SOFTEARS VOLUME S REVIEW

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

INTRO:

This is my first time reviewing a Softears product. I’ve always been curious about testing the brand’s products, but since they are in a higher price range, it’s hard for companies to send a sample for review. So, here are the Softears Volume S, an IEM that I thought was still within my budget and I bought it.

The Volume S is an update of its predecessor, the Volume. The second version was completely remodeled from the first version.

Price: $319 USD
Color: Black/Silver
Cable: Without Mic

SOFTEARS LINKS:

https://amzn.to/43M3DRN

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_okxXw9n (ShenzhenAudio)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oCtI4FL (HiFiGO)

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_om7k0HP (Nicelucky)

SPECIFICATIONS:

Hybrid: 1DD+1PR+2BAs

• (1) 10mm Dynamic Driver (DD)
• (1) 6mm wool paper diaphragm passive driver (PR)
• (2) Balanced Armature (BA)

– Impedance:

• Mode 1: 31.2Ω@1kHz
• Mode 2: 9.8Ω@1kHz

– Sensitivity:

• Mode 1: 114dB/Vrms@1kHz
• Mode 2: 124dB/Vrms@1kHz

– Frequency range: 8Hz – 40kHz (1/4′ Free Field, -5dB)
– Effective frequency: 20Hz – 20kHz (IEC60318-4)
– THD: ＜1%@1kHz
– Termination plug: 3.5mm & 4.4mm Bal. (straight design)
– Connectors: 2pin 0.78mm (detachable)
– Cable size: 1.2m
– Cable: Oxygen-free copper braided paracord cable
– Shell: Medical-grade resin + aluminium alloy + carbon fiber
– IEM weight: 6.1g (one side)(without eartips)
– Cable weight: 23.8 g (with 3.5mm), 26.7 g (with 4.4mm)
– Total weight (packaging, iems, etc): 421.8g
– Packaging size: 18.5cm [H] x 15cm [W] x 6.5cm [D]

UNBOXING:

PHYSICAL ASPECTS:

Construction:

• 3D printed shell by HeyGears.
• Faceplate made of aluminum and carbon fiber (real carbon fiber?).
• I thought the impedance selector was placed in the wrong place, which degraded the aesthetics of the Faceplate, but I know it is the engineering of the IEM.
• The IEM has a passive driver (which works without electricity), and the effectiveness of this driver on the sound of the IEM is questionable.
• There is a vent (hole) in the Faceplate, between the carbon fiber and the aluminum part.
• It is a very beautiful IEM, the materials are of good quality.

Eartips:

• The “normal” or B-type eartips, I thought were generic, but they are good, you can use them on the IEM.
• The “Liquid” or UC eartips, are similar to Xelastec, the silicone has grip and is sticky.
• Although similar to Xelastec, the Liquid eartips are softer and smaller.
• Both are standard size, if you use M, then it is M (Liquid and normal).
• I tested the sound using SpinFit CP100 (M) [personal preference].

Cable:

• Paracord cable has microphonics (listening music, the problem goes away).
• Thick wires (could be thinner).
• Average flexibility.
• Lightweight.
• Can get tangled more easily.
• I didn’t like the earhooks, the waves make them less comfortable.
• The cable as a whole is the weakest point of the product (in my opinion).
• Excellent modular system: easy and quick to change.
• 3.5mm and 4.4mm Bal plugs: great, but the 2.5mm plug is missing.
• Chin Slider works very well.
• It’s understandable that someone would want to make a cable upgrade (subjective).
  
  

Impedance selector:

• Changes the impedance and sensitivity of the IEM, providing 2 tunings.
• Doesn’t require force to turn the selector (anyone can make the change).
• Failure to communicate by the company in specifying which impedance mode the IEM is in.
• Attempt to explain through graphic material, but it can still cause confusion.
• The above is confirmed when the company releases 2 explanatory guides.
• Tip: low impedance mode makes the sound louder, high impedance mode makes the sound lower.

Fit and comfort:

• Great fit – stable in the ears.
• Comfortable, but may be large for small ears.
• Medium to deep insertion.
• Excellent isolation.

Earphone kit (accessories):

• Softears Volume S IEMs.
• Synthetic leather case.
• Standard S/M/L eartips.
• S/M/L liquid silicone eartips.
• Paracord modular cable.
• 3.5mm and 4.4mm Bal. plugs.
• Impedance switch key.
• Microfiber towel.
• Mesh bag to protect the IEMs.
• Metal card with serial number.
• Manual, guide, information leaflets.

SOUND ASPECTS:

Sound:

• Balanced. Bass slightly above neutral, mids with slight emphasis, linear treble.
• Excellent all-rounder: IEM that go well with various genres.
• Review made in low impedance mode.

Bass:

– Quantitative:

• Moderate / Moderate to high. A little above neutrality.
• Not for Bassheads (those looking for lots of bass).
• I like bass and I was satisfied with the Volume S.
• Sub-bass and mid-bass are present (no overlapping of one region over the other).

– Qualitative:

• Great texture, physicality, control, definition, impact, extension, speed.
• Doesn’t invade the mids.
• Not bloated, not boomy, not muddy.
• Very versatile bass.
• Good bass for POP, Rock, Metal, Samba, etc.
• Maybe not the best for EDM (taking into account the upper-mids as well).

Mids:

– Quantitative and qualitative:

• Mids – upper-mids “forward”.
• I didn’t notice any aggressiveness or harshness.
• Upper-mids in an acceptable range, that is, I didn’t feel fatigue.
• A wide bore eartip can increase the pinna gain.
• Great clarity, transparency, detail, and airy.
• Mids that tend to be more “warm” because of the bass.
• Overdrive guitars effect are very euphonic.

Voices:

• Excellent IEM for both styles of voices – male/low or female/high.
• High/female voices stand out, with great clarity and detail.
• Low/male voices have good texture.
• High/female voices have good airy.
• Also great for whispering voices.

Treble:

– Quantitative:

• Not for Trebleheads (those who seek a lot of treble).
• The most discreet region of the IEM.
• Ideal IEM for those who are sensitive to treble.
• A slight sensation of wanting more treble to listen to Jazz (subjective).

– Qualitative:

• Comfortable, linear, controlled, correct, good extension, definition, and airy.
• Very “natural” sparkle (quotation marks for natural being subjective).
• They aren’t shrill, sharp, or harsh.
• I have heard other IEMs with more sparkle and detail: Hype 2, S15, etc.
• Cymbals sound with great definition and have great hearing comfort.

Soundstage:

• Great soundstage.
• Very good in height and width, average in depth.
• Not so deep because of the frontality of the mids.

Imaging:

• Excellent separation of instruments.
• Very clear in the presentation of each instrument.

Driver flex test:

• I didn’t heard any driver flex sound when inserting the IEMs in my ears.

Amplification:

• Low impedance mode doesn’t require much amplification, a simple dongle pushes it.
• High impedance mode requires a source with more power.
• I tested the Volume S with the FiiO KA11 and the FiiO JM21.
• JM21 always on High Gain.
• KA11 at volume 15 (out of 100 levels in Windows).
• The low impedance mode plays well on the KA11 and on the 3.5mm output of the JM21.
• The high impedance mode only played well on the balanced 4.4mm output of the JM21.
• In my opinion, the low impedance mode is enough for the IEM to play properly, that is, there’s no need to have equipment with a balanced output (or more power).
• The high impedance mode on the 4.4mm output of the JM21 generated a sound “similar” to the low impedance mode on the 3.5mm output.

COMPARATIVE: KIWI EARS QUINTET x SOFTEARS VOLUME S

• Price: $219 USD (Quintet), $319 USD (Volume S)
• Bass: Quintet
• Midrange: Volume S
• Treble: Quintet
• Imaging: Volume S
• Soundstage: Quintet
• Isolation: Volume S
• Comfort: Quintet
• Eartips: Volume S
• Cable: Quintet
• Case: Volume S
• Weight: Quintet
• Construction: Volume S

The Quintet has a bit more bass, which makes the presentation more fun and a bit warmer. The Volume S has midrange that is more forward, although it is still within the comfortable listening range. The Quintet has a bit more treble, because the Volume S’s treble are very linear, comfortable, and neutral.

Both are easy to play, but the Volume S in low impedance mode is easier to push… although there’s nothing that increasing the volume a little more on the Quintet won’t make them very similar. For example, I played the Volume S (in low impedance) at volume 70 on the JM21, and the Quintet at volume 80.

If you’re looking for an IEM with more detailed and airy mids, the Volume S tends to be more in that style, but if you’re looking for something a little more musical, mids that aren’t too forward, and bass that’s more fun, the Quintet is the one.

PROS AND CONS:

GRAPHS BY SUPER* REVIEWS:

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