The Aful Explorer was an amazing IEM, and this is tuned very close to that, but with a bit more treble. The only knock on Explorer was that it was too dark for some people. Super Review is about the only person that has graphs for both.
Its really tough, some people like me just hear it as imbalance. And then you listen to everything else and it seems like compensation for it. At the same time, I know people just will like it for the forwardness.
Not quite the same as Simgot but people are used to a bit of space in this price range. The 2x6mm is another thing when you look at what the competition is using and where bass lies in your prefs
glad you got to review this. i like my vocals a bit forward, but not so much where it kills everything else. i might have to rethink about this one. don't forget to order more black ink, poor printer must've really went hard printing that graph.
Yeah its a difficult one in that respect and why I struggled with it. The other hybrid/tribrids might have different balance, more bass, less bass, etc but the general presentation is familiar. P5+2 is not that way for me.
Hi Paul, thanks for the early review of this IEM. I was waiting for this P7 to be released, but now I would like to ask what would you recommend as a better IEM alternative in the same price range for casual listening (for almost all music genre)? Thanks :)
I am not sure what the price range is yet but most of the recent hybrids are quite nice. You have the bassy sets, Davinci and Xenns Tea Pro, the chill but high quality Cadenza4, the energetic Estrella and then the U-shaped family, Ziigaats and Thieaudio Hype. A couple other specials, Crinacle's Dusk and Simgot Supermix4 for Harman fans. This is exactly why price matters on P7 and why it needed to standout on bass and planar, there are a lot of great sets in the price range.
Based on your description, this set seems similar to Quintet? Micro planar, a little hot in the upper treble, and boosted sub bass. I do have and like the Quintet, but it's ultra specific. Really thought Aful would make the 5+2 as broadly appealing as the P5 was. I also thought the Explorer tuning would influence this set, but apparently not. Bummer. Thx for the review.
Yeah, similar but actually later in the treble than Quintet. The planar crossover is also way up there, 12k. I do think it will be more appealing, but shifted the problem, That shift also tends to not be as noticeable, weird people like me listen to tracks that hit out there in 12k+ or subbass. It will be more appealing if your music hits lower or have a warner source. But for me, once you flatten the stage, even if its not spicy, that hurts the joy for me.
Estrella because it really pushed hard into the treble with nice drivers. But its a lot of both bass and treble. I think S12 2024 or Pro are hard to beat on techs for the money. Or jump up to the Variations
Hi Paul it's quite a negative review on this set , let me know what your favourite IEM sets are ? I may have very different tastes of IEM set to yours . I loved my Performer 8 a lot as well as the Explorer, I don't know if the stock cable would make you have this negative review. Both Gizaudio and. Tone Deaf Monk rated them so high with the tuning of Performer 5+2 , can you explain why your review is so different to them ????? Thank You.
He said it all in the video tho. All in all, it sounds like nothing more than marginal upgrade to P5. Which is not bad by any means but nothing outstanding to rave about. The 250$-400$ range is very crowded nowadays so considering the P7 would fall somewhere in there, it seems like "just another option". Frankly, i love that Paul is not overhyping it and keeps it real. Audio-In is yet to make a full review but from his first impressions, he too painted it as "just P5 upgrade".
@@Greg.Siucrazyforaudio2016 Audio-in doesn't seem very stocked about the P7 either so idk. Gizaudio, i liked it when it was just Timmy. Now i only watch Audio-in's DAC reviews on there. They just overhype everything new thats comes to the market.
@@3ildcard I'm not agree with you Gizaudio review talks about how you can enjoy an IEM in certain areas good and not as good, and Paul only doing his review in an analytical way and he seems doesn't know how to enjoy IEMs , he always nitpicking and magnify the bad. He will never be happy or maybe he reviewed in a wrong way , I tested IEMs with Spotify was a mistake, music from TH-cam are much better with high quality recording videos, if he keeps using Spotify, nothing can satisfy him. I'm in doubt with his review accuracy. I can get amazing sound from the Simgot EW300 when you get the right source and DAC AMP set up , of course it can't out perform a $200/$300 set , it's all about enjoyment, not picky on every detail of an IEM set , that is too depressing. I think Paul and Mark ( Super Review ) both reviewed IEMS incorrectly. If any reviewer can't tell the difference with an upgraded cable, not necessarily expensive, then that's not qualified as an IEM reviewer ,this is Mark Ryan, most stock cables are cheap and slightly harsh sounding. I don't know if Paul can tell any difference with better cable.
@@Greg.Siucrazyforaudio2016 Oh my god, not another "cable changes sound" snake oil guy. Also, Paul is different from other reviewers because he tries to objectively REVIEW a product instead of mindlessly overhype everything that comes to the market. Its not about enjoyment, its about providing information and valid criticism when needed, thats why it is A REVIEW, not a podcast. He tells you how a product sounds, its up to you to know whether or not that is what you're looking for. Also, you use 50$ IEM and you're mad that someone like Paul who have used over 200 IEMs god knows at what cost combined would be shocked/blown away by "yet another 200-something$" IEM? By the way, TH-cam over Apple Music, Tidal and even Spotify? You can't be serious. I pay for Tidal and get the supposed "audiophile" sound and let me tell you, you need A VERY GOOD GEAR to tell a difference. I don't have that good gear so 320kbps or 24bit 192 hz - all sounds the same. I can literally A/B test with 2 clicks. No difference. If you think you're hearing a difference on TH-cam Music because its "higher quality than Spotify", you're unapologetically delusional. As Timmy from Gizaudio used to say - a good IEM will sound good regardless of where you stream your music. If an IEM sounds like sh&t on Spotify, it'd sound like sh&t on Tidal too.
Cadenza4 is a killer set if you are into natural. People said it was boring which is kinda true, there is no crazy boost but just great execution on branded BAs and a super DD.
Interesting. I don't think I've heard another review mention that it's 2 6mm drivers, which seems a bit odd to gloss over. Also found it odd that no one I've come across so far compared it to the SuperMix 4 given what they were describing about it. But thanks for giving other things to consider on it!
I was wondering the same. I think the "microplanar" they use is similar to the one in SM4. It looks like a BA in the disassembled diagrams. So anyone with problems with SM4's treble timbre should hear the same thing in P5+2 IMO. I think Canta has similar drivers too.
Its in the listing on Hifigo. The tuning is quite different than Supermix and I would say the microplanars have been different also, Dusk's are great. SM4 is hard for non-Harman target folks. It EQs really well though. I think the other popular hybrids doing U-shapes and even SM4 with Harman, those are familiar tuning styles that work well with hybrid configs. If you are going to be different, it better have a benefit other than being different.
I’ve watched toooo many videos on IEM. Ive had 3 sets of KZ ZS10 pro all of them the left dynamic went out. I liked them but I need a little bit more low end. I have the Kiwi Candenza they are lacking low end and to me are little bright, I also have shure 215. I play drums so can you give me an idea of something like the zs10 pro with a little more depth or low end
@@eliteanarchy is that the new one it’s showing not available? Im trying to go by these graphs and I have no clue how to read them or if they really mean anything the ZS10 pro has been as close to what i want but it hasn’t been relabeled at all plus it’s missing a little bit of the punch I’m looking for
@@PaulWasabii I was actually thinking about the saga I thought about getting both the balanced and the bass version just in case. I somehow got talked into the KBEAR OS1 because someone told me it was what I needed but it was muffled sounded like Charlie Browns teacher. I’ll start there I do have EQ through all of my softwares but some of these won’t react to the eq like I would have thought
@@PaulWasabii that is a fact, I was listening to my S12 Nobody today, Nobody made me skip the S12 2024 and many others. I was more or less leaving a comment to help your TH-cam analytics as much as anything. Cheers my SB friend.
I agree, I lean towards they should have gone bigger on at least one. 6mm is a nice compliment to a larger DD but interesting to hear a pair of 6. The competition is also using larger DD so it was a tough design decision.
While i dont always agree with your takes, Paul, this is why i want multiple reviewers when a set peaks my interest. So far this is the only review critiquing this set while a lot of other seem to enjoy it and your insights are valuable in my purchasing decisions
As I said, I know people will like it because the close vocals. When people buy it and tell me I am 100% wrong, its basically that, I won't like most sets that push vocals and flatten the stage. Thrashes everything else you are paying for in a hybrid/tribrid.
Shouty is probably the wrong word, it is congested later in the treble. As I said, the stage is odd so it doesn't have the space that other hybrid/tribrids do so the layering and separation aren't as nice as they should be.
Hype 4 falls into that similar U-shape that was vetted over the past year. That set isn't going anywhere. Nice drivers, nice tuning gets you longevity.
This review left me completely confused. It completely differed from many others I watched about this earphone... Foward vocals with this flat pinna gain? How about comparing it to EA500 and Kato's grafics which are really focused on vocals?
That is why I didn't show my graph, look at AFUL's graph, its not flat and look at the 10k level. Most of the AFUL measurements are off, you need to check out theirs. I am sure it will appeal to some people, but you see that on all the AFUL sets. Everyone else buys Hypes, Ziigaats, Xenns, etc.
@@PaulWasabii First of all, I'm not defending the brand. I tested all AFUL earphones except the Cantor and I don't like them precisely because they generally are timid in the voice region (which is between 2K and 5K) in relation to the other regions of the spectrum. The 10k region may be about sibilance but not about forwardness. There is a difference between earphones where there was a concern with highlighting the voices (body, detail, presence) and earphones that present vocals forward... Maybe that was the confusion, because there are earphones where the voices pop up in you face that does not always show quality: they can be harsh or hissing. Regarding the graphics, I never trust those presented by brands, I always look at the measurements on the Squig, and they are able to show that tunings with the vocals forward present have a mountain in that region and go above the bass region.
For the price it can be End Game IEM set , for people who don't want to spend more , greatest separation and clarity, Gizaudio and Audio In Review they both loved it, just don't expect it to compete with $300+ ones.then you will be super happy with this set , spend more for Performer 8 you will get higher quality bass and beautiful texture, just both required upgrade cables , try NICEHCK $50+ ones , cheers.they aren't Paul's favourite somehow I don't get it , it could be the stock cable that makes him not like them.Thank you.
Paul... you a real one; you dead-a$$ kept it 💯 on 5+2/P7. Nothing but respect because cats out here treating Aful like the next coming of Moondrop. And as you know they been more like Moondroppings (💩) lately, so... there's that. Fairly certain I don't have the sensibilities to appreciate their sets (good diplomatic answer😎).
AFUL tunes sets that appeal to some people, but as I said, it is hard to compare it to the other popular sets because their priorities are different. Some people will love the vocals and people like me hear the stage and can't unhear it.
All "Performers" seem to graph really closely. P8 seems very boring (and many tend describe it that way), P5 a bit more engaging. P7 seems to graph really closely to P5 so the extra drivers better do some magic. All in all, it seems like a direct upgrade to the P5 but it really comes down to how they'll play their cards in terms of pricing. Judging by your take, without glazing it just because of hype, it sounds a little too safe and underwhelming (due to higher expectations).
I think you are right, the price will nearly be the most important part. The competition a year later is tough so it will be hard to go much above P5 price and I am sure they really want to.
Who else wants to see Pauls iem collection. Gotta be in the hundreds.
Yeah its up there. I have done 130ish this year and a lot to go before the end of the year.
The Aful Explorer was an amazing IEM, and this is tuned very close to that, but with a bit more treble. The only knock on Explorer was that it was too dark for some people. Super Review is about the only person that has graphs for both.
On AFUL sets, the only graph that matters is theirs. All of their sets seem to graph strangely which is why I didn't show mine.
Thanks for the review. There's a lot of hype for these.
Yep, they will appeal to some people, some not. Problem is more competition now than when P5 came out.
I love this beautiful face cover
Those shells look so good
Thanks for this review Paul it saves me from being disappointed. Being in the camp of not liking forward vocals/mids
Good point. Yep. I'm not a fan of that Simgot sound either. Overly forward upper mids sound like a pass for me. Also, dual 6mm DDs??
Its really tough, some people like me just hear it as imbalance. And then you listen to everything else and it seems like compensation for it. At the same time, I know people just will like it for the forwardness.
Not quite the same as Simgot but people are used to a bit of space in this price range. The 2x6mm is another thing when you look at what the competition is using and where bass lies in your prefs
@@PaulWasabii Hi Paul. Could you elaborate on what you mean by a bit of space?
glad you got to review this. i like my vocals a bit forward, but not so much where it kills everything else. i might have to rethink about this one.
don't forget to order more black ink, poor printer must've really went hard printing that graph.
Yeah its a difficult one in that respect and why I struggled with it. The other hybrid/tribrids might have different balance, more bass, less bass, etc but the general presentation is familiar. P5+2 is not that way for me.
Hi Paul, thanks for the early review of this IEM. I was waiting for this P7 to be released, but now I would like to ask what would you recommend as a better IEM alternative in the same price range for casual listening (for almost all music genre)? Thanks :)
I am not sure what the price range is yet but most of the recent hybrids are quite nice. You have the bassy sets, Davinci and Xenns Tea Pro, the chill but high quality Cadenza4, the energetic Estrella and then the U-shaped family, Ziigaats and Thieaudio Hype. A couple other specials, Crinacle's Dusk and Simgot Supermix4 for Harman fans. This is exactly why price matters on P7 and why it needed to standout on bass and planar, there are a lot of great sets in the price range.
@@PaulWasabii Thanks, Paul. From what I read from other online sources, the P7 will be priced around $300.
Based on your description, this set seems similar to Quintet? Micro planar, a little hot in the upper treble, and boosted sub bass. I do have and like the Quintet, but it's ultra specific. Really thought Aful would make the 5+2 as broadly appealing as the P5 was. I also thought the Explorer tuning would influence this set, but apparently not. Bummer. Thx for the review.
Yeah, similar but actually later in the treble than Quintet. The planar crossover is also way up there, 12k. I do think it will be more appealing, but shifted the problem, That shift also tends to not be as noticeable, weird people like me listen to tracks that hit out there in 12k+ or subbass. It will be more appealing if your music hits lower or have a warner source. But for me, once you flatten the stage, even if its not spicy, that hurts the joy for me.
Hello Paul,
do you have the Aful Explorer, too? If so, can you compare them both together, please?
I do not
Great stuff
I really would like to get one just because of that green.
Yes, the faceplates are nice. They have a small story on it
What's the best set for detail and tech at 300$ range?
Estrella because it really pushed hard into the treble with nice drivers. But its a lot of both bass and treble. I think S12 2024 or Pro are hard to beat on techs for the money. Or jump up to the Variations
@@PaulWasabii how's the Tea Pros for detail & tech compared to the Estrella?
Hi Paul it's quite a negative review on this set , let me know what your favourite IEM sets are ?
I may have very different tastes of IEM set to yours .
I loved my Performer 8 a lot as well as the Explorer, I don't know if the stock cable would make you have this negative review.
Both Gizaudio and. Tone Deaf Monk rated them so high with the tuning of Performer 5+2 , can you explain why your review is so different to them ????? Thank You.
He said it all in the video tho. All in all, it sounds like nothing more than marginal upgrade to P5. Which is not bad by any means but nothing outstanding to rave about. The 250$-400$ range is very crowded nowadays so considering the P7 would fall somewhere in there, it seems like "just another option". Frankly, i love that Paul is not overhyping it and keeps it real. Audio-In is yet to make a full review but from his first impressions, he too painted it as "just P5 upgrade".
@@3ildcard Gizaudio and Audio In Review are my favourite channel, my liking is very different to Paul.
@@Greg.Siucrazyforaudio2016 Audio-in doesn't seem very stocked about the P7 either so idk. Gizaudio, i liked it when it was just Timmy. Now i only watch Audio-in's DAC reviews on there. They just overhype everything new thats comes to the market.
@@3ildcard I'm not agree with you Gizaudio review talks about how you can enjoy an IEM in certain areas good and not as good, and Paul only doing his review in an analytical way and he seems doesn't know how to enjoy IEMs , he always nitpicking and magnify the bad.
He will never be happy or maybe he reviewed in a wrong way , I tested IEMs with Spotify was a mistake, music from TH-cam are much better with high quality recording videos, if he keeps using Spotify, nothing can satisfy him.
I'm in doubt with his review accuracy.
I can get amazing sound from the Simgot EW300 when you get the right source and DAC AMP set up , of course it can't out perform a $200/$300 set , it's all about enjoyment, not picky on every detail of an IEM set , that is too depressing.
I think Paul and Mark ( Super Review ) both reviewed IEMS incorrectly.
If any reviewer can't tell the difference with an upgraded cable, not necessarily expensive, then that's not qualified as an IEM reviewer ,this is Mark Ryan, most stock cables are cheap and slightly harsh sounding.
I don't know if Paul can tell any difference with better cable.
@@Greg.Siucrazyforaudio2016 Oh my god, not another "cable changes sound" snake oil guy. Also, Paul is different from other reviewers because he tries to objectively REVIEW a product instead of mindlessly overhype everything that comes to the market. Its not about enjoyment, its about providing information and valid criticism when needed, thats why it is A REVIEW, not a podcast. He tells you how a product sounds, its up to you to know whether or not that is what you're looking for.
Also, you use 50$ IEM and you're mad that someone like Paul who have used over 200 IEMs god knows at what cost combined would be shocked/blown away by "yet another 200-something$" IEM?
By the way, TH-cam over Apple Music, Tidal and even Spotify? You can't be serious. I pay for Tidal and get the supposed "audiophile" sound and let me tell you, you need A VERY GOOD GEAR to tell a difference. I don't have that good gear so 320kbps or 24bit 192 hz - all sounds the same. I can literally A/B test with 2 clicks. No difference. If you think you're hearing a difference on TH-cam Music because its "higher quality than Spotify", you're unapologetically delusional.
As Timmy from Gizaudio used to say - a good IEM will sound good regardless of where you stream your music. If an IEM sounds like sh&t on Spotify, it'd sound like sh&t on Tidal too.
how does this compare with cadenza4?
Cadenza4 is a killer set if you are into natural. People said it was boring which is kinda true, there is no crazy boost but just great execution on branded BAs and a super DD.
Interesting. I don't think I've heard another review mention that it's 2 6mm drivers, which seems a bit odd to gloss over. Also found it odd that no one I've come across so far compared it to the SuperMix 4 given what they were describing about it. But thanks for giving other things to consider on it!
I was wondering the same. I think the "microplanar" they use is similar to the one in SM4. It looks like a BA in the disassembled diagrams. So anyone with problems with SM4's treble timbre should hear the same thing in P5+2 IMO. I think Canta has similar drivers too.
Its in the listing on Hifigo. The tuning is quite different than Supermix and I would say the microplanars have been different also, Dusk's are great. SM4 is hard for non-Harman target folks. It EQs really well though. I think the other popular hybrids doing U-shapes and even SM4 with Harman, those are familiar tuning styles that work well with hybrid configs. If you are going to be different, it better have a benefit other than being different.
I’ve watched toooo many videos on IEM. Ive had 3 sets of KZ ZS10 pro all of them the left dynamic went out. I liked them but I need a little bit more low end. I have the Kiwi Candenza they are lacking low end and to me are little bright, I also have shure 215. I play drums so can you give me an idea of something like the zs10 pro with a little more depth or low end
Theres the ikko high ear c, good low end very punchy.
@@eliteanarchy is that the new one it’s showing not available? Im trying to go by these graphs and I have no clue how to read them or if they really mean anything the ZS10 pro has been as close to what i want but it hasn’t been relabeled at all plus it’s missing a little bit of the punch I’m looking for
If you just want to try a cheap one with more bass, KZ Dawn. KZ Saga too if you like metal shells but not sure that will agree with playing drums
@@PaulWasabii I was actually thinking about the saga I thought about getting both the balanced and the bass version just in case. I somehow got talked into the KBEAR OS1 because someone told me it was what I needed but it was muffled sounded like Charlie Browns teacher. I’ll start there I do have EQ through all of my softwares but some of these won’t react to the eq like I would have thought
@@PaulWasabii and thank you for taking the time to respond
Thank you Paul, this is one set I will not be jonesing for. I can always count on you to give a unbiased review.
Eh, you have plenty of nicer sets. This is more for the P5 fans.
@@PaulWasabii that is a fact, I was listening to my S12 Nobody today, Nobody made me skip the S12 2024 and many others. I was more or less leaving a comment to help your TH-cam analytics as much as anything. Cheers my SB friend.
I’d rather have one 10mm (or 12mm ideally) than two 6mm DD. Waiting for them to bring deeper bass.
I agree, I lean towards they should have gone bigger on at least one. 6mm is a nice compliment to a larger DD but interesting to hear a pair of 6. The competition is also using larger DD so it was a tough design decision.
@@PaulWasabii exactree
Can you rank the best 5 technical sets between 300-400 ?
No, but start with Moondrop Variations, S12 Pro/2024, and even Estrella which has very nice drivers.
@@PaulWasabii oook, estrella more technical than dusk and tea pro?
While i dont always agree with your takes, Paul, this is why i want multiple reviewers when a set peaks my interest. So far this is the only review critiquing this set while a lot of other seem to enjoy it and your insights are valuable in my purchasing decisions
As I said, I know people will like it because the close vocals. When people buy it and tell me I am 100% wrong, its basically that, I won't like most sets that push vocals and flatten the stage. Thrashes everything else you are paying for in a hybrid/tribrid.
Does it sound shouty in busy tracks?
Shouty is probably the wrong word, it is congested later in the treble. As I said, the stage is odd so it doesn't have the space that other hybrid/tribrids do so the layering and separation aren't as nice as they should be.
@PaulWasabii thanks for explaining further. ❤️
ohh dear :((((....i was saving up for this set...now i think i will just go for hype4...
Hype 4 falls into that similar U-shape that was vetted over the past year. That set isn't going anywhere. Nice drivers, nice tuning gets you longevity.
This review left me completely confused.
It completely differed from many others I watched about this earphone...
Foward vocals with this flat pinna gain?
How about comparing it to EA500 and Kato's grafics which are really focused on vocals?
That is why I didn't show my graph, look at AFUL's graph, its not flat and look at the 10k level. Most of the AFUL measurements are off, you need to check out theirs. I am sure it will appeal to some people, but you see that on all the AFUL sets. Everyone else buys Hypes, Ziigaats, Xenns, etc.
@@PaulWasabii First of all, I'm not defending the brand. I tested all AFUL earphones except the Cantor and I don't like them precisely because they generally are timid in the voice region (which is between 2K and 5K) in relation to the other regions of the spectrum. The 10k region may be about sibilance but not about forwardness. There is a difference between earphones where there was a concern with highlighting the voices (body, detail, presence) and earphones that present vocals forward... Maybe that was the confusion, because there are earphones where the voices pop up in you face that does not always show quality: they can be harsh or hissing. Regarding the graphics, I never trust those presented by brands, I always look at the measurements on the Squig, and they are able to show that tunings with the vocals forward present have a mountain in that region and go above the bass region.
In short, it's not about hype or hate, you're simply the only one who talks about having forward vocals including the Performer 5.
❤
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the aful explorer
Maybe someday. I noticed the people who liked it probably like different sets than I do or at least bass styles. I am curious though.
For the price it can be End Game IEM set , for people who don't want to spend more , greatest separation and clarity, Gizaudio and Audio In Review they both loved it, just don't expect it to compete with $300+ ones.then you will be super happy with this set , spend more for Performer 8 you will get higher quality bass and beautiful texture, just both required upgrade cables , try NICEHCK $50+ ones , cheers.they aren't Paul's favourite somehow I don't get it , it could be the stock cable that makes him not like them.Thank you.
Paul... you a real one; you dead-a$$ kept it 💯 on 5+2/P7. Nothing but respect because cats out here treating Aful like the next coming of Moondrop. And as you know they been more like Moondroppings (💩) lately, so... there's that. Fairly certain I don't have the sensibilities to appreciate their sets (good diplomatic answer😎).
AFUL tunes sets that appeal to some people, but as I said, it is hard to compare it to the other popular sets because their priorities are different. Some people will love the vocals and people like me hear the stage and can't unhear it.
All "Performers" seem to graph really closely. P8 seems very boring (and many tend describe it that way), P5 a bit more engaging. P7 seems to graph really closely to P5 so the extra drivers better do some magic. All in all, it seems like a direct upgrade to the P5 but it really comes down to how they'll play their cards in terms of pricing. Judging by your take, without glazing it just because of hype, it sounds a little too safe and underwhelming (due to higher expectations).
I think you are right, the price will nearly be the most important part. The competition a year later is tough so it will be hard to go much above P5 price and I am sure they really want to.