Firstly I would like to thank Linsoul for sending me the Tape to review. I had not heard of Shuoer before but the Tape seemed to be getting some attention so I was looking forward to checking them out.
*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:
Audio Opus #2 > Tape
JDS Labs Element II > Tape
Tech Specs:
Driver Configuration – Low-voltage Electrostatic Dynamic Driver
Sensitivity – 104dB/mW
Impedance – 18 ohm@ 1KHz
Frequency Response – 20Hz- 30KHz
Plug – 2.5mm Balanced Plug With a 2.5 to 3.5 Adapter
Connector – MMCX
MSRP – $129.00
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The Tape come in a cylindrical box with the branding on the outside and the IEM’s inside along with the accessories. The box is a little different, and I like it, but it doesn’t allow you to see the product without opening the box. The IEM’s are tightly held in a foam inlay to protect them during shipping.
Build quality is great overall, the cable is copper and consists of 4-braids with good strain relief and connectors. Mine are the earlier version that came with a 3.5mm single ended jack. The housings are CNC machined and feel tough, and everything feels well put together. I have seen some people have issues with the MMCX connectors, however I am happy to say mine do not have any issues.
They come with 6 pairs of regular silicone tips but the nozzles are fairly accommodating of third party ones. They also come with quite a cool little metal case, very similar to some HiFiMan offerings. I really like the case and the Tape included all relevant accessories, nothing special to report here.
Comfort and Isolation:
The housings are an odd shape however they fit really well, once you get the right tips you can easily wear the Tape for hours on end. They are quite heavy but I haven’t had an issue with this so far.
Isolation is fairly average, the housings are vented from what I can tell but they still offer a fair amount isolation for general everyday use. They also leak a tiny bit if turned up loud.
Sound:
The Tape use an interesting sort of mini, low voltage electrostatic driver along with a dynamic driver to reproduce sound.
Lows: The Tape has a well balanced low end that has an impressive ability to extend deep into the sub-bass without causing bloat. The lows are always tight and controlled however they are not lacking in terms of quantity with good body to the sound. There is a definite emphasis on the sub-bass with a slightly reserved mid-bass that doesn’t punch all that hard. They sound well rounded and should offer up enough quantity for most listeners, but they are far from being a bass oriented IEM.
Midrange: The midrange has a dip in the lower section that causes some male vocals to sound mildly recessed however it gradually rises pulling out female vocals and guitar riffs with ease. There is not a lot wrong with the midrange, the lower mid recession doesn’t make them sound overly v-shaped and there is plenty of detail present. The detail is the standout quality of the Tapes midrange, they manage to extract detail other IEM’s for a similar price struggle with. The Tape do however have a peak around 3-4kHz that can bring out a little harshness. This peak is there, and how severe depends on your ears and tips used, however many people do choose to EQ this peak down. I personally don’t find it too problematic however I am possibly more tolerant of higher frequency peaks than some.
Highs: The highs are airy and spacious with good extension and detail, cymbal crashes are precise but never sharp. Every tap is heard with ease but they are not pushed forwards to bring out an artificial sense of detail. This means they round off the every so slightly v-shaped sound of the Tape perfectly and don’t overstep the mark. They roll off gently and sound smooth yet detailed, it is also easy to pinpoint where instruments are placed in the recording, especially in the treble due to the better than average layering.
The soundstage on the Tape is wider than average, you can easily pinpoint instruments within the stage, however it is wider than tall. Layering and instrument separation are better than average due to the Tape showing expert control over the drivers.
Conclusion:
I have a lot of good budget IEM’s come my way and there are a select few that deserve more praise than the rest. The Tape are one of those in my opinion, they have such a controlled, detailed and expansive sound for the price that they really have surprised me. They do roll off a little early in the highs, the lower midrange is a little recessed but overall I really like the sound and they offer up a lot of detail for the money. They seem to favour higher powered sources, and the Element II really makes them sing. If you like a clean and open sound signature that doesn’t lack low end the Tape are well worth looking in to.
Sound Perfection Rating: 7.5/10 (lower midrange dip, upper midrange peak, but overall a well built and great sounding IEM)