SIMGOT EW200 MAZE: Solid Built, Recognisable Tuning

The SIMGOT revolution is still going strong as they release some of the sturdiest, insightfully designed and well-tuned sets that will truly perform beyond its price in the current portable audio market. I have tested some of the SIMGOT products and I find them remarkable from EA500 up to the EA1000.

What I have here to be featured in this review article is another entry-level IEM model from them, The SIMGOT EW200 Maze. Like some of the previous models, this set is also a single driver IEM and it has a metal shell chassis which offers more solid construction that will last longer from wear and tear usage.

The SIMGOT EW200 utilises a dual cavity, dual magnetic dynamic driver with a composite diaphragm called SCP diaphragm. SCP diaphragm has a special polymer thin film coated with silicon layers consisting of proven LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) and DLC (Diamond-like Carbon) materials which are known to have an excellent tensile strength, very responsive and cleaner sonic output. Another facet that taking advantage the combination properties of both materials is deliver a full and deep low frequencies, a rich, smooth and airy extension on midrange and high frequencies with some improvements on technical performance like wider and spacious soundstage and better layering capability. Aside from new technology of drivers, SIMGOT also implemented a sophisticated multi-layer tuning system which incorporates two distinctive of tuning target curves, the older Harman-type of tuning and their in-house tuning which is also based in Harman tuning curve that will give a distinctive tuning curve with some corrections and improvements on dynamic range and detailed yet faithful sound reproduction.

The drivers and passive tuning system were encased in a solid aluminium alloy chassis with compact and ergonomically-designed shell contours. It has a mirror-finished surface to give a more luxurious and premium-feel and also ensures durability for long term usage. Like almost all SIMGOT models that I've reviewed in the past, it incorporates a 0.78mm 2-pin connector as it is known to be a more reliable and easy to use one as you swap it with another cable with the same connector.

As for fitting and comfort, these sets rest well into my lugholes as I don't feel any discomfort or any fitting issues that will be detrimental to our listening experience and it is able to block some external noises from the outside surroundings.

Its stock cable is quite decent and somehow suitable for its asking price. It's a 2-core silver-plated copper wirings that were insulated in a clear PVC coating that were braided and it has an L-shaped plug in a 3.5mm SE termination.

When it comes to product packaging, it appears that SIMGOT EW200 is quite basic and its inclusions are rather elementary that will be enough for its overall usage.

Here are the following contents inside of SIMGOT EW200's packaging box:

• SIMGOT EW200 IEM transducers
• Stock cable
• IEM storage bag
• Three (3)  silicone ear tips of different standard sizes.
• User's manual

For power scaling and amplification, SIMGOT EW200 is quite easy to drive even though devices like smartphones usually have decent power output enough to power most head/ear gear with low impedance rating. In my LG phones and DAPs, a medium volume level is enough to have a dynamic and full range sound.

As for its tonality, it appears that this set is leaning towards a Harman-type of tuning which is a u-shaped sound profile though SIMGOT added some emphasis on upper-mids to presence part of its high frequencies to have more brighter sound.

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

LOWS/BASS:

Like most of the Harman-type sets, it focuses more on the sub-bass presence rather than mid-bass texture as this type of tuning has its own merits and shortcomings. The overall bass response of this one is tight, precise and clean as it has a good amount of reverberations and rumble from sub-bass focus instruments like synthesisers, low tone bass guitars and drum machines.

Mid-bass appears to be less textured and has an inadequate volume to give a more authority and slam that will affect the tonal colour of some instruments and vocals. Bass guitars have a rasping sound although a bit hollowed in some cases, bass kick drums have rumbly and resonant sound on them albeit it has a lack of authority on them but at least it can deliver a fast and incisive one, then on bass-baritone vocals, they sound a bit lean and less darker tone on them due to less textured mid-bass response.

MIDRANGE:

It appears that this set follows a Harman-style target curve, its midrange presentation is a bit recessed, less textured and a leaner one on some male vocals and brass instruments but it gives that clean, transparent, energetic and crisper sound that some female vocals and some instruments especially strings and woodwinds.

Male vocals like baritones have some inadequacies on their note weight as this set will not give their distinctive warm, lush or velvety sound that I am accustomed with this particular vocal type. But when it comes to tenors and countertenors, this set can deliver those dazzling and spicy leggero and lyric tenor vocals, and then a tender and sensitive vocal quality of countertenors with their falsettos. On female vocals, contraltos appear to have a less rich sounding and lack heft on their vocals while mezzo-sopranos have that fiery and glowing sound from their vocals. Soprano vocals actually sounds quite well on this set as it is able to project those gleaming, shimmering and crystalline sounds that dramatic up to the coloratura types of sopranos execute it almost flawlessly.

As for instruments, as I mentioned a while ago that strings and woodwinds sound pretty good on this one that guitars and violins have a bright and shimmering sound from them as the guitars have a ceiling and crisp sound while the violins have metallic and vibrant sound on them, and the woodwinds like piccolos and concert flutes have bright, intense and penetrating sound though there are some instances that they sometimes sounds a bit piercing that might be too sensitives to some listeners. On brass instruments, trumpets have brilliant and vivid tones on them, horns have bright and yet a bit soft and less ponderous sounding, and then, the trombones have less brassy, less darker tone and sometimes a bit overpowering sounding if they are hitting an upper register. Percussives like snares have sharp and dry sound on them on every stroke, tom-toms have resonant but somewhat lack of warmth on them while field drums have hard and precise sound on them and then on kettledrums, they have a rumbly, dry and resonant sound. Pianos sound leaning towards a brighter tone but I still consider it as even sounding one.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

EW200's treble response's orientation is on the brighter side as the accentuated upper-mids up to the presence part of the treble region are quite noticeable. The emphasis parts of the frequency range will give more definition on female vocals and more crisper and delineation attacks of instruments. It also might be an issue to some treble-sensitive folk out there due to its energetic nature of its tuning as its sound is a bit shrilly and a tad piercing, but I can guarantee that sibilance appears to be well-controlled.

For a single dynamic set. It has a good presence of sparkle and shimmer and a moderate airy extension as I noticed it on some percussion instruments. Cymbals have bright and glistening sound while hi-hats have shortened dry and sizzling sound on them, glockenspiel have shimmering and in some stances, piercing sounding, and then celestas have bright and shimmery sound on them.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

It appears that the sound/speaker stage projection of this set is average to above average. It has a fairly decent width span, enough height and depth on a rather two-dimensional stereo imaging within my perceived head room.

To be fair, it has a good separation and layering is quite impressive for a single dynamic driver IEM as as instruments and vocal(s) are well-segregated and its frequency and dynamic tones seems to be organise where I was able to locate its placement and how it manage to play some of the most complex tracks out there.

Coherency of its dynamic driver is also excellent as it is quite responsive to deliver such fast transient audio quality. Resolution capability is good enough as it has good macro-dynamics while having a sharp micro-detail retrieval capability as it is able to extract some nuances and details on an audio track.

PEER COMPARISONS:

EPZ Q5

● This is EPZ's offering on the entry-level segment and it is also a single dynamic driver IEM.While it does have an unoriginal design and it uses a MMCX-connector but it offers two types of silicone ear tips and better IEM storage case.

● It has a V to U-shaped sound profile and somehow it has a bit more warmth on it to add texture to its overall sound quality. Compared it to EW200, it has more mid-bass texture, a more warmth and yet bit more recessed on the midrange then a quite similar treble response as both sets are quite bright and airy for a single DD set. On technical capabilities, both sets are on par but I noticed that the sound/speaker stage on Q5 is a bit larger as it has more height reach and a tad wider sound field width span.

7HZ ZERO II

● Another contender in the entry-level single DD set segment as this one also has a good cult following from the audio enthusiasts sphere lately. It has a composite shell chassis with mecha-inspired aesthetics that makes it lighter to wear and it has more choices of ear tips to choose from.

● It has a mild U-shaped sound signature which also has a warmish-neutral characteristics on it. As I compare it with EW200, it has more texture on the mid-bass, an ample warmth and less energetic sound on the midrange, and a less sparkling and a modest airy extension on its treble response. On technical aspects, it traded blows with EW200 on a case to case basis as it has better sound/speaker stage width and better macro-dynamics but EW200 has a tad better separation and layering as it is quite more capable to handle some of the most complex tracks out there and better micro-detail retrieval.

ORIVETI OD100

● One of the closest competitors of EW200 as its shell chassis is also made of solid aluminium alloy and uses a high quality dynamic driver. It also included more accessories as it has more choices of ear tips to choose from and a better IEM storage case.

● Its tonality is either U or V-shaped sound depending on ear tips that you are using as this set is known to be tip-dependent. As I compared it to EW200, it has more tactual and punchy bass response, a more recessed and yet has a good warmth on it to add more texture on male vocals but it has less energetic and bright sound that affects the timbre of some female vocals and string instruments, and then, a bit smoothen and less brighter treble response as it has modest sparkle and less airy extension. On technical capabilities, it has quite similar sound/speaker staging and stereo imaging, coherency of drivers but it has more solid macro-dynamics compared to EW200. Although on separation and layering and micro-dynamics, EW200 is more superior.

As I conclude my review on this set, It appears that SIMGOT continues to impress us with the quality of their products. EW200 is one of the prime examples of a product that takes a safer path in terms of tuning with good build quality that will satisfy the needs of audio enthusiasts who are on a budget. As its tonality might not be my alley as isn't exactly aligned with my tuning preferences as it sounds already too familiar and too safe  as lessens its engaging factor but what really impresses me was its competent technical capabilities that is quite uncommon on an IEM with single dynamic driver configuration.

SIMGOT EW200 is currently available in e-commerce stores, you can check out the unaffiliated links below.

★★OFFICIAL STORE★★

★★LINSOUL★★

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: SIMGOT EW200 MAZE

IMPEDANCE: 16Ω

SENSITIVITY: 126dB

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:

● Sturdy and solidly built aluminium alloy shell chassis.

● Appealing pricing for budget audio enthusiasts.

● Good quality stock cable.

● It has an appealing tuning that most audio enthusiasts are quite familiar with.

● A bright Harmanish type of sound that will be suitable to some modern music genres.

● Tight, precise and clean bass response

● Transparent, energetic and tidy midrange.

● Apparently it's energetic and crisp tone will be benefit more on some female vocals, strings and  woodwinds.

● Bright and airy treble response for a single DD set.

● Remarkable separation and layering capabilities for an IEM in this particular driver configuration.

● Pretty resolving one.

CONS:

● Not the best storage case for its IEM shell chassis with mirror-finished surface. 

● Uninspiring tuning to be honest as it is getting more stale in my opinion.

● Hollow, lean and less natural sounding on some male vocals, brasses and percussion instruments.

● Instances of shrill and piercing sound that treble-sensitives should be aware of.

● Do you want an authoritative and slamming bass response? This set is definitely not your cup of tea.

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 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 FIA LAM of SIMGOT for her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.