Firstly, I would like to thank Steven from Xtenik for supplying this sample for review.
*disclaimer: This sample was provided 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: Yulong DA10 / iBasso DX200 / Audio Opus #2 > Finschi
Tech Specs:
• Driver: Knowles balanced armature + 10mm dynamic driver
• Sensitivity: 112db
• Impedance: 18Ω
• Frequency response: 10Hz-40KHz
• Pin: 2pin 0.78mm
• Line length: 120cm
• MSRP: $185
https://www.xtenik.com/product/oriolus-finschi-hybrid-headphone/
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The Finschi come in a neat box with a picture and the model on the front, along with the basic specs on the back. The specs are not listed in English unfortunately, so the box is not very suitable for the international market. Once you remove the outer sleeve you will find an inner black box with a magnetic flap. Open the flap and you’ll see the back case which houses the earphones, underneath this you will find the rest of the tips. The overall presentation is excellent, simple yet elegant with no frills.
Build quality is excellent, the main shell is translucent and finished to a very high standard. They use recessed 2-pin connectors on the shell which means there are plenty of cable options available too. The nozzle is quite short and the size and shape are excellent, the cable is silver plated copper and is comfortable and has good strain relief. Overall the build quality of the Finschi is excellent and they feel like quite a premium IEM.
Accessory wise you get a really nice plastic case that feels like it is waterproof, inside the case is a foam cutout but you can take this out if you don’t want to wrap your IEM’s around it every time you put them away (the case is lined with foam). You also get a good variety of tips, S/M/L single flange tips, M bi-flange tips and S/M foam tips. Along with the tips you get a cable clip and a cleaning tool, so they really do include everything you need out of the box.
Comfort and Isolation:
The Finschi are really ergonomically shaped, with a small housing and curves in all the right places. This means that with the right tip you can get a very snug and comfortable fit that is also secure. I really like the fit of these, I usually have trouble with a lot of IEM’s due to my awkward canals, however the Finschi fit perfectly.
Isolation is actually only average on these, I am going to put this down to the clearly visible vent on the back of the housing, however they do isolate fine for most daily use.
Sound:
Lows: The Finschi have quite good extension with a mild lift in the sub-bass and slight dip in the mid-bass. This means that they don’t always kick the hardest, but they do have good body to back up the initial punch. These are not for lovers of bass, as quantity wise the lows are fairly reserved and in place with the rest of the frequency response. The dynamic driver provides a certain amount of body to the sound but they are not boosted, the great thing about this is that they can keep up with fast and complex tracks with no issue. There is good articulation in the mid-bass and bass lines are easy to follow and don’t get lost in the mix.
Midrange: The midrange is clean and detailed, almost to the point of being a little clinical but luckily, they just steer clear of becoming sterile. I am really impressed by the linearity in the midrange, male vocals are not thickened from the low end, yet female vocals are not pushed forward by an upper midrange peak. Sibilance is well controlled and only really noticeable if it is bad in the recording, they are quite transparent in the midrange. The layering is great, guitars have plenty of bite and it is easy to pick apart multiple vocal tracks, they may not be the most spacious but there is excellent separation. I am really impressed by the vocal performance of these, they are very precise and clean yet still natural for the most part.
Highs: The highs are not toned down to give a relaxing listen, yet they are not pushed forward to the point they are overbearing a fatiguing. The highs have good tonality to them, but they are occasionally a little splashy, lacking a bit of control and refinement. The lower treble is a little forward, which really brings out the initial impact of cymbals, however they do still extend nice and effortlessly. I would say that the Finschi is bordering on what I would consider a slightly bright sounding IEM, so it is not suitable for those who are treble sensitive. Detail up top is great and the treble really doesn’t hold back when it comes to revealing flaws in your favourite tracks.
Soundstaging is quite good, with accurate placement and imaging, I had quite a few out of head experiences, especially with tom-tom drums. There seems to be quite good depth to the soundstage, with great layering.
Conclusion:
The Finschi have really impressed me, it is one of the few new IEM’s I have had that I really like, and by that, I mean really like. I didn’t know what to expect going in to this review, as I had not had any Oriolus models before, but now I am keen to try more. With great comfort and design, a solid accessory set and excellent sound to back it up, the Finschi is a superb IEM. They have a slightly airy and bright sound signature, but one that I don’t find lacking anything overall, the detail and linearity are something that few other options, if any, can match at this price point. I can highly recommend these if you like detail and clarity at the expense of a little warmth.
Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (A slightly brighter but technically and musically brilliant IEM)
If you can get your hands on an Oriolus MK2, and listen with an Effect Ares II cable or PW5 cable, i think you will be blown away. That combo has made top
ten iem lists and is my personal standard of excellence in a hybrid design. However, i havent heard the HYLA branded iems which i think are designed by the same team in Japan. the CE-5 and new Bass and Reference Models in that series are getting sterling reports as truly amazing….but are twice the price. available now through Musicteck.com but in very limited editions.