Firsly I would like to thank Micah and Phil for setting up this tour.
*disclaimer: This sample was provided on loan for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings
Gear Used:
iBasso DX200 > LSIV
Yulong DA10 > LSIV
Tech Specs:
Drivers: 4BA, 4 Balanced Armatures
Impedance: 15Ω
Frequency: 20HZ-20K HZ
Plug Type: 3.5mm/2.5mm (optional)
https://www.audioconcierge.co.uk/portfolio/lark-studios-lsiv-bespoke-earphones/
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The LSIV come in a pretty nice box, it’s matte black and has a Lark Studio branding in red on it. Open the main front flap and the LSIV are neatly held in place by a foam insert that is covered with velvet, with cut outs for the cable and accessories. The overall unboxing experience is excellent and you feel like you have purchased a premium product.
Build quality is excellent, the shells are flawless with a perfect mirror finish. The cable is a pretty standard 2-pin affair with good strain relief and a nice carbon coated 3.5mm jack. The sockets are tight and there is good strain relief on the cable, the ear guides are pre-moulded which is something I much prefer over memory wire.
Accessory wise you get a good selection of tips (not needed if you go custom), you get spinfit silicone and comply foam. You also get a cable tidy clip, wax tool and adaptors (6.3 to 3.5mm and airplane). There is a black case for storing them in, along with 2 amp straps as well, overall a great and complete package.
Comfort and Isolation:
The LSIV in universal form are extremely comfortable, the shell is small and ergonomic and I found them to fit really well in my small ears. Lark Studios deserve top marks for making such a great universal shell.
Isolation is what you would expect from an acrylic, sealed BA driver earphone, excellent. Provided you get a good fit, you will have excellent isolation perfect for all uses.
Sound:
Lows: I would class the LSIV as warm/neutral overall with a precise and controlled low end that is incredibly quick and responsive but perhaps a little dry at times. There is enough body down low the fill out the sound, and the speed really helps the LSIV keep up with complex mixes. Bass guitars are articulate and accurate, but kick drums lack a little impact at times. Personally I do not find this to be much of an issue as the definition and speed makes up for this, but for those who prefer a warmer/more organic sound these may be lacking. Extension is ok, they do roll off a little towards the sub-bass, and the fidelity is definitely better in the mid-bass region.
Midrange: This is probably where the LSIV shine, with an incredibly insightful and linear midrange nothing sounds out of place, or wrong. Everything comes across with great clarity and layering, the midrange is devoid of harsh peaks that cause fatigue and they just handle anything you can throw at them. The midrange isn’t intimate, it is on the same level as the rest of the sound, they just have a way of rendering vocals with accuracy that I really appreciate. Acoustic guitars are backed up with body from the lows, yet electric guitars have good power when needed. Accurate is the best word to sum up the midrange on the LSIV, and this would actually make a great stage monitor for vocalists.
Highs: The top end on the LSIV doesn’t quite have the same energy and bite as the midrange, but they don’t get lost in the mix. They don’t quite take a backseat, but they are not pushed forward to grab your attention. The benefit to this is that they have great detail overall and there are no peaks to give you the false allusion of more clarity. They are there if you listen for them, and placement is very well done in the treble. Snare drums snap, cymbals crash with great extension that rolls off smoothly to create a sense of effortlessness. For my personal tastes, I don’t mind a little more energy up top, but the LSIV still have enough to keep most people happy and give these a well balanced signature overall.
Lithium by Nirvana is a really great track to listen to on these, the iconic bass riff just sounds so perfect, and Kurt’s vocals are incredibly accurate and never fall behind in the mix. The cymbal taps are perfectly placed in the soundstage, and you can hear each layer of the recording with ease.
Soundstaging is limited on the LSIV, not throwing a particularly wide stage, but the accuracy of the imaging is excellent so the stereo image is great and you can easily place instruments within the stage.
Conclusion:
Well as you can see I really, really like these. This warm/neutral sound signature works well with most genres without becoming fatiguing like some reference style IEMs can. For the price the LSIV are very impressive, giving you a great level of detail and control with great transient response and accurate tonality in the midrange especially. If you are looking for an everyday custom monitor, for a good price, the LSIV are definitely worth a listen.
Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (Excellent value with a great sound signature)