AFUL PERFORMER 5+2: An Ideally Balanced Tonality?

The portable audio industry became one of the most profitable sections on the audio technology market as there are some people who have realised that listening to a music in an immersive high fidelity experience will give some new perspective on how they appreciate sonic qualities. Annually, there are new audio companies establishing themselves with their introductory product models with some new features like driver technology, material and most of all, tuning aspects and technical capabilities, and AFUL AUDIO was one of them that established itself as an independent audio company two years ago.

AFUL released the inaugural model, the PERFORMER 5 and it somehow helps to signify its brand recognition to add more credence and reputation in the audio community as it has some positive feedback from both established audio reviewers and consumers alike. But in my opinion, as an independent amateur portable audio reviewer, I actually find the PERFORMER 5 as a lacklustre one due to some noticeable driver incoherences, less appealing and mediocre tonal profile and less impressive technical performance, although it has one of the best shell contours as it fits like a glove into my lugholes.

I have this bias viewpoint on having a “First impression lasts” manner but again I'm too quick to judge being dismissive of the AFUL AUDIO brand. Their next product releases did really change my opinion on them and broke my initial impression on them as AFUL show how adaptable, innovative and willing to accept any feedbacks for the improvements of their next product line. On AFUL's succeeding models with the likes the PERFORMER 8, EXPLORER and MAGICONE shows their prowess as an audio artisans on their own right.

The product that will be featured here in this review article right now is their latest initial-level midrange set, AFUL PERFORMER 5+2. This one is a successor model of their introductory product, the AFUL PERFORMER 5 and it also has a hybrid driver configuration just like its predecessors but AFUL adds some new features in which I will explicate later.

As I mentioned that AFUL PERFORMER 5+2 has a hybrid driver set-up consisting of three types of driver technology that each of them will handle specific frequencies. The low frequency was handled by dual dynamic drivers that connected to an acoustic tube to deliver a tactile, well-bodied and deep bass response, the four custom-made balanced armature drivers that will handle the midrange up to the high frequency section will deliver a rich and natural sound on vocals and instruments along with a smooth, clear and highly resolving treble response. The unusual “micro-planar” driver that takes a physical profile similar to a balanced armature driver will add more harmonics, crispness and air on its ultra-high frequency response. All of these drivers were connected to an acoustic tube that will deliver a good passive separation for each frequency part that affects the overall tuning coherency and harmonious sound of its sound quality.

Aside from the drivers, AFUL also implemented their highly acclaimed patented audio technologies like RCL Network Frequency Division Correction Technology which an advanced electronic crossover that filters out to minimise peaks due to unwanted resonance that improves the performance of the drivers especially on balanced armatures driver ones to have clean, clear and smooth tuning curves on the treble, and the High-Damping Air-Pressure Balanced System which alleviates any possible air pressure build-up in a long listening that might cause some discomfort and ear fatigue and it also features a bass acoustic tube for deeper and clearer sub bass response.

The drivers and other components were encapsulated in a 3D-printed medical-grade resin shell moulded in a UIEM-style form profile. It has an appealing geometrical pattern that reminds me of some veins in a leaf with a glittery and vivid emerald green shade on its faceplate with a brand print on it. Like all AFUL sets, it still features a 0.78mm bi-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism for its detachable cable.

In terms of fitting, The AFUL PERFORMER 5 + 2 offers a comfortable wear as it fits well into my lugholes just like all of AFUL's  previous models. Its contours give a good sealing as it offers an excellent passive noise isolation that blocks unwanted external noises from the outside.

Its stock cable, like all AFUL's previous models, looks premium and well-built as it is thick yet flexible and resistant from entanglement. The cable is constructed in a braided 8-core structured, multi-strand high purity silver-plated copper wires with a straight gold-plated 3.5mm termination plug on its end (You can select a 4.4mm balanced as an option upon ordering).

As expected, AFUL will assure that the overall product packaging of this one is well-stocked with accessories that a proper midrange set should have.

Here are the following inclusions inside of its packaging box:

• Pair of AFUL PERFORMER 5+2 IEM transducers.
• Stock cable
• Round metal alloy carrying case.
• Three (3) pairs of blue-coloured stem narrow-bored silicone ear tips on different standard sizes.
• Three (3) pairs of balanced-bored silicone ear tips on different standard sizes.
• Three (3) pairs of black balanced-bored silicone ear tips of different standard sizes.
• Paperwork like instruction manual and quality control card.

Regarding power scalability, the AFUL PERFORMER 5+2 is quite sensitive that it can be amplified easily by devices with just a usual power output in a normal gain mode. That said power output will sufficiently deliver a full-range and dynamic sound quality.

The PERFORMER 5+2 has an interesting tuning which aligns with a mild U-shaped tonality in which all parts of frequency were presented in a well-balanced and evened layout across its audio spectrum.

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

LOWS/BASS:

The low frequencies of this one in terms of quality and quantity is pretty-well balanced as it has sub bass presence and adequately textured mid bass. It delivers a punchy, responsive and incisive bass with a deep and reverberating sound while maintaining some segregation to have that clean bass response.

The sub bass presence of this set is clearly felt with rumbling generated from instruments like low tuned bass guitars and double basses, synthesisers and drum machines. The mid bass texture evidently seems more on balanced side in terms of note density as it didn't sound too lean nor too thick, just enough to give weight on bass-clef instruments and low octave male vocals. Bass guitars sound rasping and resonant while the double basses have an added tad weighty sound on it, bass kick drums sound thudding and rumbling but sometimes I wish that it has some fullness with it on every stroke. On male vocal-types such as basses and bass-baritones, the former have an enough depth for its round and full sound but appears to have less darker timbre while the latter has a sufficient weight and depth to sound at least a bit dusky.

MIDRANGE:

This is probably its strongest asset on how this set almost perfectly renders this frequency section. It presents a clean, well-balanced, neutral and transparent midrange presentation with some energy on it. With this quality, it delivers some natural tone and smoothness on male vocals and some instruments while that tad energetic sound will give more clarity and detail on female vocals and instruments like strings and woodwinds.

As the male vocals have an ample texture for its note weight, baritones sound smooth and lush, tenors have a warm, dazzling and spiciness on their vocals particularly on leggero tenors and lyric tenors, and then countertenors have a graceful and tender  characters from their falsetto vocals. On female vocals, contraltos have enough richness and depth on their vocals although an added warmth is more ideal for a bit fuller and authority on this type of vocal but I think it's passable in my opinion, mezzo-sopranos have a golden, fiery and smooth transition of their distinctive vocal passage and sopranos have gleaming, silvery and crystalline vocals which makes it more a versatile on this type of vocal types from dramatic sopranos up to the coloratura sopranos.

The sound of instruments of this one sounds organic, detailed with almost accurate tonal colour for each of type; strings, woodwinds, brasses and percussions. On strings, guitars sounds crisps with a hint of warmth to sound at least more balanced on every plucking on its strings, violins sound sensuous, vibrant and sweet on every motion on its bowstrings, and then cellos have these stately sound as it has silky, warmth and bright tone. Woodwind instruments like concert flutes, piccolos, clarinets and saxophones, they sound airy, bright, lustrous and reedy respectively. The brasses with the likes of trumpets, trombones and horns, trumpets sound brilliant, trombones have brassy and dramatic sounds, and then, the horns sound clear with some fullness on them. On percussives, toms-toms have an ample warmth and resonant sound, snare drums sound sharp and precise, field/tenor drums have a sonorous, resonating with a full sound on them on every stroke, marimbas have a sonorous and velvety sound and last but not the least, the kettledrums sound deep and resonant. The pianos sound quite even and balanced as it has a sweet, rich and brilliant tone.

HIGHS/TREBLE:

Another star feature of this set is how it represents its treble response as it sounds lustrous, airy and detailed. There's a noticeable slight emphasis on the upper midrange and some parts of presence treble enough to give a clarity and definition on vocals and attack of instruments without sounding too strident nor sibilance.

It is apparent that the brilliance section of this one has a good extension on its treble air and has an intensity on its sparkle for better handling on harmonics that also affects the timbre quality of some treble-clef instruments. Cymbals have a lustrous sound while  hi-hats have its own distinctive short buzzing and sizzling sound, glockenspiels have these brilliant and shimmering sounds, and celestas sound ethereal and sweet to give that “heavenly” vibe.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

The overall perceived sound/speaker stage on this set is on above-average to wide in terms of spatial dimension with a sufficiently wide lateral span, excellent height and good depth. In this regard, it gives me a moderately spacious head room within my aural sphere.

It also appears that it projects a holographic stereo presentation with a well-layered soundscape with remarkable separation on each element such as tonal frequencies and dynamics on either rhythmic and percussive ones. This performance will assure an excellent playback on some complex multi-instrumental tracks like orchestras and jazz tracks.

Cohesive performance of its multi-driver set-up is commendable on how it delivers a very coherent and a responsive transient speed of its drivers without any phasing or distortion issues at all. The resolution capabilities of PERFORMER 5 + 2 is probably the most resolving set in the current portable audio market on both macro-dynamics and micro-detail capability as it highlights the certain elements of varying degrees on dynamic compression on vocals and instruments while it has a sharp definition on its micro-detail retrieval capability on extracting some nuances and subtleties from its sonic canvas like notation attacks from instruments, vocal tails and roomy/atmospheric reverberations.

PEER COMPARISONS:

AFUL PERFORMER 5

• The first model of the PERFORMER series, and like the PERFORMER 5+2, also has a hybrid driver configuration.
• But unlike its current model, it only has two driver technologies that were implemented on its internal.
• It uses a medical-grade resin shell chassis with well-thought design on its UIEM-type shape outline to ensure excellent fitting.
• The tonality of this one is more coloured as it has a U-shaped sound profile.
• It also has punchy bass response albeit noticeable slower and less textured on its mid bass, recessed and tad leaner midrange presentation and a bright and energetic treble but less refined and a bit adequate airy extension.
• On technical capabilities, it has a narrower sound/speaker stage and a bit incoherent on its driver performance as if it doesn't deliver that homogenous sound due the  sluggish response of its dynamic driver.

KIWI EARS QUINTET

• KIWI EARS’ “quad-hybrid” driver IEM as it has 4 types of driver technology that were implemented inside.
• It has a single dynamic driver, dual balanced armature drivers, “micro-planar” transducer and piezo-electric driver on each side.
• It takes a UIEM-style shell design and it uses a composite materials, metal alloy on its faceplate and resin on its cavity base.
• The tonal profile of this one has a mild U-shaped as it has perceivable elevation on lows and high frequencies.
• On its overall sound profile this one has a tighter bass response which is more focused on sub bass, a neutral and a tad energetic midrange for female vocals and string instruments, and then, a bright and shimmering treble with good air extension.
• Its technical performance, it has almost similar technical performance with the PERFORMER 5+2 from sound/speaker stage dimension up to resolution capabilities in which this set is quite resolving in that aspect.

JUZEAR BUTTERFLY 61T

• Like the PERFORMER 5+2, it has hybrid driver configuration and it also has a similar material on its shell chassis.
• The driver configuration of this one consists of 1 dynamic driver and 6 balanced armature drivers in which two of them are Knowles drivers.
• Like the PERFORMER 5+2, it also has a UIEM-type shell structure and is made of medical-grade resin with a beautifully-looking abalone colourway on it.
• This set has a neutralish-warm sound profile as it presents a rather balanced and almost linear presentation on its overall frequency range spectrum.
• It has balanced bass response with good sub bass presence and sufficient ample textured mid bass, a sufficiently warmth with a well-balanced midrange presentation that makes it also an all-arounder for vocals and instruments, and a smooth and even treble response with a good airy extension.
• On the technical capabilities, it is on par with PERFORMER 5+2 but there are some differences as it sounds a bit less natural and less resolving compared to the latter.

LETSHUOER CADENZA 4

• Another contender for the best hybrid driver IEM this year but unlike the PERFORMER 5+2, it only has two driver technology but it uses a more premium balanced armature driver from reputable audio solutions.
• It has a single dynamic driver and triple balanced armature drivers provided by Knowles and Sonion inside.
• The shells are of UIEM-style with composite material on it and it was 3D-moulded by HEYGEARS.
• The CADENZA 4 has a balanced-neutral sound just like the PERFORMER 5+2 but apparently it's even more neutral sounding on how it presents its overall tonality with a well-balanced presentation of its frequency range spectrum.
• It also has balanced bass response with perceivable sub bass presence and an ample mid bass texture, a neutral, clean and and a non-scooped midrange presentation and well-balanced and even treble presentation.
• The technical performance of this one is quite eerily similar with PERFORMER 5+2 from sound/speaker stage dimensions up to the driver coherence although the latter is a tad more resolving in terms of micro-detail retrieval capabilities.

The AFUL brand continues to stamp their own statement as a reputable and innovative audio company on how they persist to evolve and introduce new features on their product offerings for every release as they fully utilise their proprietary technologies with it. The AFUL PERFORMER 5+2 is the proof that in  a short time, it distinguishes itself from the previous generation as there is a noticeable improvement and a refinement between the introductory model and its current successor model.

The PERFORMER 5+2 in my opinion is indeed a highly recommended set as it delivers such a balanced tuning that has a clean, clear and detailed sound that it can be mostly found on a more pricey range at a reasonable price.

For more AFUL products, check out my reviews of their previous model below:

■ AFUL PERFORMER 5

■ AFUL PERFORMER 8

■ AFUL EXPLORER

■ AFUL MAGICONE

AFUL PERFORMER 5+2 is exclusively available on HIFIGO and if you are interested to purchase this set, here is the non-affiliate link of the said online store.

LINK:

https://hifigo.com/products/aful-performer-7?srsltid=AfmBOooE5Yd6ia68KSWKH1-34CUA9WgLz4owDaZZNw5nuPiQytPu6DYp

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: AFUL PERFORMER 5+2

IMPEDANCE: 15Ω

SENSITIVITY: 109dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz – 35KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m

PIN TYPE: 0.78 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S):  (1) DYNAMIC DRIVER + (1) BONE CONDUCTION DRIVER + (4) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVERS

PROS:

● Solidly built resin shell chassis in a compact UIEM-style form factor.

● Like all AFUL sets, it has one of best shell structure designs in the portable audio market in terms of fitting and comfort.

● As expected for an AFUL set, this one is pretty well-accessorised.

● Its tri-brid driver configuration with a 4-way electronic crossover really works for the overall cohesion of its sound quality.

● Inclusion of high quality cable.

● A mild-U sound profile with a naturalness of its tonal colour of its overall sound quality.

● A balanced bass response with perceivable sub bass presence and an ample mid bass texture.

● Midrange presentation is quite exemplary as it projects a satisfying warmth on some vocals and instruments as it sounds well-balanced, natural and pleasant.

● Quite versatile on vocal and instruments.

● Lustre and airy treble response.

● Easy to amplify as it can be driven with devices with a normal gain mode.

● Above-average sound field projection and well-layered holographic stereo imaging presentation.

● It has an exceptional detail retrieval capability.

CONS:

● Not for adherent bass heads due its lacking of authority and boomy bass response.

● Audio enthusiasts who want a more coloured, fun and analogue-ish tuning might look somewhere else as this set won't give those tonal requirements they are looking for.

● Treble sensitive folk should take caution as it has that energetic and a tad sharpness on the upper-mids up to the presence treble.

● Wishing for a modular termination plug option of its stock cable as some of its competitors in the same price range offers this important feature.

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 AFUL AUDIO 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 Ms. Hermine Qiu and Mr. Kerwen Wu of HIFIGO for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.