See Audio Yume: Midnight: An Evolution One
Hello mates and welcome to another IEM review for this year.
This will be a special one as this is my first IEM review article in 2022. 2021
was quite a memorable year to me as it was my breakthrough moment in IEM audio
reviewing as audio gods smile upon us as we gain their favour by receiving some
of the best IEMs in both entry-level and midrange market segment to provide an
honest and uncompromising review to give some ideas for the ever-expanding
audio community (Note: I'm irreligious and skeptic person).
I’ve done some reviews
on previous See Audio models, The
See Audio Yume and The
See Audio Bravery. Both of the IEMs are well-regarded and mostly receive an
overwhelming response and positive feedbacks from audio enthusiasts due to its
well-done tuning and usage of high quality materials on their products. I was
one of the reviewers who were actually surprised the tuning of Yume as it
really hit my soft spot especially on how the mids were presented in the audio frequency
spectrum but it has its deficiencies that I'm looking for especially on
technicalities.
See Audio is keenly observing and taking
some cues from the feedbacks from both reviewers and customers of Yume and they
decided to do some revisions and improvement on Yume. They even enlist Crinacle's
expertise to do the overall tuning. We as an audio enthusiasts are mostly aware
of Crinacle's reputation as a great audio engineer and a respectable expert of
this field. Their collaboration effort in this project resulted an excellent
product.
Introducing the See Audio Yume: Midnight also known
as See Audio Yume: Crinacle Edition.
Like its regular and stock predecessor, it has an identical implementation which
has also a hybrid driver set-up. The transducer drivers are consists of one (1)
dynamic driver and two (2) newly customised Knowles balanced armature drivers
to handle each audio frequency spectrum. The dynamic driver is a 9.2mm “liquid silicon”
diaphragm that gives better vibration for sub bass and less distortion while the
two (2) custom Knowles BAs handles the midrange and treble for a more
transparent and clean sound.
Yume Midnight has also an improved Low Frequency
Filter conversion (L.F.C.) which was patented technology by See Audio.
L.F.C. tech is a system which has a precise measurement of a front cavity
between the dynamic driver and the tube channels to provide a better phasing
response and a noticeable separation of each audio frequency response.
The shells of Yume Midnight are of an universal In Ear
monitor style and made of high quality, medical grade resin. It has a carbon fibre
look on its faceplate with a stylized See Audio logo that looks like an Eye
of Horus on the left part while and a text “MIDNIGHT” at bottom part on
faceplate of the right part. There is vent hole for escaping of excess sound pressure
coming out from the drivers. Its shape and contours are starkly different compare
to the original Yume as they are more on chunky side that I scaled them on
medium to large size and yet they still snugly and fit well into my lug holes
as I don’t feel some discomfort or soreness in my tragus. Like all its sisters,
See Audio Yume Midnight uses a proven and well-tested 2-pin connector
for durability and easier cable replacement.
These IEMs are packed in a large rectangular black box with
a beautifully drawn illustration of Rinko (She looks kinda grumpy) and Crinacle
at her back in the front part and some basic information like specifications
and frequency graphs at the back on the cardboard sleeve,
Here are the contents of included accesories of See Audio
Yume Midnight:
·
A pair of IEMs
·
two (2) core silver 5N SPC cable
·
Three (3) pairs of silicone ear tips for bass on
different standard sizes.
·
Two (2) pairs of silicone ear tips for vocals (available
in medium and large.)
·
A black IEM metal round case.
·
A black envelope which contains some paper works
such as postcard, instruction manuals, calling card and a Rinko stickers.
·
Extra two (2) pair of nozzle filters.
When it comes drivability, Yume Midnight are easy
to drive set of IEMs as most portable media devices like smartphones, laptops
and tablets can provide a decent amount of power for their low amplification
requirement. Nonetheless, this IEM will have a better synergy if their sources
have high quality DAC/amps as they sound even more fuller with better dynamic
range.
LOWS/BASS:
The bass response of this set is highlighted more on qualitative
aspect as it has that punchy, precision, nimble and well-controlled.
The sub bass has good reach on depth reach on the lowest end
of spectrum as it gave an ample rumble on some tracks on certain genres that
require a more visceral lows like EDM, Electronica and Synth-pop.
This is the improvement that where Crinacle manage to nailed
it and it is the quantify improvement on mid bass. I want my mid bass has a
sufficient texture and weight note to it gave a more body on bass kicks to
sound more authoritative and thudding while bass guitar has that weighty
growling and resonant as the bassist’s plucking on every string. As for male
vocals such as bass-baritone, the sound is more deep and guttural. Anyhow, I don’t
hear any bass bleed to other audio frequencies that might ruin the overall
tuning.
Overall, if I compare the bass quality of Yume Midnight and
the original one, the current one has more improvement and has better dynamics compare
to the latter unit. Even so, I still consider that bass quality on this one
more on a linear side if I scale it to other more bassier set that I’ve tested
and owned.
MIDS:
Categorically, this is the most prominent part of audio
frequency where the original Yume
excels and the Yume Midnight is even more better. The mids has still that transparency, clean, neutral
and a tad smooth like the previous Yume.
Due to an ample texture on the low midrange, it gives of a
hint warmth, fuller and substantial body on a male vocals on different vocal
pitch and range that it sound more deeper and pronounce. The female vocals has
that pleasant sweet, emotional and more open sounding as it has reaches the
point where it display it has more detail and better dynamics. Still the vocals
are forward and feels surreal that I want on an earphone and other head gears.
I’m a midcentric guy and I want my mids more pronounce and well-detail.
Instruments like percussive, winds and rhythm has that
fairly accurate timbre though it was leaning more on bright as articulate and crisp
on acoustic and lead guitars, a refined and rich tone on a piano, a precise and
rattling sound of snare drums and a more brass and warmer sound of a sax.
For a listener who wants specifically a more define vocals
and instrument, I can easily recommend this set.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The presentation of treble on Yume Midnight is perceptibly
more leaning on a brighter side. It is well-extended that it adds more sparkle,
a good resolution and a sense of good airy treble range.
As I mentioned that it has a evident peak on upper
mids/lower treble section to give a bit of energy on violins, fifes and female
vocals but nevertheless that I didn’t encounter any hint of sibilance or
harshness on most tracks that I’ve tested. Cymbals strikes has a tonally
accurate as it is very natural that it reproduce a shimmer and glistening sound
as the drum sticks strikes on cymbals and hi-hats gives a distinct short and
crisp sound.
For the most part, if you are taking this one and to compare
it with the previous Yume, this is indeed an improvement in any possible
means as it has better presence and brilliance treble quality like better
handling on harmonics, clarity and more airy.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
Another distinguishable improvement of this set was its
technical aspects, this is the part where most reviewers including myself notice
on original Yume’s inherent weak point. Probably due to the newly-design resin
shell, it influences the improvements on its acoustic chamber to add more sense
of spaciousness.
The dimensions of its soundstage is apparently from above
average to wide with a good reach of depth and a fairly good height ceiling. The
placement of instruments and vocals are more
pinpoint and accurate and there is a substantial more spacing and gaps with its
positioning on each layer or rows. This will be good more complex tracks as it
really separates well between the instruments and singers. This is still a more
of a spatially holographic presentation like the original Yume.
Coherency is commendable for a hybrid driver set-up as both
dual BA and DD syncs well and performs cohesively that it doesn’t sound “out of
phase” and tonally incorrect.
Overall, the technicalities of Yume Midnight
is drastically an improvement and vastly superior compare to its predecessor as
I discernible observe when I listen this set out of the box.
Conclusively, to sum up my review on See Audio Yume: Midnight, this is tremendously well-done product from See Audio as it mitigate and try to fix the inadequacies of the original Yume and they really succeed on doing it with the help of Crinacle. To think that Crinacle likes the tonality of the previous See Audio Yume but he was also critical on its deficiencies.
If you are fan of balanced-neutral sound signature and a
transparent, detailed and tonally correct sounding IEM with good technicalities
then this IEM is for you, mate.
See Audio Yume: Midnight price will be around at $200/£147.
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: SEE AUDIO YUME: MIDNIGHT
IMPEDANCE: 32Ω
SENSITIVITY: 106dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE:
20Hz - 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.25M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNITS: One (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + Two (2) BALANCED
ARMATURE DRIVERS
PROS:
·
Balanced-neutral
tuning that will be a more versatile set to most genre.
·
Newly improved high quality resin shells
·
An improvement of bass quality and quantity
compare to the original Yume.
·
That superb vocal prowess and organic instrument
presentation.
·
Premium packaging and included accessories.
·
High quality tangle resistant stock cable.
CONS:
·
Just a single design to choose from which is
black coloured carbon fibre
·
Some treble sensitive might find that peaky
upper mids as unpleasant one.
Some Tracks Tested: ( * =
16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison
Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade
Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led
Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain
- Mississippi Queen *
Queen
- Killer Queen **
Guns
N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric
Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio
Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl
Jam - Daughter **
Roselia
- Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin
- Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic
Frost- Visual Aggression *
New
Order - Blue Monday *
The
Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi
Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The
Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica
- Motorbreath **
Mariah
Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's
Child - Say My Name *
Malice
Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart
- Lacrimosa *
New
York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New
World." *
Eva
Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael
Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter
- Violence and Force *
Diana
Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie
Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
P.S.
I
am not affiliated to See Audio nor receive monetary incentives and
financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and
sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to thank Steve Tong for
providing this review unit, I truly appreciate on his generosity towards me and
other reviewers.
If
you are interested this IEM product from SEE AUDIO YUME: MIDNIGHT, Just
check out the link below:
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/Seeaudio2020/
Hifigo:
https://hifigo.com/products/seeaudio-x-crinacle-yume-midnight-iems
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