The earbuds don’t require tweaking to get a well-balanced sound response. The default EQ manages the audio signature quite well.
On The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the buds deliver heavy, thumping bass and sub-bass while the synth melody punches crisply. Both levels of the vocal harmony are clear in the mix as well. The buds provide a wide enough soundstage to enjoy picking out the various instruments from left to right.
This relatively flat response plays well in Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty,” where Lamar’s and Rihanna’s vocals sound even when the deep sub-bass comes in; the melody doesn’t sink into the background. The earbuds are quite respectable where sub-bass is concerned, too. They readily hit all of the deep notes in this track, which can be difficult for audio devices with small drivers.
Bill Callahan’s “Drover” further highlights the audio chops. From Callahan’s baritone vocals, which come through with a rich fullness, to the plaintive wailing of the electric guitar, the track’s lush instrumentation stands out. Even the background’s subtle bass and room noise find their place in the mix.
(Credit: Mark Knapp)
The earphones put on a good show with classical music like John Adams’ The Gospel According to the Other Mary. They handily present the track’s many instruments and adeptly bring the ambience of some of the lowest and subtlest notes and voices. In “Lazarus Rises From the Dead,” the buds provide a stunning sweep from hushed, subtle tones to a frightening cacophonous roar. All of the track’s eerie ambiance comes through with the wide soundstage, as the various instruments that create it have room to breathe.
The mics capture my voice clearly in a quiet room, though they have a somewhat distant sound. They struggle to suppress background noise.
