audio-sound @ hatena

An audio review & news blog. The volume should not exceed 80 dB is recommended. I usually adhere to the safe-listening style by WHO. Please note that my aural impressions and interpretations of measurements are also made from a safe-listening style.

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【Chi-fi earphones review】iBasso AM05: The transparent and thick midrange gives you a versatile and musical sound.

iBasso AM05

iBasso AM05

iBasso AM05 5BA Knowles In Ear Wired 4 Channel IEM HiFi Earphone with MMCX

 

 
The product featured this time is iBasso AM05. iBasso is a Chinese brand famous for releasing advanced audio products centering on digital audio players, and it is a topic to release a monster DAP called iBasso DX220 Max soon.

hifigo.com

 

The iBasso AM05 is iBasso's latest IEM, and is the first model in the AM series that was created with a design concept different from the previous IT series. The sound is rich and transparent, and is characterized by rich musicality that is ashamed of the name of AM.

hifigo.com

www.ear-phone-review.com

 

Basic specifications

  • Frequency responce: 10hz-40khz
  • Impedance: 32Ω
  • Sensitivity: 115dB
  • Cable connector: mmcx

 

Unboxing

The entire earphone package is a little better than standard at this price point. Many ear tips are included, and the stock cable also has a 2.5 mm balanced connection and 3.5 mm single end compatible structure, so it seems relatively luxurious. The point is that it also comes with a solid metal earphone case. However, the package design may be standard or perhaps even cheap at this price point.

 

A detailed photo of the atmosphere of the package is introduced in the HiFiGO review with beautiful photos, so you may want to take a look at it.

hifigo.com

 

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

 

Fit

The housing is reasonably thick, but it has a good fit and sound insulation.

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

 

Sound Quality

Measuring equipment

  • SAMURA HATS Type3500RHR System: HEAD & TORSO, left and right S-Type ear model (Type4565 / 4566: IEC60268-7 compliant)
  • AWA type 6162 711 ear simulator
  • Microphone preamplifier: Type4053
  • Type5050 microphone amplifier power supply
  • Audio interface: ROLAND Rubix 24
  • Analyzer software: TypeDSSF3-L

*Due to the response of the ear simulator, the reliability below 20hz and above 16khz is not high.

 

Frequency response

In order,

  1. [AET07 M attached] Separate left and right
  2. [AET07 M attached] Average left and right
  3. [AET07 M attached] Separate left and right (free sound field corrected)
  4. [AET07 M attached] Left-right average (free sound field corrected)
  5. [Whirlwind M attached] Separate left and right
  6. [Whirlwind M attached] Average left and right
  7. [Whirlwind M attached] Separate left and right (free sound field corrected)
  8. [Whirlwind M attached] Left-right average (free sound field corrected)
  9. [gray M attached] Separate left and right
  10. [gray M attached] Average left and right
  11. [gray M attached] Separate left and right (free sound field corrected)
  12. [gray M attached] Left-right average (free sound field corrected)
  13. [White M attached] Separate left and right
  14. [White M attached] Average left and right
  15. [White M attached] Separate left and right (free sound field corrected)
  16. [White M attached] Left-right average (free sound field corrected)
  17. [black M attached] Separate left and right
  18. [black M attached] Average left and right
  19. [black M attached] Separate left and right (free sound field corrected)
  20. [black M attached] Left-right average (free sound field corrected)
  21. Comparison (free sound field corrected)
  22. Comparison (free sound field corrected/2khz-24khz)

* "AET 07 M size" is the reference eartip for measurement of this blog. All other eartips are standard with this earphone package unless otherwise noted.

 

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

iBasso Audio AM05

 

On the whole, it is a sound signature that is almost flat and has relatively few irregularities up to the high range. In terms of classification, it may be said that it is close to a warm sound. In general, the low range and mid range are well connected, and the sound is rich and full.

hifigo.com

 

It is clear that AM05's "AM" means "All Music", but that's exactly what it is meant to focus on the mid-range, the heart of music. The adjustment is made with an emphasis on the fullness of the mid range, the low range is somewhat monitor-like, the high range is mild and does not emphasize too much detail, and the main role is the mid range. The sound quality is easy to understand. Due to its rich but transparent midrange, the piano and vocals play a leading role in this earphone.

 

The body and thickness are sufficient for the sound in the mid- and low-range, so the music is full. On the other hand, the parts that make you feel more weight and depth are suppressed, and the low end is clear. Therefore, the impression of low frequencies is a little monitor-like, but the feel of artificial sound that the word monitor-like feels is not so strong.

 

Since there is an appropriate thickness from the mid-low range to the lower mid-range, the acoustic sound has a substantial sound, and the mid range is rich. In particular, the piano has a real feeling that it is a rich sound, it has a lush and deep tone, and the ridge of the sound has a solid contour but not a strong feeling. It will surely satisfy listeners who love playing piano and jazz piano songs.

 

The balance of the detail and body of the vocal is also wonderful, and it generally satisfies vocal lovers. In general, the vocal itself has an atmosphere in which it is not too far away from the sound of the musical instrument, and the surroundings are faintly colored and not too dissociative. Since the consonant is not particularly rough, it tends to be favored by vocal enthusiasts who emphasize body rather than nuance. However, this does not mean that the vocal expression of this earphone is inferior in nuance.

 

Recording signature

Please refer to the following for the basic principles of recording signatures and how to enjoy them.

www.ear-phone-review.com

 

The recording signature is posted for advisory. Free sound field adjustment is added. The source is FiiO M15 and the gain setting is high. The eartips used are the "Whirlwind M size" that comes standard. This time we recorded the balanced and unbalanced audio separately. I also wanted to personally feel the effect of balanced connection.

audio-sound.hateblo.jp

 

The music used in the recording signature is from the game maker Nippon Falcom, which I love.

www.falcom.co.jp

 

JAZZ
Unbalanced

anchor.fm

Balanced

anchor.fm

 

OST
Unbalanced

anchor.fm

Balanced

anchor.fm

 

Classical
Unbalanced

anchor.fm

Balanced

anchor.fm

  • Sophisticated Fight / We Love Sora No Kiseki / Copyright © Nihon Falcom Corporation
  • FEENA / イース ピアノコレクション / Copyright © Nihon Falcom Corporation
  • 第3部「白き魔女」: 白き魔女 /   Symphony Gagharv Trilogy / Copyright © Nihon Falcom Corporation

  • 組曲 LILIA (ファルコム ネオクラシック フロム スタディオズ イン ロンドンシティ) / Very Best of Ys / Copyright © Nihon Falcom Corporation

 

Rock
Unbalanced

anchor.fm

Balanced

anchor.fm

 

Final verdict

Comprehensive evaluation: ★★★★

These earphones have a good balance of transparency and richness, and a beautiful musical midrange. The package contents are relatively luxurious for the 30,000 yen class and can be recommended, but the package itself is not so luxurious. However, the package design has nothing to do with the sound quality, and it is not a matter of importance because it is only a matter of satisfaction of the unboxing experience. That is why there are practically no drawbacks. Rather, it comes with a cable that allows you to make a balanced connection immediately at this price, so it is a great value.

 

iBasso AM05

iBasso AM05

iBasso AM05 5BA Knowles In Ear Wired 4 Channel IEM HiFi Earphone with MMCX

 

audio-sound.hateblo.jp

audio-sound.hateblo.jp

audio-sound.hateblo.jp

audio-sound.hateblo.jp