7, 8, 9, or 10 hours, it's almost always at least half that.

Maybe even less!

Especially after you drop some serious hours on the product. I mean, my Samsung Buds2 Pro are lucky if they last 45 minutes at this point!

Then here comes the Ceramics Ultra. I can't say the battery is gonna be as good as it is now in 10 years... it won't! But I can say ROSESELSA rates these for up to 11 hours of playback from the earbuds and up to 40 hours total with the charging case. And honestly, that's pretty damn close to what I've experienced. I've listened to two audiobooks, four movies, and about 50 songs on these before I ever even started writing this review, and I can tell you the case is still at 32%. That's wild! If anything, they undersold what these babies can do in the hours-listened department.

Hell, I've not even charged them yet!

Sound Cancelling

Listen!

I've been anti-TWS since I made the switch back to wired, but these do make a difference... though honestly, I think the active noise cancellation on these is kinda bad. Sitting about 10 feet away from my wife, I could hear her show playing on her phone. I've tried 15 different eartips with these to see if it helps in any way... nothing did. This is one of the biggest downfalls of the Ceramics Ultra.

ROSESELSA rates the ANC at up to 50dB, but in my real-world testing, the difference was nowhere near what I expected. It reduced some outside noise, but it didn't come close to creating the level of isolation I get from some of my other TWS sets. And somehow, I still got that pressure-suction feeling that so many users shy away from with ANC. So yeah… The ANC isn't great. That's probably the biggest disappointment I've had with these.

Microphone

One of the most impressive aspects of the Ceramics is its microphone!

Honestly, bro, listen!

I've recorded probably 35 test clips... some outside, some inside, and one with me standing in only shorts on top of my air conditioner just to get a feel for what this device's mic can really do! And let me tell you… It's crystal clear. No matter what I tried to do to disrupt it. There was no Mr. Roboto. No consonant clipping. No obvious collapse when the environment got loud. It's actually amazing. I tried to break it to see what would happen, and it actually broke me... almost seriously. There was a whole thing where the garden hose tried to take me out.

But that's a story for another review!

The Sound Quality

Let's Break Down the Sound

Let's start with the bass, because this is where the Ceramics Ultra immediately makes its personality known.

The bass hits nice. It's resolute, it has some real boom behind it, and most importantly, it doesn't overly bleed into the mids.

That is something I really appreciate with a V-shaped tuning. You can give me that extra low end, but if it starts stepping all over the vocals and instruments sitting above it, we've got a problem.

Thankfully, that's not what I'm hearing here.

The bass has presence without completely taking over the room.

Male vocals are crisp and clear, and they aren't recessed nearly as much as I expected them to be. There's enough presence here that voices retain their character without getting swallowed up by the bass.

Female vocals, though… Damn.

These are really good.

They're intimate, warm, and have this really enjoyable sense of closeness that works extremely well with the tuning. And I have to bring up Behind Blue Eyes here, especially the new remaster. This song is an outright resounding experience on the Ceramics Ultra. The left and right separation is particularly noticeable, and there are moments where the presentation just clicks. You can hear those elements sitting distinctly apart from one another, and it gives the track a much bigger sense of space than I expected from a set of TWS earbuds.

Now, before I get carried away, let's talk about the mids.

Yes...

They're recessed.

But this is a V-shaped tuning, and honestly, I went into this expecting it. The mids aren't disappearing, but they aren't being pushed directly into your face either. And that's probably the first thing I wanted to change once I finished my initial listening. I personally prefer my vocals and midrange a little more in-your-face. That's the beauty of having EQ available. I don't have to decide whether the tuning is objectively right or wrong. I can decide whether it's right for me. Then we get to the treble, and this is where the Ceramics Ultra surprised me.

Most TWS sets I've used seem to be really good at one thing... sound cancellation... while everything else feels like an afterthought. The Ceramics Ultra almost feels like the exact opposite.

The noise cancellation is… Well… Kinda bad….

But everything else? Actually pretty damn good.

I'm not going to sit here and tell you the treble is some mind-blowing revelation that completely changes what I thought TWS could do.

It isn't.

But the detail retrieval is genuinely surprising, especially considering what these are designed to be. And that changes the way I think about these. Because when I'm out and about and the world starts getting a little too damn loud, these are going in my pocket. When I need to escape for a few minutes, I want something that can give me that little break from everything around me.

And despite the fact that the noise cancellation isn't particularly impressive, the actual listening experience is good enough that I know I'll keep reaching for them.

I feel like that's a pretty important distinction.

The Ceramics Ultra may not be the best noise-cancelling TWS I've ever used, but they are absolutely among the better-sounding sets I've heard in this category.

More importantly...

They're the set I'll actually keep in my pocket. Because they are good enough! In every way, and more importantly….

they are actually pleasurable to use!

EQ

So, as promised, I threw some EQ at these.

For me, bringing the mids forward just a little bit made the Ceramics Ultra considerably more pleasurable to listen to. I also darkened the treble slightly, but left everything else exactly as it was.

I didn't try to completely change the character of these. I just nudged them in the direction my ears prefer.

And honestly… That's exactly what I wanted to find.

The stock tuning has its own personality, and I don't think you need to EQ these to enjoy them. But with those small changes, they became much more my kind of sound.

I'm not going to drop my EQ settings into this review, though.

I'd actually much rather encourage you to experiment with them yourself. Play around with that EQ. Bring the mids forward a little. Try darkening the treble. Leave the bass alone and see what happens.

And when you do… Absolutely come back here and tell me what you find. Because that's one of the coolest things about having an EQ available.

Your ears aren't my ears, and what sounds perfect to me might not be what sounds perfect to you.

The Range

Honestly, the range isn't great on these.

If you're the type of person who carries your phone on you at all times, this won't matter at all, so you can skip to the next section.

But I thought it would be worth testing, so I did.

In SBC/AAC, the effective range in my testing was about 65 feet. There is a huge difference between these, my AirPods, and my Galaxy Buds2 Pro, which actually get about 300 feet consistently before clipping starts.

In LDAC, I can't even make it to my front door before clipping starts. 

And in LHDC, I can maybe make it to my kitchen with my phone on my bed before the clipping sets in.

It's not horrible by any means.

You're probably going to use these at the gym, working around the house, or wherever else you don't want to have your phone out. In those situations, you're probably going to be only a few feet from your source anyway.

Still...

It's something worth knowing.

The App

I feel like I should add that I love a good app.

You can see that for yourself, though, so I'll just highlight my favorite parts of it.

1. 10-Band EQ

It's not a PEQ... maybe they will add that in the future?!? But it is good enough that I feel like I'm not really missing anything, which is great. 

2. Codec Switching

You can switch between codecs on the fly with a short reset while the earbuds adjust. This is something I tested a lot during this review. I wanted to see how long my phone, a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, would take to actually update between codecs. It did. And it was quick. I will say that LDAC with these isn't perfect. In my testing, it clipped constantly. LHDC, on the other hand, was considerably more stable, and honestly, I couldn't hear an obvious difference between the two.

So do with that information as ye will.

Touch Controls

Let's be real...

Touch controls are one of those things that we all say we won't use, but we actually use constantly.

Even if it's just by accident.

Left Ear:

- Single click: Increase volume

- Double click: Play / pause

- Triple click: Previous track

- Long press: Phone's assistant

Right Ear:

- Single click: Lower volume

- Double click: Play / pause

- Triple click: Next track

- Long press: Noise-cancelling controls

The controls and taps are incredibly responsive... to the point that I've accidentally turned up the volume just putting a hat on.

And honestly?

That's exactly what you want in this case. Or at least, it's exactly how responsive I want mine to be. The long press takes about three seconds, and it opens my phone's assistant or switches the noise-control modes easily enough. But more importantly, it's consistent. It's intuitive.

I like it.

Closing

I went into this testing expecting just another commercial TWS unit that I would test out and eventually give to someone else as a gift after I was done.

What I wasn't expecting was that, at under 50 bucks, I'd find a TWS unit that actually made me reconsider my whole mentality on wireless. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. The ANC could be considerably better. The range isn't impressive. LDAC was unstable in my testing.

But here's the thing...

I don't care. Because after all the testing was done, I kept putting them back in my ears. I kept taking them with me. I kept listening to them. And eventually, I realized something. I didn't just review the Ceramics Ultra. I actually started using them. And for a product that costs under $50, I think that's one hell of an accomplishment.

Before I fully wrap this up, let's do the question of the day!

Unaffiliated links

Amazon:

https://a.co/d/04cTQTrg

Rose:

https://global.roseselsa.com/collections/wireless-earbuds

Question of the Day

If you could have dinner with any artist, past or present, who would it be? What's the first question you'd ask? And why?

I think I'd pick Monet.

I'd ask him, What was it like as you went blind?

His relationship with color changed dramatically as his eyesight deteriorated. He had famously rejected black as something he didn't believe belonged in nature, yet as his vision changed, darker tones became increasingly present in his work.

I'd love to know what that experience actually felt like from inside his own head.

What did he see? What did he think he was painting?

And what did it feel like when the world he had spent his entire life observing began disappearing? I too am going blind, so I think it would be an interesting conversation.

And honestly...

I'd really like to hear the answer.

Meet the Intuaura Impact — a single dynamic driver IEM engineered with advanced acoustic technology to deliver powerful bass, natural vocals, and an engaging listening experience.

10mm high‑internal‑damping dynamic driver

- Proprietary H2T Dual Helmholtz Resonator System for smoother, more natural sound

- Future‑X faceplate design optimised for airflow and soundstage expansion

- Medical‑grade resin shell with CNC‑machined aluminium faceplate

Sound? Dynamic and engaging — Full Review is Coming Soon

Packaging feels surprisingly premium, featuring multiple eartips, a carrying case, and a thoughtful accessory set.

#IntuauraImpact #IEMCommunity #AudiophileGear #AudioEnthusiast #HiFiAudio #PortableAudio #SoundUnboxed #UnboxingAudio

This escalated quickly. 😅

The bass chapter continues with the ThieAudio Origin and Punch Audio Martilo.

Origin will be opened first since that’s the one I’m really curious about right now. Martilo will probably stay sealed for a while and get its own time later.

PB6 Macaw also arrived, but I’ll listen to the Origin straight from the DX270 first before adding the amp into the chain.

Impressions soon once I get proper time with everything.

​

Intro:

The Tanchjim Space II is one of those almost overly unassuming DACs... not because it isn't pretty. It is.

But because of what it isn't. It's not some huge, flashy DAC that you'd see sitting on the desk of one of those half head shaved A holes... (audiophile as…) you get the point. It's not big. It's not bulky. But with 225mW of power at 32Ω, it absolutely gets the job done. And that's what I love about it. It's small enough to fit in your pocket, it's made out of metal, it feels incredibly solid, and honestly... It's become a daily driver for me.

Not because I hate the Fosi MD3. I actually really like the MD3. It's because the Space II is everything the MD3 isn't. It's Small. Portable. Easy to carry. And it has basically everything I actually need in a dongle DAC. Oh... and did I mention the app? Because the app is amazing. But more on all of that later… Because it's EPIC STORY TIME!

Epic Story:

So I remember the first time I noticed the sky… And no, I don't mean NOTICED THE SKY… I mean the first time I really took the time to look up. To actually look at the stars. To notice how everything looked. And I remember just looking up and uttering… "Wow..." It was 1993. I was 5... almost 6. My grandmother's husband of the year took me to a lake in Boston. We went out to this small island that day for a little fair they were having. And I won a pie eating contest. It was segregated by age, obviously. And the results? Well... honestly, that depends on who you believe. I remember eating at least 15 whole cherry pies directly to my face. My grandmother would have told you a completely different story. She'd say it was one large piece or something like that! But let's be real… I like my story way better. Anyway, rowing back to the trailer, night fell. There was a summer sun shower just as the stars began to peek into the night sky. And it was absolutely stunning. I'll never forget that day. The pie was amazing. And I ate at least 20 full pies that day! George got in trouble because I ruined all of my clothes with pie stains. But somewhere between the lake, the rain, the stars, and a ridiculous amount of cherry pie… I saw the sky for the first time. After that day, I would always look at the sky, I studied space like I was going to be an astronaut one day! Hell I even went to space camp once….. but that passion never died, which leads me to the Tanchjim Space 2…

DISCLAIMER:

Tanchjim sent me this unit for review purposes! All opinions expressed are my own. No money was exchanged to influence my opinion or the outcome of this review.

TECH STUFF:

DAC Chips:

Dual CS43131

Outputs:

3.5mm Single-Ended

4.4mm Balanced

Power Output:

225mW @ 32Ω

PCM:

Up to 32-bit / 384kHz

DSD:

Native DSD256

DNR:

132dB

SINAD:

110dB

Dimensions:

4.2 × 2.1 × 1.2 cm

Weight:

15.1g

Power Consumption:

Approximately 0.4W

Volume Memory:

Yes

Microphone Input:

3.5mm

DSP:

Full DSP and Game Audio Suite

PEQ:

10-band Parametric EQ

App:

Tanchjim App

Gain:

Low Gain / High Gain

DAC Modes:

Class AB / Class H

Connectivity:

USB-C

Price:

Approximately $79.99 at launch

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

Alright... let's keep this one simple.

The Space II doesn't come with a giant pile of accessories, but honestly, I don't think it needs one.

Inside the box you get:

• USB-C to USB-C cable

• USB-A adapter

• Warranty card

• QC card

• Instruction manual

And that's it.

No giant collection of cables you're probably never going to use. No random accessories thrown into the box just to make it look fuller. It's a pretty straightforward package that gets you from opening the box to listening to music without much fuss. And honestly… That's exactly what I want from something designed to live in my pocket.

You can actually watch the unboxing here:

https://youtu.be/RWK73R8Z0ks?is=uzjc16AyLymtGw8L

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Let me start off by saying this thing is tiny, it's the kind of small you can lose it in your pocket! It's all metal, with a small window where you can see all the cool little bits and bobs in it, the buttons are few, basically just a volume clicker, which all works well enough.

My only problem that I ran into is the ports. Those tiny little bastards had rigor mortis the first time I tried them. I literally had to shove the 4.4mm termination into that damn port so hard that I was sure I was going to break it. I didn't, and now after a couple weeks I can tell you... it's smooth and perfect!

THE APP

Now let's talk about the app, because honestly... this is where the Space II really starts to separate itself from a lot of the other dongle DACs I've used. The Tanchjim app is actually useful, which shouldn't be as surprising as it is, but I've used enough DAC apps to know that's not always the case. It connected quickly, stayed connected, and I didn't have to fight with it every time I wanted to change something.

You've got your standard controls like volume and gain, but then things get really interesting. There are different modes and presets that actually change the presentation, including a tube amp style preset, a vinyl style preset that adds some character and distortion, and even a CD player preset. That one honestly gave me a little nostalgia hit I wasn't expecting.

But the feature that matters most to me is the 10-band system-wide PEQ. This isn't one of those features that exists on the spec sheet just so the company can say it has PEQ. You can actually use it, and it makes an audible difference across your listening. You can build your own tuning or use existing profiles, and that makes the Space II much more versatile than a basic dongle DAC.

There are also options for channel balance, DAC modes, filters, microphone gain, DRE optimization, and game audio features. I haven't found myself using every single one of them, but the important thing is that they're there and they actually work.

The biggest downside is also pretty damn simple... iOS users are left out. The Space II's app functionality isn't available on iOS, which is a legitimate limitation if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem. For Android users, though, my experience has been excellent, and even my Google Pixel played nicely with it.

For me, the app is probably the biggest reason the Space II doesn't feel like just another tiny DAC. It's a little pocket-sized source with an entire toolbox of ways to change how you listen.

REVIEW

After actually living with the Space II for a couple of weeks, I think the biggest compliment I can give it is that I stopped thinking about it. And I mean that in the best possible way. It just became part of my setup.

I didn't have to think about whether I wanted to grab it. I didn't have to think about whether it was going to work. I just plugged it in and listened.

And that's honestly what I want from a portable DAC.

The Space II doesn't feel like something I have to build my listening experience around. It just gets out of the way and lets me listen to my music.

I've used it with different IEMs and different sources, and I've found it incredibly easy to live with. The combination of its size, power, features, and the flexibility of the software makes it one of those pieces of gear that I can see myself continuing to reach for long after the review is finished. 

MY SCORE

Unboxing: 8.9/10

Quality: 9.5/10

App: 10/10

Giftability: 9.5/10

MY WIFE'S Review

So I went back and forth between the dac that I have and the space2.  I for some reason the dac that I have seems to almost like, make the headphones quieter and even though the dac that I have now you can really dial in the volume. It never gets as rich as when I would plug in the space 2 dac and I didn't realize that a dac could have so much effect on the quality of the sound. But I'm a little bit jealous that you're keeping it for yourself. Just going to say that out loud right there because I want it also. I like cuz so I'm a girl and I like the fact that it has a little window where you could see the little bits inside and I thought it was really cute. I also like the fact that it's not bulky. It doesn't need a magnet to stick to your phone. It feels way more portable than the dac that I have now. I like that it's compact. I like that it has both a 3.5 and a 4.4 mm even though the 4.4 mm stuck for a second and we got it in after like kind of forcing it. But I do like that it has both options in such a small package

Unboxing: 10/10

Quality: 10/10

App: 10/10

Giftability: 10/10

Her reasoning is pretty simple...

She wants one. Or two just in case one breaks!

Closing:

Honestly out of all the DACs I've ever used this one is it, it's probably my DAC endgame…. And I hate that for me because let's be real finding new gear is the best part of this hobby! 

Hell it's honestly something I'm using for every iem review since I got it! 

And that's probably the biggest surprise for me. I started this review wanting to find reasons not to like it. Instead, I ended up wondering whether I actually need my DAP with me anymore.

That's a pretty damn good problem for a $79.99 dongle DAC to give me.

Question of the Day

If you could only keep one, would you take a dedicated DAP or a tiny dongle DAC like the Space II? And why?

Intro

One of the hardest parts of being a reviewer is staying subjective. You get different IEMs, all in different price brackets, and you test them. Hell, you test them on a level that most casual listeners will never achieve, even if this is their daily set. You get to know them on such an intimate level they become almost like a girlfriend that you put inside your...... ears...... but here's the truth: every set you use at every price bracket, at least the ones I've tested, has pros and cons.

And usually, the cheaper the set, the more cons there are. So at $54.99 USD for the 3.5mm/4.4mm set and $59.99 USD for the 3.5mm/USB-C dongle version, I was expecting to find some pretty glaring cons with relatively few pros.

So let's delve into it. Let's see what I found, and how all of those pieces work together to make up this set.

Is it a dream? Or was JUZEAR's head in the clouds when they made the Nimbus?

Disclosure

HiFiGo sent me this set for review purposes. No money was exchanged to sway my views.

I'm sure some people would say that because it was sent to me, all subjectivity is gone. I mostly disagree with that standpoint. Honestly, there may be some sway, but I'm going to do my best to remain objective and remember not only is this set different from the others I've tested, but also that it's a sub-$60 USD IEM.

Epic Story Time

When I was younger, I lived in the country. There wasn't a whole lot of kids around, and my family and I lived on an old ranch. I worked and spent all my free time outside, except on Sundays, when I went fishing.

Granny caught me once, and I can tell you the ass-whooping I got. Well, let's just say I will never again fish on Sunday.

I spent so much time outside by myself that, honestly, I got real familiar with that pond. I knew exactly what fish were biting at exactly what time of day. Hell, I could thread my line through a hollow from 20 yards away!

There was a stump I used to use as a makeshift pole vault, and I almost got bit by a cottonmouth one day. I can say I'll never do that again!

I never felt lonely because I had my music, my headphones, my pole, and my cat.

That's right. I had a fishing cat.

He went to the pond with me every day. He would sit there and watch me. He hated fish but loved hanging out with me. I miss that cat every day. His name was Kujo.

One thing you'll learn when you fish every day is that there's a lot of downtime. Like, a lot.

Sometimes you sit in your chair for five or six hours without a single nibble, so I'd sit and stare at the sky. Watch the clouds as they passed. Some would even say I had my head in them, there clouds.

Hell, I spent so much time staring at the sky that a few years ago I had my eyes checked, and the eye doctor asked me if I used to just stare at the sun.

I replied, "Kinda."

Anyways, thanks for taking some time out of your day to read my nostalgic walk down memory lane!

Now, onto the actual review. But before that, let's take a look at the tech stuff. You know, if I don't add it, someone's gonna be like, "But what's under the hood?!"

Tech Specs

10mm single dynamic driver

MACCD multilayer amorphous carbon composite diaphragm

TPEE flexible suspension

Large "Big Black" voice coil

N52 neodymium magnet

32Ω impedance

108dB ±1dB SPL/mW sensitivity

20Hz...20kHz frequency response

≤0.8% harmonic distortion

26dB noise reduction

9.2g per earpiece

0.78mm 2-pin connectors

4-strand single-crystal copper, silver-plated cable

CNC precision-engraved zinc-alloy construction

Laser colorful glass faceplate

Three interchangeable tuning nozzles

3.5mm + 4.4mm interchangeable plug system

USB-C Version Only

CX31993 DAC

32-bit/384kHz

124dB SNR

Distortion as low as -108dB

What's in the Box

JUZEAR Nimbus IEMs

3 pairs of interchangeable tuning nozzles

White

Red

Black

9 pairs of ear tips

PU leather spring-protection storage bag

High-purity single-crystal copper, silver-plated cable

Interchangeable 3.5mm + 4.4mm plug system or

3.5mm microphone cable + USB-C DAC dongle, depending on the version

Tuning Nozzle Test

JUZEAR says that each nozzle does a different thing. Here's what they say!

White nozzle... pre-installed

Balanced

Gentle

Smooth

Solid bass

Natural vocals

Transparent treble

Intended as the core/all-around tuning

Suitable for most music

Red nozzle

Increases the energy in the high and ultra-high frequencies

Makes the presentation brighter, more transparent, and airier

JUZEAR specifically recommends it for strings, female vocals, instrumental music, and ACG where stronger high-frequency presence is desirable

Black nozzle

Reduces the energy in the high and ultra-high frequencies

Makes the bass stronger

Creates a richer, more atmospheric presentation

JUZEAR recommends it for pop, electronic, DJ, and rap where rhythm and impact are important

Okay, so now that I've written all of that out, I can now tell you what the plans are for the nozzles and how imma run my test!

For this first test I really wanted to focus on the tuning nozzles. JUZEAR gives you three different options, and since the default nozzle is the baseline tuning, that's where I wanted to start.

The White

Everything seems smoothed out with the white nozzle. Nothing is overly pronounced. It's a bit chill, a little refined, but honestly, nothing really stands out.

And I mean that in a good way.

It makes for a really pleasurable listening experience. Nothing is fighting for your attention, nothing is screaming "look at me!"... it just lets you sit back and enjoy the music.

The Red

It's interesting just how obvious the difference is between the red nozzles and the pre-installed white ones. I can tell you right now, these won't be my daily-driver nozzles for this set.

Honestly, they make the Nimbus way too bright and shiny for my taste. But for you? They may be absolutely perfect.

So when you get this set, make sure you test them! That's the beauty of having three different tuning options... you can find the one that works best for your ears and your music.

The Black

The black nozzle is perfect for me. It adds in a ton of warmth, smooths out the treble, and honestly, these are my EDC.

This is the nozzle where everything just clicks for me. It's warm, relaxed, and easy to listen to, without feeling like it's missing anything. Out of the three, this is the one I'd be reaching for every day.

Okay, so we got our nozzles picked... what's next?

The Review

Accessories

I really want to spend some time talking about the accessories because the unboxing is absolutely fun.

You can watch the unboxing here!

https://youtu.be/A611QMms2Mw?is=tNTYu4QDNG75qyXS

It's easily in my top 10 sets I've opened, honestly probably top 3, right behind BASN (review coming soon) and Erand Resonance 5.

I got the 3.5mm version with the USB-C dongle DAC because, honestly, I wanted to test their DAC and the included microphone.

And honestly? The DAC is great for what it is. It's a dongle DAC built around the CX31993, supporting up to 32-bit/384kHz audio, with a claimed 124dB signal-to-noise ratio and distortion as low as -108dB. For something included with a sub-$60 IEM, that's pretty damn impressive.

The ear tips are actually great, too. I always use whatever ear tips come in the box at first before switching to my preferred tips for the set, and these are definitely good enough that I wouldn't feel the need to immediately replace them.

Then there's the cable.

This thing is absolutely thick and tightly wound. Like, seriously, it's tight. But despite that, it's not heavy, and out of all the cables I've used, this is easily one of the least microphonic.

All in all, when I'm rating the accessories alone, I'm giving the Nimbus a 10/10.

Hear me out... I know exactly what you're thinking right now! Cool, the accessories are good... how's it sound?!

Sound

Honestly, the sound is just okay.

Is it better than the Chu 2? Yes.

Is it better than the GeekWold S12 Ultra? No.

But here's where I think the Nimbus gets interesting... is it a great gift? Is it worth picking this set up for the accessories and the sound? Or, more importantly, would this make a great first set?

Fuck yeah.

Would I have been hyped if this was my first set?

Also yes.

And I think that's where the Nimbus really starts to make sense. You're getting a genuinely versatile set, three different tuning options, an excellent accessory package, and, depending on which version you buy, a pretty damn useful little USB-C DAC and microphone.

It's not going to beat every IEM I've tested. It doesn't need to.

What it does need to do is give someone who's getting into this hobby a reason to be excited about their first real set of IEMs.

And I think it does that.

So, let's deep dive into the sound and figure out exactly what you're getting for that $54.99...$59.99 price tag.

The Test

Although prior to this test I lived with them for about 40 hours, testing hundreds of songs, ASMR, and audiobooks, I'll be speaking specifically about these five tracks. Each one is designed to test a different part of the IEM's performance.

I will also only be using the Tanchjim Space 2, which will allow me to have a controlled baseline for my test.

The songs are:

Massive Attack... "Angel"

Fleetwood Mac... "Dreams"

Billie Eilish... "Bad Guy"

Tool... "Chocolate Chip Trip"

Daft Punk... "Giorgio by Moroder"

Massive Attack... "Angel"

Sub-bass: Deep but refined

Bass: Thick and gritty, with good texture

Bass bleed: Slightly bleeds into the mids

Overall: Adds a nice warmth to the presentation

The black nozzle definitely leans into the warmer side here, and you can hear that low-end character without it completely taking over the track.

Fleetwood Mac... "Dreams"

Vocals: Rich and resonant

Midrange: Even with the black nozzle, the mids remain warm and pleasant

Instrument separation: Honestly, it just isn't there. At all.

Upper mids: The warmth starts to muddy things up a bit

This is where that warmth starts to show its downside. Vocals sound great and the overall presentation is pleasant, but when the track gets busier, the instruments don't separate the way I'd like them to. There's a bit of congestion creeping into the upper mids.

Billie Eilish... "Bad Guy"

Midrange energy: Just okay

Vocal detail: Good, but it could be better, even compared to the similarly priced GeekWold GK12 Ultra... it's missing a lot

Upper treble: There are still some slight peaks, even with the black nozzle

Treble character: Those peaks can occasionally become almost piercing

Spatial separation: Almost nonexistent

The black nozzle definitely smooths things out, but it doesn't completely eliminate those upper-treble peaks. They're not constantly in your face, but when they show up, they can be almost piercing.

Also, spatially, things feel pretty cramped. There's almost no separation between elements, which makes the presentation feel more closed-in than I'd like.

Tool... "Chocolate Chip Trip"

This one is interesting because it's one of the first tracks where you can really hear the separation, imaging, and soundstage.

Imaging: Good

Soundstage: Maybe 1...2 inches off your head

Instrument placement: Conical

Layering: Surprisingly good, and honestly one of the major pluses of this set

Layering is actually best heard on this track. While the Nimbus doesn't give you a huge soundstage, it does a surprisingly good job of placing individual elements within that limited space.

It's not wide, but what space it does give you is being used pretty effectively.

Daft Punk... "Giorgio by Moroder"

The vocals are crystal clear and genuinely good. There's a point where you can actually hear the emotion enter Giorgio Moroder's throat, and the Nimbus captures that really well.

Vocals: Crystal clear with good emotional texture

Bass: Excellent

Treble: Good, without becoming overly intrusive on this track

Detail: Still a little muddy in places, especially when the mix gets busy

Percussion: The little click-click sounds are really nice

And honestly, the Nimbus handles this song better than it has any right to, especially considering everything else we've heard on this test list.

This is genuinely pleasant.

And because of that, I'm bumping this entire section from a 6.5 to a 7.

Sound Rating: 7/10

Closing Thoughts

So, is this a perfect set?

No.

Can you find better-sounding IEMs in this price range?

Yes.

Does the Nimbus give you way more than most other sets at this price?

Oh, hell yeah.

Would I recommend this set to a friend?

Honestly, probably not... unless he came to me saying, "Dude, I love your headphones. I want to try something that has a ton of extras."

That's where the Nimbus really shines.

Would I Replace Them If I Lost Them?

On sale? Yes.

If these went on sale, I'd probably replace them. The accessories alone make the Nimbus worth considering at the right price.

Full price? No.

The sound is mid at best for the money. There are better-sounding options available if sound quality is your only priority.

Who Is It For?

I think the Nimbus is primarily for the new guy getting into the hobby.

It's an approachable first set that gives you a ridiculous amount of stuff to play with, and the three tuning options give a new listener a chance to figure out what they actually like.

It's also a good choice for people who enjoy electronic music, pop, and other busy tracks, especially if you prefer a warmer presentation.

And apparently, I'm not the only one who thinks the tuning works.

My wife genuinely likes these and gives them a 9/10. The only set we have that she likes more is the Simgot EW300, which is very much her daily driver.

My son loved these so much that they're actually replacing his previous favorite, the PULA Audio Arc.

So if you asked him to rate the Nimbus?

I'm pretty sure he'd give it a 10/10.

And honestly, that's probably the most important thing about the Nimbus.

It's not the best-sounding IEM I've tested.

But for someone getting their first set, getting all of this for around $55...$60, having a bunch of accessories, multiple tuning options, and a DAC/microphone option?

That's a pretty damn good first step into the hobby.

Final Rating... 8/10

The sound alone would score lower, but the Nimbus isn't just about sound. The accessories, tuning options, DAC/microphone version, build, and overall package add a lot of value.

It won't be in my daily rotation, but it will be in my son's... and that's important.

It proves just how subjective this hobby really is.

QotD

What's one audio purchase you regret not making sooner?

 The room is warming up, Kolkata. Following the grand success of the last year, the most exclusive audiophile gathering of the year is about to begin.

We, Aural Cafe, in proud partnership with HiFikind, proudly present our Annual Meet-up — a whole day where pure sound, premium gear, and a passionate community converge under one roof.

 Save The Date: 27th September  The Experience: Premium gear showcases, flagship auditioning, community bonding  Location: To be revealed soon

More details about the cover charge and hospitality are forthcoming. Seats are strictly limited.

DISCLAIMER: The generous team at HiFiMAN graciously provided the HiFiMAN HE-R9 full-sized over-ear headphones with the wireless Bluemini R2R bundle to us at no cost for review. We’re genuinely honoured and excited to review another full-sized pair of headphones from HiFiMAN. Our heartfelt thanks to the HiFiMAN team for this opportunity and their generous support to Aural Cafe.

Introduction: -

Today at Aural Cafe, we are reviewing the HiFiMAN HE-R9, a dynamic driver-based full-sized closed-back headphone from the famous Hi-Fi brand from China, HiFiMAN Electronics. At the heart of the HE-R9 lies a distinctive 50mm Topology Diaphragm dynamic driver, engineered to deliver a chunky V-shaped tuning.

HiFiMAN is a renowned China-based hi-fi audio brand that has earned a distinctive place for itself in the world of high-end full-sized headphones, especially. HiFiMAN was officially founded in 2007 in New York City by Dr Fang Bian, an engineer with a background in nanotechnology and a passion for high-fidelity audio, evolving from his earlier venture Head‑Direct, which started in 2005. Founder Dr Bian was an avid childhood electronics hobbyist who moved from China to the United States to pursue his PhD in inorganic chemistry and nanomaterials. His background in nanotechnology later heavily influenced his precision acoustic driver designs. Before launching the company, Dr Bian was active in the online audiophile community, modifying and improving audio equipment. This early focus on customisation quickly gained attention and led to the official registration of the brand. The brand quickly became known for pioneering planar magnetic headphones and high‑resolution portable audio players. In 2009, HiFiMAN disrupted the personal audio market by launching the HM-801. This was the world's first true high-end, brick-sized portable digital audio player (DAP), establishing the concept of audiophile-grade music playback on the go. The success of HM-901 was closely followed by the offering of an affordable Planar Magnetic Headphone, the HE-5, in 2009. It demonstrated that planar magnetic technology could deliver excellent sound quality at a lower price than many competitors. As the industry evolved, HiFiMAN continued to push boundaries by integrating advanced technologies into its designs. To scale production and tightly manage manufacturing quality, Dr Bian moved the company’s core operations back to China. He opened dedicated production facilities in 2010 and officially established the company headquarters in Tianjin.

Throughout the 2010s, HiFiMAN released several influential headphone models, such as the HE400, HE500, Sundara, Ananda, Arya, HE1000 and Susvara. Sundara became one of the highest-selling headphones from HiFiMAN due to its strong price-to-performance ratio. While Arya is widely praised for its expansive soundstage and detail retrieval. Through the HE1000, they’ve introduced advanced "window shade" grilles and nanometer-thickness diaphragms and the Susvara is considered one of the world's top-performing planar magnetic headphones. Today, HiFiMAN continues to expand globally with dedicated distributors across Asia, Europe, and North America. Cementing their status at the peak of the audio industry, the company developed the Shangri-La, an ultra-premium electrostatic headphone system paired with a dedicated custom vacuum tube amplifier, retailing around $50,000 USD. We at Aural Café had the opportunity to review the HE400se, all thanks to the HiFiMAN Electronics team; one can read it here,

- https://www.reddit.com/r/auralcafe/comments/1vb1o0j/hifiman_he400se_iconic_entry_point/

The HE-R9 is the third entry in HiFiMAN's "closed-back R-series" lineage, sitting beneath the original HE-R10D (wood cups, dynamic driver, launched 2021 at ~$1,299) and the HE-R10P (wood cups, planar magnetic driver, $2,499 at launch). Both R10s are big, heavy, beautifully built headphones with a distinctive wooden-cup aesthetic. The R9 takes the R10D's basic architectures, those are, closed-back, 50mm dynamic driver, swappable acoustic modules and puts it in a lighter, mostly plastic shell at a much more accessible price.

The HE-R9 launched in January 2022 at 599 USD. HiFiMAN cut the price hard, twice, and now the R9 floats at a much lower price, which changes the whole conversation. At the time of review, it is available at just 79 USD for the regular version and 179 USD for the Wireless Bluemini R2R bundle.

Specifications: -

·         Driver Type: 50mm Topology Diaphragm Dynamic Driver

·         Impedance: 60Ω ± 5%

·         Freq Response: 15Hz-35Khz

·         Connector Type: Dual 3.5mm TS

·         Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW

·         Weight: 328 g

·         Wireless Module (optional): Bluemini R2R Bluetooth dongle

Unboxing Experience, Design & Build: -

As you can see from our unboxing video (https://youtube.com/shorts/n1QPaAcUHsc?feature=share) the unboxing experience is identical to the HE400se. The HiFiMAN HE-R9 arrived in a compact brown colour cardboard box. On the front, we can see a black printed portion in the middle along the length of the box. We saw a small photograph of the headphone itself, offering a subtle preview of its massive design before unboxing. The back of the box displays the same headphone photo at a different angle, highlighting various features of the headphones. On the bottom, we can see the key specifications of the headphones in both English and Chinese. Similarly, at the top, we can see the company details and address again in both English and Chinese. Upon opening the top part of the box, we encounter a small grey cardboard box that covers the headphones partially. Upon removing the box, we are greeted by the HiFIMAN HE-R9 closed-back headphones, finished in red and black, inside a foam cutout. We found the black detachable cable inside the grey cardboard box alongside a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter. Since we got the wireless bundle, we found the Bluemini R2R Bluetooth module inside the accessories box. All in all, the unboxing experience is minimalist and simple. It's a well-rounded package that reflects HiFiMAN’s commitment to providing a complete, no-nonsense experience for audiophiles while saving on some unnecessary costs, which reflects its price. But we at Aural Café would love to have a carry pouch for the headphones inside.

The HiFiMAN HE-R9 features a premium-designed shell crafted from lightweight yet durable CNC‑machined aluminium frames, finished in ABS plastic materials. However, the use of plastic is noticeable, as this is a budget set. The plastic doesn't feel cheap, but it doesn't feel premium either. There's a faint hollow resonance when you tap the cups. The cup shape resonates with the R10D's wood-cup silhouette, which is wider at the top, tapering toward the bottom, which is a nice design touch that makes the R9 read as "smaller R10" rather than the usual HiFiMAN look. The aluminium yokes and frame components further improve the build quality while managing the weight comfortably. The headband has a properly suspended-strap design with a metal core. The HiFiMAN HE-R9 comes equipped with a detachable stock cable, which we have seen before in the budget HiFiMANs, made from standard OFC and covered with a black rubber coating. Oxygen-free copper (OFC) ensures low-resistance signal transfer with minimal distortion and natural, detailed sound. It connects via dual 3.5mm TS connectors and terminates in a single-ended 3.5mm TRS connector, giving us the option to change the cable. The cable was both flexible and lightweight, which would surely help while listening to music on the go. When it comes to the ear pads, HiFiMAN gave Hybrid ear pads. The inner ring touching the ear is made with soft velour fabric. This provides a breathable surface against your skin to minimise heat and sweat. The outer ring is made with PU leather. This seals the edges, which helps maintain the headphone's bass response and acoustic seal, while both rings are internally filled with standard memory foam.

In terms of fit, the HiFiMAN HE-R9 feels featherweight for a full-sized closed-back headphone, weighing just 328g, offering a comfortable and secure fit with better weight management, as the earpads create a larger contact area with the skin to disperse the weight. The headband uses the same suspended-strap design as the rest of HiFiMAN's modern lineup, and the clamping force is light.

Overall, we at Aural Cafe are somewhat satisfied with the material choice and the overall build quality of the headphones, considering their current price. Combined with the light clamping force and its weight distribution, it's one of the more comfortable closed-backs we've worn for multi-hour sessions.

Sound Analysis: -

The sound impressions of HiFiMAN HE-R9 are based on our usage with stock cable and stock pads, along with neutral desktop and portable sources, after a 50-hour burn-in period as suggested by Sivga’s team. For insights into how the HE-R9 matches with different types of sources, including the Bluemini module, aftermarket ear pads, and cables, please refer to the Synergy section of the review.

·         Tonality: - After listening to various genres of soundtracks across different setups for weeks with the HiFiMAN HE-R9 at the helm, we at Aural Cafe feel that it embraces a warm, rich, bass-heavy sound signature. The overall tonality tries to emulate the classic V-shaped sound signature. The result is a sound that's bass-forward, mid-recessed, treble-present-but-controlled. It is not a reference headphone, and it is not trying to sound like HiFiMAN’s more balanced planar models. Instead, it delivers a rich, thick, smooth, bass-forward presentation that will appeal most to listeners who enjoy powerful low-end and relaxed musicality. It's the kind of tuning that accepts genres with strong rhythmic content and big production like hip-hop, EDM, modern pop, electronic, cinematic orchestral, and modern rock and is less kind to acoustic music, vocal-centric tracks, and anything that lives in the midrange. The bass is thick, prominent, and full of sub-bass rumble. The mids are rich with occasional push-back. The highs are soft and relaxed. It provides a smooth, fatigue-free experience that is highly forgiving of lower-quality recordings. The transient response is on the faster side, while the timbre of the instruments leans towards a dark and musical presentation. The HiFiMAN HE-R9 Headphone is forgiving towards poorly recorded soundtracks due to its tuning; therefore, one can enjoy retro songs and old recordings without losing their souls. We at Aural Café just loved listening to classic rock, jazz and acoustic music and thoroughly enjoyed listening to ‘You Make Loving Fun’ by the audiophile’s one of the favorite albums ‘Rumours’ by Fleetwood Mac. Old classic recordings like Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’ sound soulful.

·         Lows: - The lows of HiFiMAN HE-R9 are the standout quality of the headphones. The lows of HE-R9 are big, thick, authoritative and powerful. The sub-bass extension is genuinely excellent for a closed-back dynamic driver, reaching down with weight, texture, and a real sense of physical impact. We are Aural Café, genuinely love listening to ‘Angel’ by Massive Attack; one can hear the individual bass notes underneath the drone with HE-R9 at the helm. The mid-bass is elevated and slightly soft. It has weight and body but loses a little tightness compared to the sub-bass. Mid-bass is on the quicker side of things, but still retains a solid definition and Punch for an immersive experience, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Bury A Friend’ by Billie Eilish. When it comes to the timbre of musical instruments in this part of the frequency range, the timbre of the musical instruments, such as kick and snare drums feels big and impactful. When it comes to the bass guitar, it also sounds full and physical, with the body of the instrument emphasised over the attack. We would also like to add here that the topology diaphragm dynamic driver of the HE-R9 really scales at its best with capable hi-fi sources and would strongly suggest pairing the headphone with a high-end dongle, DAP, or DAC/Amp.

·         Mids: - HiFiMAN has tuned the mids of the HE-R9 using the same dynamic driver with the topology diaphragm, keeping the overall sound signature the same. The punchy and elevated mid-bass ends up bleeding into the mids, as a result of which the HiFiMAN HE-R9 delivers a warm and thick midrange. At Aural Cafe, we also feel that the mids of the headphones are not the cleanest we have experienced. When it comes to the positioning of the mids, we feel the mids are a bit recessed and sit behind the bass and the treble in the mix, which is a classic V-shape behaviour. The lower mids are heavily influenced by warmth, alongside the upper mids. That said, while the vocals exude soulful texture, the note weight stays thick and smooth. When it comes to the timbre of musical instruments in this part of the frequency range, the timbre of the musical instruments such as electronic and acoustic guitar, piano, saxophone and percussion instruments showcase body but lack presence and detail. The acoustic guitar doesn't have the "snap" we'd get from a more neutral headphone. Although male vocals got the benefits from the tuning with a solid body and presence, the female vocals suffer from a lack of clarity at some point. That said, while both the vocals exude good texture, the note weight stays above average. We love listening to ‘Strong Man Holler’ by Taj Mahal, the baritone voice articulated with absolute authority. The mid-range is not weak; it's just their tuning preference and not in focus.

·         Highs: - The HiFiMAN HE-R9 offers generally relaxed, smooth, and slightly elevated above the mid-range. We can call it smooth and decently extended at best. Following the overall dark sound tonality, the HE-R9 in the treble section is not particularly refined or detailed. The micro details are smoothly retrieved with the HE400se at the helm, considering the price at the moment. The overall highs are average in resolution and refined, with a decent amount of air, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘The Moon Cave’ from the album The Mountain by Gorillaz. The upper treble exudes extended, soulful tones with lovely texture and body, which works well with the tuning of HE-R9. As for the timbre of instruments in this frequency range, instruments like Piano and Cymbal, especially Cymbal hits, have presence and air but lose some of the fine detail and decay we'd get from a more neutral headphone. The treble is forgiving rather than analytical, which helps the treble-sensitive have a long, fatigue-free experience. We love listening to ‘Marooned’ by the legendary progressive rock band Pink Floyd.

·         Soundstage & Imaging: - The HiFiMAN HE-R9 surprisingly exhibits an open and spacious soundstage, vis-à-vis delivering a highly immersive and engaging listening experience, which is rare with any average closed-back headphones. The soundstage width comfortably surpasses the depth, adding to the overall sense of wideness. We at Aural Café notice that the soundstage dimensions of the headphones reach to another level when they are driven by solid hi-fi DAPs and desktop sources. The HE-R9 demonstrates solid layering capabilities, which we thoroughly enjoyed while listening to ‘Something Just Like This’ by Coldplay and The Chainsmokers. The separation between instruments is very distinct for the current market price, as a result of which instruments are easy to locate even in busy tracks like ‘Time’ from the movie Inception, composed by Hans Zimmer. The bass weight adds to the cinematic feel. At Aural Cafe, we’re impressed by how the headphones perform technically against the competitors at this price point, despite being closed-back ones. When it comes to imaging, the imaging capability of the HE-R9 is precise, considering the price and becomes quite handy while listening to rock-genre soundtracks such as ‘To Whom the Bell Tolls’ by Metallica, which we thoroughly enjoyed with HiFiMAN HE-R9 at the helm.

·         Synergy: - Being a single dynamic driver IEM, we would strongly suggest at least 50 hours of burn-in period to truly unlock the HE-R9’s full potential. Being a DD-based headphone, the burn-in really helps, after which the lows of the headphones become a bit more dynamic and elastic. The overall soundstage also becomes a lot more spacious and airier, along with better separation between instruments, after the burn-in period. We also would like to state that we at Aural Cafe give absolute priority to source-matching. The HE-R9 comes with a fairly easy 100dB of sensitivity, which makes it comparatively easy to drive. On paper, it can be driven by any low-end sources, including basic dongles and mobile phones, but if you want to see the true colours and experience, we suggest listening to the HiFiMAN HE-R9 with a powerful and clean-sounding source. At Aural Café, we tried the HE-R9 with many portable and desktop sources we have, and we loved it a lot with the neutral portable sources like iBasso DX320, Dethonray DTR1+ Limited Edition, Dethonray Clarinet, and Astell and Kern SP1000m. In terms of desktop sources, it matches really well with the Dethonray Listening M1 and the Aune S17 Pro Amplifier. The Listening M1 adds dynamics and clarity, making the upper-mids alive, which is missing with warm sources. Here, we can confirm that pairing it with a neutral source will give you the best result for HE-R9 at the helm. Also, a high-quality custom high-purity OFC balanced cable made the sound better overall, instead of the stock cables in our case. With the wireless Bluemini R2R module, it sounds slightly different from the wired R9 through a good source, but not in a way I'd describe as a downgrade. The bass is a touch softer, the mids open up marginally, and the treble loses a tiny bit of air. But the fundamental character of the headphones, the bass weight, and the imaging stay the same.

Conclusion: -

At the given price point of $79, the HiFiMAN HE-R9 delivers an impressively value-centric listening experience, which was missing with the inaugural price. With its warm and V-shaped tonality, open and wide soundstage, and tasteful sub-bass, the HE-R9 stands out as a unique closed-back headphone that could be a basshead’s dream. The topology dynamic diaphragm reflects HiFiMAN’s founder, Dr Fang’s, own research and gives its customers a true taste when paired with a properly matched source. While it may not have the best resolution, HiFiMAN HE-R9 compensates with fun, weird, and bass, with excellent comfort and a surprisingly large soundstage. All at its pocket-friendly price point. At Aural Café, HiFiMAN HE-R9 still earns a solid recommendation for headphones if you’re looking for a relaxing, comfortable sound for long music or movie sessions. It is available for purchase locally as well as globally through the following links (Non-Affiliated links are given below).

-          https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/he400se.html

-          https://www.headphonezone.in/products/hifiman-he400se

1. Minimal design, Lightweight, easy to carry

2. Same power output on both 3.5mm and 4.4mm

3. Crazy value proposition

4. Multiple sound profile over firmware, pick your suitable one

Pros: 

• Functional hardware tuning switches that offer real, tangible sound signature changes.
• Deep, rumbling sub-bass response in 101 mode that bassheads will love.
• Smooth, fatigue-free treble presentation with zero harshness or sibilance.
• Comfortable ergonomic resin shell shape with solid passive isolation.
• Generous accessory package featuring a spacious case and multiple ear tip styles.

Cons: 

• Fast insertion pressure buildup requires slow insertion to avoid ear discomfort.
• Stock cable chin slider does not hold its position firmly.
• Mid-bass slam is slightly soft compared to its thunderous sub-bass rumble.

Introduction​

Welcome back, audiophiles! It’s me, your boy Joe, back again with another review! Today we are diving into a powerful 5-driver tribrid offering from TANSIO MIRAI: the TSMR Armor (retailing around $299 USD on Penon Audio). Packing 2 Dynamic Drivers, 2 Knowles Balanced Armatures, and 1 Electret Electrostatic Driver per side under a high-quality 3D-printed resin cavity, this set brings hardware tuning switches to the table. Let's break down how this set holds up!

Disclaimer​

The TSMR Armor is graciously given to me by Penon Audio and AudioGeek India group and huge thanks to them for arranging the tour. As always, all thoughts, sound impressions, and opinions are entirely my own with zero biases whatsoever.

Product Link:

• Penon Audio: https://penonaudio.com/TANSIO-MIRAI-ARMOR.html

Pricing & Specifications​

• Price: ~$299 USD
• Driver Configuration: 5 Drivers per side (2 Dynamic Drivers for Lows + 2 Knowles BAs for Mids + 1 Electret Electrostatic Driver for Treble)
• Structure: 3-Way Crossover, 3 Channels
• Impedance / Sensitivity: 11 Ω / 103 dB
• Connectors: 0.78mm 2-Pin

Gear Used for Review & Drivability​

The TSMR Armor is easily driven across portable and desktop gear:

• HiBy R8 II
• Gustard X16/H16 Stack
• Tanchjim Space 2
• Music Source: Apple Music Lossless

Drivability-wise, the Armor isn't power-hungry at all and ran smoothly across everything I hooked it up to.

Design, Build, and Accessories​

• Shell & Fit: The overall fit is great and the shell shape is ergonomically comfortable for long sessions.
• Insertion Pressure Warning: The pressure buildup happens a tad fast. You must insert the shells slowly into your ear canals so the pressure balances out properly, otherwise it might hurt a bit!
• Cable & Case: The stock cable looks very nice and feels high-quality, though the chin slider doesn't keep its position well. The included carrying case is a good, generous size that easily holds the IEMs alongside extra accessories.
• Ear Tips: You get a solid selection of ear tips, including vocal-oriented and bass-oriented pairs. I preferred the lighter-colored, vocal-oriented tips and stuck with those for my testing.

Hardware Switches & Sound Impressions​

The 3 hardware tuning switches are definitely not a gimmick as they actually change the frequency response noticeably! You must use a SIM tool or needle to toggle them; don't use your fingernails unless you want to risk damaging your nails or the IEM itself.
The switches control the low, mid, and treble ranges (allowing configurations from 000 to 111).

• 000 (All Off): Delivers a flatter, neutral presentation, though I found it a bit unexciting.
• 100 (Bass Only): Causes the low-end to overpower the vocals and top-end.
• 001 (Treble Only): Gives a bit of extra treble spice, though the Armor never gets overly sharp.
• My Preference (101 - Bass + Treble ON): As a basshead, I settled on 101 for a fun, energetic V-shaped presentation.

Sound Impressions in 101 Mode:​

• Bass: The low end is strong with plenty of deep sub-bass rumble. The mid-bass slam is slightly soft/muffled, but the sheer sub-bass depth keeps it immensely satisfying.
• Mids & Vocals: The midrange leans slightly warm, giving vocals a pleasant pop and clear presence. The overall soundstage feels intimate and close by rather than wide and distant, which actually helps the bass feel more powerful and tactile!
• Treble: The top end evens out nicely in 101 mode with zero harshness or sibilance. It won't satisfy extreme trebleheads looking for aggressive bite, but for smooth, detailed listening, it does a great job.

Song Impressions (Tested in 101 Mode)​

• "Limits" by Imanbek: An excellent track with heavy bass lines. The male vocals pop out cleanly over the mix. While the bass slam feels a bit soft, the sub-bass rumble is impressively strong. The intimate soundstage keeps the energy high, though instrument separation is just okay. Overall, a great track rendered well by the Armor.
• "ANTIFRAGILE" by LE SSERAFIM: The Armor renders the massive bass response in this song brilliantly! The female vocals cut through cleanly, and the sub-bass synth lines sound incredible. Stereo imaging is sharp and you can clearly trace the "ANTI-FRAGILE" panning effects shifting from left to right across the stage.

Overall Impressions​

Rating: 5 / 5
The TANSIO MIRAI Armor is a fantastic set for anyone who loves versatile hardware tuning and big, deep low-end rumble. Being able to switch signatures makes it great for testing different profiles, and as a basshead myself, the 101 setting makes this an easy 5 out of 5 recommendation!