Simon's Audio Reviews (2024)

22/02/2022

Review of the Tanchjim Tanya

You can purchase today from ShenzhenAudio
https://shenzhenaudio.com/

/Specifications/
Driver unit: 7mm Micro Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 16 Ω ±10%
Sensitivity: 120 ± 3 dB dB/mW
Frequency range: 20 – 42,000 Hz
Cable/Connector: Non-detachable
Tested at: $24
Sound Signature: Neutral with slight bass emphasis

/Package & Accessories/
The Tanchjim Tanya comes in a small grey rectangular cardboard box with a white slipcover. Six silicone eartips (S, M, L), a grey cloth drawstring bag embossed with the Tanchjim logo, a user manual, and a warranty card are included with the Tanya. I would prefer a zippered carry case instead of a pouch but at this price point, I cannot complain.

/Comfort & Build Quality/
The Tanchjim Tanya can be worn either cable-up or cable-down. Because of the cable placement, the Tanya has a deeper insertion depth if worn cable-up. The Tanya is extremely comfortable. I did not experience driver flex with the Tanya. Isolation is above average.

/Sound/
The Tanchjim Tanya has a U-shaped sound signature. It has a moderate mid-bass hump, a healthy but not overbearing amount of pinna gain, and limited treble extension. Mercifully, Tanchjim has avoided the jagged mountains typically exhibited by the upper midrange and lower treble regions of IEMs at this price point and has given the Tanya the kind of tuning one would expect from a more expensive IEM.

The Tanya’s bass response is snappy and textured, with clean articulation. I was impressed by its ability to keep up with densely orchestrated electronic music. The mid-bass hump gives kick drum samples a sense of visceral impact. It is worth mentioning that if one wears the Tanya cable up, the improved seal increases the bass to a level I find overwhelming and creates distracting mid-bass bleed into the lower midrange.

The Tanya has a clear, cool midrange with a slightly dry timbre. Clarity and vocal intelligibility is emphasized over warmth and body, but the latter two characteristics are present enough to avoid a shrill or hollow presentation. Male and female vocal intelligibility are both excellent. One of the few negative things I can say about the Tanya is that I feel there is still slightly too much presence, which can create harshness when listening to electronic music. That said, this region is much more controlled than one typically finds with a $25 IEM.

The Tanya plays it safe with its treble, prioritizing a smooth presentation over perceived detail retrieval. The lower treble is roughly in line with the presence region but the top end rolls off rapidly as one nears 10 kHz. There is little in the way of sparkle but there is some air.

The Tanya is most resolving in the midrange and least resolving in the treble. While instrument separation and layering are quite good, there is a pervasive sense of graininess throughout the treble response. The soundstage is wide but shallow, and imaging is average.

/Conclusion 9.5 out of 10/
The Tanchjim Tanya is the most competently tuned IEM below $40 I have ever heard. Like the slightly more expensive Moondrop SSR and SSP, the Tanya stands out from its similarly-priced competitors because of the intentional effort of its designers to make it sound coherent. I see no reason to buy any other IEM at its price point or below so long as it remains unique in this respect.

Purchase today from ShenzhenAudio!
https://shenzhenaudio.com/

02/05/2021

Review of the CVJ CSE

You can purchase today from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MWPWVHB

/Specifications/
Driver unit: 10mm Dynamic Driver + 1 Balanced Armature
Impedance: 22 Ω
Sensitivity: 108 ± 3 dB dB/mW
Frequency range: 20 – 40,000 Hz
Cable/Connector: 0.75mm 2-Pin
Tested at: $19
Sound Signature: Slight bass emphasis

/Package & Accessories/
Very nice to see so much bundled in with earphones at this price point. CVJ have really gone well above what you might expect as earphones costing 3x as much often will not have anything extra included. Everything comes nicely packaged and well presented. You get 3 sets of eartips (S/M/L), a black braided cable and a small leather-like carrying pouch. Everything looks and feels really high quality.

/Comfort & Build Quality/
As far as comfort goes, it is always subjective but I will still give my experience. The provided eartips are smooth and provided me with a good seal. The cable is lightweight and of good quality. It doesn't hold kinks and straightens out easily. Earhooks are pre-formed and the ones I got were decent, but were quite tight. Overall build of the earphones themselves seems good. They are built almost entirely of a translucent plastic. They feel solid in the hand and look quite nice with their wavy, textured faceplate. I would say they are a medium-large size IEM. Should fit without problem for most ears, but could be uncomfortable for smaller ears. For me personally they did fit really well, snug and secure without irritation due to the smooth plastic construction.

/Bass/
Bass is definitely elevated with the CVJ CSE, that is not to say this is a bad thing however. I found the bass to be punchy and having great impact. It is well tuned and does not sound boomy. These are a fun and warm sounding IEM, that should compliment most modern types of music. I did not detect too much bleed into the lower midrange, avoiding any of that overly muffled presentation some bass heavy IEMs can have. Overall I enjoyed the presentation of the bass, full-bodied without overpowering the rest of the frequency range.

/Mids/
I found the midrange overall to be neutral sounding. They are definitely somewhat recessed, but you do not lose much in the way of clarity. I did find the mids to sound a little thin at times, vocals can often lack the impact that you may be accustomed to. With that said they are still excellent for a IEM in this price range and the overall sound signature is very pleasant to listen to.

/Highs/
I actually found the treble to be very laid back on the CVJ CSE. I certainly do not like overly bright, sibilant tuning, but I did feel that the highs lacked that certain sparkle and crispness you might otherwise want. You do get a nice sense of air and soundstage, but is narrower than others I have tried. Imaging and detail retrieval is still very good despite having a warmer tuning.

/Conclusion 8.8 out of 10/
I really like what CVJ has done here. For the money you are getting far more than you might otherwise expect. These are certainly positioned as a budget friendly IEM, but they really do sound quite impressive and offer really great value. They are comfortable, well built and have a warm, laid back sound signature that should fit well with most peoples taste. I give these a solid 8.8 out of 10, a very commendable effort from CVJ and a product I recommend highly at this price point.

Purchase today from Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MWPWVHB

24/04/2021

Review of the CVJ Aluminium Carry Case

Weight: 52g
Height: 35mm
Diameter: 80mm
Price tested at: $10.99

Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NH1ZX3Y

Really nice aluminium case, feels really well built and will definitely protect anything you put inside. The surface has a slight matte texture to it and the insides are lined with a soft foam like material. There is no flex to the metal housing, really solid so should offer really good protection. The two halves are held together by a rubber gasket which gives the case a water tight seal, great if you are out in the rain or going to the beach.

Size wise you can probably get two pairs of IEMs in there at a push but could be a bit snug. Doesn't need to be used exclusively with earphones obviously, anything you want to keep protected will fit nicely as there is ample room inside.

My only slight complaint, I would have preferred it being thinner as to be more trouser pocket friendly. This case is really intended to be stored in bags and maybe jacket pockets, but as is it's little bit on the bulky side to be kept in trouser pockets. With that said I do recommend it, its really well built, offers great protection and has plenty of storage space.

Overall rating: 9.0/10

Purchase today from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NH1ZX3Y

19/04/2021

Review of the CCA CST

You can purchase today from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NH2BVM6

/Specifications/
Driver unit: 10mm Dual Magnetic Dynamic
Impedance: 24 Ω
Sensitivity: 115 ± 3 dB dB/mW
Frequency range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Cable/Connector: Fixed cable
Tested at: $19
Sound Signature: V-Shaped

/Package & Accessories/
Very basic offerings here, but this is really to be expected at such a low price point. You just get 3 sets of eartips, S/M/L and they are all of decent quality. I was able to get a great seal with them and they fit comfortably, no complaints with them. The earphones themselves also fit extremely well in my ears. They are smooth and shaped just right to sit snugly in your ear. They are small enough to accommodate essentially all ear shapes and sizes.

/Comfort & Build Quality/
Surprisingly excellent overall build quality and feel, especially at such a budget friendly price point. The main housing is made entirely of metal and there is a little piece of what feels like real wood to give it a unique, fashionable look. Everything feels really solid, I have no complaints about the build and was very surprised at how good it all fits together. There is however one negative and that is the fixed, non-removable cable. The cable is lightweight and does not hold kinks which is nice, but I do prefer removable cables as it is often the weak point in many earphones.

/Bass/
The overall sound profile of the CCA CST is quite aggressive V-Shaped tuning. Bass is certainly elevated and gives the overall presentation a warmer tonality. However it is tuned well and does not become muddy or encroach into the mids. They are a very lively, energetic sounding earphone and the bass really accentuates this. Sub-bass rumble is possible here and it is very pleasant.

/Mids/
I found the midrange to be slightly recessed, with a higher emphasis on the upper mids which adds extra brightness to the sound. Clarity and definition is not lost however and overall I do really like the sound presentation of the CCA CST. Instruments and vocals do sound natural and there is very clear separation and imaging. They are also essentially an open back earphone so the soundstage feels very wide and open, something that is very difficult to achieve with earphones. This makes them an excellent choice for gaming as it becomes much easier to pinpoint the position of different audio cues.

/Highs/
The treble is definitely boosted somewhat, I found that they can get quite fatiguing after several hours of listening but this will be subjective to each listener as to whether you find them harsh or not. They are definitely brighter than I would like, with that said their overall tuning seems deliberately aggressive and it does work well. Detail retrieval is excellent and far greater than one might expect a budget earphone to provide.

/Conclusion 9.4 out of 10/
I honestly did not expect to be so impressed by the CCA CST. The fixed cable is for sure a pretty big negative, but everything else with these earphones is superb. They sound lively and energetic and really punch well above their weight. Their overall build and comfort far exceeds expectations. They offer superb imaging combined with a wide, open soundstage. Earphones this cheap have no right to sound this good, I thoroughly recommend them.

You can pick up the CCA CST today from Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NH2BVM6

15/03/2021

Review of the CCA CKX

You can purchase today from the following link!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VNPVN66/

/Specifications/

Driver unit: 7mm DD + 6BA
Impedance: 22 Ω
Sensitivity: 115 ± 3 dB dB/mW
Frequency range: 20 – 40,000 Hz
Cable/Connector: 2-pin, 0.75 mm (QDC)
Tested at: $79
Sound Signature: Neutral

/Package & Accessories/

Very disappointing, CCA only offer the bare minimum with the CKX and at this price point you should really expect more. The cable is nice and light, flexible and with nicely formed ear hooks. You only get 3 sets of silicone ear tips, and this is the first time I have ever had an IEM where none of the tips would grant me a proper seal. Not much else to say, there really should be more included at this price point.

/Comfort & Build Quality/

These are possibly the best built IEMs I have seen to date. They are remarkably small, not entirely sure how they have been able to fit 7 drivers inside these things but it really is a feat of engineering with what they have achieved in such a small package. Smooth polished zinc alloy, no sharp edges and fits in my ear perfectly. Due to their incredibly small size these will fit anyone's ear shape or size, they are perfectly formed and you forget you are even wearing them. Excellent job CCA, these are the benchmark shape/size in my opinion and I hope this pushes more companies to do the same.

/Bass/

The bass lays the foundation for CKX’s warm presentation with its bass. It’s a boosted bass though not quite basshead level. As a result of its linearity from sub to upper bass CKX’s low end is full-bodied and meaty. Speaking of the sub-bass, CKX can get a solid, satisfying rumble going. The benefit of this tuning is a bass that doesn’t detract attention from the mids too much.

/Mids/

Their midrange is clear but slightly and pronounced. With the underlying warmth of the bass and the subdued treble, the midrange flows like melted butter. Resolution and instrument separation is excellent and detail retrieval is very good. There is a very great sense of soundstage, nothing is cluttered or claustrophobic.

/Highs/

The treble is fairly relaxed and is inoffensive in character. There is a lift in the uppermost treble so there’s actually a sense of airiness there but no real sparkle. It’s a softened, warmish treble that would be perfect for treble-sensitive listeners, no peaks or sibilance to my ear. You could listen to the CKX all day long without feeling fatigue from the highs, my preferred tuning for certain.

/Conclusion 9.7 out of 10/

This is hands down one of the best IEMs you can buy right now. The build quality, compact size with supreme comfort. Couple that with beautiful audio tuning, impressive detail retrieval and an open airy soundstage, then the CCA CKX is truly something quite special. Nothing else I have seen on the market come close to what the CCA CKX has to offer at this price point. I am really impressed with what CCA have done here, and cannot recommend this product enough!

You can pick up the CCA CKX today from Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VNPVN66/

09/03/2021

Review of the KBEAR KS1

You can purchase today from the following link!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002184896879.html

Specifications:
Driver unit: 10mm Dual Magnetic Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 109 ± 3 dB dB/mW
Frequency range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Cable/Connector: 2-pin, 0.78 mm (TFZ)
Tested at: £13
Sound Signature: Slight V-Shape

Package & Accessories: 2.5/5

Very basic standard inclusion with the KS1. Nothing special or fancy going on here but this is really to be expected at such a low price point, ear phones which cost 5x as much will often have the exact same so cannot really complain, but nothing to really shout about either.

The cable is nice tight braid, thin flexible and lightweight which is exactly what I prefer. Ear hooks on my copy were poorly shaped, but this is likely a one off and not something to expect.

Comfort & Build Quality: 5/5

As I always say comfort is very subjective, however it is also important to point out any flaws if they occur. The KS1 are some of the most comfortable earphones I have used. They are build entirely from moulded plastic, they are incredibly sleek and are of a rather small form factor, one which should accommodate any ear size & shape.

Build is excellent as is expected with KBEAR products. Nothing to really add here other than they look and feel excellent and are of great quality, no complaints here.

Bass: 4.7/5

Definitely elevated, with a mid-bass emphasis. But the thing is, while I personally do not prefer elevated mid-bass quantity, the KS1’s bass is just so well done. It stays controlled and is very textured. Very engaging as well, having this impact with each strike due to the really good extension. Good bass attack that has a nice decay (not too slow, not too fast) and keeps up with all of my tracks. It has this “body” to it that I can’t explain in words (like consuming, but in a good way). Some might prefer this, others not. The bass quantity on this set might be too much for others as well, as the extension allows for the “shaking” sub-bass rumble.

Mids: 4.6/5

No shouty-ness or graininess. It has this “alive” attribute to it, with vocals being rendered in a full manner, no thinness or hollowness whatsoever. It is also very natural which lets the midrange, particularly the instruments, deliver emotion and weight with each note played. These have the bite that makes you wanna nod your head and thump your feet along with the music.

Highs: 4.5/5

Well-extended. It is elevated and can at times be piercing (this is subjective to each user). For some tracks, particularly with really, really fast, continuous crash cymbal strikes, there are instances of splash. Due to that extension, it also gives a nice air to the presentation, which is very much welcome given the elevated bass, allowing it to avoid the “congested” or “muddy” sound.

Conclusion: 4.6/5

Yet again another incredible KBEAR product. It is yet another V-Shaped IEM, but quite honestly it is one of the best I have ever heard, especially at this price point. If you want a lively-sounding IEM with nice, rumbling bass, pin-point detail retrieval with superb imaging and soundstage, then the KBEAR is a no-brainer at just £13.

It is truly amazing just how good these are for the price. Highly recommend these to anyone, they are that good.

You can pick up the KBEAR KS1 today from the following link, they are well worth the money!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002184896879.html

11/02/2021

Review of the KBEAR Lark

You can purchase today from the following link!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001592913393.html

Specifications:
Driver unit: 10mm DD + 1 BA
Impedance: 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 105 ± 3 dB dB/mW
Frequency range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Cable/Connector: 2-pin, 0.78 mm (TFZ)
Tested at: £22

Sound Signature: Balanced neutral

Package & Accessories: 5/5
Beautiful packaging from KBEAR. They have really gone all out on presenting this product in the most premium way I have seen at this price point. The box is elegantly put together and really highlights the quality of this product. You get 7 pairs of silicone ear tips, all of which are great quality. The 4N silver-plated cable is also very high quality, very flexible with no kinks or feedback. You also get a really nice carrying case that looks and feels great.

Amazing job KBEAR, this is excellent work and really accentuates how great this product really is.

Comfort & Fit: 5/5
Comfort will always be subjective, everyone has different ear shapes and ideas of what comfort is. However these fit my ears like a glove. They are supremely comfortable and are more so than any earphone I have tried in recent years. They are lightweight, not too large and have very smooth rounded edges. The nozzle isn't too thick so will comfortable fit into your ear without irritation. The preformed hooks on the cables are tight and offer great security when wearing the earphones. All-in-all, these are very comfortable and should meet almost any users needs.

Bass: 4.8/5
The lows are stable, deep and energetic. They never get boring, always kicking hard, but are not muddy, nor overwhelming. The rumble stays clean even on unbearable volumes. Bassheads will be delighted, while moderates will not be driven away, and that's as good as it gets. Really a delight to have such a clean presentation on the bass.

Mids: 4.8/5
Very capable and natural mids, perfectly suitable for popular music styles. They are relatively upfront, mainly in the upper-mids/lower-highs range, while the lower mids are a bit toned down. The resulting tuning should be comfortable to most listeners, as it's non-intrusive and well-balanced, perfect for all-purpose applications, but might not be detailed enough for analytical listening. Still, for their price, I expect the mids to fit perfectly for the majority of listeners.

Highs: 5/5
The Lark doesn't catch as much detail as, let's say, the TRN V90, but what they do catch - they output it very cleanly and naturally. The peaks seem to be very subtle and tolerable in comparison (and that's on top of V90's already solid highs). The treble is mildly bright, but leans further toward natural-sounding for an extremely comfortable listening experience, rather than an extremely analytical one.

Excellent performance here from the Lark and you will not be disappointed in any way with how they reproduce audio.

Conclusion: 4.9/5
KBEAR have really knocked it out of the park with the Lark. They provide such a premium experience with their elegant look, superb packaging and outstanding audio reproduction. There really is nothing to fault with this earphone, they truly are the best you can buy in this price range and I cannot recommend them enough.

You can purchase them today from the following link, give them a go you will not be disappointed!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001592913393.html

09/08/2020

Review of the CVJ CSA

You can purchase today from 'IZ POP' at their Amazon store
https://www.amazon.com/CVJ-Balanced-Headphone-Detachable-Universal-Fit/dp/B087B444CF

Specifications:
Driver unit: 10mm DD + 1 BA
Impedance: 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 101 ± 3 dB dB/mW
Frequency range: 7 – 40,000 Hz
Cable/Connector: 2-pin, 0.75 mm
Tested at: $27

Sound Signature: Balanced
Sound stage is a bit wider than deep but It does have reasonably good depth. Seating the orchestra is fairly straight forward with a few places where instruments sound more side by side than front to rear due to the stage shape. Instrument separation is above average for the class which does help keep things from getting too congested but. Imaging is good with movements easily tracked and positioning in space being tightly defined.

Overall the sound signature is very well rounded and balanced, for this price point the CVJ CSA really excels in delivering a spacious, balanced and detailed sound with above average imaging for exciting bass and clarity in the highs.

Package & Accessories: 5/5
The box is a bit different than most budget packing as it is bookfold and very sturdy. it is pressed wood similar to MDF and the sides are roughly 1/8th inch thick giving it more structural integrity than the average cardboard.

Opening the book reveals a foam tray with the earpieces and the large and small tips (the mediums come pre-installed). The cable, cable tie, and cloth carry bag are hidden under the tray and complete the kit. So the sum of the kit is earpieces, 3 sets of silicone tips, cable, cable tie, and cloth carry bag along with presentation box. Not too bad at all for a budget oriented offering.

Comfort & Fit: 5/5
Build is solid plastic as one might expect at this price point and while it isn’t as glamorous as some more expensive options, it is well fitted and without slop between faceplate and shell. The faceplate is opaque and somewhere between arctic camo and carbon fiber in design while the inner shell is clear plastic making easy to see the internals. My understanding it is suppose to mimic carbon fiber but the pattern is a bit too large and not quite sharp enough and comes out looking a bit like winter camo as a result. Shape is the now common semi-custom reverse teardrop with the nozzle built in to the inner shell rather than being a metal addition. Nozzles do have a pronounced lip for tip retention and a very prominent forward rake with a very slight upward tilt. .75mm bi-pin connections are slightly recessed into the housing which I like.

Bass: 4.5/5
Bass is mildly elevated with a center around 80Hz and roll-off becoming evident only in the mid-twenty hz range. Sub-bass has good rumble and fairly articulate. Attack is slightly faster than decay leaving a bit of warmth to the signature with neither attack or decay being exceptionally quick. Speed is good, but not class defying. Mid-bass continues the trend with reasonably good detail levels and just a small amount of bleed into the mids.

Mids: 4.5/5
Lower mids have a very slight recess but are not dramatically over-shadowed by the mid-bass and while the bass bleed does color the lower mids a bit, it gives a little more fullness and warmth to the same. As you go up, mids do climb forward with a plateau of the upper mids and lower treble reaching 2kHz through about 5kHz. While the push forward does give vocals good presence, it can on occasion become a bit fatiguing and a slight tweak with the EQ may be preferred.

Highs: 5/5
The lower treble follows the upper mid push and is a bit too elevated for me at times. Those who like a bright signature will likely enjoy the CSA, while those who are a bit treble shy will want to apply a bit of judicious EQ around this region to tame it. Treble drops back a bit above the early boost and prevents it from getting overly bright before another push brings some top end air. Roll-off is in the 13kHz range which leaves the CSA feeling open and well-extended. Snare rattle is good, but high-hat can have a metallic click to it due to the tuning here.

Conclusion: 4.6/5
The CSA is not your average budget model, and I have to credit CVJ for that. It takes a different approach than most and while it does have a bit of a V signature it shows better balance than many and a tuning that I hope we will see more of in future models as they refine their craft. For my ear, the top end is slightly brighter than I prefer, but others may find that energy a plus as it does bring some life to the signature and gives the CSA a more open feel to it. Overall, the CSA is a welcome change of pace from the steady stream of big V signatures with solid mids and is well worth a listen.

15/07/2020

Review of the KBEAR KS2

You can purchase today from 'friendly audio store'
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001196645244.html

Specifications:
Driver unit: 10mm DD + 1 BA
Impedance: 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 106 ± 3 dB dB/mW
Frequency range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Cable/Connector: 2-pin, 0.78 mm
Tested at: $22

Sound Signature: Slight V-shape
KS2 is a budget-friendly model from Kbear and at the same time my first encounter with the Kbear brand. KS2 is one of those models you suppose to hook around your ear and comes in a fairly simple package without any goodies, but it would be rude to ask anything more for a modest price of $22. So let’s dig into the review and see how they perform.

Package & Accessories: 2/5
Nothing special included in the package here. Very standard silicone ear tips with the typical dark copper braided cable The cable is nicely flexible and a decent length with a strong L-shaped connector. I would highly recommend purchasing an upgraded cable and ear tips as they are both very basic.

Comfort & Fit: 5/5
The KBEAR KS2 are very comfortable with an excellent fit and seal. They are quite small and light and should easily fit almost all ear shapes and sizes. They are a high quality plastic, with smooth finish. It is also nice to get an IEM that does not have the over used metal face plate, these look stylish and sleek and do not stand out.

Bass: 4.5/5
Bass is surprisingly speedy and controlled, and also, of course, prominent but not fatiguing. The punch/rumble appears to come from way below, not from the mid-bass, which is usually easier on the eardrum. But, although it is dry, it can be a bit blunt. The upper bass is actually rather thin and therefore does not bleed into the lower midrange/vocals.

Mids: 4.2/5
Vocals are breathy and attenuated with a splash of pressurized air added, but they are quite there and very 3-dimensional. They are not the richest or densest, but they are ok in the mix. The vocals obviously get that famous extra energy from the upper midrange, but not in a bad way. This results in excellent clarity without sharpness. Sub-bass and upper midrange keep each other well in check and balance each other nicely. I can’t hear any obvious shoutiness.

Highs: 4.5/5
Like the mids, the highs are also crisp and detailed, and not exaggerated like with many V-shaped earphones (but that still depends on which ear tips you use). Depending on the ear tips, volume level and recording quality, the upper-mids and highs can still produce some sibilance or uncomfortable sharpness, which can usually be remedied by reducing the volume. It's a common issue that isn't worth fussing about, not a deal-breaker, but still worth of improvement in the future.

Conclusion: 4.5/5
For me, the KBEAR KS2 are refreshingly unpretentious, pragmatic earphones: no amp needed, they play straight out of your phone. They are V-shape well done: gone are the days where the recessed mids were squeezed between a boomy low end and a screechy upper end. Here, all elements play well together and generate a pleasant and well-staged sonic experience – but with the limitations as described above.

10/07/2020

Review of the TRN-M10

You can purchase today from 'friendly audio store'
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001122300381.html

Specifications:
Driver unit: 8mm DD + 1 BA
Impedance: 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 106 ± 3 dB dB/mW
Frequency range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
Cable/Connector: 2-pin QDC, 0.75 mm
Tested at: $13

Sound Signature: Balanced
The M10 are among the most versatile/universal pair of earphones I have had the pleasure to use. No matter what you're listening to, the M10 will surely deliver. I undoubtedly recommend these, exceptionally high value and performance.

Package & Accessories: 3/5
Very basic offerings here, just your normal S/M/L silicone eartips and a braided cable. The cable is nicely flexible and the eartips are very smooth high quality silicone. Cable is excellent quality, but the connector is proprietary so replacements could be difficult to find.

Comfort & Fit: 5/5
The TRN-M10 are small bullet shaped earphones that will easily fit any ear size. The provided ear tips are high quality silicone and grant an excellent seal. They are worn like regular earbuds, so will not cause discomfort from having the cable wrap over your ear.

Bass: 5/5
Very fun, extended bass response with a lot of impact, but not exhausting. Fills every song with warmth and perception of volume. Perfect for those who appreciate clean, stable and well-balanced bass with deep sub-bass that never overwhelms the higher frequencies.

Mids: 5/5
The mids are the highlight of this review, they are well-tuned and sound very natural. They are somewhat more upfront and dominant but never shouty. Exceptional quality at this price.

Highs: 4.5/5
Bright and lively, but not too "peaky", some sibilance can occur in very specific moments but on the whole not an issue. Overall the highs are excellent, revealing many details whilst not being too fatiguing.

Conclusion: 5/5
The TRN-M10 manages to punch well above its weight. The sound is clear, detailed and neutral. They have excellent build quality, offer exceptional comfort and all of this is available at a $13 price point. I would recommend the M10 to anyone in a heartbeat, they are truly an incredibly versatile set of earphones that will not disappoint.

Simon's Audio Reviews

22/02/2022

02/05/2021

24/04/2021

19/04/2021

15/03/2021

09/03/2021

11/02/2021

09/08/2020

15/07/2020

10/07/2020

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