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IKKO OH1 Review
by AudioFool

Disclaimer: I was sent the IKKO OH1 as a review sample by Patrick Lin after having a conversation about IKKO products on facebook. If you have an interest in IKKO products, please visit their website, or facebook. IKKO products can be purchased from Amazon here or purchased from Penon Audio here.

Unboxing / Packaging:
The box has a white slip-cover with the ikko logo and earpiece adorning the front and specs on the rear. inside is a black pressboard lift-top box again sporting the Ikko Logo. Immediately under the lid, we find an envelope that contains the warranty card and instructions. Beneath that, the earpieces are revealed in a foam tray at the upper end and the two sets of tips also housed in foam in the lower portion. Beneath the tips hides the soft case with the cable inside it.

Accessories:
The kit included with the OH1 is fairly thorough, with 6 sets of tips (3 each vocal and balanced in SML), a soft carry case, the instructions and warranty card, and the cable. Overall, for an IEM at this price level, the kit is equal to or better most brands and falls behind only ibasso (hard case) and Fiio (kitchen sink in kit). I would have liked to see the pouch offer a pocket to keep the two earpieces from touching when in transit to prevent scratches.

Build/Fit:
Shells are cast aluminum anodized uniformly in a deep royal blue in a teardrop style. Size is medium-large but depth of the shell is thinner than most which helps with getting good insertion and seal from a relatively short nozzle. Unlike most models at this price point, nozzles are part of the inner shell and not a separate piece. I commend Ikko on doing this the harder way as that means more internal and external polishing of some pretty tight spaces to get the anodizing right and the sound channel correct. Nozzles are at the lead edge of the shell with a forward and upward rake and have a pronouned lip. Venting is a single port behind the nozzles on the interior of the shell and one on the upper surface of the shell between the two pin connector and the L/R designation. Both earpieces have the Ikko logo and name along the rear of the shell and are very tastefully done.

Internals:
Bass details are handled by a 10mm titanium plated dynamic driver while higher frequencies are handled by the Knowles 33518 balanced armature driver. The 33518 is a newer Knowles driver that is targeted at hearing aids and audio above 1kHz per Knowles. Some will recognize this pairing as being similar to the Fiio FH1 that also uses a 10 mm dynamic coupled to the 33518. The Magaosi also uses the 33518 in a more limited role as the mid driver between 22955 (CI) Bass armature and the 29689 (ED) treble armature. Nominal impedance is listed as 18Ω with a sensitivity of 106dB/mW which makes the OH1 easy to drive using low powered sources like phones and tablets. I did find the OH1 scales well but was more than adequate when used directly from an android phone or iPad.

Cable:
The cable is well done with all metal accents anodized to match the color of the earpieces and color matching is spot on. the Jack is a 90º style that I prefer with a metal barrel and a black plastic strain relief above it. The cabling itself is a 4 strand silver plated 5n oxygen free copper in a double helix (two wires twisted, then pairs twisted) from jack to splitter. The splitter is also a blue metal barrel with each pair of the helix exiting to the earpieces. Terminations have a pre-formed earhook without memory wire and end with metal cased .78 mm bi-pin connectors. Right is duly marked with a red ring. If there is a complaint here, the bi-pin connector on the iem is raised and the connector on the cable does not have a matching recess which makes the connection look a bit different than most other models. Overall, a well done cable with nice accents to match the earpieces. Now about that matching chin slider? (wish it had one).

Tips:
Two sets of tips are provided, one marked vocal and the other marked balanced. Perhaps oddly, I found the vocal tips to be a bit more balanced and used those for the bulk of my listening notes.

Sound:

Bass:
Bass is the star of the show on the OH1 to me. The OH1 has better than average extension at the low end and sub-bass is not only good in quantity, it is also good in quality. Not boomy or loose, but tight, clean, and with better detail than expected. Attack and decay are both better than expected with decay being only slightly slower than attack and still faster than expected for a dynamic driver. In that respect the OH1 combines the best features of dynamic driver bass with the control of BA bass. Sub-bass is foward of mid-bass (a preference for me) but detail and character remain consistent as you climb through the range. Mid-bass shows no bleed into the mids and no bloom at all making this one of the cleanest two driver hybrids I have heard as the point between mid-bass and mids is usually where the hand-off between dynamic and BA takes place and more often than not the point at which coherency falls apart or a perceptible bass bleed is present.

Mids:
As we move from the bass into the mid-range, the transition is fluid with no major drop-off or large spikes. Mids are slightly behind the bass but not enough to even call it a recess. Tonality is quite good which proves that Ikko has done more to tune the BA driver than the previously mentioned FH1. Vocals show good clarity for both lower registers and upper with a mild push forward of upper-mids that gives female vocals just a touch more presence than lower voiced counterparts. Details are quite good and timbre on vocals is as well. Timbre on upper strings is a bit on the hot side and can come across as slightly brassy at times. Guitar is particularly well rendered with both acoustic and electric sounding lifelike and energetic.

Treble:
As we climb from the upper-mids into lower treble, we almost immediately plateau and stay put at the same level for most of the treble range. This is in stark contrast to many iems that are a ball of spikes when looking at frequencies above 2kHz. The OH1 does a good job with giving snare enough edge to be credible but not sounding sharp or harsh. Overall, the treble feels quite laid-back and easy to listen to for extended sessions. Clarity is good with a solid level of detail in the lower treble and then as it climbs into the higher ranges, detail and output begin to taper off pretty steeply above about 10kHz. This makes for some air and sparkle while remaining non-fatiguing and polite. The only drawback is as tracks get more complex with lots of treble-heavy parts, the OH1 can get a bit overwhelmed and sounds a bit thick. This isnt a common issue, but something to know is a possibility so if you listen to a lot of treble-intensive works, you may wish to audition before purchase.

Soundstage / Imaging:
Soundstage has good depth (better than expected) and width (as expected) with the balance being slightly in favor of width. While not as 3d as some, there is some sense of height and instrument positioning benefits. I didn’t find any congestion to the stage and with width favored no tendency to place instruments behind each other instead of next to each other. Binaural recordings like the Cowboy Junkies trinity session that I enjoy do a good job of showing off the stage and imaging capabilities of the OH1. Overall imaging is class leading and competes well with models significantly above its price point. Spatial cues are well rendered which makes the OH1 good for movie watching and maybe gaming although I am not a big gamer so cant speak directly to that point. Layering is also quite good and I didn’t find that it bogged down or thickened as tracks got busier and more complex.

Comparisons:

Fiio FH1
With both sharing a 10mm dynamic and the same BA driver this is a natural comparison. With a $75 price difference maybe a bit less so, but lets do it all the same. Both share a similar bass forward tuning with good slam but the OH1 notches the win for better control and depth. Both are good, but OH1 is better. Mids are very similar and again, this is more a matter of degree than difference with a slight edge going to the OH1 for better transition from bass to mids and a bit more energy in the upper mid-range. Treble is again about equal, but here I had trouble picking a clear winner as the two are more similar than not.

Build-wise the OH-1 is the more polished product and both have solid cables. The kit on the FH1 is better due to the addition of the pelican case and 2nd cable for use with a phone.

NiceHCK M6 (DMG Vented filter)
The M6 is a bit brighter and has a sharper edge to its sound than the more relaxed OH1. This makes the OH1 sound more natural while the M6 at times sounds a bit strained and/or clinical and dry. Mids are more forward on the M6 which again is mixed. On some tracks the forward mids helps the M6 feel more engaging with strings in particular, but on others that forward push can result in a more strident tone and some sibilance at times.

Build-wise, both are quite good but quality of anodizing and cable go to the OH1 as the clear winner.

Magaosi X3
Again, I referenced the X3 earlier as sharing the mid-range driver with the OH1 so this is a natural comparison. Bass slam goes to the OH1 without doubt as does low end extension. Both models exhibit very good control of the bass so on that count we will call it a draw. Mids are good on both and very similar but for me strings are a bit better on the X3 where the timbre is a bit more natural. Highs are similar on both as neither has fantastic top end extension but the OH1 sounds less rolled off where the X3 has a lack of air at the high end.

Build-wise, this is quite a clash, the clear acrylic of the X3 with its sound tubes has a lot of appeal, but so does the polish of the OH1. The kit is better on the X3 with its included hard case and bluetooth cable, but at $45 more, those items could be purchased separately for the OH1.

Moondrop Kanas Pro
The Kanas pro is way closer to neutral than the OH1 which has a much more V shaped (nearly U shaped at times) signature. Bass is far more the star of the show with the OH1 than with the KP while mids are fuller on the KP, Treble is a bit more forward on the OH1 which gives the OH1 a bit more air and sparkle than the KP. The KP has a bit more detail especially in the mids and lower treble. Both share a sort of laid-back effortless delivery, but for me the KP is slightly better at it.

Build-wise both are stellar and both cables are equally good. The OH1 does have the advantage of weighing about 1/2 what the KP does so may be more comfortable for long wear.

Thoughts / Conclusion:
First off, my thanks to Patrick and Ikko for sending me the OH1 to try. I found the OH1 to be a great way to launch a new company into the busy audio landscape and it shows a level of capability well beyond what one would expect from an introductory model. From the polished shell to the mature tuning, the OH1 has all the hallmarks of a seasoned product and competes well at its price point. For those who like sub-bass rumble and a polite treble, the OH1 should be on your list to audition. I’ve been using mine for a solid week as I write this review, and think they will likely retain a spot in my work lineup now that I am done writing. For those times when you just want to relax and listen, they make a great companion.

Packaging - 7/10
Accessories - 6.5/10
Build Quality - 8/10
Bass - 8/10
Mids - 6.5/10
Treble - 6.5/10
Soundstage - 7/10
Imaging - 7/10

7.1/10

Summary

Pros: build quality, bass performance, solid mids w/ good detail, great clarity and separation, very open

Cons: carrying case doesn’t keep earpieces separated, can be harsh in upper mids, U shape is definitely not a reference tuning.

daps and dacs earphones review

8:46 PM

Simgot EM2 Review

by wilen/Audiofool

disclaimer: Simgot kindly sent the EM2 and MTW5 for review. I have no financial interest in Simgot, nor are my words here influenced by any outside concern. If you are interested in Simgot products, please check here for more details or visit their amazon store to purchase.

Unboxing / Packaging:
Packaging on the Simgot EM2 is classy and understated. An outer slip-cover has a large stylized drawing of the EM Series earphones on the front. Specs (in English) are on a sticker that is affixed to the shrink-wrap on the reverse and covers the original specs (in Chinese) beneath. Also on the reverse is an exploded diagram of the EM2 done in a tastefully subdued gray on black background. Once the slip-cover is removed, a black pressboard box is exposed with the Simgot Emblem on front again in subdued gloss black on flat black. Lifting the cover off the box reveals a foam tray with earpieces at top and a leather carrying case below. The cable and warranty cards are hidden beneath the foam tray while two cards of tips are tucked neatly into the carrying case. Overall the packaging seems fitting for the price point represented and done very tastefully.

Accessories/Tips:
The EM2 comes with a well made leather case with Simgot logo on the front, slogan on the rear, and magnetic closure. Inside the case are two cards that each contain a set of silicone eartips in three sizes. Card 1 contains the standard tips while card 2 has bass enhancing tips. The Cable has a velcro retainer but lacks a shirt clip. If there is a ding, it is that the case is not large enough to store both the tip cards and the earphone but for most they will pick a tip from the cards and use it so carrying both cards of tips around is probably not all that likely anyway.
The two sets of tips do indeed make a difference in sound. Both are made of the same material and seat to roughly the same depth, but the bore diameter is enough different to change the sonics. I found Tip 1 to be more accurate and provide a closer to neutral signature while Tip 2 was more relaxed and more musical for long listening sessions. Tip 1 is brighter and can verge on too bright at times while tip 2 emphasizes the lower end more and helps offset the natural tendency of the EM2 to be a bit bright.

Build/Fit:
Shells are transparent plastic with a mild smoking as I received what Simgot lists as the black model. This is a nice change of pace as all the color options are subdued. A single vent is on the underside of the shell immediately behind the nozzle. The Left earpiece is labeled "BA x1 Dynamic x1" while the right earpiece is labeled "2 way hybrid iem". Nozzles exit the lead edge of the iem with a slightly forward rake. Tips seat deeply on the nozzles which does limit insertion depth and a large ring on the nozzle prevents slippage of the tips. The earpieces themselves are mid-sized and I think only the smallest of ears might find them problematic. Comfort is good as they sit firmly in place without any high spots or odd angles and the ear-hooks work well to prevent movement during activity. I also found the EM2 to be lighter than many earpieces which contributes to overall comfort as well.

Internals:
The EM2 is a hybrid using the same titanium coated 10mm dynamic driver of EN700 fame paired with the Knowles 32873 balanced armature to handle top end duties. Nominal impedance is listed as 10Ω which may be low enough to cause some issues with impedance matching. Sensitivity is listed as 100dB/mw (at 1kHz) suggesting that the EM2 should be easy to drive using a smartphone or tablet. I found it performed well from Android (Moto) and Apple (10r) phones but does benefit from having a bit more power available to it. It scales well to a point but beyond that I saw no additional gains. (My Opus #1s on mid gain showed the same characteristics as going to the Burson Fun with its significantly higher horsepower).

Cable:
I was particularly impressed with the .78mm bi-pin housing on the Simgot cable. The connectors are recessed inside the housing to protect the pins and to strengthen the connection when installed. This is an excellent idea, but does limit use of 3rd party cables as they tend to look a bit disjointed in comparison. The cable itself is a 4 core copper braid up to the splitter and two twisted pairs above. The jack and splitter both feature a rose gold colored metal housing encased in a clear rubber like plastic. The Chin slider is the same metal but lacks the coating. The Jack is a straight 3.5mm TRS design with good strain relief so should last well unless abused. the bi-pin connectors also share the same rose gold metal ring giving the cable a very nice overall look. Two minor issues do warrant mentioning. First, the Chin slider is mostly ornamental as it is too loose on the cable and simply falls back to rest on top of the splitter during use. Second, the L/R markings on the connectors are clear on clear and can be very difficult to make out. A colored dot would go a long way to making this easier to see.

Sound:

Bass:
Sub-bass is present but in limited quantity and is enhanced some by using the bass tips provided. I found the bass on the EM2 to be very tip sensitive so tip rolling to find the best combination for the individual will likely be needed. I Found the provided bass tips worked well, but Spiral dots and the Auvio Wide bore worked even better for me. With the larger bore tips, sub-bass is still recessed but slightly less so and the EM2 manages to have some low rumble. Mid-bass is a bit more forward but equally well controlled. Attack is slightly faster than decay leaving a bit of warmth lingering but decay is not so slow as to feel overly thick or heavy. Even with bass tips, this IEM leans toward the neutral or mild w shape and will not please a basshead.

Mids:
I'm well pleased with the mids on the EM2 as they are much more the star of the show than on most other brands at this same price point. Lower mids transition from the mid-bass smoothly and have good weight to them giving lower register vocals good body and timbre. True mids are slightly behind the lower mids but still not pronouncedly so. The upper mids rise above the rest of the signature (along with lower treble) but only mildly so and give female vocals and higher strings a bit of extra life. Higher pitched vocals are slightly more forward and intimate than their lower voiced counterparts as a result, but not so much so as to feel incoherent in the overall.

Treble:
This is what I was most interested in hearing. Having had a couple of earlier Simgot models, I know treble has been a struggle for them at times. (I was unabashedly not a fan of the EN700 pro for exactly this reason). Well, I can say that crossing the dynamic a bit lower and adding the 32873 Knowles BA has definitely improved the treble on the EM2 compared to earlier efforts. This is movement in the right direction. The lower treble flows from the upper mids without a big forward jump and gives snare a nice clean edge that was not present in earlier versions. Roll-off is fairly steep above 10kHz which removes any tendency toward stridency and I found I could wear the EM2 for extended periods without notable fatigue. Air and sparkle could be slightly better, but this is an obvious trade off to achieve the polite treble of the EM2.

Soundstage / Imaging:
Soundstage is wider than deep and makes the listener feel as if they are slightly back from the stage in a small auditorium. I did not find any tendency to get congested as tracks got more complex and instrument separation is very good throughout the entire range. Imaging is good and instrument position on the stage is easily discernible as well as movements around the stage. I did not find them to have a holographic stage as most detail seems to come from more or less directly in front of the listener rather than feeling like you were at the center of the production.

Comparisons:
Ibasso IT01
The IT01 is more V shaped than the EM2 and has more bass slam but mids are recessed compared to the EM2 and lack some detail. The EM2 comes much closer to neutral and treble has a more natural timbre than the IT01. Those looking for a fuller, more bass heavy sound will prefer the IT01 while those looking for more detail in a thinner more neutral profile will prefer the EM2 (even with the bass tips).

Fiio F9 Pro
The F9 Pro is much more V shaped than the EM2 and delivers more bass and especially sub-bass. Those wanting bass slam will appreciate the F9 while those looking for a more neutral and natural presentation will prefer the EM2. Treble is more polite on the EM2 than on the F9 Pro and while the pro improved on the overly sharp treble of the original F9, it still has more of a tendency to become strident than the EM2.

NiceHCK M6
The M6 is much more V shaped and even with the filters is more bass heavy than the EM2. Both have really good mids, but the M6 requires the use of the DMG vented filter to really bring them out. The M6 wins on tuning options, while the EM2 has a more natural sound out of the box without having to add additional filters. Those who enjoy modding will prefer the M6 with the greater flexibility, while those who wish to just use their eims without having to fiddle with it, the EM2 provides a solid option.

Thoughts / Conclusion:
Simgot has departed from the norm with the EM2. While most of the Chi-fi world has gone to packing in as many drivers as possible and tunes for the big V with lots of extra treble energy, the EM2 eschews this for a much simpler and more coherent approach. The upside is a much more fluid presentation without the choppiness and grain often associated with the multi-BA budget iems. The detail is better in both quantity and quality than expected and no single range jumps out at the user. Those tired of the over-emphasized bass and treble at the expense of mids will really enjoy the EM2 as will those looking for snare and cymbals to be crisp without being metallic as is so often the case. Overall, I find the EM2 represents good value as it offers a very different signature than typical at the price point combined with solid construction and a well thought out kit.

earphones review

8:44 PM