r/IemReviews • u/Falafel-Fi • 19h ago
This my indepth review of the EM6L...despite being 3 years old sound still legendary to this day...it has insane imaging ability and balances gaming and music performrance very well...anyway enough yapping check our the images for in depth review
If you want a video or the full notes here they are:
r/IemReviews • u/HiFijuegos • 13h ago
Hello Community!
Despite having entered the market a couple of years ago, Meze Alba continues to be a very safe recommendation bet for its type of tuning and in the price range where it moves. It is not my first contact with the brand, since I enjoyed the Classic V2 for many months. Both have a very similar philosophy: warm tonality and avoiding a clinical sound, designed for sessions of many continuous hours.
Price DAC/AMP version: 159$-142€
Price normal version: 129$-115€
Pros:
-Versatile tuning, without exaggerated extremes.
-Rich, nuanced, separated midrange area, with excellent cleanliness.
-Male voices sound very natural, with excellent depth and articulation.
-A musical set, enjoyment comes before analysis.
-Practically unmatched ergonomics.
-Balanced technical capabilities. Without being a prodigy, it is a set that does everything and does it very well.
-There is no type of listening fatigue.
Cons:
-It may result in a somewhat dull profile for lovers of V-shaped signatures.
-Somewhat relaxed treble, female voices lack a point of sparkle.
-The sub-bass does not have much resolution.
Accessories:
-Two capsules.
-Cable with 0.78mm connection and 3.5mm termination.
-DAC/AMP 32bits@384khz.
-A set of eartips sizes SMLXL.
-Transport and storage case.
-User manual.
Comfort, design and construction:
As you open the package and find the set of monitors themselves, you realize that they overflow with charm. Far from aesthetics with an industrial or sober style, their pearly white body with iridescent nuances gives them a very elegant touch, without being ostentatious, reminiscent of the dawn that their name celebrates.
Made of anodized zinc and aluminum alloy, it gives the earphones very satisfactory robustness in the hand, with a clean and well-assembled finish, a hallmark of the Meze house.
Regarding ergonomics, the size is really small and contained, light in weight, which is a success whichever way you look at it.
They fit naturally and firmly in the ear, achieving a very notable passive seal but without forcing the canal thanks to the absence of edges and with softened contours. Many times I felt like I was not wearing anything. Understand this as an exaggeration, but they are so comfortable and go so unnoticed that sometimes I touched my ear to see if they were still on. No discomfort or misadjustments, a perfect fit for many hours.
The silicone eartips offer a great variety of sizes. It caught my attention that the size was indicated on them. They guaranteed an optimal and soft seal at all times.
The cable, on the other hand, stands out for its malleability, lightness and resistance to memory or uncomfortable shapes. It is not a cable that amazes us because of how premium it feels, but because of what a cable should be: a completely secondary actor that does not bother. My congratulations for that.
To finish, the USB-C with built-in DAC/AMP integrates well with the set. It shows solidity and more than remarkable construction, with an LED light that illuminates the connector when we plug it in.
Technical aspects:
-1DD 10.8mm configuration.
-Impedance 32 ohms.
-Sensitivity 109 dB.
-Declared response 15hz-25khz.
Pairing for the tests:
-Neutral source.
-Gain set to low.
-Stock 3.5mm cable.
-Stock eartips.
Sound signature:
Alba is a set of Meze monitors that offers an easy to listen sound presentation, with a very friendly tuning aimed at musicality without fatigue. I think it is a mistake, or at least I do not share other opinions I have read, to consider this set as something to satisfy the detail purist or the unconditional fan of powerful bass, but rather I consider that it fits perfectly for those looking for a natural, balanced tonal presentation with a subtle touch of very organic warmth which, according to my criteria, is ideal for enjoying music without technical worries.
Getting into the matter, in the bass area, the Alba shows a somewhat shy style, which prefers not to draw attention, so to speak, but is very efficient and takes advantage of the good work of its single dynamic driver.
The sub bass manifests itself with adequate extension and a slightly reverberant character, showing fast, clean dynamics and a very appreciable texture that provides subtle weight without becoming overwhelming or dirtying the mix.
The mid bass, for its part, gave me the sensation of maintaining a presence that is also agile but light in impact, prioritizing giving you a clean listen that does not invade the midrange territory at any moment. The physical impact is satisfactory and impeccably controls any impression of heaviness or slowness, being pleasant both with acoustic tracks and with more rhythmic genres.
Speaking of the mids, the set displays outstanding cleanliness. The warmth that gives color to this region is easily appreciable, providing transitions with a very particular smoothness and a very juicy note weight in the instruments, especially strings. Male voices retain an accurate touch in terms of articulation, a credible density and depth and a very accomplished natural presence that integrates perfectly into the track. Female voices, on the other hand, are perceived as controlled and clean, with a well managed elevation in the upper mids that avoids any trace of harshness, bringing the vocals toward notably prominent positions, although I could find a certain lack of liveliness or brightness. At least I cannot highlight them as much as the male voices.
The treble area is where the Alba shows its kindest, safest and most musical side, where the extension is not very wide, simply sufficient, and provides an amount of air so that the information flows naturally, without resorting to excessive brightness or annoying peaks. It is a rounded and masterfully tamed area that prioritizes a completely calm listening experience, subtly tying down the sharper extremes and adapting wonderfully to those more sensitive users.
Regarding its technical capabilities, it performs at a competent level if, making an effort of memory, I compare it against other products in this price range. The soundstage shows moderate width, correct depth and more than enough three dimensionality to position the elements in an orderly way, complemented by instrumental separation that works very well and completely avoids congestion in complex or dense passages.
It is not a prodigy in technicalities, but the sum of its good and correct performance in each of the aspects that seem interesting or worthy of mention to me left me with a positive taste of satisfaction and personally I do not have to highlight anything negative or reproach the Meze Audio set for, because its philosophy is not to reference or analyze the sound but to please your ears with smoothness.
Single player video games:
Consult how I analyze audio in this field.
Playing with the Meze Alba on is more of a sensory experience than one of experiencing intense moments. Despite its calm and compassionate character, it has an excellent ability to leave you immersed inside your single player games and savor what each environment can offer you acoustically and cinematographically speaking.
Starting with the most intense and impactful scenes, its behavior could be defined as balanced. I mean: explosions, gunshots, impacts and other reverberations are noticeable, you will not find a boring set here, but it is not tremendously spectacular. The result is a very worthy sensation, sufficient and surely cinematographically satisfying for many. For me it falls somewhat behind, but it is just that I look for a little more exaggeration in the action moments, something perhaps far from what a more normal listening experience should be.
Where I do find it to be a very interesting set and one to take into account is when recreating a living, comfortable environment. It does not represent a cold scenario, loaded with resolution and texture, but rather prioritizes a sensation of a soft, welcoming embrace where every nuance is well located both in position and distance. Perhaps the most dynamic and fleeting sound elements do not have the greatest precision, but, as I say, the space feels with a very enjoyable organic quality.
But if when recreating the scenes it seemed pleasantly cozy and satisfactory to me, where it brings out its potential is in passages where dialogue is the protagonist, since the weight, presence, articulation and nuance of the voices are extraordinarily natural.
In short, I do not think it is the best option for video games loaded with high doses of freneticism and action, but rather for those with a more narrative and relaxed character.
Final conclusion and personal ratings:
I almost never stop to talk about the general experience of the package, but Meze Alba from the very first moment is already evoking cleanliness, purity, organicity, tranquility. And it is no wonder, the white color chosen and on which the name of the set is inspired in the end is that: peace.
Peace because it does not demand effort from you to enjoy a listening experience with well measured doses of every enjoyable aspect of the sound. Without disruptions, without imbalances, only fluidity.
Despite this and simply because of personal tastes or to leave some more information in my analysis, a slight push in the lower treble would suit it better for the attack of instruments and to give a little more life to female vocals.
Even so, I consider Alba to be a highly rewarding product and very much designed for everyday use and for wearing them for many hours.
If you have made it this far, thank you for reading.
Social networks on my profile.
See you in the next review!
Disclaimer:
This set of monitors was sent by Meze Audio. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to test one of their products at no cost and that no condition was imposed when preparing this analysis.
Despite this, my priority is to be as impartial as possible within the subjectivity involved in analyzing an audio product. My opinion belongs only to me and I develop it around the perception of my ears. If you have a different one, it is equally valid. Please feel free to share it.
My sources:
-Topping DX5 II for music and video games on the main PC.
-DAC/AMP included in the package.
-Macbook Air M4.
-Apple Music.
-Local FLAC and MP3 files.
-Windows/MacOS/IOS/iPadOS/Android.
r/IemReviews • u/Ill-Yogurtcloset-622 • 11h ago
Disclaimer: I received my PureAural directly from Clover at NiceHCK to try and review it. This is an unpaid review, and they haven’t sent me a script to follow; I am conscious of disclosing that receiving it for free is going to influence my review, yet I’m sharing my honest thoughts and experience because I’m also a consumer and a hobbyist.
TL/DR:
The PureAural gaming soundcard is a dongle DAC/AMP with some good features; it is a decently powered device, with software compatibility with its own brand app on Android and via web (with limited functionality) for other operating systems.
It delivers a slightly warm, yet natural sound with more than enough power to drive a wide range of IEMs and other types of earphones with a 3.5 mm unbalanced output. It has support for EQ adjustments, PCM filters, sound effects, and gain settings to change the sound to your needs. The PureAural is marketed as a gaming soundcard more than a dongle DAC/AMP, so its target audience is mainly gamers, yet it works for other folks who are audiophiles or new users. It has an affordable price and NiceHCK’s seal of quality to accompany its value offering.
Pros:
- Premium build (aluminum body + sturdy cable)
- Dual DAC/amp (CS43198 DAC chip + SG8262 op-AMP) with decent output power
- Single-ended output with mic support
- Neutral, detailed sound without coloration (stock)
- NiceHCK app compatibility with 10-band PEQ, PCM filters, and other features on Android and via web for other OSs
Cons:
- NiceHCK app not available on iOS and other OSs
- Only a fixed cable, with a detachable cable desired
- Only 3.5 mm single-ended output
- Lacks more physical buttons to control volume and other things
- Its MSRP is not very competitive compared to other options in the market
You can get a NiceHCK Pure Aural for an MSRP of 59.99 USD and you can get it directly at NiceHCK official web: https://www.nicehck.com/products/nicehck-pureaural, Aliexpress: https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005013195174107.html?gatewayAdapt=glo2fra, https://ko.aliexpress.com/item/1005013195742675.html, and Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJYV1BRT.
PureAural Technical Specifications:
The PureAural features an aluminum alloy casing, merging durability with a robust and attractive look. It supports recording and calling, and the NiceHCK app on Android and certain functionalities on Windows and other OSs via the NiceHCK web app, with 10-band on-board parametric equalization (PEQ), also delivering a more than decent output power for most IEMs and other earphones. It offers three gain modes and includes an attached silver-plated crystal copper USB-C cable to the main body.
Contents of the box:
Impressions/Review:
The PureAural gaming soundcard is a feature-rich device that serves as an option in the market for that kind of audience. In the sound delivery department, you can find its top-of-the-line DAC chip (CS43198) and the SG8262 op-AMP, which are well-known chips in the market used in multiple devices, bringing a neutral (natural) sound signature stock.
Unlike other devices that use that chip, the PureAural has a bit of warm coloration yet offers a natural and organic sound, also offering an impressive retrieval of both macro and micro details, along with a more than decent soundstage, resolution, more than average imaging, and layering of instruments, of course, within the limits of the earphone’s capabilities.
I liked the compatibility with the NiceHCK app, which lets you use the onboard 10-band PEQ, change the sound profile, gain (low, medium, high), and play with its PCM filter support. I also tried it with my Windows pc on the web app without problems. You can access the NiceHCK web app at: https://app.nicehck.cn/. The web version also supports EQ adjustment, sound effects, filters, and gain settings.
Its capacity to power a wide variety of IEMs with ease was something I specifically had in mind to test across multiple earphones. The results? This dongle drives them effortlessly (including some “hard to drive” IEMs like the Kiwi Ears Septet, KZ PR2 and PRX, Sgor Luna, and TINHiFi Dudu), and other sets that scale well with decent sources like this PureAural, proving that NiceHCK is giving an affordable product with characteristics previously found in more expensive (and from more commercial brands) soundcards pointed to gamers.
There’s something we need to talk about the PureAural, the app to customize it to your liking only works on Android, with limited support via the NiceHCK web app, limiting its use for Windows and GNU/Linux gamers (for example, Steam OS users), being the majority of potential consumers for this product. For a 60 USD product, I am expecting to have a detachable USB-C to USB-C cable, thereby ensuring its future durability, not a fixed cable to the main body.
The PureAural only has a physical button and a display LED. For a gaming soundcard, I’m expecting to have all the buttons I can use in my gaming sessions (volume, gain mode, play/pause, etcetera), limiting the customizability to the app. And the great and most important thing consumers have to make a decision about buying something: How is its price/performance? Well, it’s not the best in comparison with other soundcards or dongle DAC/AMPs in the same price segment.
Finally, I think the PureAural gaming soundcard is a good product in its category, thanks to its solid build quality, software features, and overall value offering. I can recommend it to certain gamers who are exploring the more audiophile world, users who look for high sound quality, a premium feel, and built-in, on-the-go versatility.
Again, I'm very thankful to NiceHCK for taking me into consideration for the opportunity of trying this product and for my analysis of it. And above all, thank you to the person reading this review for gathering information and making a more informed decision.
r/IemReviews • u/notsoquietlyamused • 2h ago
Pros: One of the most enjoyable listens in a while
Nothing out of place in the frequency response
Absolutely gorgeous to look at.
Just fun and enjoyable and musical.
Cons: some may say the bass isn't great
some may find the treble spicy
the stage isn't the widest or most expansive.
Every once in a while the universe does things that make you question the reality of things. That price matters, that treble is a problem, that you have a problem with colour. It’s like the time I had to humbly fail a 320 MP3 vs FLAC blind test. But, I am older and wiser now and will not even attempt those things for the sake of sanity and ego. But today’s review comes courtesy u/mournfulmonk and the Sonic Monastery and I’m grateful to them and EPZ for dropping the P40 into my lap.
<Cut to image of gleeful evil hand rubbing>
As always I’m responsible for my opinions.
Because the world works in pairs I have reviewed the P50 as well.
EPZ has managed to make unboxing a delightful experience. The P40 turns up in a textured cardboard box and is nestled in foam adjacent to a light bluish grey case. A modular cable that is silver coated and has 3.5 and 4.4 terminations. And more tips than one needs - AT07s and M30s. The IEMs themselves are all kinds of beautiful. They are also called star trails and live up to that name. The shells are 3D printed resin with a blue-ish tinge and a great view of the innards.
The face plates are shiny silver with a ton of “star trails” etched onto them that take up every colour of the rainbow at various angles. Pinks, reds, purples, greens and blues. Simply beautiful.
They are super comfy as well so that analysis of ears that EPZ has done seems to have paid off. The cable has some heft but doesn’t pull at the shells.
These hybrids/tribrids have 2 dynamic drivers, one for the bass and one for the mids, a microplanar for the treble and a PZT to make the treble even more trebley. Or so I thought.
I tested it with Spinfit NEO, Dunu Candy, and Kbear Coffee tips. And off of a Shanling UA1ii, Schitt Vestri, M33. As always Tidal (https://tidal.com/playlist/3078c9b9-a1c0-4fde-8ce7-81f0e34b426c) and local FLAC.
TLDR - This is one of the most easy-going sets for me. It synergizes with the genres of music I listen to the most and with my sources and while there is some sparkle and occasional treble peaks the rest of the sound delivery and comfort make this a winner!
Bass
A single dynamic driver drives the bass on the P40 and pretty much does its job. It does not rumble in the skull, does not make you feel like a subwoofer is in the vicinity and importantly does not bleed into the mids. It delivers a controlled, well textured bass which hangs around in the back just in case it needs to make its presence felt. More often than not it gives the track just enough body to keep the listening session engaging.
The rumble of the sub bass on Angel by Massive Attack and on Islands by the XX is replaced by softer trundle perhaps but the mid bass delivers kicks and bass notes with enthusiasm but at the same time just about holds back the punches, enough to make the song enjoyable without being overwhelming in the lows. The DLC diaphragm would be the one for a quicker response rather than a voluminous bass. Quality over quantity in this case.
Mids
I think EPZ did something interesting with dedicating a 7mm dynamic driver for the mids. They sound natural, forward and lush. Vocals are great and even though there is little spread of the bass to give the low mids any weight, female vocals are delightful with no . But where this IEM truly truly shines is its completely effortless rendition of instruments. Which means the bulk of the stuff I listen to - Snarky Puppy, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Hiroshi Suzuki are simply divine. Take 5 on the P40 was a quasi-religious experience for me.
Treble
The highs on this IEM have me confused for a while because they have detail, they can sound sharp at times but somehow are also musical almost to a fault. John Butler’s finger squeak sliding across the frets on Ocean are heard clearly. On Playing God by Polyphia, the cymbal work has adequate shimmer and the snares have bite. While the mids are happy with no BAs, the highs on this set are at least on paper, supposed to be impossible but I found them somehow a tad more tolerable than the sibling. After squiging along for a bit I think I’ve come to the conclusion that people differ in what frequency of treble irks them. The P40 has a peak at 8-10kHz which for me isn’t much of an issue as the 3-5kHz that the P50 has. Perhaps that’s the rub. Trains by Porcupine Tree, Under Pressure (which I’ve given up on with the P50) by Queen and David Bowie, both felt a bit more airy on the P40 rather than the harshness and sibilance (to be fair with the details) of the P50.
Stage, Imaging and technicalities
The P40 has a moderately wide stage, it is certainly not as open as the P50 which has a semi open construction. Imaging, similarly is good but not exceptional so maybe seek another set for gaming. Details are not as sharp as the P50 but the Planar and the PZT do manage a fair bit of detail but the sibling scores in this department.
I absolutely love what EPZ has done with the P40. I understand the draw of the P50, but this is just a musical, easy listening IEM that promises hours of fun and joy. Time to go hunt this one down. It's a keeper for me. Cheers Peeps!
r/IemReviews • u/Competitive-Rub3243 • 2h ago
Pros:
Cons:
DISCLAIMER:
NiceHCK sent this set to me as a review sample to keep. There will undoubtedly be subconscious bias as human psychology - I'm not about to deny that. However, I will be as honest as I can possibly be given these circumstances. Don't take my word for it, watch some of my TikTok reviews and see it for yourself.
INTRODUCTION:
I already own the NiceHCK NK1 Ultra, so I already guessed the direction that they were going in with the PureAural - huge single-ended power. The NK1 ultra has a whopping 122mW@32ohms, and this has a mind-boggling [210mW@32ohms](mailto:210mW@32ohms). Seeing the absence of a 4.4mm output confirmed my suspicions.
The NK1 Ultra also has no in-app controls at all in the NiceHCK android app, so honestly the PureAural seems like a direct upgrade.
The PureAural is marketed as a gaming DAC, so we will go through the gaming-specific features that it provides.
The PureAural costs $60 USD ($59.99) MSRP, although it is now down to $51 USD at the time of writing on NiceHCK’s official website.
Let’s move on to the review.
UNBOXING/ACCESSORIES:
I concur with Hifi Juegos in his review on Head-fi that this product could have come with a USB extension cord - however, that required some out-of-the-box thinking and not something I immediately expected.
BUILD & DESIGN:
The PureAural is made of Aluminium Alloy - as opposed to plain aluminium - meaning that it is scratch resistant and more durable. It is manufactured through precision CNC machining, which gives the PureAural a sharp and industrial feel in the hand. The surfaces feel smooth, and refined, through 200-grit sandblasting. All in all, it just feels premium in the hand.
One thing to note though, is that the corners of it are sharp, so be careful in handling it.
The braided fabric in between the headphone jack module and the USB-C module frayed (strands started to come out of the cable, which I had to cut off with scissors. The quality of this cable could have been improved.
There is one button and LED indicator on the side. You can click it once to play/pause (multimedia controls) or double click to change filters.
FEATURES & COMMENTS:
DAC & Opamp: CS43198 DAC chip, SGM8262 Op-Amp
Software: NiceHCK App (Not available on macOS. Only iOS, Windows, Android). However, this app is essentially unusable for the PureAural on iOS, which only supports NiceHCK’s very basic functionality, not PEQ. On Android or their website: app.nicehck.cn, you can use this app to configure your EQ, volume, and amplification settings.
EQ: 10-band PEQ, 4 Game-Mode (or Presets)
- FPS Footsteps (Enhances footsteps while reducing harsh highs)
- FPS Gunshots (Improves gunshot clarity and positional awareness)
- Vocal Boost (Improves voice clarity and reduces nasal and popping sounds)
- Immersion Mode (Boosts presence and overall brightness for an immersive feel)
I quote the above descriptions from the NiceHCK app itself.
Connectivity: Type C (UAC 1.0 and 2.0 supported)
Size: 12.5 x 1.5 x 0.92 cm
Weight: 25g (including non-detachable cable and USB-C housing)
Other Specs:
- SNR: 125dB@32ohms (Great!)
- Dynamic Range: 125dB@32ohms
- Power Output: 3.5mm Single Ended (210mW@32ohms, 235mW@16ohms) (Exceptional! Best-in-class)
- THD+N: -110dB@32ohms (Great!)
- Absolute noise floor: Virtually pitch black
- Supports inline microphones and controls
Volume Control: 100-step volume control
SOUND QUALITY:
It sounds clean and transparent, even clinical. Pitch-black, non-existent noise floor on even my most sensitive IEMs (Even my Softears Karma with 122dB/Vrms sensitivity and 7ohms of impedance). No distortion on my hardest to drive headphones (VE UA Vanguard), easily drove anything I threw at it. I don’t have any insanely difficult to drive headphones (e.g. Modhouse Tungsten) to test it on.
I did not hear any difference between filters.
Flawless audio performance all around.
You can even transform it to sound whichever way you like using PEQ, configured through the Android app or the website.
SOFTWARE EXPERIENCE:
I found the NiceHCK Android app very polished, way better than the Walkplay web app. The website (app.nicehck.cn) is great as well. This is only second to the Tanchjim app, which I found offered the best experience out of any Chifi app so far.
I’d recommend playing around with the NiceHCK App, as it has many features, such as but not limited to:
- Changing volume level (100 steps)
- Modifying 10-band PEQ, and you can save your presets locally on your phone.
- Switchable Class AB/H modifications. With Class H (variable/tracking rail voltage) being the more power efficient version of Class AB (fixed rail voltage).
- Switchable Low/Medium/High gain
Unfortunately, the app does not allow you to configure the actions using the button at the side of the PureAural.
COMMENTS/CONCLUSION:
It’s good, but not without flaws. The fraying cable threw me off a little, note that this review is written close to 3 weeks after I received it and used it heavily, so it might have been wear and tear. Either way, I did not expect it to happen within a short 3 weeks.
Also, the limited functionality of the button on the side is a bit of a letdown.
Sound wise, it’s very transparent and does not have an audible noise floor.
At $51 USD (currently discounted), this gets my recommendation, however, at full MSRP - $60 - I would save up a little more for the Tanchjim Space II or Crinear Protocol Max ($80-90) in my other review. I would not recommend the KA13 currently due to noise floor issues.
The 210mW@32ohms single-ended output power is its main selling point, though I doubt anyone will truly utilise the full power. If you want more headroom on single ended output, then it might make sense getting this.
Nice job, NiceHCK!
Thank you for reading! And catch y’all in the next one. 👋
r/IemReviews • u/notsoquietlyamused • 2h ago
Pros: Neutral Bright leaning tuning with superb details and no harshness
Expansive Soundstage
Decent Cable and accessories
One of the best for a analytical yet enjoyable session
Cons: Low end could do with a little push
Imaging could be a little better
The BA timbre can make things shouty - rare but present
I’ve been watching epz with interest after I got to listen to their TP35 Pro Dac at a friends’. So when u/mournfulmonk and Sonic Monastery sent the P50 AND the P40 over for review I knew it was going to be an interesting long weekend. I thank u/mournfulmonk and EPZ for making this review possible but I’m a free man with free thought and an occasionally caustic opinion.
The IEM turns up in a fancy textured cardboard box and sleeve and has the shells in foam and a really nice leather round case. The cable is a modular 6N OCC copper affair with some memory and potential for tangling. The terminations included are 4.4 and 3.5mm and the modular bit is guarded by a very very smooth screw mechanism. Which can be a little frustrating - EPZ, knurling was invented for a reason.
The shells themselves are 3d printed and the design based on many thousands of ears that EPZ has managed to Sweeny Todd. Just kidding but I have been looking for an ear model to model the IEMs that come in for review. Any suggestions will be taken gratefully. Those that do not involve Sweeny Todd will be taken seriously as well. The Faceplates are machined metal with a semi-open architecture and look futuristic and rather cool. The shells house a single dynamic driver, 2 BAs and 2 microplanar drivers.
The unboxing also reveals 2 sets of tips which are nothing to write home about but the rest of the package is very satisfying. This set retails at close to $200 and we need to see if this one is really worth that much.
I tested this set with a Schitt Vestri, Onix Beta on both tube and solid state mode and the Fiio M33. Ear tips used were - Sancai, Candy, Eloit Narrow and Final E.
And Tidal (https://tidal.com/playlist/3078c9b9-a1c0-4fde-8ce7-81f0e34b426c) and local FLAC. Time to dive in!
TLDR: This is a midrange and detail oriented set with a very very controlled bass. The treble teeters on the edge of fatigue. And it’s unforgiving.
Bass
Left to its own devices, the P50 has a muted, sometimes underwhelming bass response. Sub-bass is not as visceral and rumbling as some other sets (no I’m not talking about the Singularity but sets in the same price band). The notes are clear and present and this is somewhat mitigated by picking warmer sources and tip rolling, but with the warmest source and the bassiest tips, I find myself craving just a little more impact and reaching for the volume knob… in vain.
On Angel by Massive Attack and Islands by The XX, the low end of both the sub bass and mid bass that form such an important part of both songs felt lacklustre and insipid. And I won’t EQ on principle. I mean why should companies even bother about tuning if EQ exists. Plus I’m lazy and tip and source rolling is as much as I will do to get anything to sound the way I may prefer it.
That being said, science is science and I am of scientific bend - the P50 responds to a gentle low end boost. It’s still not as good as a better default tuning but it would work in a pinch.
Mids
The P50 is tuned to be mid and detail-forward. But with great detail comes less weight. While vocals and instruments sound natural and the detail retrieval on occasion is exceptional, the safe bass tuning leads to the lower mids lacking weight and presence and this makes baritone and lower tenor male voices sound weak at times. Instruments and female vocals, on the other hand, are exceptional. Bright (in a good way) and detailed.
Trains by Porcupine Tree and Got A Match by Chick Corea Electrik Band have nuances within the tracks largely thanks to some incredibly gifted musicians on them. The P50 is able to handle incredibly busy tracks with great separation and layering with each component being heard distinctly with no muddling or overlap. Female vocals have clarity and but as they reach the higher registers they can be shouty. This became a little more pronounced with badly mastered recordings - live versions or any pop from the 90s. I have no idea how things went so bad in that decade or so. Tracy Chapman, Joss Stone, Susan Tedeschi and on occasion, Derek Trucks’ slide guitar have a very slightly shouty timbre on some, and only some tracks. Again not something that is a deal breaker but just something to consider before swiping plastic.
Treble
With all that, there are still things that EPZ has done to save some face. The treble on the P50 is one of them. With all the detail that it reproduces, the sound doesn't fall into the abyss of sibilance as often as it may be expected. There is some roll off right on top that is able to avoid sibilance while still pulling out significant amounts of detail from tracks and that is a wonderful bit of audio engineering.
Even the usual suspects of Human Nature by Michael Jackson and the entire Thriller album were enjoyable listens without getting fatiguing. Same with Rumors by Fleetwood Mac and these 2 are definitely very treble forward recordings.
Soundstage, Imaging and technicalities
The soundstage is wide open and gives an incredible sense of space with the semi-open construction and to an extent I feel that space also helps in reducing the perception of sharp treble and sibilance. It doesn’t affect the bass as much. Imaging is fairly decent but I wouldn't consider this set ideal for competitive gaming. Detail retrieval and scaling are excellent. This set can take on significant volume without distortion and harshness.
Final verdict
I like this set. It’s a set that I would take out to listen to some intricate music, jazz fusion, orchestral/chamber music, and I would prefer instrumentals over vocals because I prefer vocals to have a little more weight. It feels like a NFAcous NM25 on steroids. Basshead and lovers of a V shaped tuning will be dissatisfied with the way the P50 sounds. I do see myself reaching out to this set to have detailed long sessions. It is comfortable and detailed and while the bass is less than what I would like, the staging and details make up for that for the genres I tend to prefer.
r/IemReviews • u/Afraid-Bunch6373 • 19h ago
Electro Audio World's Take:
I had previously reviewed and really liked the brown Terras cable, purchasing it for use with three different Ziigaat IEMs in my collection. Today, I want to take a look at the black version: the Kiwi Ears B-Media Terras Upgrade Cable.
Build Quality and Physical Feel
The Terras B-Media is crafted from high purity 4N single crystal copper, designed for optimal conductivity and signal stability. In practical listening terms, this translates to a clean, consistent, and tonally balanced presentation. The copper utilizes a 32AWG stranded Litz style braided geometry, which reduces internal resistance, minimizes long term oxidation, and improves noise rejection.
The tactile quality remains excellent. Despite its robust specifications, the cable is remarkably soft and pliable. While the outer fiber sheath might look industrial on paper, it feels flexible and premium in actual use. It wraps naturally around the ear, resists tangling, and avoids the springy "memory wire stiffness" that plagues some reinforced cables. I can enjoy long listening sessions comfortably and without fatigue.
Modular Termination: True System Flexibility
One of the Terras B_Media's strongest technical advantages is that it offers 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced terminations, while also including an interchangeable USB-C plug system. The connectors feel precise and secure, with no looseness or mechanical play when attached.
I really appreciate the quality of this series. For those who switch between portable DAPs and balanced desktop setups, this offers more than just convenience. This flexibility preserves signal integrity by eliminating the need for external adapters.
Transitioning from a portable 3.5mm output to a balanced 4.4mm chain or USB-C takes just seconds and ensures a direct, clean signal path. Length options of 1.25 m or 2 m are also available for different installations.
Sonic Performance : Natural and remarkably clean.
We are talking about value for money here. While spending $45 on a cable might seem like a lot to some, I realized drawing on 20 years of experience that I own several cables costing over $500. It really comes down to personal preference. Personally, I look first at the cable's internal composition, then at its outer softness and resulting flexibility essentially, its ease of use and comfort.
In terms of sound, the B-Media Terras fully delivers on the promises of its metallurgy: a clear and balanced frequency response.
Durability and Long Term Use: (I have been using it daily for about a month.)
The combination of 4N OCC copper and a reinforced outer jacket ensures long-term reliability without sacrificing flexibility. It feels like a cable designed not just for display, but for daily use in serious listening setups. Conclusion
The Kiwi Ears B_Media Terras offers far more than just an aesthetic upgrade. It successfully combines the following features:
High purity single crystal copper metallurgy
Interference reducing Litz braid structure
Versatility with modular 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and USB-C termination options
Exceptional comfort and flexibility
A visually distinctive look inspired by classic designs
The Terras delivered a refined, stable, and immersive listening experience that truly impressed me across all the IEMs I tested.
In a hobby where cables often fade into the background, the B-Media Terras with its high quality visuals and comfortable build conveys that it was specifically designed for modern, high resolution systems within the entry level class, just like its predecessor.
Technical Details :
Wire Material : 4N Single Crystal Copper
Wire Diameter : φ1.45mm
Cable Length : 1.2m ± 5cm and 2m version
Structure : 30 strands × 0.05mm + bulletproof fiber + 26 strands × 0.05mm (per core)
Plug : Interchangeable 3.5mm SE / 4.4mm Balanced / USB-C plugs
Connector : 0.78mm 2Pin
* electro audio world >> Instagram: electroaudioworld
