EAR ACOUSTIC SPA HIGH-END REVIEW

>>I am brazilian and I speak portuguese, so forgive my english, I’ll use translation tools to help<<

INTRO:

EarAcoustic is a newcomer to our audio community, but it already has a well-known past, as it is a sister company to the former TFZ – The Fragrant Zither. When I joined in the hobby, TFZ was one of the most well-known brands.

The SPA line has seven different models: SPA Pro; SPA Pro Ultra; SPA Pro Max; SPA High-End; SPA High-End Ultra; SPA High-End Max; and SPA Limited Edition.

The edition we’ll be reviewing today is the SPA High-End.

Price: $149,90 USD
Color: Silver
Cable: Without Mic

EAR ACOUSTIC LINKS:

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oC1Smio (official store)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oD21uTS

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oFFwx28

SPECIFICATIONS:

Single DD:

• (1) Dynamic Driver (DD) 11mm

– Frequency: 5Hz – 40kHz
– Effective frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz
– Impedance: 23Ω
– Sensitivity: 111dB
– THD: <0.5%
– Termination plug: 3.5mm
– Connectors: 2pin 0.78mm (detachable)
– Cable size: 1.2m
– Cable: Silver-Plated Copper OFC
– Shell: 3D resin with matte silver spraying
– IEM weight: 5.4g (one side)(without eartips)
– Cable weight: 37.6g
– Total weight (packaging, iems, etc): 342g
– Packaging size: 12cm [H] x 12cm [W] x 12cm [D]

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

• The shell is made of 3D resin.
• Semi-custom design (pre-molded).
• Aesthetically appealing (luxurious look).
• Has two vents (ventilation holes).
• Great build quality.
• Great unboxing experience. Premium feelings.
• Good number of accessories.
• Great case. Rigid. Zipper closure.

Eartips:

• There are two types: Normal (standard) and Wide Bore.
• Sizes S/M/L.
• Standard size; if you use M, then it’s M.
• They’re good eartips, but generic.
• For the price, there could be 3 or 4 options (variety).
• I don’t see the need to buy more eartips (subjective).
• I don’t usually use Wide Bore eartips.
• I tested with the “normal” ones [size M].

Cable:

• Silver-plated cable, aesthetically very nice.
• The cable is thicker than I’d like, but isn’t a problem.
• The cable is heavier than I’d like, but isn’t a problem.
• Good/medium malleability.
• Doesn’t get tangled.
• Doesn’t get “memory” (creases).
• No microphonics.
• The earhooks have the coating I prefer, without wavys.
• At first, I found the curvature strange, but in use, they’re fine (earhooks).
• Chin Slider with few to no function.
• 2-pin 0.78mm connectors.

Fit and comfort:

• Good fit – stable in the ears (subjective).
• Very comfortable. Excellent ergonomics.
• Good for medium to large ears.
• Semi-custom design is 8 or 80 (good for some, bad for others).
• Medium insertion.
• Great isolation.
• Quite lightweight, 5.4g.
• Good for long listening times.
• Reminds the design of the Celest Wyvern Abyss or Qing.

Earphone kit (accessories):

• SPA High-End earphones.
• 7 pairs of eartips (S/M/L).
• Cable.
• Carrying case.
• Bracelet with pendant.
• Manual.

SOUND ASPECTS:

Sound:

• Neutral with an emphasis on bass.
• More present mid-bass, slightly forward upper-mid, and discreet treble.
• “Analog” sound. Good with older recordings.
• Music from the 80s, 70s, or earlier had a better match.
• Good for recordings with less sub-bass or treble.
• Technicalities aren’t the strongest point (for the price).
• Big competitors in the $149 USD price range.
• In this price range or less, there are the Supermix4, Quatio, NA20, EA500LM, Titan S2, etc.
• From the products I’ve tested, $99 USD for the SPA High-End would be good (in my opinion).

Bass:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate to high.
• Not for bassheads.
• Greater emphasis on the mid-bass.
• Sub-bass is present, but not dominant.
• Slight overlap of the mid-bass with the subs.

– Qualitative:

• The bass is full-bodied, filled, with good physicality, texture, and extension.
• They have a more slack, expansive character.
• The definition is good/ok (for the price, it’s below other IEMs).
• Sometimes, the bass sounds slightly muffled.
• For example, a kick drum with a pad inside makes the sound softer.
• The impact is more “softened.”
• They don’t invade the midrange.
• The bass has fun and pair well with older recordings.
• The bass isn’t overly warm; the reduced subs make the sound less warm.
• Good for more acoustic instruments or recordings from the 80s, 70s, or earlier.

Mids:

– Quantitative and qualitative:

• The mids are a bit recessed and the upper-mids are more forward.
• Pinna gain is well-placed. Coherent.
• The upper-mids bring clarity just right.
• I didn’t experience any hearing fatigue in this region.
• I have more sensitivity in this region and didn’t experience any fatigue.
• The definition is good/ok (for the price, it’s below other IEMs).
• I didn’t heard any harshness in any instrument.
• I didn’t heard harshness in any recording I listened to.
• I think it could have a little more airy.

Voices:

• Good performance for both high and low voice types.
• Low-pitched male voices have a commanding presence.
• High-pitched female voices have clarity and good projection, without exaggeration.
• The IEM provide a good balance for both vocal types.
• Good for both, but not excellent for one specific type.

Treble:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate to low treble.
• Not for trebleheads.
• Recommended for those sensitive to treble.
• No hearing fatigue.
• Nothing I heard was overdone.

– Qualitative:

• The treble are smooth, soft, controlled, and well-defined.
• I felt a slight roll-off in the higher treble.
• Natural sparkle. Coherent.
• Good detailing.
• Could have more airy.
• They’re not shrill, sharp, or harsh.
• I didn’t experience any sibilance, peaks, or coloration.
• Good for recordings where the treble aren’t the main focus.
• I don’t consider the SPA High-End to be energetic.
• Chimes and bells, everything I heard was smooth.
• Ride cymbals sound natural, without any sharpness.

Soundstage:

• I found the soundstage to be average.
• Forward upper-mids diminish the sense of depth.
• The soundstage is average in height, width, and depth.
• It plays everything without sounding closed.

Imaging:

• Good instrumental separation. Positive point.
• The IEM have separation between bass and treble, which helps with identification.
• Hybrid IEMs generally have a better advantage here (not a rule).

Driver Flex Test:

• I didn’t experience any driver flex when inserting the IEMs into my ears.

Amplification:

• Easy to push.
• No need powerful amplifier.
• A simple dongle is enough.
• I used the SPA High-End with the FiiO KA11.
• Dongle connected to the computer.
• It will play well directly from smartphones or iPads.
• Volume below 20 (of the 100 available on the W10).

PROS AND CONS:

GRAPHS BY THE AUDIO STORE:

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