AFUL EXPLORER: Exploring New Tuning Endeavour

AFUL AUDIO is definitely one of the most innovative audio companies out there as they try to implement some new features that some components and materials are part of continuously evolving portable audio technology. With their proprietary patented audio technologies that they possessed and will implement with those newly-developed components, it will be assured that they will release a product that is well-polished and meticulously crafted.

What I have here and will be featured in this review article is their latest product for the entry-level segment, The AFUL EXPLORER. The AFUL EXPLORER is an IEM with a hybrid driver configuration that has a dynamic driver, in tandem with balanced armature drivers inside.

On its internal part, The 8mm dynamic driver with a bio-cellulose a.k.a. paper cone diaphragm will solely handle the bass section as it will deliver a deeper and well-bodied bass response as it was also integrated to AFUL's High Dampening Air Pressure Balancing System which even more improves the texture and depth of its bass response and somehow lessens air pressure for people who are bothered with excessive air pressure that might cause some occlusion effect to some ears. The balanced armature drivers that were also implemented here are of custom-made based on the specific engineering on AFUL’s specification as these driver has better composite materials like magnesium-alloy and DuPont's self-developed polymer material which are known for their fatigue resistant and strength, was implemented inside for better frequency response to deliver a Hi-Fi quality.

Aside from the drivers and proprietary acoustic resonance tube, it also has an advanced electronic crossover for more stable and precise signal processing for a better separation of frequency sections to guarantee a well-balanced and accurate sound reproduction. Like all AFUL sets, It also has its proprietary RLC Network Frequency Division to further improve and augment its sonic quality as it balanced and evened out its overall frequency response by minimising any possible dips and peaks in the treble region for better consistency of its sound quality.

The drivers and other components were encapsulated in a 3D-moulded medical-grade resin shell chassis in a compact-sized UIEM-type form factor. The shell itself is quite a looker as it has a glittery blue-ish hue on its faceplate and on its cavity base part, it has a stabilising fin to provide a firmer fit into our ears. Like all previous AFUL sets, the EXPLORER has a 0.78mm bi-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism with its detachable cable which is more stable in connection and easier cable swapping.

As for its stock cable, AFUL included a premium one for this set as it has a thick  2-core multi-strand silver-plated copper wire cable with a gold-plated 3.5mm straight termination plug. Its build quality is quite sturdy, flexible and it has a resistance from entanglement, and I don't encounter any microphonic issues.

In terms of fitting, AFUL sets are well-known for its superb ergonomic fit and it seems that the EXPLORER inherits those aspects as it perfectly rests well into my lug holes without any discomforts or wear fatigue. In that regard, it also offers an excellent passive noise isolation as it seals well from external noises from the outside surroundings.

When it comes to product packaging and its presentation, the AFUL EXPLORER is quite pretty well-accessorised as it offers a quantifying amount of inclusions.

Inside of its packaging box, we can find the following contents inside on it and here are those accessories:

• Pair of AFUL EXPLORER IEM transducers.
• Stock cable
• Storage case
• Three (3) pairs of balanced bore silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
• Three (3) pairs of wide bore silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
• Paperwork like instruction manuals and Q.C stub.

The EXPLORER is quite sensitive and it is easy to drive as it scales well even to some sources with decent power output. As this set will be given a proper amplification, it will have a full range with a good amount of dynamics on it.

The AFUL EXPLORER has a bass-boosted balanced-neutral type of sound profile as it presents an L-shaped sound presentation as it has a more prominent low frequency section over the rest of the frequency range which stays neutral and almost linear in presentation.

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

LOWS/BASS:

The bass profile of this set is pretty well-balanced as it has a clear sub bass presence and a well-textured yet well-controlled mid bass part. Overall, it delivers a reverberant, punchy and firm bass response in which I perceived it as well-done.

I clearly hear a rumbling and reverberating response that was generated from sub bass-focused instruments like octobasses, low tuned bass guitars and double bass, drum machines and synthesisers. Mid bass section is quite textured as it will give some ample note weight on selected instruments particularly some bass clef ones and also, some deep low-octave male vocal types. Bass guitars and double bass have an adequate broad, weight and rasping sound on these string instruments while bass kick drums have sonorous, dark and full sound on every stroke. Bass and bass-baritone vocals have good depth and weight to deliver a gravelly, dense and dark tone on their voices.

MIDRANGE:

While it seems that this frequency part was presented just underneath the bass region in its overall frequency spectrum, the midrange is fairly well-textured, clean and detailed while it has proper warmth on it. I can surmise that this one is very versatile and capable of delivering a natural and engaging sound to almost all types of vocals and a well-defined timbre and tonality on instruments.

Male vocals like baritones have a smooth, lush and rich voice that will sound excellent on any baritone vocal-type whether its leggero, lyric, kavalier baritone, dramatic, Verdi or noble baritone. Tenors have warm, graceful and a brassy sound as it has a required vocal weight, depth and darker tonal colour that lyric, spinto, dramatic and heldentenors will sound fuller with power on it. Countertenors have a pleasantly smooth, tender and emotive vocal quality.

Meanwhile, on female vocals, the contraltos vocals are depicted almost accurately by this set as it projects a strong, smokey and rich voices from their distinctively chesty vocals. Mezzo-sopranos have a velvety, tender and sensitive voice to show the versatility nature of this type of vocal. Meanwhile on sopranos, while this type of vocal will sound more better on a bright tuning one, the EXPLORER unexpected perform well as it gives a more rich, emotive and a tad warm on spinto and dramatic sopranos, but on coloratura, soubrette and lyric sopranos, it loses some of its light timbre and shimmer.

As for instruments, on brasses, trumpets, trombones and horns have a full, dramatic and resounding sound respectively while the concert flutes, piccolos, saxophones and clarinets have rich, graceful, sonorous and  melodic sound correspondingly. On string instruments, guitars (electric or acoustic) have a meaty and a tad warmth with a good overtones on it while violins have sweet and sensuous sound on them on every motion on its bow strings and cellos have warm, silky and calming sound on them. As for percussives, tom-toms have a warm, resonant sound while snare drums have a hard and penetrating sound. Tenor drums have that venerable sound on them as it pairs well with kettledrums’ velvety and mellow sound in an orchestral performance to evoke a dramatic and thematic feel. Meanwhile, pianos appear to have a mellow and rich tone on them as they sound a bit rounded and sweet.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

This frequency part is in the same level presentation with the midrange frequency as it also has less prominent position in comparison with bass frequency in the overall frequency spectrum but it conveys a smooth and balanced treble response with just mild brightness on them. This type of treble presentation might be lacking of some definition and clarity on some vocal energy particularly on soprano ones and a bit blunted on attack of both percussives and rhythmic instruments, but there are some silver lining on this one as sibilances and harshness will not certainly occur on this one.

On the brilliance section, while it has noticeable less intensity on its sparkle it but remarkably, it has a moderate airy extension.

Cymbals have a lustrous and glistening sound while hi-hats have a shortened buzzing sound on them with some fullness on it. Celestas have a lustrous and velvety sound enough to give that “heavenly” vibe and glockenspiels have a lustrous and bell-like sound that doesn't add some strident nor piercing tone on them.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

As an audio enthusiast who is quite a bit of a stickler on technical performance. This set presents a rather intimate presentation on its perceived sound/speaker stage dimensions as it has average lateral span from left to right, at least above-average height ceiling and a good depth as it is quite immersive from front to rear. It has a well-layered stereo imaging as it projects a holographic presentation where I can pinpoint the location of instruments and instruments with a perceived good separation on those elements.

The cohesiveness of its hybrid drivers is impressive as it gives some homogeneity and harmonious performance of its fast transient response of its dynamic driver while having a clear and high fidelity performance of its balanced armatures.

On resolution capabilities, it seems that the AFUL EXPLORER is very competent in that aspect as it has solid macro-dynamics on its presents it well-defined notation attacks while its micro-detail retrieval, while its doesn't have a sharp definition nor it is blunted, it can extract some nuances and details in an audio track like roomy effects, vocal ends and  instrumental reverb tail.

PEER COMPARISONS

KIWI EARS FORTEZA

• Like the EXPLORER, this set is also a hybrid driver configuration of the same number of drivers and it was encapsulated in an equally aesthetically-pleasing resin shell chassis although its array of drivers is quite a bit different as this one has two dynamic drivers and a single balanced armature driver. While it also has a good amount of inclusions, its stock cable isn't on par with EXPLORER's high quality and more premium looking stock cable.
• The FORTEZA is indeed quite a contrast with EXPLORER when it comes to tonal profile as the former has a typical V-shaped sound which is more coloured and fun sounding. Compared to the EXPLORER, the FORTEZA has a boomy bass response, a recessed and a leaner midrange presentation and a brighter treble response as it quite more shimmering and energetic to the point it has some instances of having a sibilance and piercing sound from them. On technical performance, while it has a similar sound/speaker stage presentation, its stereo imaging particularly on layering and separation isn't on par with the EXPLORER's while the cohesive performance isn't that its drivers isn't that well-implemented.

SIMGOT EM6L

• The difference between these hybrid sets, the EXPLORER and EM6L, is that the latter has a composite shell chassis and it has more drivers inside as it has a total of 5 drivers consisting of 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armature drivers. While this set is also quite well-accessorised on its own, it only includes one type of ear tips and a decent stock cable, although not on par with the EXPLORER's stock cable.
• The sound profile of EM6L is a bright U-shaped which follows a Harman-ish type of target curve. Compared to the EXPLORER, it is more of a sub bass-focus bass presentation as it has rumbly and tighter response, leaner and recessed midrange presentation yet energetic that it affects the tonal qualities on some vocals particularly on baritones, tenor, contraltos and mezzo-sopranos and some instruments’ timbre,  and brighter treble response with a hint of having a shrill and piercing sound on them but at least it has more sparkle and air on it. On technical performance, the EM6L is relatively more spacious on sound field dimensions but on stereo imaging, it somehow projects a rather linear two-dimensional stereo presentation with decent layering and separation. This set is a bit more resolving particularly on micro-dynamics as it has a sharper detail definition compared to the EXPLORER

As I conclude my review on this one, AFUL is consistently refining its product line-up on every release as it truly signifies their commitment to release a well-polished product without any drawbacks or compromises. The EXPLORER is probably of the AFUL's finest set that they ever created with their meticulous craftsmanship on how they produced it. With the implementation of some components and technologies that recently development in portable audio technology field along with its proprietary patents that AFUL have, The EXPLORER indeed delivers flawlessly as it has solid build quality and a tonality which is quite a rarity in its price segment as it has balanced-neutral sound signature thats delivers has a coherent, smooth, clean and delineated sound quality while having a competent technical capabilities on its sleeves while having a reasonable price tag as its feature. This set truly makes it one of the most compelling sets to try this year.

AFUL EXPLORER is exclusively available in HIFIGO, you can check it out on an unaffiliated link that I have provided below.

★★AFUL EXPLORER - HIFIGO★★

For more AFUL products, check out my other AFUL product reviews below.

■ AFUL PERFORMER 5

■ AFUL PERFORMER 8

■ AFUL MAGICONE

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: AFUL EXPLORER

IMPEDANCE: 26Ω

SENSITIVITY: 108dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz – 30KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M

PIN TYPE: 0.78mm 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

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

PROS

● Reasonable asking price for an entry-level model.

● High quality 3D-moulded hypoallergenic shell chassis with a beautiful colour way on it.

● Like all previous AFUL model, it offers the best fitting and comfort to wear due to its UIEM-style contours.

● Inclusion of a premium stock cable.

● Pretty well-accessorised for an under US$150 set.

● The tuning of this one is quite uncommon in this price range segment.

● A balanced-neutral with a bass boost sound profile.

● Solid, tactile and authoritative bass response.

● Excellent for tracking on bass clef instruments and deep male vocals.

● Smooth, well-textured yet delineated midrange presentation.

● Quite versatile on both male and female vocals and also, an organic sounding to almost all types of instruments.

● Smooth and inoffensive treble response, a good recommendation for some treble-sensitive folk.

● Not a hint of harshness nor sibilance.

● Almost all of its technical aspects are quite competent from stereo imaging up to do resolution capabilities.

CONS:

● Just an average sound/speaker stage therefore it gives an intimate presentation.

● Definitely not for treble heads as it might lack brightness and sparkle on its treble response.

● It doesn't have that analytical and clinical tuning to please audio enthusiasts that are advocating towards reference-neutral sound profiles.

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 AFUL ACOUSTIC nor receive any 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 HIFIGO especially to MS. ALICE XIE and MS. YUMU SONG for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.