TWISTURA D-MAJOR: Another Shining, Shimmering, Splendid Set

D Major is musical scale based on a D and it handles the D, E, F#, G, A, B, C# and its two sharps in on its key signature.

TWISTURA is one of the recently established audio companies out there and they released their inaugural product, The TWISTURA D-Major.

The TWISTURA D-Major is a single driver set-up IEM with a detachable tuning nozzle feature. Inside of its driver technology is a single 10mm dual-chambered dual-arrayed magnetic form dynamic driver with a beryllium-coated Polyurethane (PU) composite diaphragm that will ensure rigidity and flexibility to deliver a deeper bass, clear midrange and high resolution treble presentation.

The driver was then encased in a solid zinc alloy structure that underwent an electroplating process to achieve the glossy and metallic finish on its surface. Its overall contour is a rounded square that reminds me of the shape of a fingernail. There's an opaque circular resin design on its faceplate and then, on the side of its shell structure, there are three vent holes for releasing excess air pressure generated by its dynamic driver. The detachable nozzles of the D-Major are made of brass with some cotton mesh inside for the different tuning options and also, it uses a proven and stable 0.78mm connector as its interlocking mechanism.

With its rather unique form of its chassis, this set still offers a comfortable fitting although it is a bit hefty but at least it doesn't give a wear fatigue as I can wear it for listening sessions. A good passive noise isolation can be achieved if you will choose the right ear tips to pair with it as it is able to block some external noises from the outside.

The stock cable is somehow decent, a bit on a leaner side but it is flexible and resistant to entangling. The cable is composed of a Litz-structured OFC silver-plated copper wire with a thermoplastic insulated sheath in a parallel structure with a gold-plated 3.5mm single ended straight termination plug.

The TWISTURA D-Major is quite packed with accessories that will give a better user experience that makes this set even more compelling to purchase given its asking price.

The product packaging of this set is well-presented and here are the following contents inside of its packaging box:

• A pair of TWISTURA D-Major IEM transducers
• Stock cable
• PU-leather storage pouch
• Three (3) pairs of TRN T-series ear tips of  different standard sizes.
• Three (3) pairs of balance bore ear tips of different standard sizes.
• Tuning nozzles plate
• Pair of blue-ringed tuning nozzles
• Pair of red-ringed tuning nozzles.
• TWISTURA USB-C DSP headphone amp dongle.
• Paperwork like instruction manual and Q.C. stub.

Regarding its DSP headphone amp dongle, it has a 3.5mm single-ended jack with a TTGK Audio-provided audio chip, which is probably a Conexant CX31193 which is also implemented to other entry-level headphone amp dongles in the market. This device has a balanced-neutral sound profile on its DSP setting for its accompaniment set.

The TWISTURA D-Major is actually quite sensitive as it can be driven by device sources like smartphones and tablets with normal gain mode on their power output. But pairing it with better sources or with the TWISTURA headphone amp dongle will sound more lively and fuller.

As for its tonal sound profile, due to its detachable nozzle system, the set offers three distinctive types of U-shaped sound signature and check out some brief characteristics on each tonal profile.

Red Ring Nozzles - a U-shaped sound signature with a more balanced sound as it has a more emphasis on low frequency with an attenuated upper-mids and presence part on high frequency.

Black Ring Nozzles - a mild U-shaped sound signature with more accentuated upper-mids up to the brilliance part of the high frequency while it reduces the low frequency a bit.

Blue Ring Nozzles - a brighter mild U-shaped sound profile as it has more noticeable elevation on the upper-mids and presence section on the high frequency. Can be classified as a neutralish-bright sound signature.

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

LOWS/BASS:

Red Ring Nozzle

The bass response of this setting mode is quite rumbly, punchy and precise as it has more sub-bass focus rather than a texturing on the mid-bass section but it still has a sufficient amount of note weight for some bass clef instruments and deep male vocals.

As I clearly felt the reverberations and rumbling from instruments like the synthesisers, drum machines and low tuned bass guitars, on instruments such as bass guitars, double bass and bass kick drum, and also on some low octave male vocals. The bass guitars and double basses have resonant yet a tad hollow sound in them while bass kick drums have a soft and rumbling sound. On bass and bass-baritones, they don't have that deep, volume and intensity on them but it has agility, flexibility and well-defined vibrato.

Blue and Black Ring Nozzles

Both setting modes have almost similar bass curves which are more tighter, incisive and even more rumbly. The mid bass of this one appears to have a lesser texture but it gives a cleaner and segregated bass response.

The sub bass presence of this one is even more perceivable as it delivers more reverberations and grumble generated from sub bass focus instruments. As for note weight on some instruments and male vocals, bass kick drums have resonant and rumbling sound, bass guitars have even less weighty and subtle sound and double basses have even more hollow and sombre sound. The bass and bass-baritones have even leaner vocal characteristics with less depth and volume on their voices in this setting.

MIDRANGE:

Red Ring Nozzle

The midrange is a bit recessed but it has a slight warmth just to give some note density on some vocals and instruments while retaining a linear, clean and translucent presentation.

On male vocals like baritones, tenors and countertenors, they have a smooth, brassy and tender vocals respectively while on female vocals, contralto have some richness of their vocals albeit noticeably lacking of depth while mezzo-sopranos have a fiery voices and sopranos have silvery vocal characteristic.

As for instruments, the brasses and percussives will somehow be more beneficial on this one as trumpets sound brilliant, trombones have a metallic sound, horns sound bright, tom-toms simply have a warm and resonant, snare drums have bright sound, field drums have rather menacing sound on them and kettledrums a rumbling and dry sound. Pianos sound quite more balanced and even sound more resonant while maintaining some rich and mellow tone.

Black Ring and Blue Ring Nozzles

Black ring setting mode will definitely lessen the warmth while it gives a leaner, more transparent midrange presentation that will give more brighter and clarity on some vocals and instruments. Meanwhile, the Blue ring setting mode will even give a leaner and energetic midranger presentation.

On vocals, baritones and contraltos lose some of its plushiness and richness on their voices while countertenors and mezzo-sopranos have more fiery and intensity on their vocals. Tenors will sound even more thrilling and  brilliant especially on the Blue ring mode, same with sopranos which will sound a bit more intense on their already shining and shimmering vocals.

Regarding instruments, strings like guitars, violins and cellos, guitars have a crisp, bright and lingering tone, violins have metallic and sparkling sound (Blue ring nozzle setting will have added more shrill on this one) and cellos have bright and incisive sound. On woodwinds like concert flutes, piccolos, clarinets and saxophones, they sound brilliant, intense, bright and forceful respectively on Black ring nozzle and correspondingly on Black ring nozzle, they sound more penetrating, piercing, shrill and even more reedy. Pianos sound a brighter tone as it has metallic and tinny characteristics on them.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

Red Ring Nozzle

Compared to the other nozzle settings, this one has a bit attenuated on the upper-mids and the presence part of treble region but still retains a clarity and definition on vocals and instruments. Although in some cases, sibilance was apparently present on sibilant-laden tracks.

On the brilliance section, there's a moderate airy extension with well-done sparkle with some substantial amount of harmonics. Cymbals have a sizzling sound while hi-hats have a short buzzing sound on them. Celestas have a shimmering sound and glockenspiels have brilliant sound.

Black Ring Nozzle

This type of setting seems to have a brighter treble response on how the upper-mids and the presence treble were noticeably elevated on its overall frequency presentation. It gives even more clarity and sharp definition on attack of instruments and vocals but at the expense of possible harshness, shrillness and sibilance.

There's a noticeable more airy extension with more intense sparkle on it. Cymbals have a glistening sound while celestas have a brighter sound and glockenspiels have more shimmering sound than the ones with a red ring setting.

Blue Ring Nozzle

This setting is definitely have the most boosted upper mids up to the brilliance part of treble region as it gives the brightest and shimmering treble response but it makes some female vocals more shrill and instances of honk and a sharper resolution to the point it causes some stridency and occurrences of sibilance.

While its airy extension seems similar to the Black ring nozzle setting but some instruments, cymbals sound a bit harsher, glockenspiels appear to be more strident and celestas sound even more shimmering.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

Overall, as I perceived it within my head stage, it has an above-average sound field size, with a sufficiently widened lateral span, good height reach and a decent depth on it.

On stereo imaging, it projects a concave-like presentation in a rather two-layered soundscape but to my suprise, I was able to locate precisely the positioning of particular sections of instruments and vocals in a clean sonic canvas that playing some complex instrumental tracks will be an easier task that this set will execute it effortlessly.

The coherency of its driver performance is quite impressive as it has fast transient  response and vibration for lesser distortion on its sonic signal. This set is relatively pretty resolving especially on the micro-dynamics as it has sharper and clearer micro-detail definition as it was able to extract  a substantial amount of details and nuances from an audio source.

PEER COMPARISONS:

SIMGOT EA500 EA500LM

• Its shell chassis is entirely made of solid aluminium alloy.
• It uses a newly developed dynamic driver technology with composite diaphragm.
• Like the D Major, it also features a detachable nozzle system with 3 pairs of it for tuning flexibility.
• In some tuning settings, the bass response of this one has a more balanced presentation with sub bass presence and textured mid bass response, warmer midrange and a smoother and less offensive treble presentation.
• Technicality-wise, while it has similar sound/speaker stage size, it has a bit better depth, layering and a more solid macro-dynamics. But on stereo imaging presentation and micro-detail capabilities, the D-Major is tad better in this category as it exhibits a  sharper and clearer definition.

JIALAI CARAT

• It has a light aluminium alloy shell chassis.
• The driver that was implemented here is a titanium-coated DLC diaphragm dynamic driver.
• It doesn't have a detachable nozzle therefore it only offers a single type of tuning.
• It has a bright V-shaped sound profile which makes it a bit more coloured.
• It has a more sub-bass focused bass response, a recessed and leaner midrange presentation and it has a similar treble response which is bright and energetic but susceptible to harshness and sibilance.
• Compared to D-Major, It has narrower soundstage, less defined layering on its stereo imaging that I'm a bit struggling on locating the placements of vocals and instruments. Resolution capabilities are somehow similar.

It appears that this set is somewhat inspired by the introduction of SIMGOT's finest set last year and TWISTURA wants to follow its success but adding more features which is quite uncommon to other sets makes their introductory product even more appealing. With a jam-packed of accessories, a detachable tuning nozzle system for tuning versatility and with even an inclusion of headphone amp dongle, this product is indeed a compelling set for a budget-conscious audio enthusiast who wants to have a starter pack for a mobile hi-fi experience.

While it needs more polishing on its tonal performance as it needs further refinement on it as its tuning is more specialised to a specific type of listeners, the treble heads. but in some aspects, it has a good technical performance for single dynamic driver set-up.

TWISTURA D-Major is exclusively available on LINSOUL, check out the unaffiliated link that I've provided below.

LINK: https://www.linsoul.com/products/twistura-d-major

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: TWISTURA D-MAJOR

IMPEDANCE: 22Ω

SENSITIVITY: 108dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 15Hz - 35KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m

PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE:3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S): 1 DYNAMIC DRIVER

PROS:

● Quite a competitive for its asking price

● Its overall build quality is quite sturdy and solid.

● The unique design of its shells are quite eye-pleasing for its sophisticated look.

●  Pretty well-accessorised for an entry-level set.

● Inclusion of a headphone amp dongle.

● Can be amplified with decent multimedia devices like smartphones and tablets

● Detachable nozzle system for more choices of tuning preferences.

● Clean bass response

● Transparent, clear and detailed midrange

● Good for tracking on sopranos, strings and woodwind instruments.

● Bright, gleaming and satisfying airy treble presentation, highly recommended to treble heads.

● It has a capable technical aspect for a single DD set.

● Highly resolving in terms of resolution capability.

CONS:

● Can't have a proper fitting from its peculiar design as I need proper ear tips to pair with it.

● Its surfaces are prone to scratches, nicks and fingerprints.

● Black ring and blue ring nozzles settings aren't for treble sensitive folks.

● Absolutely not for bass heads due to its lack of authority and texture on the mid bass.

● Occurrences of sibilance and to some extent, harshness especially on blue ring and black ring nozzle settings.

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 KIWI EARS 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. KAREENA TANG of LINSOUL for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.