SIMGOT SUPERMIX 4: Affordable Quadbrid Set
SIMGOT as a current dominant audio company still keep advancing its way in the portable audio market as they released banger after banger after banger of sets that most audio enthusiasts are quite positive on what they released for the past few months. And now what we have here is their latest model which has some new driver configuration which is unusual for them as they have a strong specialty on dynamic drivers. So no need for further introduction about this company as I already did it many times in my past reviews on their previous product models.
This is SIMGOT SUPERMIX 4, SIMGOT's latest IEM with hybrid driver set-up. This is somewhat a follow-up on their previous hybrid driver IEM, The EM6L but the SIMGOT even further improved this latest hybrid driver IEM by adding some new driver technologies in which is unheard of for its asking price for just under $200/£180.
The SIMGOT SUPERMIX 4 incorporates four types of drivers inside and these are dynamic driver, balanced armature, micro planar (this might be a new generation of flat panel driver rather than traditional planar magnetic driver) and piezoelectric driver. The dynamic driver that was put up here is a 10 mm one with a high-polymer nanocomposite diaphragm which is known for its elasticity and tensile strength on its chamber for deeper, more responsive and authoritative bass quality. The balanced armature and micro planar works in tandem for rich, smoother and clear midrange presentation and the latest generation of multi-layered ceramic plates on its piezoelectric driver for crisp, airier and augmenting its resolution aspect for refined treble response. With all the drivers working together, it delivers a cohesive and articulate sound quality while diminishing any chances of resonance frequency and distortion while having a well-controlled and responsive transient speed.
The drivers were connected into acoustic tubes in a four-way passive crossover for a more accurate and delineating division of frequencies, cohesive and smoother frequency response. All the internal components were encapsulated in a composite shell chassis made up of two parts, a 3D-moulded resin shell on its cavity base and a CNC-milled metal alloy faceplate that underwent an anodising process to achieve that dull and less glossy finish on its surface. The shell size and design on this one is of a medium size and it has a modified UIEM-type shape profile. Good thing that SIMGOT is opting to use a proven and stable 0.78mm 2-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism for its detachable cable.
Regarding its stock cable, it is a good quality one as it has two-core configuration with oxygen-free silver-plated copper wire strands with insulating PVC overlay on it and also it has a gold-plated termination plug. Overall, the cable is quite supple and flexible with no microphonics at all.
The SIMGOT SUPERMIX 4 offers an excellent fitting and comfort on how it rests well into my lug holes. Remarkably, it also gives a good passive noise isolation as it is able to block some unwanted external noises from the outside surroundings.
The product packaging of SIMGOT SUPERMIX 4 is fully packed with inclusions and all the contents inside are well-organised on how they are packed that makes a more compelling unboxing experience.
Here are the following contents inside of SIMGOT SUPERMIX 4 packaging box:
- SIMGOT SUPERMIX 4 IEM transducers
- Stock cable
- Carrying case
- Three (3) balanced bore silicone ear tips in different standard sizes.
- Paperwork like user's manual and Q.C stub.
Power scaling-wise, while SUPERMIX 4 appears to be moderately sensitive that it can be driven by devices with decent normal gain mode power output but pairing it with sources with better amplification on its power will deliver a more cohesive, dynamic and full range sound.
The tonality of this set seems to follow the recent SIMGOT in-house sound which aligns with a Harman-esque target curve albeit there some noticeable deviations particularly on how it handles the upper mids and presence part of the high frequency section. Therefore, it still has a U-shape sound profile with a balanced-warmish tonality.
(FR graph was provided by [USER=516219]@baskingshark[/USER] , credits to him)
LOWS/BASS:
It seems that bass response of this set is more leaning towards on sub bass rather than mid bass presence as it has rumbly, precise with just enough whack for note weight on bass-clef instruments.
Those reverberating and grumble generated by sub bass-focused instruments like low tuned bass guitars, octabasses, synthesisers and drum machines are clearly felt and quite detailed. Mid bass texture seems to be leaner but at least not that hollow sounding compared to their other hybrid model, the EM6L. Bass guitars sound a bit sombre and mellow as it also shares similar sound characteristics with double basses and bass kick drums appear to sound sonorous yet soft on impact. Bass and bass-baritone vocals appear to have a lack of volume, deep and darker tone but it has an enough fullness and some vibrato presence on their voices to sound more reasonably dusky.
MIDRANGE:
The midrange of this one is noticeably recessed on its overall presentation across its frequency range. But despite the less pronounced presentation, it retains a smooth, balanced textured, transparent and clean midrange that gives some natural tone in some vocals and instruments with some details on it.
The male vocals, while not quite well-textured, give more volume and depth on some types of voices, as baritones have smooth vocals while tenors have that juicy and dazzling sound on their vocals, and then countertenors have tender and sweet vocals on them. As for female vocals, the contraltos have some richness and smoky vocals but it isn't that full and strong to give that deep and lush sound. Mezzo-sopranos appear to have tender and emotive vocals but in some tracks there's some slight tinniness on their vocal tails. Sopranos appear to have that creamy and silky sound for dramatic and soubrette soprano types but on lyric and coloratura, they sound less shimmering and less open sounding.
On instruments, strings like guitars, cello and violins, they sound balanced, calm and solemn respectively while correspondingly, on woodwinds, piccolos have graceful sound, concert flutes light and mellow sound, clarinets have round and gently sound, and then, saxophones have sombre and mild sound on them. Brasses like trumpets, trombones and horns, they sound rounded, taut and velvety in order accordingly. On percussives, toms-toms have resonant and sufficient warm sound, snare drums have precise and shuffling sound on every stroke, field drums have sombre sound and kettledrums have velvety and a bit dull sound. Pianos appear to have a mellow and even tone as it has a rounded and sweet sound but it sounds a bit dull in my opinion.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
Despite the implementation of piezoelectric and a “planar”/flat panel drivers that specifically handles the upper-mids and overall treble presentation, the SUPERMIX 4 surprisingly smooth and well-balanced with a good amount of airy extension. It appears that upper-mids and up to presence treble is properly accentuated just give some slight boost on clarity and definition on vocals and instruments although in some female vocals, I hear some slight tinny and shrill vocal ends (Probably it's the piezoelectric driver responsible on this one) but I don't think it's a major concern as long as it doesn't have too much sibilance and harshness on its overall sound.
The brilliance section of the treble region seems to have an excellent airy extension although its sparkle isn't that too intense. Cymbals have a lustrous sound while hi-hats have sounds quite realistic with its shortened buzzing sound on them. Glockenspiels have a rather lustrous sound and celestas have a sweet and golden sound.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
In my initial estimation, The SUPERMIX 4 is quite well spacious head stage as it has a wide lateral span, good height and immersive depth within my aural sphere.
On its stereo imaging, it projects a holographic presentation with some well-layered sections of dynamic and frequencies tones from instruments and vocals on a sonic canvas where I was able to locate some certain elements precisely. And so, playing a track like jazz, orchestra and movie scores will be an easy peasy on this set.
The cohesiveness of the different drivers that were implemented here performs harmoniously with a homogeneity on its performance as each driver did its specific role for a certain frequency part and I don't encounter any disjointed frequency or any phasing issues. Resolution capability is quite capable as it has a solidity on macro-dynamics and an ample sharpness on micro-detail to extract some nuances and subtleties like vocal ends, instrumental reverberating tails and roomy effects from an audio track.
PEER COMPARISONS:
SIMGOT EM6L
- It has a hybrid driver configuration consisting of a single dynamic driver and 4 balanced armature drivers.
- Like the SUPERMIX 4, it has a composite shell chassis.
- It uses a less reliable QDC-type 2-pin connector as its interchangeable mechanism.
- The tuning of this one is closer to the usual Harman target curve that I am accustomed with.
- It has a sub bass-focused bass response and a leaner and hollowed mid bass, a leaner and energetic midrange and it has more boosted parts in treble section but has less airy treble presentation.
- It has a narrower soundstage, a two-dimensional stereo imaging presentation and less refined layering compared to the SUPERMIX 4.
BQEYZ SPRING 2
- This one was the previous generation of “tri-brid” driver configuration from BQEYZ consisting of dynamic driver, balanced armature driver and piezoelectric driver.
- Its shells are entirely made of anodised metal alloy, aluminium on both cavity base and faceplate part and brass on its nozzles.
- Also fully-accessorised but it has more types of ear tips to choose from.
- It has a balanced neutral sound signature.
- Punchy bass response, sufficiently warmth and more textured midrange and a bit more brighter treble response, also quite airy too with a more sparkle.
- This zingy sizzle timbre that most piezoelectric drivers have is apparently more pronounced on this one.
- It is on par with SUPERMIX 4 in regards to technical performance.
KIWI EARS QUINTET
- KIWI EARS’ first quadbrid set but it is quite pricey.
- It also consists of 1 dynamic driver, 2 balanced armature drivers, 1 “micro-planar” flat panel driver and a 1 piezoelectric driver.
- Its shells are also composite ones as it has a aluminium alloy faceplate and resin on its cavity base.
- It has a mild U-shaped sound signature that makes it sound more neutral.
- It has a well-balanced bass response, a linear and ample energetic midrange and a tad brighter treble response with good sparkle and airy presentation.
- It has a similar technical performance with the SUPERMIX 4 as it is also relatively competent.
As I end my assessment about this set, SIMGOT once again released a solid set that will deliver both tonal and technical excellence for a reasonable price. For sure that this one has its inherent flaws and weakness due to its alignment with Harman-ish style of tuning in which I'm a bit critical of that type of tuning target curve like less pronounced and a subdued certain parts of frequency range that might affect some tonal colour of certain instruments and vocals.
To whom will I recommend this one? Well, if you want to try another tuning flavour of a SIMGOT set or if you think that the EM6L is a bit underwhelming in your liking, this one is indeed an improvement over its preceding model.
SIMGOT SUPERMIX 4 is available in SIMGOT's own online store along with other audio distributors. I'll provide some links below.
SIMGOT OFFICIAL SITE:
LINSOUL:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/simgot-supermix-4
HIFIGO:
https://hifigo.com/products/simgot-supermix4
Also, check out my previous SIMGOT product reviews.
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: SIMGOT SUPERMIX 4
IMPEDANCE: 7.2Ω
SENSITIVITY: 120dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 8Hz - 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m
PIN TYPE: 0.78mm 2-PIN CONNECTOR
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (1) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVER + (1) MICRO-PLANAR DRIVER + (1) PIEZOELECTRIC DRIVER
PROS:
● Probably the most affordable “quadbrid” driver set around.
● Excellent build quality on its composite shells.
● It offers a very comfortable wear and good sealing for better passive noise isolation.
● Fully-packed with quality accessories
● Good quality stock cable.
● A quite familiar tuning, the U-shaped Harman-ish style of sound profile.
● Clean and rumbly bass response.
● Transparent, clear and has an ample warmth while maintaning a tidy midrange presentation.
● Some instruments and vocals have natural timbre with good clarity and detail on them.
● Surprisingly smooth, evened and airy treble response.
● Wide soundstage projection with an atmospheric stereo imaging presentation.
● Well-layered soundscape with excellent separation of instrument's sections and vocal placement.
● Micro-detail retrieval is impressive as it is able to extract details and nuances.
CONS:
● Not for bass heads as it doesn't have vigour and tactility.
● Limited choices of ear tips to choose from.
● Recessed midrange as it sound on the leaner side of midrange texture.
● Probably not for treble heads due to lack of brightness and sparkle.
● Some instances of tinny and metallic sound on some tracks.
TESTING TRACKS: ( * = 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 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 MS. FIA LAM for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate her generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
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