TANGZU AUDIO FU DU VERSE I: New Chapter

"News comes from nowhere"

~~Du Fu, Chinese Poet

Du Fu was a Chinese poet during Tang Dynasty, he was also known to be an astute politician and a civil servant in the imperial court during Emperor Xuanzong's reign. His stylistic and content innovation on composing his poems gives him that reputation as a groundbreaker poet, his literary works have influences on some of other Far East regions and left an indelible mark on Chinese, Korean and Japanese literary works.

TANGZU Audio is an audio company that does not need further introduction as they already have a good reputation and earn some respect and acceptance from the audio community with their well-made products. They are also known to specialise in using a single driver set up on their products, either it is a dynamic driver or planar magnetic driver. But this time, things are quite different.

Presenting TANGZU FU DU Verse I (I just call this one as a FU DU for the whole duration of this review), this is TANGZU's first attempt at implementing a hybrid driver set-up on their product. It seems that this will be their latest series line-up, a theme specifically for Tang dynasty era's poets and philosophers aside from their monarch series. And it also noted that this model is a collaboration with another brand, Divinus. Divinus is a Korea-based audio accessory brand that specialises with their velvet eartips and they also sell a TWS earphone in which I did a review on it a few years ago.

Like I mentioned, this set has a hybrid driver set-up as it consists of a single dynamic driver and two (2) balanced armature drivers. It uses a high performance 10mm driver dynamic that delivers a deeper, natural and even more potent bass response with faster transient speed without any distortion. The two custom-made balanced armature drivers (either a new gen from Bellsing or simply from E-Audio) handles the midrange and high frequencies for clarity, accurate and natural sound reproduction and smoother yet airy treble.

These internal drivers are housed in a modified UIEM-type of shell chassis made up of composite materials. The cavity base part of the shells are made of 3D-printed moulded resin while the faceplate is made of CNC-milled aluminium alloy with a minimalist aesthetic yet exudes sophistication which gives the FU DU a solid build quality and at the same time, a lighter weight. There are two vent holes on each shell to release excess air pressure generated from its dynamic driver. Unlike the cheaper Wan'er, The FU DU uses a proven 2-pin connector as its detachable mechanism for ease of cable replacement.

When it comes to fitting, it looks like that FU DU's shell contours rest well into my lugholes with any particular issue either ear fatigue or discomfort that might hinder listening experience.

As for product packaging, it was packed in black-coloured rectangular box while the inclusions inside are well-presented and organised as we unbox it. Ear tips have their own compartment as the same with IEMs and other accessories.

Here are the following contents inside the box:

■ a pair of TANGZU FU DU IEMs.

■ a 4-core high-purity OFC silver plated cable with 4.4mm balanced termination plug.

■ Three (3) pairs of TANGZU SANCAI balanced ear tips in different standard sizes.

■ Three (3) pairs of DIVINUS velvet ear tips in different standard sizes.

■ a faux leather zippered IEM storage bag.

As for power requirement and scalability to amplify this set, TANGZU FU DU is actually an easy to drive set that even a smartphone with just decent power output will be able to power it properly. Just a moderate amplitude level is enough to deliver a dynamic and a full range sound impression on this one.

Regarding its tonality, TANGZU FU DU has this balanced-warmish, U-shaped sound profile that reminds me of some vintage headphones from Sony that will give you that analogue-ish vibe on it but due to balanced armatures, it added an tad amount of sparkle and shimmer on highs. It has more prominent low and high frequencies and a notch midrange presentation.

LOWS/BASS:

The first thing I noticed on the bass response of FU DU is that it is incisive, tactile and borderline boomy that gives more heft and authoritative sound on mid-bass focused instruments on which I will elaborate later.

I certainly felt those reverberating and rumbling sounds produced from sub-bass filled instruments like synthesisers, octabass and drum machines. Mid-bass is the most dominant frequency in the bass region as it gives more note weight on certain instruments and male vocals particularly on bass baritones. Bass guitars have a weighty and resonant sound on every pluck on its strings while a sonorous and rumbling on bass kick drums timbre from attack to resonance. On bass-baritone vocals, it has a darker tone and more guttural sound to give a dense and deep vocals on the singers like Barry White, Andrew Eldritch and Peter Steele. It should be noted that it has some slight bass bleed across the midrange frequency but still on a manageable level.

MIDRANGE:

Despite a tad recession on the presentation, It doesn't sound lean nor dry but rather on a warmer side. The fact that vocals are well-textured and somehow forward while instruments have a natural and good attack particularly on rhythmic one and percussions.

On vocals, let's start with male ones first. Baritones have a warm, "coffee-like" and fuller characteristics that give us that deep and modulated voices from Eddie Vedder to Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Tenors seems to sound great in this one as it gives a tangy and brassy tone on Robert Plant, Justin Timberlake and the famous "Three Tenors" in the operatic scene. Both countertenor and mezzo sopranos share almost the same tonal characteristics as they have this full, velvety and smooth sound from it as I listen to either Andrea Corr or King Diamond. I almost forgot to mention about contralto vocals on this one as they have this strong and heavy tone from their low chesty register. For soprano vocals, FU DU was able to deliver the silky, rich and emotive quality of a dramatic soprano but for coloratura soprano  I noticed that it is quite less energetic and agility at least they still sound articulate to my ears.

On instruments, it seems that they all sound natural as both percussive and rhythmic ones are able to project that almost correct timbre. Guitars have a tad crisp and bloomy effect as I was able to perceive every pluck on its notation while violins' sounds have this lustrous sound from them. Pianos seem to have this warm to balanced tone from it while celestas have a more velvety and sweet sound than a bright and bell-like one. Trumpets have brilliant and full sound then trombones have a rather solid and rounded tone. Percussive like field drums, toms, timpanis and snares have these sonorous, warm, boomy and rustling tones respectively. As for woodwinds, flutes and fife have these mellow and rich sounds while clarinets and saxophones have these warm and velvety timbres.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

The treble response of FU DU is surprisingly balanced as it doesn't sound dark and dull or too bright and intense. It has some emphasis on the upper mids just to have enough sheen for sufficient clarity, detail and an ample crisp for attack of vocals and instruments. There are some parts of the treble region especially the presence part that were smoothed a bit for the purpose to remove unwanted harshness and sibilance. Overall it has a smooth and pleasant treble quality that treble sensitives will be able to enjoy.

Cymbal sounds have a rather lustrous but it has good sizzle to determine that it has adequate treble extension with acceptable amount of sparkle. Hi-hats seems to have that distinct chick sound as it has a short buzzing tone. Glockenspiels appears to have that lustrous quality rather than having a bright and shimmering sound.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES

It has a modest sound/speaker stage proportions based on how I perceived its overall sound field dimensions. It has an average to above average span on lateral cues, good depth and higher than average height ceiling which give me that moderate head room within my perceived spatial sense.

Imaging presentation is fairly presented a typical two-dimensional stereo field as I was able to locate the position of vocals and instruments with decent accuracy. Unexpected its a good separation and fairly decent on tonal and frequency layering as it able to have a decent stratification within its sonic field that it able to render some complex tracks like jazz ensemble in satisfactory manner but it somehow struggles on multi-instrumental orchestral tracks.

Cohesive performance of its hybrid drivers is quite reasonable given how each drivers able to deliver that competent transient speed, less distortion, no out of phase issues and good clarity.

It seems it has contrasting aspects on its resolution capability between macro-dynamics and micro-dynamics. It has a solid and consistent volume on macro-dynamics then on micro-dynamics, it has rather a decent detail retrieval as it able to extract some nuances and subtleties of data from a track. So I can safely say that it is quite average but at least its definition is not blunted and mushy that is detrimental to notation attack and sonority within its sonic canvas.

 

PEER COMPARISONS:

CVJ MEI

● Compare to FU DU, this is a much cheaper set and it also has a similar material built on its shell chassis with comparable classy aesthetics. And it has a working tuning toggle for choices of preferred sonic profiles but on both quality and quantity of inclusions, all in all, Mei is inferior on those categories.

● Tonality-wise, CVJ offer four types of sound profiles although the single DD mode is one of the worst tuning that I've ever encountered in recent memory. Ill compare it with FU DU to 1 DD + 1 Knowles BA + 1 Custom BA settings. The bass is punch enough but compared to FU DU its lack of depth and less authoritativeness. On midrange, it has brighter, more detail and more energetic that is beneficial towards more female vocals and other instruments which makes Mei more favourable but at the expenses of having a slight sibilance. Both are comparable in treble quality but Mei has more crisper and better sparkle on presence up to brilliance treble region albeit the treble air is somewhat similar on extension.

● Both are almost alike in technical performance but there is one thing that CVJ Mei have an edge, it has better micro-detail retrieval as it has a much sharper attack on definition that it was able to extract more details and nuances compare to FU DU.

HIDIZS MS3

● Another set with similar drivers implementation on its transducers but MS3 is way more pricey due to its more premium BAs inside. Its overall shell chassis is made of CNC-milled aircraft-grade alumium alloy albeit it is tad heftier compare to FU DU. The thing that makes the MS3 standout was its detachable tuning filters. While both have impressive product packaging presentation but MS3 has better stock cable, more ear tips to choose from and other tuning filters, although I prefer FU DU's faux-leather IEM storage bag.

● Due to its tuning filter system, MS3 is way more flexible when it comes to sound signatures in which it offers a variety of tuning from U to V. The red filter is comparable to the FU DU's tuning although the former has a noticeable more recessed midrange presentation but on Rose Gold and Silver tuning filters, it shows a more refinement,  better detail and a crisper tone of MS3.

● On technical performance, almost similar sound/speaker stage dimension but MS3 has better height reach. Imaging seems to have a concave presentation with more improved separation of elements and better layering capabilities. MS3 has a much better resolution capabilities especially on micro-dynamics in which it edges out the FU DU in terms of definition and a sharper attack and loudness as it able to extract more details.

Since this is TANGZU's first foray on hybrid driver set-up IEM. It looks like they are taking a step coming out of their own bubble as they try to innovate and are willing to take a risk to deliver a different product from their usual offerings.

TANGZU FU DU won't pretend to be that its a very technically competent set nor an analytical sounding one. But instead, it offers a fun sounding, quite engaging and an analogue-ish tuning that will let you experience the Hi-Fi nature of the previous decades like from the 70s and 80s era. That's indeed the beauty and strength of this set.

TANGZU FU DU is now available at TANGZU's official store, check out the link below:

★★TANGZU - OFFICIAL★★

And also, you can checkout my reviews of other TANGZU products:

★★TFORCE YUAN LI★★

★★TANGZU WAN'ER S.G.★★

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: TANGZU FU DU VERSE 1

IMPEDANCE: 16Ω

SENSITIVITY: 106dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz – 20KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.25M

PIN TYPE: 0.78mm 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 4.4mm BALANCED

DRIVER UNIT(S):  (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (2) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVER

PROS:

△ Light yet solid build composite shell chassis.

△ Two types of ear tips to choose from.

△ Divinus velvet ear tips offers one of the best fitting in my lugholes. (subjective)

△ The inclusion of good quality Sancai ear tips as a stock ones.

△ PU-leather IEM storage bag 

△ Warmish-balanced tuning that will be versatile to the most musical genres just for chilling while having an enjoyable listening experience.

△ Deep and authoritative bass response.

△ Warm and textured midrange presentation, most vocal types and instruments sounds natural.

△ Smooth and well-moderated treble response yet it has a fairly airy extension.

△ Capable separation and layering aspect.

CONS:

▽ Stock cable is rather average in my opinion.

▽ if you expect a crunchy, bright and crisp guitar lines or an opened and energetic soprano vocals then this set will not give you those characteristics.

▽ Most aspects of its technical performance like sound/speaker staging and resolution capabilities, they are just simply plain and unexceptional in my opinion. 

▽ Sorry neutral-heads and treble-heads, Fu Du won't be your preference in your sonic food chain or probably, at least in the most bottom part.

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 **

P.S.

I am not affiliated to TANGZU 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 send my gratitude to the TEAM TANGZU for sending this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.