New Zealand (May 23, 2023)—Virscient has launched LiveOnAir, a brand new know-how for wi-fi mics and IEMs, that the corporate claims permits ultra-low-latency audio over low-power wi-fi hyperlinks.
Latency has at all times been a major concern in dwell efficiency eventualities in the case of working with wi-fi gear; cumulative latency as sound works its manner by a system can lead to a disconnect between performer and efficiency. With that in thoughts, the corporate says LiveOnAir supplies audio over long- or short-range wi-fi hyperlinks with a latency of lower than 5 milliseconds from analog-to-analog. The system can help a spread of topologies, codecs, and RF choices.
For low-power digital microphone purposes, Virscient has a {hardware}/software program reference design based mostly on Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF5340 dual-core Bluetooth Low Energy SoC. Virscient’s LiveOnAir answer for nRF5340 permits OEMs to ship wi-fi audio options supporting ultra-low-latency transport of 24-bit / 48 kHz audio with a compact {hardware} BoM.
Dr. Dean Armstrong, CTO of Virscient, stated in an announcement, “We have been delivering options to high-end audio and wi-fi corporations for nearly 20 years, and basically perceive what the market requires. Virscient is investing closely to construct our IP portfolio, and LiveOnAir is the primary of various developments that we imagine will change the panorama for wi-fi and linked audio.”
LiveOnAir analysis kits can be found with a spread of codec and RF choices together with Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), and different protocols.
Orlando, FL (May 10, 2023)—At the flip of the millennium, in-ear screens had been nonetheless an rising idea within the pro-audio world, however inside a decade, that they had turn out to be a extensively accepted a part of dwell sound. One factor hadn’t modified, nonetheless—most high quality IEMs had been nonetheless prohibitively costly. Sensing a possibility, Cesar Milano, founder and CEO of Clear Tune Monitors, created his firm in 2010 with a plan to deliver ear screens not solely to a distinct a part of {the marketplace}, but in addition a distinct a part of the world.
“I used to be a sound engineer and drummer in Venezuela,” mentioned Milano, “and I moved to the States searching for in-ear screens that will carry out at a excessive stage, however nothing happy my want. Everything was both low worth and low high quality, or priced so excessive that it was unaffordable. CTM rose from that objective that I had of pursuing the most effective sound high quality and affordability.”
While Milano based the corporate in Orlando, Fla., he instantly turned his eye again house to determine CTM’s person base; it was a technique that paid off. “CTM is in a singular place within the trade; whereas many producers eye the Latin American market as an enormous potential space of enterprise, we view it as our roots,” he defined. Clear Tune Monitors shortly grew to become the model of alternative for numerous Latin music artists, and at present, the model counts Bad Bunny, Anuel, Prince Royce, Maná, Victor Manuel and Arcangel amongst its followers. “Rolling Stone journal just lately showcased 4 ladies Reaggaton artists, three of whom are utilizing Clear Tune Monitors,” Milano added. “The incontrovertible fact that these artists, in addition to others, are headlining large festivals and are being talked about within the media speaks to the dimensions and affect of this market—and we’ve been with them from the beginning.”
Growing in recognition in Latin America led to the same surge of curiosity amongst U.S. Latin artists, and now CTM is increasing into different IEM markets, broadening its base of help. “Our enterprise inside the home of worship and ministry markets has grown, as has our work with dwell productions within the theme park trade,” he famous.
A giant a part of Milano’s strategy to enterprise has at all times been accessibility, whether or not meaning making the expertise extra accessible to artists again in Latin America or making certain that he and his crew can be found to finish customers to reply questions and requests. Underlining that openness, the corporate’s headquarters and lab in Orlando can also be a brick-and-mortar retailer the place clients can are available and check every product, play devices to see how they really feel and sound whereas shifting round, and extra. That hands-on, face-to-face strategy isn’t in place as a gross sales tactic; it’s merely a part of CTM’s tradition.
“Clear Tune Monitors is a close-knit firm,” he mentioned. “We are an organization of musicians which have a ardour for working with different artists within the trade. We are simple to achieve and personable, which we imagine makes us distinctive. We additionally take our area people and its wants very significantly.”
While Milano has constructed CTM right into a model with high-profile shoppers and a wide range of markets, there may be nonetheless much more that he needs to perform. The firm already has an intensive supplier and worldwide distributor community, and the model has undertaken a mid- to long-term development initiative that’s dually centered on growing Clear Tune Monitors’ retail presence and broadening its international distribution.
New merchandise at all times elevate curiosity in a model, and the IEM firm has numerous these on faucet, together with common match merchandise such because the CE220, aimed toward first-time consumers in addition to homeowners of customized IEMs searching for a cheap backup. Meanwhile, trying to develop its presence elsewhere within the shopper market, CTM has additionally debuted its new ORUN1 and a couple of wi-fi bone conduction headsets, aimed toward out of doors sports activities fanatics.
While rising a enterprise and creating new merchandise is at all times a severe endeavor, Milano maintains not solely that open-door coverage, however an open thoughts as properly—which may generally result in unexpectedly enjoyable outcomes. He defined: “In phrases of recent product growth, we’re at all times in that mode and work with many artist manufacturing groups to additional new concepts and assist them with their wants. Last 12 months, I used to be requested to suit our in-ear drivers into conch shells for an artist’s publicity division. What started as ‘Cesar, are you able to do just a few of those?’ was ‘We love them—are you able to make 100 of them?’ Of course, I agreed!”
21 drivers and a five-way crossover match inside Ultimate Ears Pro’s new flagship mannequin, the UE Premier.
Anaheim, CA (April 26, 2023)—Ultimate Ears Pro launched its new UE Premier in-ear displays at this 12 months’s NAMM Show, instantly grabbing the pro-audio business’s consideration due to the jaw-dropping 21 drivers loaded into every IEM. Naturally, we crammed a pair into our ears on the earliest alternative to get an early scorching tackle them.
As is perhaps gathered from the title, UE Premier is a premium monitor, and whereas it’s equally meant for reside sound, in-studio and audiophile use, the brand new mannequin is now UE Pro’s flagship product. Sporting a five-way passive crossover, the UE Premier IEMs characteristic a frequency vary of 5 Hz-40 okayHz; breaking down these 21 drivers, there’s 4 Dual Diaphragm Mid-Lows in parallel to 2 Dual Sub-Lows; a Quad Mid driver offers element; and Knowles’ proprietary Quad High Super Tweeter and UE Pro’s proprietary True Tone deal with the high-end.
Heard briefly on the NAMM present flooring, the brand new IEMs made an incredible first impression (no pun supposed) when worn with customary/non-custom suggestions; presumably, they’ll supply further nuance with custom-molded fashions. Despite the less-than-ideal, noisy environment, it was clear that the UE Premiers have been serving up crisp sound; a broad, detailed soundstage; and an unusually strong presentation of low finish when tried with this author’s go-to check music (The Gary Katz-produced “Jocelyn Square” by Love & Money). While the UE Premier fashions appeared barely bigger than, say, UE 11s—presumably to accommodate the numerous drivers—they didn’t look like heavier and had a pleasantly tight, comfy match.
Watch Mix for an upcoming full evaluate of UE Premier in-ear displays quickly. In the meantime, the IEMs can be found beginning May 15, 2023, with a 25-day turn-around window, and run $2,999.
Orlando, FL (April 10, 2023)—In-ear monitor producer Clear Tune Monitors has launched the brand new CE220 to its product line.
The newest mannequin within the firm’s ongoing CE Series, the CE220 makes use of twin balanced armatures that present audio at a value level aimed toward each first-time consumers in addition to house owners of {custom} IEMs who’re on the lookout for an economical backup.
The CE220’s element design is supported by CTM’s Wave Integrating Sonic Element (W.I.S.E.) know-how which goals to supply an immersive and constant reference audio expertise for customers. The ergonomic, custom-like shell form design of the CE220’s monitor— primarily based on information gathered from greater than 20,000 ear impressions that CTM engineers have labored with within the final 10 years—is meant to supply wearers with stability, consolation, and -26 dB of isolation.
The CE220 is obtainable with both a transparent or smoke shell housing and comes with a typical .78 mm 2-pin strengthened cable. The black silver-plated copper cable options an angled connector designed to remove irritation on the ear.
The CE220 retails at $249.00 US. Meanwhile, seeking to increase its presence elsewhere within the client market, CTM has additionally not too long ago debuted its new ORUN1 and a pair of wi-fi bone conduction headsets, aimed toward out of doors sports activities fans.
Los Angeles, CA (March 24, 2023)—VocoPro has launched its new IEM-Seminar-8 package deal, primarily based round an IEM-Digital transmitter and a complete of eight IEM-digital receivers.
Primarily aimed on the occasions and conferences market with an eye fixed in the direction of displays the place quiet is critical, the brand new IEM-Seminar-8 broadcasts to customers in stereo inside the 900 mHz band, utilizing two frequencies transmitting proper and left facet indicators to limitless stereo receivers.
The IEM-Seminar-8 package deal’s transmitter and receivers make the most of “wi-fi on-chip” digital expertise, and hyperlink collectively by way of using one-touch IR synchronization. A colour show on the transmitter informs customers that the specified twin frequencies between the transmitter and receivers have been locked in.
Both the transmitter and the receivers are constructed inside a rugged metallic housing meant to endure frequent dealing with by a number of customers frequently. The eight wi-fi receivers are appropriate with typical shopper or professional-grade stereo headphones, which underlines one other level – the items don’t include earbuds, headphones or different outputs. The system is rechargeable, permitting customers to chop down on substitute battery prices.
Founded in 1911, VocoPro is a California-based skilled audio firm primarily identified for its skilled karaoke techniques and multi-channel wi-fi microphone techniques.
Pricing for the VocoPro IEM-Seminar-8 System is a MAP of $1,019 and a MSRP of $1,399.
It’s very nearly a decade since Antonio Meze founded Meze Audio in Baia Mare, Romania – and it’s safe to say that his company has prioritised quality over quantity ever since.
Just have a look at the model line-up on the company’s website and you’ll see what I mean. Meze Audio’s entire product range runs to two variations on its Model 99 over-ear headphones (the ‘Classics’ and the ‘Neo’), a properly expensive (€3k) planar magnetic ‘Empyrean’ over-ear design, and the RAI Penta five-driver in-ear monitors that Mr Editor Sircom enthused about so fulsomely in issue #181.
And now there’s a fifth Meze Audio model: the RAI Solo. At roughly a quarter of the price of the RAI Penta, the RAI Solo is the in-ear monitor with which Meze Audio intends to engage with the mainstream.
Of course, one man’s ‘mainstream’ is another’s ‘disturbingly esoteric’ – and it’s safe to say the RAI Solo may not be the in-ear monitor the mainstream (which, let’s face it, is a fairly disparate group of people at the best of times) thinks it’s waiting for. It’s not wireless, it doesn’t have any active noise-cancellation, and there’s no sign of a control app. It rather looks like the mainstream is going to have to come to Meze Audio, rather than the other way around, after all.
RAI Solo may have been designed to sell at a price that can reasonably confidently be described as ‘mainstream’, but that doesn’t mean Meze Audio has sacrificed any of its increasingly obvious principles. RAI Solo is a combination of some pleasantly original thinking and the sort of rigorous engineering with which Meze Audio is becoming synonymous.
The housing of RAI Solo is a two-piece injection moulded stainless steel arrangement. It’s durable, extremely low-resonance, lends itself happily to mass production and – let’s not be coy – looks pretty good in its raw, brushed state. Meze Audio has achieved an agreeably anatomic fit with the RAI Solo – so while they’re far from the most lightweight earbuds around, they prove easy to wear for hours on end. In combination with the generous selection of eartip options Meze Audio provides, the RAI Solo are among the most comfortable in-ear monitors around.
Each earbud is joined to a 1.3m silver-plated cable using micro-miniature coaxial connectors. The RAI Solo are supplied with a cable terminating in a rhodium-plated 3.5mm jack, but the cable’s detachable nature means a switch to cable terminating in either a rhodium-plated 2.5mm jack or a gold-plated 4.4mm jack is possible. It’ll cost you, mind. The cable itself is ‘tangle-resistant’ – and if ever there was a piece of overtly disingenuous marketing-speak, ‘tangle-resistant’ might well be it.
Attractive and comfy design, Extended and robust BA bass, Clear yet low intensity midrange, Airy and open top-end, Well-detailed with wide soundstage
Cons –
Coloured signature limits versatility, Vocals can sound strained at times, Microphonic cable
Verdict –
If you enjoy an open, high-clarity sound and a powerful bass performance, the Bravery punches well above its weight.
Introduction –
It seems that there’s a new ChiFi brand every other day. Many fade into obscurity, some undergone extensive rebranding only to meet the same tragic fate. However, a few rise above the rest and fewer yet secure maintain their presence and relevance in the market. See Audio was one such brand that reached the rarefied air of the greats upon international debut with the Anou/Yume. This was a 3-driver hybrid that provided tonal excellence with its more forgiving take on the IE 2020 Harman curve. It was lauded internationally by users and critics, and it seemed as though See Audio’s name was everywhere for a short while. Inevitably, the Yume was buried by the rapid turnaround of the industry until inklings of a new model, the Bravery, once again brought See Audio into the spotlight. This model is a far different beast, assuming a 4-BA setup, it promises to appends complaints of technical ability on the former Yume. In addition, being tuned alongside the audio community, the Bravery looks to be a crowd pleaser whilst retaining strong sense of value.
The Bravery just launched for $279 USD. You can read more about it and treat yourself to a unit on HiFiGO.
Disclaimer –
I would like to thank the Steve very much for getting in touch and setting up this review of the Bravery. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.
Drivers: 2x Knowles bass BA, 1x Sonion mid BA, 1x Sonion high BA
Crossover: 3-way
Impedance: 18 ohms
Sensitivity: 110dB
Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Behind the Design –
Exclusive Acoustic Architecture
See Audio began with a sound foundation assuming a 3-way setup using 2x Knowles BA woofers, 1x Sonion mid driver and 1x Sonion tweeter. Tuning was completed by their professional acoustic engineers according to feedback and testing within the domestic audio community. It aims to deliver a rich, well-detailed presentation in addition to high-resolution. The company has done so using a traditional tube & damper system with calculated tube length that works in tandem with the electronic crossover cirucit to provide their desired frequency response and phase coherence. In addition, each driver has an independent acoustic chamber.
Premium Accessory Set
I’ve grouped multiple collaborations into one here. Specifically, See Audio teamed up with Hakugei, a custom cable maker in China and Azla. Out of the box, the Bravery comes with a custom fabric-sheathed cable with 6N OCC conductors and robust metal connectors. Azla Sednfit XELASTEC tips are also included. If you haven’t seen them before, they assume a TPE construction, a kind of heat-activated silicone with an especially grippy texture. While the fit is unorthodox as a result, they provide a strong seal and a unique sound.
Vented Enclosure
Though not mentioned in the specifications, the housings are indeed vented. This is becoming increasingly popular on non-dynamic driver driven earphones, and it’s a trend I am fully on board with. To quote my former breakdown of this style of design: increased wearing pressure is an intrinsic issue with in-ears due to their sealing nature. This can alter the perception of sound over time via the tympanic reflex that results in decreased sound transmission to the inner ear – effectively reducing the perception of dynamics, bass and treble and resulting in a much less resolving sound. Relieving pressure can enhance the perception of sound from an in-ear design, mostly with regards to bass and soundstage, and reduce fatigue over time.
Unboxing –
As I was sent a pre-production sample, I did not receive the official packaging, only the Bravery, cable, case and 1 pair of XELASTEC tips pre-installed. The official version will include the same case but a full 3 pairs of Azla tips in addition to 3 pairs of memory foam tips. In addition, adhesive replacement filters are included. The case is fairly similar to what we’ve seen on other IEMs, a round case with rubber seal and protective aluminium exterior. However, I did enjoy the See Audio version for its more tactile matte finish.
Design –
The Bravery is a good looking earphone without a doubt, a handsome combination of smoke acrylic and black/white resin swirl faceplates with seamless integration into the main chassis. Gold logos complement the cable and a small metal vent near the top. A metal nozzle further solidifies the impression of quality. Like most acrylic IEMs, they are hollow giving them a lightweight feel but the sidewall feels thicker than most, giving them a nice sense of substance. They appear to be hand finished due to slight undulations in the clear coat. While there are no sharp edges, small imperfections were visible on inspection with some dust/bubbles throughout the coat.
The removable cable system assumes the very ubiquitous 0.78mm 2-pin connectors cable which opens up huge aftermarket support. The stock cable showcases impressive quality but some frustrations too. It has an internal braid and soft fabric outer that looks sensationally good. The cable is also extremely soft with zero memory and the metal connectors give it a far higher-quality look and feel than most. On the downside, the fabric sheath makes this cable quite microphonic even with the over-ear fit. Otherwise, it leaves little to be desired, the connectors are case friendly and well-relieved, the ear guides well-shaped to permit a comfortable and stable fit.
Fit & Isolation –
The Bravery is a medium-sized earphone that will be familiar to most IEM users. It has a safer shaping with minimal sculpting, but similarly, no sharp angles or edges that will make it a comfortable fit for the majority of ears. It isn’t especially compact but also isn’t a large earphone by any stretch, albeit they do protrude from the ear which won’t make them a good choice for sleeping on. It has a faux-custom shape with a small protrusion that allows the housing to lock into the concha more confidently than most. I was able to wear them for hours with no hotspot formation. In addition, the nozzles are medium-length and well-angled to position the bulk housings neutrally in the ear. The Azla Xelastec tips provide a unique wearing experience here, their grippy nature somewhat limits fit depth but you can achieve quite a deep fit with other tips.
Otherwise, the Xelastec tips feel a little unorthodox due to their grippy construction but also reward with excellent seal and stability. Should you find the sound bright, I would recommend trying other tips that will help push treble peaks out of the audible range. Though vents are apparent on the tops of the housings, the Bravery isolates as well as any regular sealed in-ear. Wearing pressure also appeared similar to most medium fit depth IEMs and wind-noise wasn’t exacerbated when out and about; I cannot comment on fatigue over time as this has never been an issue for me personally with most IEMs. With their robust bass tuning, the Bravery is great for day to day use, even in noisy environments.
Awesome build quality and compact shell design, Superb tonal cleanliness and separation, Excellent note definition throughout, Sharp imaging, Almost source agnostic
Cons –
Fit depth can be uncomfortable, Cable is highly tangle-prone and has rare T2 connectors, Intimate soundstage, Below average bass extension, Less sensitive than most IEMs
Verdict –
Like the ER-line before it, the EVO is intimate, hyper-responsive and oh so clean from bottom to top. Years later, the Etymotic sound remains hard come by and has plenty of life and appeal for the modern listener.
Introduction –
We all know Etymotic; the company is a legend in the audio community having developed the very first commercially available IEM in the form of the ER4. In fact, the ER platform remains highly regarded and popular to this day for their religious adhere to the diffuse-field neutral curve and coherent single driver designs. This makes their models excellent reference monitors lauded for their authentic and detailed representation of music. They revisited the line-up with the XR models that provided a bass bump in accordance with modern listener preferences. While the DF neutral curve is no longer the go-to, it remains a very sound standard and the popularity of Etymotic’s earphones sustains, especially the new ER2 which achieved this on a more natural DD platform. The new EVO (signifying the evolution of the brand) is perhaps the biggest launch in Etymotic history following their original ER4. It forgoes the tried and tested cylindrical shell for a more modern concha-fit design. Perhaps most importantly, the EVO is the first multi-driver Etymotic earphone sporting a 2-way, 3x BA driver setup. In so doing, they promise an enhanced soundstage and bass response atop the same legendary Etymotic house sound.
The EVO is available for $499 USD/£499 at the time of writing. You can read more about it and treat yourself to a unit on hifiheadphones.
Disclaimer –
I would like to thank the team at Etymotic and KS Distribution very much for reaching out and providing me with the EVO for the purpose of review. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.
The EVO has a chic unboxing experience that showcases the product well. Removing the outer sleeve reveals a split-fold hard box. The two lids pivot open to reveal the earphones and cable coiled within a foam inlet that sits comfortably in the base of the aluminium carrying case. The inlet can be removed or reused to keep the cable organised during transit and prevent scratches on the metal shells. Below is the lid for the case in addition to a separate box containing the other accessories. It folds open to reveal the eartips and replacement filters housed comfortably in laser-cut inlets, I admire the organisation throughout here. You get the classic Ety tip set comprised to two pairs of triple-flange tips in addition to 3 pairs of less intense dual-flange tips. In addition, two pairs of memory foam tips are include though are comically large, likely for listeners with especially tricky ears. The nozzle filters are replaceable as before, and a smart metal screw-in tool is provided to aid safe replacement should the originals become damaged. Finally, a cable tidy is included in addition to a soft pouch.
Design –
Etymotic has always upheld strong and well-considered build quality, but this isn’t really showcased due to the diminutive size of their earphones. With the EVO, it is far easier to appreciate Etymotic’s hard work as the shells are larger and shapelier. One thing to note is Etymotic are using stainless steel injection rather than CNC which gives a more even finish in addition to exemplary density. Etymotic has also managed to uphold very tight tolerance making this is some of the nicest build quality I’ve felt on any IEM. This is topped with a light blue satin finish which looks incredible. Furthermore, Etymotic has cleverly hidden the seams of its 3-piece construction along the earphone’s contours. Long, slender nozzles return and are integrated into the inner housing, sharing its steel construction. Though thin, they appear very sturdy as a result.
The EVO has a removable cable but uses unconventional T2 connectors and comes with Linum’s BAX T2 cable. This limits aftermarket options, but some custom cable manufacturers do provide this connector type. As for the cable itself, I’ve never personally seen the appeal. While they are incredibly thin and light, it is to the extent that the cable becomes ergonomically frustrating. The light cable fails to support the heavy steel housings. It has minimal memory and microphonic noise isn’t an issue with the over-ear fit, but the cable is springy and falls off the top of my ears with no memory wire or pre-formed guides to keep it in check. It constantly tangles and, due to its thinness, easily knots making it a headache to live with. A traditional 4-wire braided cable would have been a substantially better choice. I don’t hate it, but it feels like a solution to a problem the EVO doesn’t suffer from, that introduces more problems in so doing.
Cable Swaps
The only other cable I had access to with the T2 connector was Linum’s own T2 SuperBaX which is a 4-wire version of the regular BaX cable with half the impedance. The 4-wire construction especially makes it far easier to live with than the BaX, as it handles more like a lightweight regular cable and isn’t as tangle-prone. While Linum do recommend this model for multi-driver earphones, I actually did prefer the sonic pairing with the regular cable. The SuperBaX was brighter and had a tighter bottom end, but I found this pushed the EVO too lean. The BaX cable provided a more balanced sound to my ears. Considering tonality is such a concern of this earphone, do consider cable pairings if you decide to swap the stock cable out, a copper cable will be a good match.
Fit & Isolation –
Despite the redesign, returning fans of Etymotic will have a familiar fit experience on the EVO – that being, a compact shell suitable for small ears and an especially deep fit. The new shell design is larger and now assumes an over-ear fit. However, they have very slender proportions and remain smaller in all dimensions than the majority of competitors. This means they are a good choice for smaller ears, however, if you do tend to struggle with most IEMs, I would still recommend trying a set before purchasing. While the build feels fantastic, their construction means they are astoundingly heavy at 25g per earpiece. With the signature brain-tickling Ety nozzles identical to those on the ER-earphones, the super deep fit and well-sculpted shell permit the EVO to be a very stable-fitting earphone.
I had no issues during daily wear, even running. In addition, the compact and well-shaped housings gave me perfect comfort over extended listening and a noticeably more locked-in fit than past Ety earphones. I also found that the multi-flange ear tips do provide less wearing pressure than single-flange tips at such fit depths due to the progressive increase in diameter at each depth. With the fully sealed design, deep fit depth and dense metal housings, the EVO isolates like few others, almost as much as a custom. This makes them a great choice for use in louder environments.
Tip Selection & Mods –
Usually, this lies in the sound section, but I felt it was more apt to discuss this as an extension of the ergonomic experience as tip selection is especially pertinent on the EVO due to the nozzle design. Firstly, it is long for a reason, you will experience a noticeable drop in imaging acuity and high-frequency extension if you do fit them shallow. I have measured above, the difference it makes to the FR when it comes to fit depth, other factors will exacerbate these changes. Etymotic have a clear focus on tonal accuracy on all of their earphones, and the deep fit does contribute, granting a more consistent sound amongst various listeners by bypassing variations in individual canal anatomy.
The sheer depth of the fit did take me a few days to acclimatize to and if you are sensitive to this, you’ll want to investigate other options. I found Klipsch dual flange tips to offer superior comfort and seal to the stock tips for my ears and minimal impact on the sound, these were the tips I used during testing. The length of the nozzle means it will protrude from most traditional tips. Only longer tips like dual-flange or Westone STAR tips will fit. you can cut the stem to make adaptors for tips with larger bore sizes such as Final E-tips.
Compact and attractive shells, Excellent stock cable complete with adaptors, Musical bass and mid tuning, Good soundstage depth and holographic imaging, Outstanding treble extension and sparkle
Cons –
Sharp 8k peak hurts timbre, Bass extension leaves to be desired, Average bass and midrange technical performance, Feel would benefit from resin filling
Verdict –
If you enjoy a bright sound, then you’ll find the Starshine to be a technically outstanding EST implementation. For all else, proceed with caution.
Introduction –
TRI is one of those companies I keep hearing about but have never had a chance to become acquainted with personally. As it turns out, they are the premium division of KBEAR who some of you may be familiar with if you’ve been in the market for a budget IEM. TRI focus instead on higher price tiers serviced with more sophisticated acoustic designs. They were first popularised with the release of the i3, a tribrid earphone with planar magnetic driver at a very affordable price. And, this same legacy has been upheld with the Starshine. This is a midrange IEM featuring a quad hybrid driver setup. Inside are two of Knowles 2nd Generation electrostatic tweeters in addition to 2x Knowles BA drivers in a 3-way crossover. While many are implementing tribrid designs at this price point, perhaps you will find beauty in the Starshine’s more focused approach to electrostatic implementation.
The Starshine is available for $499 USD. You can read all about it and treat yourself to a unit on HiFiGO!
Disclaimer –
I would like to thank Nappoler from HiFiGO and the team at TRI very much for making this review happen. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. I paid a slightly reduced cost for the earphones in return for honest evaluation and will attempt to be as objective as possible.
These tweeters implement an ultra-light membrane driven by electrostatic force, offering one of the cleanest and quickest transient responses of all driver types. In turn, distortion is very low into the ultra-sonic frequencies delivering strong extension and resolution. They are, however, difficult to implement given the need for a high-voltage transformer that lowers their sensitivity and an unorthodox frequency curve, making pairing with other driver types difficult.
Unboxing –
The Starshine has a premium unboxing experience suitable for the asking price. An outer sleeve with colour art slides off to reveal a grey hard box with the earphones and ear tips just inside within a laser cut foam inlet. Below is quality hard case with magnetic lid and a mesh internal pocket. Inside the case is the 2.5mm 8-core cable alongside 4.4mm and 3.5mm single-ended and 3.5mm balanced adaptors to support all source pairings. Also included is a cleaning cloth and cleaning brush tool. In terms of ear tips, the company includes 5 pairs of generic silicone tips with a firm stem design.
Design –
The Starshine is a handsome earphone with its lustrous blue faceplates and gorgeous 8-core cable that serve as fitting complements to its smoke clear shells. The faceplates don’t have the depth of pricier resin earphones and the internal structures are simply glued in place rather than being housed within a solid-filled structure. However, I was impressed by the seamless faceplate integration and the flawless finish of the German resin; no contamination or bubbles were observed on pixel peeping. So, while they don’t have huge density in the hand, the quality of the finish leaves nothing to be desired.
TRI use widely adopted 2-pin 0.78mm connectors on the Starshine enabling wide aftermarket support. This likely won’t be on the buyer’s mind, however, as the stock cable is of excellent quality. It’s an 8-wire cable with copper and silver-plated copper conductors with a clear jacket that showing off awesome contrast. The jacket is ultra-supple with zero memory and minimal microphonic noise transmission. The cable feels very sturdy but is also surprisingly light. Chrome connectors complete a premium overall package alongside soft, well-shaped ear guides. It is terminated in 2.5mm and 3 adaptors are included in the box to suit other balanced standards in addition to single-ended 3.5mm.
Fit & Isolation –
On first impression, what surprised me was the compact dimensions of the Starshine; and this isn’t so apparent on the macro photographs you’ll see online. Accordingly, this will be one of the best options for those with smaller ears as its dimensions are depth biased, with a short and narrow face. However, this does mean they protrude noticeably from the ear and won’t be suitable for sleeping on. The inner face of the Starshine is also well-sculpted to accommodate the folds of the outer ear, promoting a more comfortable and stable fit.
They have a protruding nozzle that is well-angled and of typical size and shape, suiting many third party ear tips. It’s of medium length and tapers down which can permit a deeper fit depth with smaller tips or a more comfortable, shallower fit with larger ones. I found wearing pressure wasn’t too bad despite them being fully sealed, seal and fit stability also remain strong. However, for whatever reason, the Starshine doesn’t attenuate noise quite as much as a lot of sealed competitors especially in conjunction with its hollow shells, if remaining better than most vented IEMs. This makes them suitable for daily use and commute though I would prefer a more isolating design for air travel and especially noisy environments.
DISCLAIMER: Vision Ears provided me with the VE7 in return for my honest opinion. I am not personally affiliated with the company in any way, nor do I receive any monetary rewards for a positive evaluation. I’d like to thank Vision Ears for their kindness and support. The review is as follows.
Vision Ears is a name many in the industry associate with craftsmanship, precision and finesse, and that’s rightly so. The German brand have consistently produced monitors that look and feel as lavish as they sound, and it’s garnered them a great deal of praise throughout the community. We recently covered their 6-driver EVE20, which, among a sea of hybrid designs and alien driver tech, made the best of balanced armatures through sheer tuning. And, today, Vision Ears aim to repeat that feat with their new VE7: An all-BA, 7-driver IEM that shines solely through coherence, balance and technique.
Vision Ears VE7
Driver count: Seven balanced-armature drivers
Impedance: 12Ω @ 1kHz
Sensitivity: 116dB @ 1mW @ 1kHz
Key feature(s) (if any): N/A
Available form factor(s): Universal and custom acrylic IEMs
As far as unboxings go, the VE7’s is as classy and clean as always. Since I last reviewed one of their non-flagship customs, VE have actually updated the packaging to now include this black, cardboard enclosure. It does make the package look a lot more premium, especially with all its details throughout. The metallic VE print on top actually has a holographic effect to it, which glimmers green when hit with light. And, the glossy VE pattern on the side pops stunningly against the matte-black too, while remaining subtle and sleek all the while. As usual, packaging is one instant masterclass from Vision Ears.
The box opens via a magnetic latch, where you’ll continue to find tiny details like Handcrafted in Cologne and a drawing of the cityscape in gloss-black on the inside of the lid; again, gorgeous touches that’ll add to the unboxing. Moving onto the contents, you’ll see a signed, personalised greeting card from Vision Ears thanking you for your purchase. Then, beneath it is the VE7’s included case, as well as a bottle of VE’s cleaning solution. It’s all supported by plain cardboard. Foam likely would’ve looked and felt better for me here. But, in the end, it isn’t necessary, given the padding already inside that case.
This VE7’s metallic case is incredibly rigid, as it always is. And, it’s roomier than your usual puck cases are too, which will allow it to carry the accessories we’ll list later on. VE have actually omitted the metallic clasp and equipped this case with a magnetic sealing system instead. I think either will hold up perfectly well. The finishing on this case isn’t the cleanest in the world, though. The paint job isn’t flawless, and there are a couple glue marks here and there too. But, considering it’s a case that’s going to suffer lots of wear-and-tear anyway, they’re negligible flaws to me. Finally, while mine here is blank, you’re free to engrave whatever artwork you want on your case when you get your VE7. It’s what I did for my VE6XC, and you could even request complex graphics like comic book or manga spreads, which VE have previously done in the past.
The accessories inside the case include the following:
1x VE sticker 1x VE badge 1x 1/4” adapter 1x microfibre cloth 2x sets of desiccant 1x instruction manual 1x in-ear cleaning tool 1x leather carrying pouch
To me, this is about as complete as an accessory set can truly get. VE, as usual, go above-and-beyond for the extras, and they include tons here that a lot of brands should really learn from. I particularly appreciate how well-illustrated and in-depth the manual is, and I love the look and feel of this pouch too. The fact that it seals with a magnetic clasp is a bonus. All in all, VE aced packaging and accessories like they always have, and I’d love to see more efforts like this industry-wide.
Customisation, Build and Fit
Vision Ears make customisation a breeze with the their online configurator. It’s in the style of Custom Art or Empire Ears’ designers, which utilise 2D renders, rather than 3D models like JH Audio’s widget, or real-life photography like 64 Audio’s tool. But, it should nevertheless give you a very good representation if what your IEMs will eventually look like. And, they let you upload your own custom artwork onto their previews too. In terms of options, Vision Ears offer quite a selection:
16 transparent shells and faceplates 14 wood faceplates 15 sparkle faceplates 22 special faceplates (which include abalones, carbon fibres, pearls, etc.) 14 mirror faceplates 5 premium faceplates (which includes the VE7’s signature Fire Blaze design)
Beyond those options, you can then engrave your own artwork in an array of colours or add one of Vision Ears’ metallic logos, which come in 5 different shades as well. For my unit, Vision Ears applied this VE7’s signature design, which you’ll see on all the VE7’s universals. I personally love the look a ton. The contrasts between all the oranges, blues and greens are incredibly exciting, and the holography of the faceplate is striking too. To me, the one let-down here is the Fire Blaze faceplate comes at an extra €65-per-side for the custom VE7. It’s meant to be its signature faceplate, so I would’ve loved to see it offered as a free bonus. But, at the same time, it’s a material that likely isn’t cheap on VE’s part, so it is what it is.
The exact same moulds used to build my VE6XC and my ELYSIUM were used to build my VE7, so the fit on this CIEM is as superb as always. The canals on them are also trimmed slightly shorter, which feels more comfortable to me. Vision Ears tend to trim their customs a bit sleeker, so they aren’t as bulky as, say, 64 Audio or JH Audio’s CIEMs, which tend to press outward slightly. These more so just fill your ears, but they do so very smoothly, and very precisely too. In terms of build, Vision Ears, again, continue their flawless streak. The faceplates seal seamlessly, and everything from 2-pin connector to canal is machined just as precisely. Then, finally, lacquerwork on them is perfect too; not a rough edge or blotch in sight.
