Greetings!
Today we're checking out the
AF1120 MK2 from Audiofly.
Based out of Australia,
Audiofly has been in the business of portable audio since 2012. They
embrace the concepts of technological innovation, musician
empowerment, and quality sound on all levels, having worked to
achieve this through products that cover a wider range of prices and
purposes, from affordable Bluetooth to high end studio monitoring.
Recently Audiofly revamped their lineup, updating many of their more
popular models with MK2 variants, one of which we are checking out
today.
The AF1120 MK2 is the
flagship of Audiofly's lineup and is packed with technology. Inside
are six balanced armatures in a 2x2x2 configuration with a hybrid
3-way electronic/acoustic crossover keeping everything in check.
Updated MMCX connectors round things. The AF1120 MK2 is a product for
professionals who require a clear, neutral sound, and that's exactly
what it delivers in my experience.
Let's take a closer look,
shall we?
What I Hear
The
AF1120 MK2 is a very neutral leaning earphone. Treble has a fairly
linear presentation without any major peaks in any particular region.
The brilliance region is very smooth and somewhat de-emphasized
resulting in a mild quantity of shimmer and sparkle. It is
non-fatiguing and reasonably low energy, especially compared to your
average mainstream hybrid earphone. Despite this dearth of
excitement, the upper ranges of the AF1120 MK2 remain relatively airy
with plenty of space between notes. The presence region is expertly
balanced to give notes stellar transparency and weight without
sounding strident or overly aggressive. As a result, clarity is top
notch but not pushed to the point of being sharp or overly analytic.
It simply sounds realistic.
The
AF1120 MK2's midrange is quite neutral in presence and tone with
vocals sounding prominent but not overly forward. Male and female
vocals are evenly represented with neither one standing out more than
the other. The AF1120 MK2 does a great job with Riya and retaining
the natural warmth and intimacy of her presentation, while Calyx's
gruff style is picked up and reproduced perfectly with all texture
intact. Notes are weighty and dense yet retain outstanding clarity
and coherence. I never found anything blending together or vocals
being overshadowed by background instrumentals. Timbre is spot on for
the most part with only brighter instruments sounding slightly off
and ever so slightly plasticy, likely due to the lack of emphasis in
the brilliance region. One instrument that is an absolute standout
through the AF1120 MK2 are pianos which feel beefy with perfect
attack and decay.
When it
comes to the low end the AF1120 MK2 won't be winning over bass heads
anytime soon thanks to a neutral presence. Notes are full and warm,
hitting with a hard, snappy decay. I really appreciated this
performance with rapid transitions and complicated passages, but it
ended up being somewhat underwhelming with deep, sustained notes. The
roll off and rapidity of decay being to blame. Another plus is that
the presentation is very smooth and refined, but not lacking at all
in texture and detail. It's not in your face, but inserted in a way
that feels natural. If you want some more bass out of the AF1120 MK2,
you'll be happy to hear that it takes EQ and bass boost functions
very well. Pairing it with the new iFi hip-dac and it's Xbass
function does a killer job of filling out the low end of the AF1120
MK2 improving suitability with bass-driven tracks. All the positive
qualities are retained but more voluminous making the AF1120 MK2 even
more versatile.
While
the AF1120 MK2's sound stage is fairly average, it's staging qualities
are anything but. Imaging is nuanced with razor sharp and accurate
movement from channel-to-channel, with easy to detect, subtle
movements. No one is likely to be use this for gaming, but if you do
you'll find them pretty darn amazing. Tracking movement in a game
with great sound design (i.e. pretty much anything from Dice) ends up
being very natural and organic. Helping this out is how well layered
tracks and soundscapes are. The AF1120's ability to provide a true
sense of depth is impressive. Instrument separation is also a
highlight thanks to each individual track element being pulled apart
and set within it's own space. As a result vocals are never hindered
by bass bleed, cymbals aren't overpowering and restrictive to other
elements, etc. Everything plays together, never fighting for
dominance.
Compared To A Peer
(Volume matched with Dayton iMM-6)
Fearless
S6 Rui (389.00 USD): The S6 Rui
has more treble emphasis through the entire range than the AF1120
MK2. This gives it a lighter, airier presentation with additional
space between notes, but somewhat artificially bumps it's relatively
impressive detail and clarity as a result. The AF1120 MK2 provides
just as much information, but without advertising it. Treble quality
is better through the AF1120 MK2 too with cleaner strikes on cymbals
and a tighter, more controlled presentation overall. The mid range of
the AF1120 MK2 is more linear with a smoother transition from lower
to upper regions compared to the S6 Rui which sees a small upper mid
bump. As a result, vocals tend to stand out more in the mix through
the AF1120 MK2, playing a more even role with the rest of the track.
While they're never hidden on the S6 Rui, they don't stand out
against background instrumentals the same way. Timbre also falls into
the AF1120 MK2's camp which sounds more accurate and natural against
the S6 Rui's brighter, more breathy nature. Bass on the S6 Rui is
similarly linear in it's transition from lower to upper bass, but
does a better job bring subbass notes forward. While not as quick,
notes out of the S6 Rui are heavier and more impactful. They lack the
same texture and clarity, however. Despite the S6 Rui's extra upper
treble emphasis and leaner presentation, the AF1120 MK2 sounds more
spacious with the default seating position being just a little
further from the ear. Although the S6 Rui is no slouch when it comes
to imaging, layering, and instrument separation, the AF1120 MK2 is a
notable step up. Sounds transfer from channel-to-channel with greater
accuracy and precision, individual instruments feel more defined, and
distance is better represented. Sound simple moves in a way that is
more dynamic and natural through the AF1120 MK2.
In terms of build, the S6 Rui bats above it's weight class. The
AF1120 MK2 is a quality unit, but the smooth 3D printed acrylic of
the Rui looks and feels a step above. No seams, better visibility of
the drivers within, and that interesting face plate all give it an
advantage. Comfort is more or less a wash for me as well, despite the
bulkier design of the S6 Rui. Isolation is better on the AF1120 MK2
though. The S6 Rui's 2-pin connectors are a step down from the AF1120
MK2's MMCX ports given the right earpiece has a tendency to detach
unexpectedly. The S6 Rui's cable is much more impressive looking with
it's thick, 8 strand braid and silver-plated wiring that shines
through the clear sheath. The beefy metal hardware looks equally
impressive. However impressive Fearless' cable is visually, the
AF1120 MK2's thinner, lighter, half-cloth offering is straight up
more pleasant to actually use. Neither tangles easily, but the Rui's
cable retains some memory of kinks and bends where the AF1120 MK2's
cable recalls none. Summary? I like the S6 Rui's look and build, they
tie on comfort, and as impressive looking as Fearless' cable is,
Audiofly's is better to use.
As much as I love the S6 Rui, the AF1120 MK2 sonics are a step up.
The biggest difference is not the Audiofly's more balanced tune, or
improved technical abilities, but just how much more refined it
sounds while pulling off those other improvements. It is that much
smoother and better controlled.
Hifiman
RE800 Silver (599.00 USD): Where
the AF1120 MK2 is a beacon of balance and accuracy, the RE800 is a
clarity and detail monster. The RE800 is a fair bit brighter thanks
to a notable upper treble peak. This lightens up the note weight
compared to the AF1120 MK2 making a/b comparisons between the two
quite interesting. Switch from the RE800 to the AF1120 MK2 and the
Audiofly sounds thick and slightly muddy in the mids. Acclimatize to
the AF1120 MK2 and switch back to the RE800 and the Hifiman sounds
lean and tinny with artificial clarity leading the way. They're more
complimentary than not, but I wouldn't want to own both at the same
time because their qualities are so at odds with each other. Trying
my best to not be distracted, I find the AF1120 MK2's mid range more
even and natural with a more linear presentation, even though they
both seem to have mild bumps somewhere around or at 4k. Bass on the
RE800 digs deeper and provides a more visceral experience while
managing to output similar texture. It's certainly a more
entertaining, if not less accurate, style of presentation. Sound
stage is pretty firmly in the RE800's hand to my ears. Default
positioning moves you further from the ear with sounds easily
trailing off into the distance. Imaging accuracy goes to the
Audiofly, as does instrument separation, with the RE800's staging
coming across slightly deeper and more multi-layered. Both are
fantastic in this category overall.
When it comes to build, I have to give the AF1120 MK2 the edge.
Hifiman's RE800s has tiny metal shells with good fit and finish, but
the design is plain and lacks the visual flair of the AF1120 MK2. I
want to say the RE800s will have the edge in durability, but it has a
fixed cable. While it's a nice cable with silver-plated strands, the
sheath is the bog standard, black rubber that you see at much lower
price points. Add to that sub-par strain relief and the AF1120 MK2's
cable is sitting pretty. Comfort is again a bit of a wash. The AF1120
MK2 has better ergonomics and the low profile design gives it a big
edge in isolation, but the RE800s' more traditional barrel-shaped
housing allows more wearing flexibility; cable up or cable down, you
decide which you prefer. With the AF1120 MK2 it's cable up only.
Summary? The AF1120 MK2 looks and feels like it's worth much more
than the mere 100 USD that separates the two.
This was a weird comparison, and one I'm not planning to revisit. Not
just because the AF1120 MK2 is a loaner and by the time you're
reading this I will no longer have it, but because these two
earphones are so at odds with each other. If you want a neutral,
reference style monitor go for the AF1120 MK2. If you want a
detailed, vibrant high energy earphone, the RE800 will do the trick.
Campfire
Audio Andromeda (1099.00 USD):
The Andromeda is another product I'd consider reference quality,
though not necessarily for the same reasons as the AF1120 MK2. Where
Audiofly's tuning is quite neutral and uncoloured, the Andromeda is
more energetic and forward in it's presentation. This is quite
noticeable in the mid range where the Andromeda is more dense and
aggressive, but falls behind on overall clarity and detail. The
AF1120 also sounds slightly more realistic with a warmer, more
natural presentation. Treble on the Andromeda is more elevated,
particularly in upper treble regions. Cymbals and the like have more
shimmer and a stronger attack with detail being pulled forward more.
This leaves the AF1120's upper ranges sounding somewhat dull beside
the Andro. Both are equally above average when it comes to control
with no splashiness present. Bass on the Andromeda is more forward
and powerful with slightly better extension. Texture and detail are
similar. Neither are bloated or suffer from mid bass bleed. One thing
the AF1120 has an advantage in is reception to EQ. If it's feeling
bass light, you can dial more in with great success. With similar
adjustments, the AF1120's armatures can provide a more visceral
sub bass experience. Sound stage is wider and deeper on the Andromeda,
but to my surprise I found the AF1120 did an even better job with
other qualities like imaging, layering, and separation. This is an
area the Andro excels, yet the AF1120 provides an even more dynamic
soundscape. Truly impressive.
The AF1120 MK2 is a good looking, well built earphone with a
distinctive design that is pure Audiofly, but it's hard to compete
with the visual force that is Campfire's iconic shell and impeccable
aluminum construction. It's been copied to death over the last couple
years for a reason. The Andromeda fits me just fine and I can wear it
for long periods fatigue free, but the AF1120 MK2 with it's smaller,
lighter, and more organic shape fits me even better and has improved
isolation to boot. So while the vastly more expensive Andro feels the
part, the AF1120 MK2 easily bests it in other ways. They both have
great cables but again, the AF1120 MK2's rubs me the right way just a
little bit more, and that comes purely down to handling and memory
attributes. The Andro's braided cable is a bit stiffer, doesn't react
as well to cold weather, and retains a hint of bends and kinks that
the AF1120 MK2's cable shrugs off without a second thought. Summary?
The Andromeda's price tag makes sense, though I still prefer
Audiofly's cable.
This is another case of two earphones being complimentary. If you
want a neutral sounding, technical powerhouse the AF1120 does a
better job of meeting those needs. If you want a high energy yet
equally impressive earphone when it comes to technical ability, the
Andromeda is hard to best.
In
The Ear With the AF1120 MK2,
Audiofly stuck with one of their tried and true shell designs. While
reminiscent of the sort of bean-shaped shell popularized by Shure and
others, this design is more pepper-shaped with the shell getting
wider as it approaches the nozzle. I find this makes it extra stable
since what little weight there is distributes perfectly throughout
the outer ear. The slender nozzles, only around 3.5mm in diameter,
help with comfort too since your chosen tips have more room to
compress. If deep insertions are your thing, the slim nozzle helps
with that too. Thanks to the low profile, form fitting, sealed shell
design, isolation is well above average, as is common for BA-only
earphones. The AF1120 MK2 is a joy to use in noisy areas like the
local coffee shop or on transit given how much noise is passively
blocked (especially with foam tips in place). That said, given the
price of this product, it's probably best to leave it at home and
bring something more affordable and less risky.
When
it comes to build quality, the AF1120 MK2 is doesn't do anything too
crazy. The plastic shells are put together neatly with good quality
materials. There are no misaligned parts or poorly glued sections.
The use of clear plastic allows you to peer inside at the six
balanced armatures and 3-way electronic crossover with
Butterworth filter. The soldering job and general wiring is neat and
tidy, as I would expect from something at this price. The MMCX ports
are also neatly integrated allowing the cable to sit flush with the
housing, limiting it's ability to spin since there is some friction
to prevent it. One aspect of the build that is slightly disappointing
is that all writing and branding is printed on the plastic, not
molded into it. As a result, I fully expect it to rub off after a
while, as is starting to occur on the right ear piece of this tour
sample.
The cable is wonderful in my
opinion and a highlight of the overall package. What it lacks in
flash like those cables from other brands such as Campfire Audio,
BGVP, Astrotec, and Shozy, among others, it makes up for in other
ways. First is that it is very light and flexible. It doesn't weigh
down the earphone in use which is quite welcome when you are active.
The use of flexible, ergonomically curved preformed ear guides helps
too since you don't have to struggle with shaping memory wire every
time you go to use the earphone.
Above the y-split the cable
is a slender, uber flexible two-strand twist, quite reminiscent of
the cable that comes with the EarNiNE EN2J (one of my favs). Below
the y-split it transitions into a cloth sheath. Normally I detest
cloth cables because they're noisy, tangle easily, fray after a short
time, and develop kinks that almost always lead to breaks where the
inner cable spurts out. This one is much, much better than most any
other cloth cable I've used, and doesn't feel like it'll suffer any
of those issues anytime soon. I would make improvements in a few
areas though.
Strain relief is pretty much
nonexistent. It is too short and stiff at the compact 90 degree
angled jack and y-split to offer much protection at all. And while I
will never scoff at the inclusion of a chin cinch, the use of a small
hunk of clear tubing is underwhelming for a $700 earphone. However,
this seems to be a common practice with high end earphones. Sure it
works well, but it doesn't flow with the cable design and if you
slide it down too far, puts unnecessary strain on the cable at the
wide y-split.
Overall I am quite pleased
with the fit and cable of the AF1120. The build quality is good too though I would like to see slightly more premium materials or techniques applied, like the logo being molded into the shell vs. printed on.
In
The Box The AF1120 MK2 comes in
a moderately sized, somewhat understated matte black box. On the
front is a reasonably high quality image of the left earpiece showing
off the design and internals. In the top left corner is the model
info and notice of the six drivers per side. The top right corner
notes the AF1120 MK2 is a part of Audiofly's Pro Series of monitors.
Flipping to the right sleeve you see an image of the earphones and
accessories neatly laid out, which the left sleeve repeats the model
info. On the rear is a short blurb about the AF1120 MK2 and what's
inside, translated into nine languages. You also find a frequency
response graph, specifications, a list of what's included, some
feature bullet points, and an exploded image of the construction of
the AF1120 MK2.
Opening the package, a large Pelican style hard case dominates the
welcoming party, while the AF1120 MK2 sits patiently above nestled
within a dense, protective foam insert. Beneath the hard case you
find a brief user guide. In all you get:
- AF1120 MK2 earphones
- Audioflex MMCX cable
- Single flange silicone tips (s/m/l)
- Tri-flange silicone tips (s/m/l)
- Comply foam tips (s/m/l)
- Protective hard case
- Airline adapter
- 3.5mm to 1/4” adapter
- Cleaning tool
- Cable clip
Other brands craft an in-depth, multilayered unboxing experiences for
their earphones. That's cool. It's visually impressive, engaging for
the buyer, and can produce one heck of a first impression. Other
brands opt not to do that and let the product speak for itself. With
the AF1120 MK2, Audiofly falls into the latter. This is a very simple
unboxing experience that enables you to skip the fluff and get to the
plethora of included goods nigh immediately. Audiofly is not
competing with luxury fashion brands (ignoring some of my chosen
comparisons above, lol). This is a professional product with a
suitable unboxing.
Final
Thoughts It's not often I get
the chance to listen to a reference level earphone, so I'm
appreciative that Audiofly agreed to send the AF1120 MK2 my way. Such
products really help put the hobby into perspective, from the budget
cheapos to other flagship models that aim to be the best of the best.
Why is that? It's because the AF1120 MK2 has a properly neutral,
uncompromising tune and as a result can act as a near perfect
bassline for which to understand various tuning choices, and to
better understand your own personal preferences.
While not necessarily the most exciting listen, the AF1120 MK2 won me
over with its balance and technical ability. The mid range is
gorgeously lush and realistic, treble detailed and non-fatiguing, and
bass technical and flexible. I wish the sound stage was a little
larger, sub bass dug a little deeper, and their was a bit more life in
the upper treble, but I can most definitely live with the existing
presentation or make some adjustments with an EQ if I really feel
like it. In addition to sounding fantastic, the AF1120 MK2 has a well
designed shell that snugs up ergonomically to your ear while also
blocking out plenty of exterior noise. At this price I would like to
see some nicer materials and molded vs. printed branding on the
earpieces. But, as is the build is good enough since it is
lightweight, comfortable, and doesn't present any real red flags. The
accessory kit is also outstanding with a beefy, spacious carrying
case and many tips of various styles and sizes, among other useful
extras.
The AF1120 MK2 is a flagship done right, and while certainly not for
the feint of wallet, is more affordable than equivalent products from
other makers. So if you're in the market for a neutral,
top-of-the-line earphone, Audiofly has made a strong argument to
consider the AF1120 MK2.
Thanks for reading!
- B9
Disclaimer Thanks
to Michelle with Audiofly for reaching out to see if I would be
interested in reviewing one of their products, and for sending over
the AF1120. This earphone was loaned for the purposes of review and
has since been returned. All thoughts within this review are my own
subjective opinions and do not represent Audiofly or any other
entity. At the time of writing the AF1120 MK2 retailed for 849.99
AUD: https://audiofly.com/shop/AF1120
MK2-mk2/
Specifications
- Driver: 6 balanced armatures with three-way crossover (dual bass, dual mid, dual high)
- Crossover: Passive 3-way electronic crossover with Butterworth filter
- Acoustic Tuning: Physical 3-way frequency divider
- Impedance: 11Ω
- Sensitivity: 109dB @ 1kHz
- Frequency Response: 15Hz-25,000 Hz
- Cable Length: 1.2m / 47”
Devices Used For Testing
LG Q70, iFi hip-dac, Asus
FX53V, TEAC HA-501, Shanling M0
Some Test Tunes
Supertramp
– Crime of the Century
Slipknot
– Vol 3 (The Subliminal Verses)
Daft
Punk – Random Access Memories
Aesop
Rock – The Impossible Kid
King
Crimson – Lark's Tongues in Aspic
King
Crimson – Starless and Bible Black
Infected
Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma
The
Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy
Steely
Dan – The Royal Scam
Porcupine
Tree – Stupid Dreams
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