It turned out that I didn’t write a text review iBasso IT04 “hot pursuit”, first, waited until they shipped to the distributors, then there were other reviews. But now, finally, the turn of the new flagship of the company, so let’s look at their 4-handler hybrids.
Recent iBasso over and over again prove that they were able to draw conclusions from past mistakes, and their experience and expertise are reflected in a very successful line of products, be it iPods, headphones, or even replacement of the wire. Great value and quality — one of the key characteristics of the company’s lineup. To this is added the proprietary concept of neutrality in the sound, successfully withstanding all their products.
Classic scheme IT03 hybrids gained popularity, the reasons sounded above, and the company decided to develop the model range, not only down, but up. After a series of prototypes, the developers decided to abandon the idea to make a case out of wood, so the Quartet made of plastic, but advantageously stand out against the neutral-boring “triples”. The tuning has been sound and delivery set packaging. The price tag is raised, aligning it with similar models from other developers, so are IT04 about $ 500 (price at the time of the review), slightly differing depending on the country.
Specifications
- Transducers: dynamic 10mm with graphene diaphragm + 3 × with a balanced armature from Knowles
- Frequency range: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
- Sensitivity: 110±2dB/mW
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Noise isolation: -30 dB
- Rated power: 10 mW
- Total harmonic distortion: <1% @ 1 kHz, 1 mW
- Cable: hybrid (silver+silver-plated copper), mixed with MMCX connectors, 1.2 m
- Plug: balanced 2.5 mm TRRS adapter 3.5 mm TRS to complete
- Weight: 13 gr.
Packing and delivery
Despite the traditional scheme of “black cardboard box in a white dust jacket”, the company tried to make the packaging more interesting. Manual and warranty card hidden in a special compartment, taped to the cover, the headphones are in a jar on the stylish “pedestal”, and all the accessories tucked away in two-sided cardboard box. The package clearly gives to understand that iBasso tried to expand it with all your strength, in addition to headphone and jars for storage you will get:
- six! different sets of 3 pairs of nozzles
- cable iBasso CB12s, among other things — a hybrid of single-crystal silver and silver-plated copper
- adapter with 2.5 mm balanced plug to a normal 3.5 mm
In General, rare in our time found such a substantive approach to delivery.
Design and comfortable wearing
With all the advantages IT03, outside their views clearly rustic and not suitable for initial-top segment which are positioned IT04, so the company’s designers redesigned the hull, removing the “rush” faceplate and making themselves cover IEM with a carbon fiber texture. Available in a choice of blue and gray variants of “squares”, both look interesting, although my subjective choice of the blue option.
The inner side of the headphone has remained virtually the same as in IT03, repeating their anatomical form with slightly different dimensions, which provides a very comfortable fit, if your ears are “compatible” with the model. I think the cases where IT04 “do not sit completely” are rare enough, but to exclude this possibility it is impossible. Soundproofing is a little above average, mainly due to the size of this model.
Of course, the cable is made removable and this time, iBasso has really “come up trumps”, giving the kit an updated version of CB12s. Cable is not only good in content and sound, but also has nice ergonomics and excellent appearance. It is very soft, does not harden in the cold and no noise from friction on clothing. In addition, it looks spectacular thanks to some careful interweaving of gold and silver lived. MMCX connectors are also of very good quality, securely fixed, but it does not require super efforts for the trip. In General, I think that the owners IT04 much sense to watch some of the other wires not. Although I have not tested it there iBasso did with CB14…
Sound
To listen following equipment was used.
- Yulong DA9 and Resonessence Labs Concero HP in the role of DAC and amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as the source
- Fidelia in the role of player
- Lotoo PAW Gold, theBit OPUS#2, Astell&Kern, A&ultima SP1000 and the role of other portable players
- Recording high-resolution Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky have The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening headphones were heated for 48 hours, changes in the sound were observed first 6 hours.
In the background tending to relative neutrality IT03, engineers iBasso decided to give the flagship model a more “exciting” sound, adding a bit everywhere, starting with a light emphasis on bass and ending with a greater length of HF, so the result is really a superior predecessor. The sound came out slightly more V shape in the flow, but since it is done very carefully and moderately, the result is just as pleasing impression.
NCH has acquired a small fraction of the incremental mass and energy, it is not a simple quantitative swelling bass, as is done in the inexpensive models and more accurate sound, providing supply bass “solidity”, but without sacrificing the speed, dynamics and the transfer of textures. Of course, it’s not super-speedy bass reinforcement, but hybrid models are not created, then the main ridge of bass realism and credibility. However, of course, for the dynamics of the speed here is more than good, I think, be otherwise could not. NCH go to a decent depth, but the lower layers of bass served with a light easing, although in most tracks this is still not to hear. Of course, there are bass nicely controlled and not crawl on the rest of the range.
Average frequency is good for resolution, but due to the presence of a sufficient mass, they do not sound reinforcement dry and do not have a clear bias in microdialysate. Due to the spectacular physicality headphones better cope with the transfer of instruments, adding realism, and manner of performance — emotions. Hybrids iBasso cope well with the construction of an imaginary scene, playing very wide and deep, with great separation plans, and have a nice three-dimensional effect of the sound.
Vernacularly the range then underwent a slight restyling in the first place is related to the length of HF. If IT03 after 10 kHz was a substantial decline, there is information in this part of the range is considerably higher, and due to this, the headphones do an excellent job with the transfer of the lower and the attenuation characteristic of acoustic instruments. However, they do not sound harsh, despite the fact that the RF here is not pinched or crushed in favor of comfort. Thanks to a good “technical performance” of the RF IT04 playing with enough air, good layering and natural attenuation — all that features high end IEM.
For comparison, this time I chose a model similar in price and are also using a hybrid scheme.
iBasso IT03 of Course, this pair of headphones from different price ranges, but because the issues will still not to mention them would be foolish. IT03 more neutral, monitorna slightly better resolution in the midrange, but they are less fun and less natural. Plus IT04 noticeably better than the last edge of the range.
Dunu DK-3001 Another quite popular 4-handler hybrids. This model is a little more neutral, it can be placed somewhere between the IT03 and IT04 iBasso. Bass Dunu have a little less accented and less weight, middle 3001 slightly higher resolution, but better get IT04 emotions. An imaginary scene from iBasso slightly better size, but the Dunu is more natural parts plan. At HF the difference is small, with a tiny advantage in favor of IT04.
IMR R1 British model features a slightly higher density and the depth of bass combined with a slightly smaller number of them (although it is governed by the filters, but I’m talking about the version that I use constantly). On midrange a little better resolution from iBasso, and RF — R1, largely through the use of ceramic drivers, has considerable potential in the upper part of the range.
Simgot EM5 AND another megadriver hybrids, but tuningware in a more neutral way, for those who want technically sound without any additives except, perhaps, effectively underlined the resolution and micro-contrast, enjoyed, however, is not to the detriment of macro-dynamics.
Compatibility
I do not think that for someone to be surprised by the fact that different tablets and smartphones, these headphones to listen little sense. Players upper middle and higher segments — that will allow them to show their potential. Of course, first and foremost, they should be considered as a couple to their own players iBasso, the company obviously listened to their creations together and making conclusions from this. However, other players are also very good with them, you just have to avoid models with coarse feed, especially on the edges of the band.
Stylistically IT04 absolutely universal, to single out any specific genres, they just do not want too much fun to relive with them their favorite tracks in any styles. The quality of the recording they are moderately critical of the flaws you will hear, but especially to stick out their headphones won’t, so around 7 out of 10.
According to tradition, some tracks for example
Coheed and Cambria — The Dark Sentencer Group that manages to mix the progressive styles of metal and rock, adding to it a little “fasting” and even “pop” as seasoning. One of the biggest hits in their cage is perfect for manner IT04: detailed midrange and treble accentuate the percussion and instrumental parts, and tight drums complement the sound picture.
Paul Simon — You Can Call Me Al the Basic composing unit of the famous Duo in the person of Paul Simon is a good example of how even pop music can be done efficiently. This track is a great example: striking the bass, accented by headphones, great scene, reliable transmission of the vocals emphasize the depth inherent in the song composer.
Eagles — Take It Easy Perhaps a group of Eagles is a striking example of the team of one hit wonder (and that not entirely), and familiarity with their work gives clearly to understand why such groups played a simple rock was a small car and truck, and many of them were much hitova. However, “Take It Easy” is well suited to the heroes of today’s review, which stress the drive and energy of the track, allowing you to travel back in time when rock was still deliciously fresh idea.
Insights
Output in the top segment of the headphone, though the beginning step bold enough, there are too many players that have already staked out a position and name, and connoisseurs of the sound ready to part with a significant sum of money — so little. However, iBasso with its task and presented a model that offers a wonderful sound and complements is not all the necessary sound elements from design to delivery.
Buy iBasso IT04
Review headphone iBasso IT04 — conquest of Paradise
Pavel Dmitriev