Firstly I would like to thank EME for sending me this sample for review, I have been in contact with them ever since last year when I heard about them.
EME audio is a Japan based audio company who modify T-Peos branded IEM’s, I don’t quite know the extent of the modifications, but they seem confident that it makes a difference.
The D200r has had over 50hrs of burn-in, no big differences were noted.
Gear Used:
iPod Classic 160gb (rockboxed) > Silver LOD > JDS Labs C5D > D200r (snugs custom silicone tips)
Tech Specs:
Driver – Dynamic
Impedance – 32Ω/1kHz
Sensitivity – 105.5dB/1kHz
Power – 30mW (max)
Frequency Response – 20Hz – 18kHz
Jack – 3.5mm
Cable – 1.2m braided
Weight – 19g
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The packaging is fairly simple and budget, a white card box with the IEM’s showing through a plastic window, the specs and info can be found on the back and sides of the box, the translations from Japanese to English are not brilliant. The packaging doesn’t feel premium, but it usually gets tossed to one side once open.
Build Quality is good on the whole, the IEM housing is made of metal and feels sturdy and well made, the cable from the y-split down is covered in fabric, the top section is just rubber coated and unfortunately doesn’t include a chin slider. The jack is L shaped and well relieved, the strain relief on the y-split and housing is not as well relieved which is a shame, also the cable is a little on the thin side.
Accessories are fine, 3 pairs of tips, (S, M and L) single flange tips, and a small velvet carry pouch, not a huge selection but for the price I cannot complain.
Comfort, Isolation, Cable noise and Driver flex:
Comfort is good, the housing is nicely shaped for a comfy fit, and allows fairly deep insertion. No problems with the comfort, they can be worn either straight down or over the ear.
Isolation is good, depends on how deep you insert them, but it is fine for general use.
Cable noise is a problem, and unfortunately there is no chin slider, but you can wear them easily with the cable going over the ear.
Driver flex also is not a problem.
Sound:
Split into the usual categories.
Lows: Articulate and full, they have good punch and depth, extension is also very good for the price point. It is not the most controlled or detailed, but is not overly boomy, the lows are also not very fast in recovery so when listening to metal or similar the lows sound somewhat congested. The lows are abundant but only affect the low mids a little, making them slightly veiled.
Mids: Despite the abundant lows, the mids still cut through in the mix fine, and have good detail, only the low mids are affected by the lows making them a little veiled. Female vocals fair better and don’t suffer from sibilance. The mids are slightly behind the lows making for a slight U shaped sound signature.
Highs: The highs are crisp but not very detailed or refined, the highs are quite splashy but at least they have some presence and sparkle, again for the price they don’t disappoint. The highs complete the sound, they make it
Soundstage is average, imaging is good and instrument separation is not bad for the price but they do sound a little congested sometimes.
The original D200 was a very good IEM for the price, EME have just made it that little bit more refined, not a huge difference, but noticeable.
These are some great budget IEMs, with a very likeable sound that is smooth, yet detailed, the slight U shaped sound lends for an easy listen and is great when you just want a budget pair for the gym or when out and about.
Photos courtesy of Felix Speller
Sound Perfection Rating: 7/10
Tracks Used:
Skrillex – First Of The Year (Equinox) (320kbps MP3)
Paramore – Franklin (320kbps MP3)
Diana Krall – The Girl In The Other Room (FLAC)
Deolinda – Passou Por Mim E Sorriu (live) (ALAC)
Suicide Silence – Unanswered (FLAC)
Massive Attack – Angel (ALAC)
Eat Static – Dzhopa Dream (ALAC)
The XX – Crystalised (FLAC)
Funeral For A Friend – Bend Your Arms To Look Like Wings (ALAC)
Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man (FLAC)
The Scene Aesthetic – Humans (259kbps MP3)
A Hero A Fake – Swallowed By The Sea (254kbps MP3)
Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, Spring Allegro (ALAC)
Johnny Craig – Children Of Divorce (161kbps MP3)
Deadmau5 + Kaskade – I Remember (Caspa Remix) (320kbps MP3)
Black Uhuru – Utterance (ALAC)
We Are The In Crowd – Never Be What You Want (226kbps MP3)
Silverstein – Discovering The Waterfront (320kbps MP3)
Concept Of Thought – Our Thought (FLAC)
Nirvana – Something In The Way (Unplugged) (ALAC)
Skrillex – First Of The Year (Equinox) (320kbps MP3)
Paramore – Franklin (320kbps MP3)
Diana Krall – The Girl In The Other Room (FLAC)
Deolinda – Passou Por Mim E Sorriu (live) (ALAC)
Suicide Silence – Unanswered (FLAC)
Massive Attack – Angel (ALAC)
Eat Static – Dzhopa Dream (ALAC)
The XX – Crystalised (FLAC)
Funeral For A Friend – Bend Your Arms To Look Like Wings (ALAC)
Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man (FLAC)
The Scene Aesthetic – Humans (259kbps MP3)
A Hero A Fake – Swallowed By The Sea (254kbps MP3)
Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, Spring Allegro (ALAC)
Johnny Craig – Children Of Divorce (161kbps MP3)
Deadmau5 + Kaskade – I Remember (Caspa Remix) (320kbps MP3)
Black Uhuru – Utterance (ALAC)
We Are The In Crowd – Never Be What You Want (226kbps MP3)
Silverstein – Discovering The Waterfront (320kbps MP3)
Concept Of Thought – Our Thought (FLAC)
Nirvana – Something In The Way (Unplugged) (ALAC)