HISENIOR CAÑO CRISTALES: Colourful, Lively And Vivid Sound

"Caño Cristales “Crystal Channel” is a river located in Serrania de la Macarena mountain range situated in one of the natural regions of Colombia, Orinoquia Region known for its natural scenery and rich biodiversity of local and rare species. The river itself known for its vibrant and seasonal multi-colour changes due to its endemic aquatic plants found within the quartzite riverbed responsible for its colouration, and it also has a clear water as the locals called it “El Rio de Cinco Colores” (translated as The River of Five Colours), and considered as one of the most beautiful rivers in the world."

Picture taken from Procolombia/Colombia.travel website, credits to the owner.

It's been a while since I reviewed a product from HISENIOR and as far I know, this audio company gaining some strong traction from the audio community due to some of its successful product releases like OKAVANGO, MEGA5P and the MEGA5EST which became one of the most influential sets of the current audio market state as its tuning is became the de-facto standard of a modern neutral sound profile that some audio companies follow it. And now what I have here is their latest midrange set and a second model for their WILD SERIES line-up, like its precedent, The OKAVANGO, it also features a multi-driver set-up.

This is HISENIOR CAÑO CRISTALES, this one is a hybrid driver configuration IEM earphone consisting of dynamic drivers and balanced armature drivers. It has dual dynamic drivers and each of them has a liquid silicone diaphragm inside of their dual-chambered structure, and this type of material known for its low viscosity, chemical resistance, elasticity and durability for low distortion and responsive for a fast, deep and rumbly bass. Then the dual dynamic drivers were supported by four (4) balanced armature drivers that are fully-customised that were sourced from reputable audio solutions, Knowles and Bellsing, and these drivers will handle the rest of frequency bands. The midrange region were handled by Bellsing's 28U series full range BAs which is derived from their BRC281C10025 model and it was heavily customised for this set as it was tuned to deliver that crisp, clear and vividness on vocals and instruments, while the high frequency region were the sole responsibility that were handled by a two Knowles SWFK-31736 which are type of tweeter BA and each of the drivers are of a dual structure design, and this model is widely used by other audio companies due to its reliability and consistent performance for their clarity and detailed sound from instruments for their brilliance, shimmering and sustaining sound. These drivers were then connected into a passive three-way crossover in a form of acoustic tubes that serves a conduit as it splits audio signal for a wider, better detail and accurate sound reproduction without distortion.

The drivers along with other internal components were encapsulated in a high quality medical-grade hypoallergenic resin shell chassis with a UIEM-type shape and they are quite large profile and also quite chunky. The overall colourway design of this one has varying shades of purple on the entirety of its shell structure and its faceplate has a mix of blue and violet hue on its surface to give that distinctive wood grain pattern with gold etched print on each earpiece – CAÑO in the left earpiece, CRISTALES in the right earpiece. The nozzle of this IEM has a medium length as it latches well into my outer ear canal and it is made of metal alloy. Like most HISENIOR sets, it still employs a 0.78mm bi-pin connector as its interlocking mechanism due to its reliability, stability and ease to operate on both attaching and detaching with its separable stock cable.

As for its stock cable, it is on the high quality build as it was constructed from multi-strands of Ultra-Pure Ohno Continuous Casting Silver-plated copper conductors that were divided into 8-core that were braided and twisted for better flexibility, seamless transmission of lossless audio quality and reduced microphonic effects. Another thing that cable has that it has a modern feature, a modular termination plug that you swap its adapter plug with another adapter plug of different output type.

When it comes to wearability, while the CAÑO CRISTALES shells are on larger profile, it comfortably fits well to my lugholes without any discomfort and it firmly secures well. With its proper sealing, it will deliver an excellent passive noise isolation as it is able to block unwanted external noises from the outside surroundings.

The product packaging of this set is similar to most of the midrange models from other brands as it was packed in a medium-size packaging box and it was packed with quantifying numbers of accessories inside. The product packaging presentation of the CAÑO CRISTALES is quite attractive and vibrant as it displays a picture of a product with some brand and model print on its front while on its back, there's a product specification in addition with company address and contact information.

Here are the following contents that were included inside of its packaging box:

• Pair of HISENIOR CAÑO CRISTALES transducer pieces.
• Stock cable with modular termination plug feature.
• 3.5mm single-ended plug adapter
• 2.5mm balanced plug adapter
• 4.4mm balanced plug adapter
• Manatee carrying case
• Ear tips case
• Three (3) pairs of “Balanced” silicone eartips in different standard sizes. (S,M,L)
• Three (3) pairs of “Bass+” silicone eartips in different standard sizes. (S,M,L)
• Six (6) pairs of “Soft Balanced” silicone eartips in different standard sizes. (S,M,L)
• Two (2) pairs of memory foam eartips in medium sizes.
• Cleaning cloth
• Shirt clip
• Paperwork like user's manual and warranty card.

In terms of driveability, despite of its multi-driver configuration, with an impedance of 15ohms and a sensitivity rating of 113dB, this set is easy to drive even it was powered by a device (smartphones, laptops and tablets) with a sufficient signal strength from its standard gain output. With an optimal amplification, this set will sound pretty dynamic and full that encompasses the entire frequency range. But for volume power scaling, I won't recommend it at loud volume level as it will cause some audio clipping. I almost forgot to mention that this set is somewhat a source sensitive as it responds well to some devices like DAPs and portable headphone amplifiers with a warmish-neutral tonal profile as its digital filter preset.

The CAÑO CRISTALES has a very coloured tonal profile as it has a bright U to V-shaped sound signature (depending on the eartips you are using but on this testing, I'm using a wide bore one a.k.a soft balanced stock eartips). The turning curve of this one has a more prominent lows and high frequencies with a trough midrange position.

LOWS/BASS:

Before I'm describing its bass quality, I would like to share some of my insights about this sort of transducer that was implemented here as I’m familiar with this type of dynamic driver technology as I have some IEMs in my collection with a liquid silicone diaphragm inside. The bass quality of this set is quite balanced as it has a perceivable sub bass presence to give that deep rumbling feedback while the mid bass is notably well-texture to deliver that precise punchiness while maintaining a clean bass delivery (looks like that its crossover system on both passive and electronically active works pretty well on this one).

The sub bass presence can be felt intensely as those deep bass-producing instruments like synthesisers, drum machines, bass guitars and double-basses as it generates some strong rumbles and reverberations. The mid bass texture will deliver a well-bodied and tonal definition sound on bass-clef instruments and low-octave male vocals. The bass guitars have a sonorous and full sound, while the double-basses sound more weight with a raspiness on their tones, and then bass kick drums have a pounding and resonant sound on every beat. Meanwhile, on bass and bass-baritones, they sound quite authentic and natural as it has those deep, dark resonating time that gives their distinctive gravelly, dense and dusky sound.

MIDRANGE:

While its midrange presentation is certainly recessed as some of its musical elements are sound a bit hollowed and a bit leaner, but at least it still has an enough warmth as it somehow supports with its transparent and energetic tuning that makes some vocals sound more onward while instruments like strings and woodwinds will deliver those life-like sound with vibrating, resonating and breathy tone qualities.

On the male vocals, due to the hollowness on its note weight, it affects the tonal quality on some baritone-types especially on the lower ranges like kavalierbariton, dramatic and noble baritones as they are lacking of the warm, full and rich sound but on both lyric and light baritones, they sound more agile, light and sweet sound. The tenors like leggero and lyric types will most likely fare well on this midrange tuning as they sound clear, bright and spicy, while countertenors have a tender and coppery sound from their falsetto voices. Concurrently, on female vocals, contraltos seems to lose some its heft and richness but still has that smoky sound from its chesty vocals, while on mezzo-sopranos, they have those fiery, sensitive and glowing sound to give those emotive and some operatic vocal passage,  plaintive and doleful voices, and then on the sopranos, almost all sub-types of this specific vocal type, from dramatic up the coloratura sopranos, they sound silky, silvery and shimmering as it gives more expressive and airy presence.

As for its instruments, as I mentioned a while ago as on how this type will favour the woodwind and string ones as I previously mentioned a while ago. On the woodwinds, concert flutes sound airy and bright, piccolos have a delicate and brilliant sound with a bit of piercing tone, clarinets sound lively with incisiveness, and the saxophones have those mild and reedy sounds. The string instruments with their diverse range of tonality, guitars have crisp, bright and lingering sound while the violins have brilliant and sparkling sound with a hint of metallic tone on its bowstrings, and cellos have a sweet and lively sound. On the brass one, trumpets have a full and metallic brilliance, while trombones sound eruptive and penetrating, and the horns have that velvety, clear and metallic sound. Next is the percussive as these instruments on the tuning of this set as snare drums have a bright and penetrating sound, tom-toms have an incisive and resonating sound, field drums have a  more sonorous sound, and the kettledrums have a deep, resonant and dry sounds. Following these percussion instruments, the pianos have a rich, crisp and vibrant sound on every note.

 

HIGHS/TREBLE:

Certainly that the treble quality of this one is on the brighter side of tuning as it has a shimmering and vivid response with a good amount of air on it as it has noticeable peaks from the upper midrange up to presence section on its high frequency region. With those boosted and accentuated parts, it somewhat highlights more on the the clarity and definition on the sharper attack on the both percussive and rhythmic instruments, and also on the articulation on vocals. But there are also some drawbacks with this type of tuning as it won’t be a conducive to some treble sensitive folks as it might too intense for their listening threshold, and also, it produces some tinny, piercing and shrill tones on some treble-prominent and sibilant-prone tracks.

The brilliance section has a well-extended treble air and it has a bit of an intense sparkle as there are some good harmonics that will give some tonal definition on treble-clef instruments. Cymbals have those brilliant and metallic sounds while hi-hats have those shortened crisp and sizzling tones from its chick-y sound. Glockenspiels have those thin and piercing sounds, and celestas have those bright and sensitive sounds.

SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING & OTHER TECHNICALITIES:

The perceived soundstage on this one is more on above-average sized sound field as it has a median length lateral span but it has a good height reach and depth that somehow gives a fairly roomy head room. On its stereo imaging, it presents a holographic stereo imaging with a well-layered soundscape and remarkable separation in which I was able to pinpoint the musical elements within the mix accurately that playing a complex multi-instrumental tracks like from jazz and orchestra recordings would be an easy-peasy on this set.

On how its multi-driver configuration performs, it delivers a cohesive sound as the dynamic driver is able to execute a moderately fast transient speed on its bass response along with a clear, detailed and sharp sound with no distortion. As for its resolution capabilities, it has a firm definition on macro-dynamics as it is able to highlight the differentiating levels of loudness from the chorale lines and instrumental passages, while on its micro-dynamics, it has a sharp definition on extracting a good amount of  details, grains and nuances from a sonic background such as reverb tails, notational textures and vocals.

PEER COMPARISONS:

HIDIZS MS5

• An old midrange flagship from HIDIZS, it has a hybrid driver set-up.
• On its internals, it has 1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armature drivers that were sourced from Knowles and Sonion, and then, these drivers were encapsulated in a solid aluminium alloy with a hollowed design resin faceplate panel.
• Expected for a midrange set, this one is feature-rich with a number of accessories like more choices of eartips, a hard-bound leather storage case and a high quality stock cable but no modular termination feature.
• Since this is the HIDIZS’ first set that utilises their detachable tuning nozzle system, it offers three sound profiles from warm V-shaped up to bright U-shaped sound profile in which the latter one will be compared to CAÑO CRISTALES. In the bright U-shaped setting, it has a rumbly yet tighter bass response, recessed midrange with an energetic and transparent sound with just a hint of warmth, and bright and relatively airy treble response although it is more susceptible to sibilance and piercing sounds.
• As for its overall technical performance, while it has well-layered soundscape and a very detailed resolution capabilities, its perceived head stage is somewhat average in size and too intimate when it comes to stereo imaging presentation.

THIEAUDIO HYPE 2

• A midrange IEM model from THIEAUDIO and it also has a hybrid driver set-up.
• It has two dynamic drivers and two balanced armature drivers that were encapsulated in a UIEM-style resin shell chassis.
• On its product packaging, it has a sufficient amount of inclusions inside including two types of ear tips, a storage case and a stock cable.
• While the cable is of a high quality which has a balanced build, it doesn't have a modular termination plug feature.
• The tuning profile of this one is more of a mild U-shaped sound profile as u like the CAÑO CRISTALES, it has less punchy but more tidy and tighter bass response, less recessed, well-balanced midrange with enough warmth and a little bit of energy which makes an all-rounder for vocals and instruments, and a smoother, glossy and fairly airy treble response.
• Technicality-wise, it has a well-layered holographic soundscape with a roomy head stage and competent resolution capabilities on highlighting details and other nuances.

AFUL PERFORMER 7/5+2

• AFUL's latest midrange level set and the latest of their PERFORMER series line-up, and this one is also a hybrid-driver IEM.
• Aside from a dual dynamic driver and four balanced armature driver, it also includes another driver technology which is a “micro-planar” driver that supports the high frequency for a crisp and airier response on its brilliance section, and all of these drivers are housed in a 3D-printed UIEM-style resin shell chassis.
• The AFUL is also known for its generous amount of accessories on their products and this set is fully-loaded with eartips, storage case and a stock cable.
• Inside of its internals, along with its drivers, it uses their proprietary active frequency crossover for the improvement of its overall sound quality.
• This one is a balanced-neutral type of sound with some emphasis on high frequency response, and if it compared to the CAÑO CRISTALES, it has a bit tighter and incisive bass response, a neutral, well-balanced and transparent midrange with a hint of warmth and energy for vocals and instruments and a lustrous and airy treble presentation.
• As for its overall technical capabilities, it has a moderately wide, a depth and complex layering of its perceived acoustic landscape and a well-defined detailing and nuances on its resolution capabilities.

YANYIN CANON II

• Like the CAÑO CRISTALES, this old model from YANYIN also features a hybrid driver set-up.
• The hybrid driver configuration consisted of one dynamic driver and  four custom-made balanced armature drivers connected into a three-way acoustic conduit supported by an electronic frequency crossover, and all of these drivers were housed in a solid resin shell chassis.
• This one is also pretty well-packed with accessories inside of its packaging box as it includes more types of eartips, a storage case and a high-quality stock cable albeit it doesn't have a modular termination feature.
• It has some tuning toggle switches on its shell structure in which it offers three distinctive tuning profiles.
• Since it has a three sound signatures, I will compare it to the CAÑO CRISTALES with its bass boost tuning which is a up, up switch configuration as it has a more punchy and impactful bass response, a less recessed midrange with a warm and lush sounding vocals and instruments as they sound organic and smoother but less airy treble response.
• The perceived soundstage of this one is fairly roomy with an atmospheric stereo imaging with a good separation and layering on its soundscape and good detail retrieval.

On my final verdict about this product, the CAÑO CRISTALES is a rather interesting set that is capable of delivering a high fidelity sound quality as it renders some vocals and instruments to a level of precision, vividness and detailed clarity with an impressive technical performance thoroughly and completely. While it's not a neutral sounding set that I'm looking for my personal tonal  preference as this one is way too coloured on my liking, but with such degree of revealing and detailed that this set could provide while maintaining that fun and musical engaging sound with such spaciousness and intricate level of layering and separation on each part of musical element sections.

Another thing that this set has was its quantifying amount of included contents that even for a midrange-level IEM earphone, it is full-packed that we could certainly use it for wearing customisation due to its number of ear tips of different types that were featured.

HISENIOR CAÑO CRISTALES is now available on Hisenior official store, check out the link below. And also, it is available here in the Philippines and it exclusively distributed by EGGHEAD AUDIO PHILIPPINES where you can test their demo unit.

LINK: https://www.hisenior-iem.com/products/cano-cristales

EGGHEAD AUDIO PHILIPPINES (FB Page): https://www.facebook.com/share/1B3gisCTy1/

More HISENIOR product reviews?

■ HISENIOR T2

■ HISENIOR FE3U

SPECIFICATION:

MODEL: HISENIOR CAÑO CRISTALES

IMPEDANCE: 10Ω

SENSITIVITY: 113dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz – 40KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m

PIN TYPE: 0.78 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: (MODULAR) 2.5mm, 3.5mm,4.4mm

DRIVER UNIT(S):  (2) DYNAMIC DRIVER, (8) BALANCED ARMATURE DRIVER(S)

MICROPHONE SUPPORT: NO

PROS:

● The shell structures are made of high quality resin material with hypoallergenic properties.

● Vibrant and bold design on its faceplate.

● Its UIEM-type shell offers some of the best fitting with excellent passive noise isolation.

● Pretty power efficient as it is easy to drive.

● It offers a fully-packed amount of accessories inside of its packaging box.

● Want some more eartips? This one offers a variety of eartips.

● Inclusion of high quality stock cable with modular termination feature.

● The inclusion of the Manatee storage case, a well-designed leather storage case.

● Fun, musical and coloured tonal profile for the listeners that enjoys coloured tuning.

● Easy to drive.

● A rumbly, impactful and punchy bass response, and also surprisingly, it is somehow quite segregated from the other frequency parts.

● Full and rich sounding from bass-clef instruments and deep male vocals

● Clear, translucent and energetic midrange.

● Excellent on tracking on some vocal types and instruments.

Shining and open-sounding female vocals

● Crisp, lingering and vibrant sound on strings like guitars and violins.

● Brilliant and airy sound on woodwinds like piccolos, flutes and saxophones as they sound life-like

● Bright, vivid and airy treble response that will put some smile on the face of the treble-heads.

● 3D-like stereo presentation, with well-defined layering on its acoustic landscape with excellent separation.

● Sharp definition on its micro-dynamics aspect.

CONS:

● Definitely not a neutral sounding set due to its coloured tuning.

● A bit lean and recessed midrange presentation.

● Some instruments, especially on percussion ones, sound dry and dead.

● Not for audio enthusiasts that prefer towards more warm tonality as they find this one a bit too “clinical” sounding on their liking.

● Treble sensitive might find its treble tuning a bit intense on their listening threshold as its overall treble quality might sound too bright and aggressive.

● Instances of shrill-y, piercing and metallic sound on some tracks.

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 HISENIOR 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 MR. GARETH CHAN of HISENIOR for providing this review tour unit. I truly appreciate his generosity and trust towards me and other participating audio reviewers.