By Nick Smith, 7th February 2024
What influences earphone sound more – tuning, or technology?
Last month I posted a lukewarm review of the Simgot EM6Ls tuned to match the Harman Curve, so when Simgot offered a pair of new EA1000s in exchange for a review apprehension filled me… would they have the same nasal Harman tonality, and if so how would they feel about another poor review?
I began reading the impressions of others, and surprisingly EA1000 owners claimed they were a very different animal – what grabbed attention was their driver configuration; One single DD and a “Passive Radiator” which I believe is a DD that fires outwards towards the ear, rather than through the IEM nozzle into the ear canal.
There aren’t many IEMs with passive radiators, and anything unique in the hobby catches my attention!
So are the EA1000s just another Harman earphone to avoid, or do they offer something new?
Packaging
The USD $219 Simgot EA1000s arrive in a small cardboard box, with an impressive range of accessories.
There’s a small carry case of surprisingly supple leather which seals magnetically, an instruction manual, two sets of silicone eartips in three sizes, and two sets of tuning nozzles. (more on those later)
The stock cable is a very attractive silver-plated OFC litz affair, which unfortunately comes terminated in a 3.5mm plug. Given the EA1000 pricepoint I’d have loved a 4.4mm option to be made available.
Ergonomics
The EA1000s do an excellent job of looking much more expensive than they actually are. Their weighty stainless steel shells with transparent crystal panels provide the feeling of a high-quality item built to last, and the stock 3.5mm cable further accentuates this luxurious effect.
The shells are actually vented in two places to provide pressure-relief, along with the passive-radiator grilles which I’m assuming also leak some noise to the outside. Despite that I find the EA1000s heavy & bulky enough to isolate quite respectably if you’re thinking of using them on public transport.
As for fit I find their smooth, rounded shape greatly aids comfort and I can keep them in my ears for hours without issue. However their weight is fairly significant so if you prefer lighter IEMs you may wish to look at those with resin shells instead.
Page 1 – Introduction, Packaging & Ergonomics
Page 2 – Sound Performance, Technical Performance & Tuning Nozzles
Page 3 – IEM Comparisons
Page 4 – Cable Comparisons
Page 5 – Conclusion
This is the most accurate review of ea1000 over all others.