BLON X Z JOJO: Utterly Augmented Bass
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is a Japanese manga series created by Araki Hirohiko and it is said that it was heavily inspired from another manga series, Hokuto No Ken also known as Fist of the North Star. It's an action-adventure genre and it has some elements like some characters have unusual pose, having some unique perspective scenes and some choices of gaudy colour schemes that makes them somewhat appealing and became a butt of a meme in the internet.
It seems that it is somehow connected or where they got the inspiration for today's product that I'll do a review right now. This is BLON x Z JOJO, it is one of the BLON's products that was part of a collaboration project. I did a review before on a BLON product and it is also a collaboration project product with another well-known audio reviewer on YouTube.
This one is also another collaboration project with another YouTube audio reviewer, Zeos Pantera also known as Z Reviews. It seems that the BLON JOJO is somewhat a variant of BLON BL05 that was released 3 years ago and it is said that BLON made some modifications just to suit Zeos' preferred tuning choice.
BLON JOJO has a single 10mm dynamic driver on each channel whose diaphragms are made of composite materials to deliver a very responsive and can yield a higher sonic output with a very minimal amount of distortion. The drivers were enclosed in a zinc alloy shell chassis in an elliptical shape with a piece of gold-plated sheet in the form of a key. I actually admire the design and aesthetics of BLON JOJO but the choice of colour they choose, which is a lavender magenta, is somewhat too garish and gaudy in my taste.
The fitting of this one is rather a challenging one as it takes some few minutes just to look for proper ear tips for this set that is suitable for my lugholes just to have good sealing and noise isolation as some of them are quite loose and wobbling. So far, I found one among some stock tips included in the box.
It appears that BLON includes a good quality stock cable which is quite sturdy and thick (I'm such an admirer of sturdy and beefy cables). It has a four-core, OFC silver-plated aluminium and copper wiring strands with PVC insulations and it has a 3.5mm termination plug. As for its interlocking mechanism, It uses a 0.78mm TFZ/NX7-type 2-pin which is rather unusual in my opinion.
The BLON JOJO has a rather spartan product packaging as it uses a more compact, rectangular box. Although, it has a modest amount of inclusions that we can find inside.
Here are the following contents:
■ a pair of BLON JOJO IEMs
■ Stock cable in a 3.5mm termination plug.
■ 8 pairs of ear tips of different standard sizes.
■ a sackcloth IEM pouch.
■ Some paperwork like Q.C. stub and instruction manual.
BLON JOJO is actually an easy to drive set. With a standard impedance grade and high sensitive rating, it will be able to be amplified from sources with decent power output like smartphones and tablets. It can actually scales even better on devices with more powerful DAC/Amps to have an even more dynamic sound.
As for its tonality, JOJO has a typical tuning that uber-basshead and casual listeners will be pleased with, a V-shaped sound signature that is warm and textured. It has a dominant low frequency, midrange and an emphasis on highs.
LOWS/BASS:
Certainly that it has a vigorous bass presentation as I mentioned a while ago that this is the most dominant frequency part of the Jojo. Boomy, resonating and muddled to the point that sucks out some energy from the midrange and even treble response.
It has a very expounding sub-bass that I was able to feel its rumbling and growl from instruments such as synthesisers, drum machines and low toned bass guitar lines. On the mid-bass, it appears to have very dense note weight to the point that it smudges across the midrange. Bass guitars have a broad and heavy sound while bass kick drums have a boomy, hard and full sound. Then on bass-baritone vocals have a guttural characterictic to give that dense and dark tone. But my main concern and issue on the bass quality of Jojo that vocals and bass instruments are somewhat melded together to the point that they are tangled and sounds really messy in my opinion.
MIDRANGE:
The midrange presentation of this one is definitive recessed but to the bass smearing it really gives a warmer sound on vocal and instruments. That added warmth will be a perk and advantageous to male vocals and some percussive and brass instruments but they sound a bit overemphasise.
Baritones and contraltos have too warm, excessive heavy and husky tone from their vocal qualities as I listen to Scott Weidland, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Annie Lennox and Anggun. On tenor vocals, this set is quite picky on a particular type of tenor as it prefers more on baritenors, heldentenors and some dramatic types which have bolder and weighty sound as it lacks the spiciness and dazzling sound that I really want. Same with countertenors, mezzo-sopranos and sopranos as Jojo won't be able to deliver that emotive and expressive sound as they are quite lacking on being fiery, radiance and gleaming tone.
On instruments, string ones like guitars and violins as it sounds too warm and buttery on the former while a too mellow and calm sounding on the latter instrument. Woodwinds have this lack of airiness and brilliance that concert flutes, saxophones and clarinets seem that are tuned constantly on the low register notes that they sound dull, hollow and too mellow. Meanwhile on brass instruments like trumpets, horns and tubas, they sound a bit fuller, mellow and somehow in most cases, too muffled and veiled sounding. On percussive instruments, toms have a warmer and resonant sound from them while snares have that boomy and muffled sound as it doesn't have that cracking and precise characteristics that I want. As for pianos, they sound more on a warmer and lusher tone that is detrimental to the higher note registers.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
I thought that on first impression that it sounds too dark in my liking but finding the right ear tips for this set will be able to improve its treble response a bit. It seems that too smooth and relaxed flow on its high frequencies might not give that crisp, shimmer and detailed treble quality despite some elevation on upper mids that it sounds a bit dull and gives a lethargic attack phase of instruments especially percussions and unclear vocals. Presence treble seems to have that distant sound due to a perceived lack of clarity.
Cymbals strikes here on JOJO seem to have a lack of shimmer and sizzle as they sound too dull, dry and dark. Glockenspiels appear to have tone deficiencies on it as they don't sound brilliant and shimmering. Though hi-hats are able to have the shortened buzzing sound that we are accustomed with. Don't expect air and sparkle on this set as it only delivers a modest and a meagre one.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
As for sound/speaker stage dimensions, they have a rather narrow to average width span, an average height ceiling and above average depth that gives me that feeling of having congested headroom within my spatial chamber.
It has a typical two-dimensional stereo presentation as I was able to locate the positioning of instruments and vocals but it is rather blurry and ill-defined as I'm struggling to point out the exact placement. Separation and layering is poorly-executed as it doesn't have a gap and spacing on specific tonal elements while layering is so compacted and woolly that it will be problematic to more complex multi-instrumental tracks.
Coherency of its single dynamic driver seems to have decent performance but the way how it tunes does affect the transients and decay performance on it.
On resolution capability-wise, it focuses more on macro-dynamics than micro-detail retrieval. It has a broader note weight to give that slam and punch on volume but the micro-detail aspect, it seems that it has blunted, too-rounded and blurry on its definition as it doesn't have clarity and sharpness to extract some nuances and details of information from audio tracks.
PEER COMPARISONS:
BLON Z300
● Like its sister, Z300 is a single dynamic driver and also a collaboration with another YouTube reviewer with similar calibre. It has a 10mm dynamic with silicone diaphragms and both have employed a TFZ/NX7-type of connector like all BLON sets. Product packaging and inclusions are almost similar as both sets have good quality cable.
● Z300 has similar tuning with JOJO as both have V-shaped sound signatures. But compared to JOJO, Z300 has a tad less boomy bass and has a similar midrange quality but on treble response, it seems that Z300 appears to have that it has more relaxed and even meagre on treble air. On the technical aspects, they are almost alike with the exception that Z300 seems a tad better on resolution capability.
KIWI EARS CADENZA
● While it has single dynamic driver like JOJO, CADENZA has a different build on its shell as it is made of medical grade resin which makes it lighter and it offers superior fitting due to its UIEM form factor. While JOJO has a better stock cable, CADENZA has better overall product presentation.
● CADENZA has more "mature" sound signature as it has mild U-shaped signature as it approach a neutral tuning. It has less punchy and tighter bass response, more neutral, transparent and cleaner midrange, then more shimmering and airy treble response. On technical capabilities, CADENZA is no doubt has more superior and better technical performance any category compare to JOJO from sound/speaker up to resolution aptness.
QOA GIMLET
● Both GIMLET and JOJO have similar build material as they have a metal alloy chassis but Gimlet has more capable single DD driver which is an LCP diaphragm. And on product packaging, GIMLET has better quality of inclusions and product presentation but JOJO has better stock cable but GIMLET's isnt that far as it also has good quality cable.
● GIMLET has a warmer mild U-shaped sound signature but compare to JOJO, it is better tuned and somewhat a more refine sounding. It has a punchy bass response, more forward vocals, more natural sounding and better textured midrange, and somehow a finer treble response as it has a sufficient clarity, detail and air. Technicalities-wise, GIMLET is overall a better set from wider sound/speaker stage and better resolution capabilities.
It looks like BLON JOJO still follows an archetypical BLON product profile, a solid all-metal shell structure and a warm V-shaped sound profile that is fun, engaging and likeable sound that will be pleasant to listen and caters towards more on casual listeners. This is definitely not a technically competent set as it doesn't have those characteristics but it depends on the choices of listeners, Either do they want a more capable high fidelity and technical sounding set or just simply to have an enjoyable and pleasant sound quality that technicalities won't really matter?
To be honest, this is my least favourite type of tuning as it won't be able to deliver the sound quality that I really desire as its bass response is too excessive and over elaborate in my opinion. To think that this type of tuning reminds me of some old Beats By Dre, Sol Republic and even my Skullcandy Can that I just simply enjoyed in the mid-2000s up to early 2010s. So in context, BLON JOJO will probably be my most likeable set if I am still in my 20s.
BLON JOJO is now available at LINSOUL, check out the unaffiliated link down below.
Also, please check out my previous reviews on other BLON products:
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: BLON X Z JOJO
IMPEDANCE: 32Ω
SENSITIVITY: 106dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: TFZ/NX7-TYPE 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER
PROS:
△ Sturdy build quality as its shell is made of solid metal alloy.
△ High quality stock cable.
△ Shells designs are quite a looker who appreciates industrial and steampunk design aesthetics.
△ Bass for Bass God.
△ Rumbly sub-bass.
△ Dominating and mean mid-bass
△ Smooth and relaxed treble response, highly recommended to treble-sensitive listeners.
△ Somehow it gives more emphasis on male vocals and some instruments albeit a bit unnecessary in my opinion.
△ It fares well on old school Hip-hop, RnB, Electronica and other bass emphasis music genres.
CONS:
▽ Unbridled bass smearing across the other frequency ranges.
▽ Untidy and messy bass response like bass instrument lines and male vocals are somewhat melded together.
▽ Recessed and too warm midrange as it affects the tonal colour of vocals and instruments.
▽ Where's the sparkle? Where's the treble air?
▽ Overall, it has poor technical capabilities.
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*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *
P.S.
I am not affiliated to BLON 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 KAREENA TANG of LINSOUL for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
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