TANCHJIM ONE: Casual and Pleasing One

"You have to be odd to be the number one."

~~ Theodor Seuss Geisel a.k.a. Dr Seuss, American author and cartoonist.

Let's talk about TANCHJIM, TANCHJIM is a Chinese audio company that was founded in 2015 in Nanning, Guangxi Region in the southern part of mainland China. The word “TANCHJIM” means Angel Jim as it is stated on the logo of the company that was printed on the shells of the TANCHJIM Oxygen. As I mentioned about Oxygen, I've actually tested around 2019 that on the first audition, I was really impressed by its well-balanced and almost neutral sound quality and became one of my favourite single dynamic driver sets up to this day.

This is actually my second review of their latest product line-up in the budget-level segment as I did a review on TANCHJIM TANYA DSP a few months ago. What I have here right now is the TANCHJIM ONE, like the TANYA DSP, it is also a single dynamic configuration but the difference that it has a detachable mechanism where you can replace the cable with other types of cable with bi-pin receptacle which makes it more available for source compatibility particularly on termination plug.

The driver that was implemented in this set is a 10mm dynamic driver with a diaphragm made of composite materials consisting of Polyurethane (PU) and Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) which are both thermoplastic polymers but offer different properties. With such a combination of their respective properties. PU offers a durable and flexible material while the PEEK has better tensile strength that will support it. Consequently, these materials will give very fast vibration and reaction on its overall to deliver a more rounded and throbbing bass response with better layout on other parts of the frequency range to achieve a clear full range sound while minimising some chances of distortion.

The drivers are enclosed in a bullet-style shell chassis made of composite materials. The shell structure consists of cylindrical shape cavity base aluminium alloy and half of it up to the nozzle is made of polycarbonate plastic. Its overall aesthetics give minimalist and well-compacted ergonomic design that really fits well to almost all types of ear sizes. Unlike the previous Tanya, TANCHJIM One has a detachable mechanism of 0.78mm 2-pin connector which extends the duration of usage on this set or choose a third party cable that suits and complement this set.

The stock cable that was included along this set has a USB type-C termination on its end and it also has a built-in DSP chip for audio decoding that can support up to 24-bit/96Khz PCM. On its stock tuning of DSP chip, it has a modified Harman target curve that TANCHJIM's espousing on which is a U-shaped sound on its sonic profile, and it has an HD microphone that also supports in-line control. The cable itself is made of o oxygen-free silver-plated copper wiring that was sheathed with PVC material for smooth, less microphonic and resistant on entanglement.

When it comes to fitting and comfort, TANCHJIM One gives me some of the comfortable wearing experience on how it sits well to my lugholes although I noticed that there is some minor driver flex that I've encountered for every insertion. It has a good passive noise isolation as it manages to block some noises from the outside surroundings.

The product packaging of TANCHJIM is rather basic with a rectangular box with a product illustration at the front while at back, some fine prints of basic specification and factory address. But it has a substantial amount of inclusions that covers the basic usage of this set.

Here are some following contents that were included inside of its packaging box:

■ Pair of TANCHJIM One IEM transducers

■ Stock cable with USB-C connector with DSP chip.

■ Three (3) pairs of wide-bored ear tips in different standard sizes.

■ Three (3) pairs of narrow-bored ear tips in different standard sizes.

■  Felt cloth IEM storage bag.

■ Paperwork like a user's manual and a card with QR codes.

As for its power scaling and amplification, in DSP type-C connection, it is quite power efficient that it will deliver a full-range sound with good amplitude scale. Same with 3.5mm SE mode, this set is really an easy to drive one that a decent output from device sources like smartphones and tablets are fairly enough.

In regards to its tonal aspect, TANCHJIM ONE has a warm U-shaped sound signature in both DSP mode and in analogue connection whether single ended or balanced mode. It has more emphasis on low frequencies and high frequencies while midrange is one a more neutral presentation.

(Graph was provided by [USER=516219]@baskingshark[/USER] , credits to him)

LOWS/BASS:

The bass response on this set is quite punchy, slamming with good authority on it due to its mid-bass oriented low frequency presentation. There was some slight presence of the sub-bass as I faintly felt those reverberations and resonance from sub-bass focus instruments like drum machines, low tone guitar and synthesisers.

Mid-bass is well-textured with some nice body on it as it give a hefty roar and growl on bass guitars sound menacing and weighty while bass kick drums have pounding and resonant sound on them although I noticed in some fast double bass drumming on an extreme metal tracks, they sound a bit sluggish but I still fine it as capable enough. On bass to bass-baritone vocals, it gives some full tone, booming and guttural sound on these particular vocals but here are some observable slight nitpicks, I notice that it produces a very minimal to no vibrato on some bass vocals and lacks a darker tone on it. And also, its bass response occasionally smudges a bit on the midrange.

MIDRANGE:

The midrange presentation of this one is quite recessed but due to some bass bleeds, it warms up a bit to give a richer and more dense texture notes on vocals and instruments while maintaining some clarity, evenness and energy.

Male vocals did benefit the warmth on the midrange as baritones have plush and rich vocals especially on dramatic, kavalier, verdi and heldentenor types have brassy, emotive and power on them as I listen to spinto and dramatic types like Luciano Pavarotti and Carlo Ventri. Countertenors have tender and smooth vocals as they project their falsettos. Meanwhile on female vocals, contraltos have a husky and lushness on their vocals, mezzo-sopranos have smooth, warm and rounded voices on them, and sopranos have creamy and satiny sound which will definitely work well with soubrette and dramatic type ones.

Instruments sound organic and engaging on this set especially on percussive and brasses. Strings like acoustic guitars have a buttery to midrange-y sound on every plucking of its strings while on violins, they sound full and lustrous to my ears that I wish a bit of brightness just to convey more emotion on every bow string grips. On woodwinds, piccolos sound a bit delicate and sweet which should sound at least bright in nature, while concert flutes have richness and mellow sound on them, and both clarinets and saxophones have sonorous and melancholic sound on them. Brasses like trumpets, horns and trombones have warm, full, ponderous and round sound on them respectively. On percussives, snares and tom-toms have hard, resonant and precise sound, while field drums have full and booming sound, and then on kettledrums, they sound booming and powerful. Pianos appear to have a warmer tone on them.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

Treble response on this set is quite smooth and relaxed as the upper-mids and some presence treble are just slightly accented just to give a decent attack on both percussive and rhythm instruments and enough clarity. I hear not a hint of harshness nor sibilance on this one but at it also have some drawbacks on this one like less shimmer, less crispy and less highlighting on details but at least it doesn't sound dull at all.

It is also quite noticeable that it has a modest amount of air and less sparkle. Cymbals have a soughing and undulating sound while hi-hats have their correct timbre with their familiar "chick" sound. And both celestas and glockenspiels have a lustrous, velvety and bell-like sound.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

On how this set projects its soundstage and stereo imaging, its overall sound/speaker dimensions is on average size as it has median width span, decent height ceiling but it has good depth on it that gives an almost congested feel within my perceived headroom.

Its imaging presentation projects a typical two-dimensional stereo soundscape as I was able to perceive the placement of instruments and vocals in both left and right channels but not in the most accurate way. It has fairly decent separation but the layering is somewhat not so well-defined on how the stacking and arrangement of each frequency and tonal layers of sound from specific instruments and vocals as in some case that it tends to sound shambolic to my ears especially on some complex musical composition from some music genres like jazz and orchestral ensemble.

As for its driver coherency, It seems that its composite diaphragm is able to perform well but as I mentioned a while ago on how the bass kick drum performs a bit sluggish compared to some of its competitors. And so, I consider its driver performance as moderately responsive. As for resolution capabilities, it has very solid macro-dynamics as I definitely hear quite solid notation attacks and note ends of its note texture but its micro-detailing definition is rather a bit blunted in my opinion but for its asking price, I would rather accept this shortcoming.

PEER COMPARISONS:

TANCHJIM TANYA DSP

● Another TANCHJIM product that is also in  the budget entry-level segment. Like the One, it's a single dynamic driver but its on smaller diameter that it was considered as a micro-dynamic driver and was encapsulated in a bullet-style all-aluminium alloy casing. It has a non detachable USB type-C connector with DSP chip and it is susceptible to microphonics.

● As for tonal profile, like the One, it also has a U-shaped sound signature and with warmth on it. It has more sub-bass presence but a less textured mid-bass compared to the One, similar midrange presentation but a tad leaner texture and depth and a bit brighter treble but like the One, it has meagre treble extension. As for technicalities, they are quite  very similar in all aspects from sound field dimensions up to the resolution capabilities.

TINHIFI C0 ELF

● TINHIFI"s latest bullet style IEM in the budget segment and like the One, it also has a single dynamic driver albeit its diaphragm is a titanium-coated PU material and it was encased in a solid aluminium alloy. Also, it has a detachable 2-pin connector just like the One.

● The C0 ELF has a V-shaped sound signature but it follows a TINHIFI's previous in-house sound which is on the brighter side of tuning. Compared to the One, it focuses more on the sub-bass as it bass response sounds more rumbly than authoritative, more recessed midrange but it has more crisper and energetic sound on vocals and instruments, and then on treble response, it sounds more brighter as it has more crisper and better detail definition and it has more sparkle and air though I still consider its airy extension as modest. Technicality-wise, it has average to above-average size of its overall sound field proportion, two-dimensional stereo imaging, good separation and noticeably better layering and the last but not the least, it has a solid fundamental on macro-dynamics and sharper definition on micro-detail retrieval.

It seems that once again, TANCHJIM releases a solid product that aims at casual listeners who want to try a well-rounded and versatile tonal performance that gives a pleasurable listening experience to them. With its feature that we could do some cable swapping with some cable of our choices and also, if you want to experience the TANCHJIM's in-house tuning as to hear a little bit of tuning from the all-time great Oxygen albeit it's a tad more coloured sounding, I will recommend this set without hesitation at all.

TANCHJIM One is now available on major audio distributors like LINSOUL and HIFIGO. Also, if you are situated in the Philippines, you could purchase this set locally via JYS+ Audio on Facebook. All links are guaranteed non-affiliated ones.

LINSOUL: https://www.linsoul.com/products/tanchjim-one

HIFIGO: https://hifigo.com/products/tanchjim-one

JYS+ AUDIO (Philippine distributor of TANCHJIM products): https://www.facebook.com/JYSAudio?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Checkout my previous review of a TANCHJIM product:

● TANCHJIM TANYA DSP

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: TANCHJIM ONE

IMPEDANCE: 16Ω

SENSITIVITY: 126dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 7Hz – 45KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M

PIN TYPE: 0.78mm 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: TYPE-C

DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER

PROS:

● Good built quality of its composite shell chassis.

● Cylindrical bullet-style shell chassis design will give the best fitting to all ear sizes as we can wear it in either hanging like an earbud or an in-ear style.

● Finally, a detachable one for cable swapping and its 2-pin connector which make them even more flexible.

● Two types of ear tips to choose from.

● It has a storage bag.

● Decent quality cable with good quality HD microphone that works in tandem with DSP chip. Very minimal to none microphonic presence on it.

● A warm U-shaped set for pleasing and fun tuning that both casual listeners and experience audio enthusiast will both enjoy

● Relatively has a slamming and fairly authoritative bass response.

● Warm and texture midrange. Excellent on male vocals and natural sounding on some percussives and brass instruments.

● Smooth and balanced treble response for treble-sensitive folk.

● Not a hint of harshness nor sibilance.

● Affordable price for budget-conscious for budding audio enthusiasts as it is loaded with accessories to be used.

CONS:

● DSP audio decoding is still limited up to 24-bit/96KHz, over than the said sample rate, it will not processed. Sorry DSD lovers, that particular audio file format is not supported.

● For some reason, stock ear tips give me some slight driver flex in every insertion.

● Treble response might sound a bit obscured and less lively to some stalwart trebleheads.

● Middling 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*

P.S.

I am not affiliated to  TANCHJIM 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 TANCHJIM & JYS+ AUDIO for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.