SIMGOT EW100P: THE FEISTY ONE
Cookie cutter sharks are small species of sharks that its way of feeding is to suck and gouge up some flesh from its unsuspected prey or host with its circular suction mouth with band saw-like set of teeth.
I did a review on a SIMGOT product before and it was the SIMGOT EA500. I think that it is one of the best entry-level single DD IEMs that was ever released and I still enjoy using it in my casual listening session.
What I have here right now is SIMGOT EW100P, this is SIMGOT's current ultra budget model that will compete with some of the best in the entry-level audio market segment. It has 10mm dual chambered with LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) diaphragm to provide better dynamic, more solid audio output with good transient response, faster driver performance to avoid excessive distortion and to achieve a more cleaner sound.
It has a composite shell chassis made up of an opaque polycarbonate plastic on its cavity base and an aluminium alloy on its teardrop-shaped face plate. It has three vent holes that allow it to escape some excessive air pressure generated by a high performance dynamic driver. EW100P uses a 2-pin connector as its detachable interlocking mechanism with its 2-core cable with silver foil shielding on its copper wirings.
Due to its diminutive size. It fits easily into my lug holes that I can even use them for long listening sessions without experiencing any listening fatigue at all. Though the noise isolation is rather average as it barely blocks any noises from the outside.
The product packaging of SIMGOT EW100P is somewhat bare bones but compared to other products with similar price range, SIMGOT EW100P product presentation is way more presentable and the inclusions are compartmentalised. Its silver-coloured rectangular box has a brand name logo, model name, a design print of a shark and a Hi-Res logo at the front, while at the back, there is a frequency graph and product specification.
Here are the following contents inside the box:
■ a pair of SIMGOT EW100P IEMs
■ a 2-core parallel SPC cable with an L-shaped 3.5mm termination plug.
■ 2 pairs of spare white-coloured ear tips of different standard sizes (small and large).
■ Instruction manual.
As for amplification and power scaling, EW100P is an easy to drive set but putting it on other devices with better power output will sound cleaner, more dynamic sounding that you will definitely feel its full range scale.
The EW100P has a U-shaped sound signature that follows the Harman target curve. More emphasis on sub bass and upper mids as most Harman-tuned IEMs tuned in that manner.
LOWS/BASS:
Well, given that it has Harman tuning which gives more emphasis on sub bass rather than the mid bass but surprisingly, EW100P has a bit more textured mid bass compare to most IEMs with similar tuning curve.
It has a good sub bass as I discerningly felt those reverberations and rumbling from sub bass focus instruments like synthesisers, drum machines and low toned bass guitars. Mid bass has a decent note weight but not the most textured and still a tad lean sounding to my hearing. Bass guitars have a rather hollow and weightless sound while bass drum kick has this rumbling and enough thudding sound. Then on bass-baritone vocals, it lacks depth and strength to have a dense and thick sound that truly defines its characteristics.
MIDRANGE:
The midrange is certainly a bit recessed in the overall frequency range spectrum with its lean, neutral and transparent presentation. It gives more significance to female vocals and some woodwind and string instruments.
Almost all type male vocals sound leaner and lacking of texture to give a more robust sound on baritones and tenors with the exception of countertenors which are somehow passable due to their similar characteristics and register to mezzo-sopranos. Female vocals fare better on this one especially on mezzo-sopranos and sopranos as they have enough energy and shimmer to give that silvery and harmonious voice with the exception of contralto vocals. (Tracy Chapman and Annie Lennox sounds unexceptional here in my opinion)
On instruments, it gives a crisp and bright sound on acoustic guitars, a vibrant and eloquent sound of a violin (love the violin lines on Malice Mizer's track, Au Revoir), trumpets have rounded and resonant sound while trombones have also rounded with acceptable intense sound on them. There are some sharpness and dry sound on toms and snare drums while the pianos have a vivid and bright tone on them.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The treble of this set definitely has some emphasis and elevation especially on upper mids and some parts of the presence treble region just to have a sufficient brightness to give a decent detail and clarity. I don't hear any harshness nor sibilance on this one that treble sensitives will probably enjoy and will have a long listening pleasure on this set.
The cymbals have an undulating and lustrous sound rather than shimmering and more sizzling sound. The airy extension is modest and average at best as I find it insufficient but enough for more on usual casual listening.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
It has an average size on its overall sound field dimension, average sound/speaker stage width, average height reach and average depth which give me an almost equal proportion within my headroom but not a spacious one which I usually prefer on my IEMs.
Imaging of this one has a typical two-dimensional stereo presentation which is acceptable enough in my opinion given its price. It has a good separation and layering is actually decent on how it was arranged and give a specific frequency and dynamic tone of each instrument and vocals that gives a good mixing composition that can decently handle even the most busiest and complex tracks out there.
There is a good coherency of its single dynamic drivers to deliver faster transient response with lower distortion to give a clean sound and even more definition in all frequencies.
On resolution capabilities, It has a good emphasis on macro-dynamics but on the micro-detail reproduction is rather average as it barely extracts some nuances and subtleties from an audio track data. Overall tonal colour is somehow natural albeit lean and less dynamic.
PEER COMPARISONS:
TRUTHEAR HOLA
● Both have a new generation of LCP diaphragm, dynamic drivers on their internals. They even have the same materials on their shell chassis but Hola has more quantity on its inclusions and even got the best stock cable in under US$20/£16.
● Like EW100P, Hola has a U-shaped sound signature. It has leaner and less textured mid bass compared to the EW100P but it has tad more air on the brilliance part of the treble region.
● They have similar technical performance but on separation and layering, Hola really struggles on more complex tracks like jazz and orchestra.
TANGZU WAN'ER S.G.
● They have similar build quality on their shell chassis but Wan'er is more eye pleasing with its face plate design. Both have comparable product packaging but Wan'er has a cloth with a beautiful illustration of the Premier (Shang Guo Wan'er was a prime minister during Empress Zetian Wu's reign).
● Wan'er also takes a U-shaped sound signature but it is warmer and more textured but has a similar safe treble register which is smooth and less offensive sounding.
● On technicalities, Wan'er has an above average proportions on its sound/speaker stage dimensions from width to depth. Both have similar imaging presentations but Wan'er scrambles and have some difficulties on more complex tracks which EW100P can deliver decently in a more organised mix on its composition.
The introduction of SIMGOT EW100P in the highly contested battle in the ultra-budget segment makes it even more exciting and and even complicated as it adds on the list as one of the viable and compelling to purchase.
I can even assert that SIMGOT EW100P will probably buried some of the well-known hype products with similar tuning due to its affordability and even more engrossing tonality and some technical performance that make it more a safer bet to budget-conscious audio enthusiasts to have a "high quality sound" that they are looking for. If you want to experience a well-tuned Harman tuning set then this one's for you.
Checkout my review on other SIMGOT products:
SIMGOT EW100P is now available at LINSOUL, check out the link below if you are interested in purchasing it.
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: SIMGOT EW100P
IMPEDANCE: 32Ω
SENSITIVITY: 112dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER
PROS:
△ Decent build quality.
△ Its small frame shell chassis will be more versatile to all ear size.
△ High performance LCP diaphragm dynamic driver that can deliver a full range sound.
△ Probably one of the best Harman tuning IEMs in under $100/£80.
△ Very affordable
△ Clean and clear-cut midrange
△ Smooth, well-balanced treble register.
△ Quite nifty on separation and layering aspect for its price.
CONS:
▽ Regarding my major issues on most Harman-tuned IEMs and its derivatives, lean and recessed midrange.
▽ Dull and unremarkable quality on most male vocals and some even female ones.
▽ Mediocre sound/speaker stage.
▽ Resolving on detail retrieval is rather pedestrian.
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 *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
P.S.
I am not affiliated to SIMGOT 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 send my gratitude to LINSOUL especially to MS. KAREENA TANG for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
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