Firstly I would like to thank 1MORE for sending me this sample for review, I always try to write honest reviews. These received over 50hrs of burn-in, no real differences were noted.
Gear Used:
Audio Opus #1 DAP > EO323 (Dual drivers, S silicone tips)
Tech Specs:
Driver: Dual driver (1 BA + 1 DD)
Impedance: 32Ω
Weight: 15g
Frequency Response: 20-20,000Hz
Inline remote with microphone
Sensitivity: 98dB
MSRP: Around £70
Packaging, Accessories and Build Quality:
The packaging is similar to the Triple driver model, and looks much better than its price might suggest. You get a matte black box which opens via a magnetic lid, once opened you are greeted by the IEM’s held in a velvet covered foam in tray, next to them you are presented with the carry case. Once you lift this out, you will find the accessories underneath. A very luxurious box for an IEM of this price, the model number and specs are listed on a card outer sleeve that holds the box together.
Accessories are plentiful, you get standard silicone tips in: XS, S, M and L, a magnetic hard carry case, a cable clip and also a flight adapter. I can’t think of anything else needed, and all the accessories are well presented and of excellent quality.
Build quality is very good the cable is sheathed in fabric up to the y-split, the jack is metal and has good strain relief, the only slight issue I have is where the cable exits the y-split there is no strain relief. The microphone with buttons is plastic with metal buttons, the housing of the IEM’s is mainly metal but also there is a slight lack of strain relief on the entry to the housing. Overall good build quality with some areas that could be improved, but I can see these lasting with some care.
Comfort, Isolation, Cable noise and Driver flex:
Comfort is very good, these require a shallow insertion which does make them comfortable but they don’t feel as secure as some deeper fitting IEM’s. I usually struggle to get a good seal with many out of the packet IEM’s, but these with the S tips fit me perfectly, I think most people will be able to get a good fit with the provided tips.
Isolation is fairly average, due to the shallow insertion and the vented housing, this is good for general usage, but not great if you need extra isolation for noisy commutes.
Cable noise is present but it’s not a huge issue, and if you have issues with it they include a cable clip that will reduce the cable noise.
Driver flex is not an issue with these.
Just to note the microphone works well with good clarity and the remote worked fine with my OnePlus Two android phone.
Sound:
Lows: The lows on these are the part that instantly grab your attention, they are big and full with excellent extension but sometimes can be a little too up front and overwhelming. They have more of a mid-bass boost which adds extra body to the sound, and makes them fun and engaging. Kick drums have good body and hit with real air but do lack a little control and speed in fast rock tracks. Bass guitars shine through on these with excellent tonality and presence, but again can become a little overwhelming. Listen to EDM and these can be a lot of fun, and modern pop sounds great with the bass beat being easy to follow but everything is still there.
Mids: These IEM’s have a mild v-shaped sound signature and the mids are not up front or the star of the show, however they are not sucked out the point of sounding bad, just a little less upfront than I usually prefer. I find the mids are lacking a little detail and sound very smooth, this doesn’t cause fatigue, but does mean that any music that focuses on the clarity in the mids won’t sound quite right. They are still present enough to be fun and they are very smooth, but ultimately it’s the lows that steal the show.
Highs: Again these have a slight v-shaped sound signature and there is a mild boost in the highs but they do avoid harshness and sibilance. The highs depend a lot on what you listen to, and the speed of the music. On slower tracks and pop they sound fine and are quite up front and exciting without being bright. On faster tracks, I find these to become a little congested and the highs fall behind somewhat. I also find that the highs are actually fairly accurate when they they are present in slower tracks, cymbal crashes and taps all sound real without the metallic sheen most lower end IEM’s have.
Soundstage isn’t huge but there are some moments when the highs give you a good sense of space, the sound does get a little congested sometimes and there is not a lot of air around instruments.
Instrument separation is good but again there is not a lot of air to separate everything.
Conclusion:
Well these work well for anyone coming from lower end IEM’s and are looking for a good but not expensive IEM. They are also for people who enjoy EDM, Pop, Rap, Hip-Hop etc… As these have a very likeable and enjoyable sound without any fatigue. They are mid-bass driven which makes the above genres a good match, but for fan of rock there are better IEM’s for the price. I find these a lot of fun to listen to and the average consumer will love the sound these have to offer. An engaging mid-bass, smooth mids, and smooth but present highs.
Sound Perfection Rating: 7/10 (good fun and good value, but lacking refinement and detail)