IEM Comparisons
I compared the Carats to other IEMs with a Luxury & Precision P6 Pro set to hi-gain at 6/60 volume.
NiceHCK DB2 – 1xBA 1xDD (USD $22)
The DB2 is much thicker through the midrange but can also be shouty with much more forward vocals.
It sounds less coherent & occasionally congested with a DD that has more trouble keeping up with the music, slower bass decay though bass leans towards midbass & doesn’t go as deep as the Carats.
The DB2s are a bit more dynamic with slightly higher resolution, but the Carats are smoother & more relaxed with a blacker background.
BLON BL-03 1xDD (USD $26)
A blast from the past, the BL-03’s are a budget classic. They’re more transparent & dynamic than the Carats with instruments that sound larger and a wider soundstage, but their DD is quite slow so bass decay is longer but they struggle to keep pace with fast music.
The BL-03s have a fun, exaggerated tuning with a midrange that can sound a little hollow at times, and they can come across as sloppy on faster tracks but the tuning remains a hugely enjoyable one.
However the Carats are much more refined with a blacker background, tighter bass, slightly higher resolution and they sound more neutral, reflective of more recent improvements in DD driver technology.
ISN Neo1 – 1xDD (USD $39)
The Neo1s are significantly more neutral & transparent, and much more midrange centric with vocals that are more forward, wetter & articulate.
They’re also brighter with a slightly thinner tonality and also less coherent, and I find their bass decay is faster without the same quantity or bass impact of the Carats.
Treble’s higher quality on the Neo1s as is overall resolution with a blacker background & better dynamics.
Tanchjim Oxygen – 1xDD (USD $230)
Mine are the original version of the Oxygens which have had the grilles removed, and they’re certainly more refined than the Carats.
The Oxygens are more polite but not as dynamic, with higher resolution, blacker background and a wider but flatter stage. Bass doesn’t go as deep & bass texture isn’t as satisfying, and the drivers feel slower than those of the Carats which is quite a surprise.
The Harman tuning of the Oxygens feels tonally unnatural and the soundstage sounds like it’s being artificially stretched, whereas the Carats are more V-shaped & bassier.
Page 1 – Introduction, Packaging & Ergonomics
Page 2 – Sound Impressions & Technical Performance
Page 3 – IEM Comparisons
Page 4 – Cable Comparisons
Page 5 – Conclusion
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