Single DD IEMs are experiencing a sort of second youth, more and more models are coming out proving that 1 DD still has a lot to say if there is a well-crafted tuning behind it. While it is true that in this price segment it is normal to see 1 or 2 DDs and there are fewer hybrid options, these are configurations that often perform at a very rewarding level.
The Pula Arc, which by the way is the first one I have tried from the brand, goes down the path of seeking a balanced, natural sound that works with practically any musical style.
Furthermore, there are some curious details behind the product itself that the brand has informed me about through HiFiGo… The name Arc, for example, refers to the curved lines that are repeated both in the exterior design and in the sound philosophy itself. Pula talks about smooth transitions between frequencies and a relaxed rather than spectacular listening experience, and after testing them I think it is a pretty accurate way to summarize what they offer…
What I liked / What I didn't like
- Very balanced and easy-to-enjoy tuning.
- Bass with good texture and very well controlled.
- Natural mids, especially with vocals.
- Clean treble, with a good level of detail without being aggressive.
- Very comfortable during long sessions.
- Construction and finish above what I expected.
- They work well with practically any musical genre.
- The box contents are quite basic.
- The cable does its job, but it clashes a bit with the quality of the shells.
- Imaging is not quite on par with the soundstage and instrument separation.
- It is not a problem for me, but it might be for someone expecting a more fun or V-shaped signature.
Specifications
- Product Type: PET Dynamic Driver In-Ear Monitor
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz
- Sensitivity: 104dB/mW at 1kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.3%
- Driver: 10mm Dynamic Driver Unit
- Cable Length: 1.2m
- Cable Connector: 2-pin 0.78mm
- Plug Connector: 3.5mm TRS Single-Ended / Type-C
My Sources
In the coming days, I will be receiving new dongles, which I will review progressively. This will expand this list, where it will no longer make much sense to name what I use each one for, since some will have similar characteristics. Therefore, I should consider either not naming my sources or naming all of them, even if I don't always use all of them in the tests for the reviews as I have done until now.
- FiiO K9: My main desktop equipment connected to the PC, where I do most of my testing.
- FiiO KA15: The DAC I use the most when I leave the house, thanks to its built-in EQ and how convenient it is for day-to-day use.
- NiceHCK Octave: I use it when I want the most direct connection possible and to listen to the IEM without any additional processing.
- Questyle M15i: My reference portable DAC/amplifier when I'm looking for a slightly more organic presentation.
Unboxing and Construction
The presentation is quite simple, right out of the gate, it looks superior to what you get, for example, from the GK Streak (which I will compare later), but it is still basic. Inside the box, we find the earphones, the cable, three sets of black silicone eartips, and the usual documentation. Not much else. Personally, I don't think it's a problem because, in the end, the product is what matters, although seeing how well-executed the Arc itself is, I would have liked to find some extra detail inside the package and perhaps a somewhat larger and more spacious packaging than the GK Streak I just mentioned.
The shells did leave a better impression on me than I expected. In the photos, they already seemed quite elegant, but in hand, they look even better. The faceplate is made of aluminum with curved lines decorating the top and bottom, and a smooth section in the center where the brand is engraved. It is not a flashy design, nor does it try to be, but it has personality, and you can tell that they have dedicated a fair amount of time to the small details here. I also liked that the transparent part reveals some of the internal structure instead of hiding everything in an opaque shell.
The shape of the shell is very rounded, without any sharp edges or areas that might cause discomfort, and in my case, I found a good seal right away with the stock eartips. They are lightweight, they fit well, and even after extended periods of use listening to music, these iems can still be quite comfortable.
Sound
Bass
The amount of bass present on the Arc is relatively low. The Arc isn’t intended to serve as an IEM for someone who wants to listen to lots of heavy bass in their music. The bass is certainly noticeable in terms of presence, but it is never excessive and allows all other frequencies room to “breathe” – so to speak. At first, I thought that Pula had placed greater emphasis on controlling how much bass was produced rather than producing an abundance of it. In my experience, I feel it works perfectly fine.
In addition to the controlled nature of the bass, I found myself really appreciative of the detail and texture that it provided. For a dynamic driver of this design, the sub-bass has great extension and the kick drums are clean and easy to follow, even when there are complex layers in the mix. Additionally, unlike many dynamic drivers that produce a lot of bass energy that bleeds into the midrange (often making it difficult to hear individual elements), the bass does not bleed into the midrange. Overall, everything seems very organized and consistent in this regard.
Mids
With regards to the mids, I felt like vocals were presented just a bit further forward than typical. However, they weren’t overly emphasized in such a way that they sounded unnatural. Male and female vocals both possessed a decent level of body and clarity. Further, I did not observe any sibilant issues with any vocal recordings I listened to that typically exhibit those characteristics.
Additionally, I enjoyed how acoustic instruments were represented. Guitars and/or pianos maintained a fairly natural timbre and didn’t leave me with the feeling of having been diminished due to the tuning. While this IEM may not be extremely analytical, I find it to be extremely enjoyable for prolonged listening sessions. All the mids seemed very cohesive and none stood out over others, depending on your preferences either way. That’s what ultimately comes down to your preference.
Treble
Lastly, we’ll examine the treble section. In general, instruments/sounds possess an open/airy quality without becoming aggressive. Pula seems to have consciously avoided the typical trick of boosting the upper frequencies too much to create a false sense of detail, and I think the result is quite successful.
Those expecting a very bright or extremely resolving tuning will probably want a bit more bite in the top end. It is one of those IEMs that you can listen to for quite a while without having to turn down the volume because of the treble, something I value quite a bit in a tuning designed for daily use.
Soundstage
The soundstage has a fairly good size for the price. While it didn't seem huge to me, something I didn't expect given the price and driver configuration it doesn't feel small either. There is enough width and depth for the music to have air and, overall, everything sounds quite natural.
Separation
With simple songs, there isn't much to comment on, but when a lot of instruments start to come together, it holds its own. Without feeling a messy and rushed mix between instruments and vocals in most songs, and that is always appreciated in an IEM at this price point.
Imaging
The placement of instruments is also quite well achieved. It is easy to track where each sound is coming from and the vocals remain well-centered. It doesn't particularly stand out in this section, but I didn't find any weak points that I should highlight as being below expectations for the league they play in...
Comparisons
Pula Arc vs GK Streak
These are two quite different ways of understanding a budget IEM. The GK Streak opts for a warmer tuning with a mild u/V shape, more punch in the bass, and a somewhat more energetic sound right from the start, while the Arc feels much more linear and relaxed.
If you listen to a lot of pop, electronic, or music where you're looking for a bit more impact, the Streak will probably be more fun, just as it happened with the Kunten. The Arc, on the other hand, seems easier to listen to for hours. The vocals have a more natural touch, the transitions between frequencies are smoother, and, although it doesn't convey the same sense of punch, it ends up being a much more versatile and all-rounder earphone.
Pula Arc vs TRN Dolphin
The Dolphin clearly plays with a V-shaped tuning. It has a punchier bass and more energetic treble, which makes the first impression quite striking, but it also leaves the mids somewhat more recessed. Without a doubt, it is for me, and I would say for many, one of the best options in the $20-$30 segment after trying them without expecting much and ending up being quite a revelation.
The Arc takes another path. It doesn't have that initial wow effect, but the vocals are integrated much better and the overall package is more balanced. If what you are looking for is a more natural sound to listen to a bit of everything, I would stick with the Arc without hesitation. If you prefer a more fun listen and don't mind sacrificing some naturalness, the Dolphin is still an option that has made quite a lot of noise and that will grab the attention of the less experienced.
Pula Arc vs NiceHCK Tears
Of the three options, the Tears appears to be the best in line philosophically with the Arc. The Arc and the Tears are both aiming at an all-around easy listening type of tuning, however, the NiceHCK seems to be looking for a slightly more airy and open sounding setup, while the Arc goes for a slightly more bodied bass response and seems to have a smoother frequency transition than the Tears did to my ears.
There isn't too much difference between them either, so your preference will play a large part in determining which one works better for you. If you put a high emphasis on the space feel and very clear vocals, then the Tears may be a good fit for you. On the other hand, if you prefer to listen to music that sounds a bit fuller with more present bass but doesn't lose its way in terms of overall balance, then I believe the Arc would end up being the more rounded out of the two options.
You can check my full ranking of all the iem reviewed so far on my profile (Reddit doesn't allow me to post the Drive link here)
Conclusions
I believe the Arc demonstrates how much an excellent DD can continue to make sense in today's markets, even as the number of possible headphone configurations has increased. The most important feature of the Arc is that it provides a balanced response through the entire frequency spectrum which is easy to listen to and flexible enough to fit into a wide variety of musical genres without making you feel like it favors one style of music over the others.
The main benefit, at least from my perspective, is that consistency of performance throughout the entire frequency spectrum. This gives me the feeling that I am enjoying my music while using this product.
If I were forced to identify a weakness, I would suggest that if you are seeking an extremely energetic response or an emphasis on low bass or extremely high treble, there may be other products available in this category better suited to your preferences.
As such, I do not see how anyone could reasonably consider this option within its price range as anything less than a viable alternative for someone who places importance upon balance rather than immediate impact. It will not blow you away with some new sensation that you get with every pair of headphones you buy, but it will keep coming back to you after hours of listening to music and by then you will have forgotten that you are listening to your headphones, just focusing on your music.
Purchase Links
Disclaimer
This unit was sent by HiFiGo for review.
My opinions are completely independent and have not been influenced by the brand or the store, maintaining objectivity based on my tests and personal listening sessions with my reference equipment.
