CVJ SHINE: Simply Ornamental

CVJ Hi-fi is an audio company which has a substantial experience as an OEM manufacturer that also produces some products for other companies. As you all know that CVJ is the first company that put trust and faith in me and somehow I owed them on that one as they gave me a try to do a review on their products.

CVJ CS8 was my first review item as a reviewer and other CVJ products that I've also done some assessment on their other models like CVJ Mirror, CVJ CSN, CVJ CSK and CVJ CSE. CVJ Mirror was actually a great IEM set that somewhat propels the brand name of CVJ to the audio community but after consecutive releases of their next products, the quality and tuning of it seems stale and uninteresting. Will the CVJ Shine finally be able once again to retain its luster?

CVJ Shine is a single dynamic driver set-up, it has a newer generation of 10mm driver that promises better transient response with less distortion. Its drivers were housed in a plastic shell with its faceplate embellished with faux-Swarovski crystals. The connector of CVJ Shine is a QDC-type connector which is similarly implemented on budget level products from KZ and TRN.

When its to packaging and inclusions, CVJ Shine is decent on putting some accessories like extra pairs of ear tips in different sizes, a brown IEM pouch and some paperworks like instruction manual and warranty card.

CVJ Shine is an easy to drive IEM as it already amplifies well on sources with decent power out like smartphones, tablets and laptops. With an impedance rating of 22 ohms and sensitivity of 110dB, it's a no brainer that this set will give a satisfactory volume level to its users.

As for tonality, CVJ Shine has a V-shaped, warm-sounding sound signature that will be more of an all-rounder tuning set that a casual listener will be easily accustomed with.

I'll give my observation on its sound characteristics on the overall frequency range spectrum.

LOWS/BASS:

The bass is unquestionably more emphasis on this set. It is very punchy but in some way it's a bit inarticulate that it gives me that lack of finesse.

It has a rumble and enough depth when it comes to sub bass, mid bass has an adequate texture to give a growl on bass guitars which sounds a bit hollow and mellow, bass kicks is a bit soft and yet with adequate thudding, and sufficient guttural and firm quality on bass-baritone vocals.

It has some instances of bass bleeds that really affects the other part frequency range spectrum as I will point it later later regarding on this one.

MIDRANGE:

The mids are obviously presented in a recess manner as most elements like vocals and instruments are in obscure positioning. It has a sufficient warmth that it gives male vocals more prominent than female vocals. Male vocals has an enough power and gruff in all vocals types while female vocals are presented in a soft, less detailed and yet lilting.

As for instruments, it gives more attention to percussives like snares, tom drums and timpanis, and also woodwinds such as flute and saxophone. Snare drums has a shuffling and soft, tom drums sounds a tad somber and dark, and timpanis sounds on a mellow and duller side. Strings like guitars are warmer rather than crisper and violin exhibits a more muted and softer sound.

In general, I observe the midrange quality of CVJ shine is a bit austere and veiled in my liking.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

Treble on CVJ Shine is plainly elevated but at least I don't hear any sibilance and strident. The fact that it is way too smooth in my liking that it dampens the details, airiness and shimmer.

Cymbals sound more lackluster as its is more soughing rather than being glistening and sizzling.  Hi-hats sounds a tad dry and duller as it doesn't give a more natural shorted sizzled sound. Air extension on the brilliance region is rather average that it give a flat and somber sound.

Treble quality on CVJ Shine is a bit underwhelming in my preference on treble scale.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

The way I perceived the overall dimensions of CVJ Shine is more an average proportion. Average width, just enough depth and average height ceiling.

Imaging is more a typical two-dimensional stereo panning but pinpointing a location of certain elements like instruments and vocals aren't determined and hazy. Layering and separation isn't even doing better too as in some complex tracks it gives a disorganise placement on its frequency layering and lesser gap of each element in the mix.

Coherency of driver seems perform decently as it has sufficient transient speed that gives at least a cohesive sound. Timbre is more on a warmer side with less clarity.

Resolution-wise, it has lack of resolving micro detail retrieval capability and more on macro-dynamics but it is still on the softer definition.

PEER COMPARISONS:

KZ EDA (BASS)

• This set is cheaper and its industrial aesthetic-look is more preferable than a gaudy look on CVJ Shine. (Subjective)
• Tonality-wise, they share the same V-shape but EDA sounds even way better from more authoritative bass, better textured midrange and more shimmering treble.
• On the technical aspects, both have similar performance but for details and separation, KZ EDA is a better choice

CCA LYRA:

• Once again, CCA Lyra is much cheaper than CVJ Shine. CCA Lyra has even better aesthetic cues in my opinion and looks even more premium.
• They both have a v-shaped sound signature but in tonal quality, I give it to CCA Lyra. Why? Simple by the reason that Lyra has a better bass response and more detailed mids. Treble quality seems indistinguishable in one another.
• Technicalities seems very similar so nothing to do a more detailed comparison between the two sets.

 To conclude this review, it somewhat gives me a quandary on where should CVJ Shine fit itself into as the current situation in a portable audio market is even more stiffer and competitive.

For sure that CVJ shine has a non-fatiguing listening and more of an all rounder sounding but yet still needs more refinement given for its price . Its gem-studded faceplate appears to be more appealing to female customers as it will be suited as an jewelry but for an experienced audio enthusiast, it will be a tough call.

Will it titillate its sound quality to my guilty pleasure? Not at all as this item isn't really my preference in both tonality and overall design as its aesthetic cues will be more suited for women.(No gender pun intended)

CVJ Shine is now available and just click the link HERE.

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: KZ PR1 STANDARD

IMPEDANCE: 22Ω

SENSITIVITY: 110dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE:  20Hz – 20KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.25M

PIN TYPE: QDC-TYPE 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm 

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER 

PROS:

● Lightweight shell with faux gem-studded design on its shell.

● Non-fatiguing tuning due to ample warmth.

● No hint of sibilance and harshness 

● Amplifies well even on devices with decent output.

● At least, it has an IEM pouch bag.

CONS:

▽ Recessed mids

▽ Not the most detailed sounding set for its pricing.

▽ Underwhelming technical capabilities for its pricing.

▽ For me, gem-studded faceplate is bit gaudy and tacky in my preference.(Subjective)

Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)

Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *

JadeJade 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 *'*

The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**

Suzanne Vega – Luka **

Lauren Christy – Steep *

P.S.

I am not affiliated to CVJ 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 CVJ for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity towards me and other reviewers.