XENNS has been an up-and-comer within the audio world for the final a number of years. It’s again with its newest launch, the XENNS Mangird Prime, a beautiful and driver-packed pair of earphones vying to turn into the most effective IEMs of 2022. With a whopping 9 drivers per earpiece — 18 drivers whole — they work laborious to justify their $530 price of entry.
Welcome again to Golden Ears, our semi-regular hifi column the place we discover simply what you get while you step as much as the center and higher tiers of audio. XENNS has appeared right here earlier than with its glorious XENNS Up earphones. The Prime takes a unique method, creating its distinctive sound signature with eight prime quality balanced armatures with a big dynamic driver to deal with the bass. Whereas I nonetheless desire the XENNS Up, the Prime is a superb entry that will simply enchantment to much more listeners.
We want to thank Linsoul for offering the pattern for this assessment.
Specs
- Present Worth: $530 (Amazon, Linsoul)
- Model: XENNS
- Mannequin: Mangird Prime
- Drivers: 1*Dynamic Driver+8*Balanced Armature Drivers
- Plug specification: 0.78 2pin swappable
- Sensitivity: 107±1db
- Impedance: 25Ω
- Frequency response:20-44kHz
XENNS Mangird Prime – First Impressions and Key Options
If there’s one factor XENNS is aware of find out how to do, it’s create an interesting pair of earphones. I don’t know that there was a single pair that hasn’t regarded the a part of a high-end IEM, even after they’ve price considerably much less. It pairs that with nice construct high quality, premium packaging, and a number of equipment to assist justify its price.
Now, it might sound foolish to deal with appears with regards to an audio product. In any case, it’s the sound high quality and luxury that matter above all else, proper? Properly, sure, however one of many issues that has turn into very clear to me in scripting this column is that high-end audio additionally embraces aesthetics. Whether or not it’s over-ear headphones or in-ear screens like this, merchandise of a sure caliber have to look the half. It’s one of many methods they differentiate themselves.
The faceplates of every ear piece are nearly celestial. It’s a mixture of one third inexperienced, blue foil with flakes of iridescent shade and star-like glitter beneath. A golden Mangird emblem is positioned proper within the heart. They’re lookers however aren’t overstated or gaudy.
Past that we get into extras, just like the cable and carrying case, however we’ll get to these sooner or later.
Staying on the feel and appear for only a second extra, the Prime is hand made utilizing UV-cured, medical grade resin. It basically signifies that the complete unit is one strong piece with out something to interrupt off or separate over time. They’re clean to the contact and really snug within the ear. And whereas not indestructible, they definitely really feel strong and more likely to final a few years into the long run with correct care.
Inside these shells, we now have a fancy array of various drivers managed with an digital crossover to separate the frequencies between them. As I discussed within the introduction, there’s a complete of 9 drivers per facet. This method permits each driver to deal with a slim vary that it’s been tuned to excel at. No driver (or number of drivers, on this case) is over-extending itself. This provides XENNS extra leeway to tune the Prime to its meant sound signature and in addition reduces the possibility for audible distortion. The result’s a crystal clear, extremely detailed, and impeccably tuned sound.
Right here’s how the driving force array breaks down:
- A 10mm beryllium-coated dynamic driver handles the bass. 10mm is a reasonably normal “giant” measurement for a dynamic driver. The beryllium coating is a premium characteristic that’s pricey to implement and so is usually discovered on costly headphones and IEMs, of which the Prime is definitely one. The coating provides rigidity to the driving force, bettering its velocity, readability, and general efficiency with decrease and mid-range frequencies.
- 4 E50D balanced armatures function in pairs for the mid-range frequencies.
- Two Sonion 2600 balanced armatures cowl the treble register.
The meant tuning of those earphones is clean and detailed however not impartial. It’s meant to be “thrilling” and “transferring” with a large soundstage. This usually signifies that the sound signature has elevated bass to make songs and video games sound massive and wealthy, and a high-end that’s elevated to make particulars clearer to listen to and the IEMs greater decision general. We’ll get into this extra in the course of the listening impressions portion of the article, nevertheless it’s a wholesale success that’s simply nearly as good for gaming as it’s for getting misplaced in your favourite music.
Returning now to the remainder of what you get within the field. XENNS features a very tender, customized modular cable. It makes use of a looser braid than something I’ve used earlier than. It makes it barely extra susceptible to tangling however remains to be significantly better than the vast majority of wired earphones you’ll discover in U.S. malls. It’s 6N OCC copper single crystal and silver-plated, so has this lovely silver end to it. The terminations are gold may be unplugged and swapped between 2.5mm balanced, 3.5mm single-ended, and 4.4mm balanced Pentaconn. There’s additionally a 6.35mm adapter. A cable like this will simply price $50 and even $100 aftermarket, and it makes the entire bundle really feel like a greater worth.
As well as, XENNS features a good zippered journey case. It’s too massive to be pocketable, however is nice for storing the IEMs and the entire equipment. There’s additionally a number of silicone and reminiscence foam ideas that will help you discover a snug match. Lastly, we now have a verification card and a bit of gold keychain with the Mangird model title.
Facet notice: Can we determine on what this model might be known as? XENNS, Mangird… I’m genuinely unsure what the official title is anymore.
XENNS Mangird Prime – Match and Consolation
The XENNS Mangird Prime is a UIEM, which stands for Common In-Ear Monitor. That signifies that it’s designed utilizing information on the form of a variety of ear shapes and is molded to match the vast majority of customers. The form could appear a bit of odd at first however is designed to nestle into the folds of the ear for a safe match.
The Prime isn’t a small pair of earphones, and I admit to being a bit of nervous about their match after I took them out. With 9 drivers a facet, they’ll’t actually afford to be small and the nozzles additionally appear pretty large. However the design of the XENNS Prime is a testomony to the significance of correct ideas. With a Medium in my proper ear and a Small in my left, theyI’m happy to say that they really match very effectively with the correct ideas. I’ve decidedly average-sized ears and located them to suit comfortably and securely, even over multi-hour listening and gaming periods.
XENNS Mangird Prime – Listening, Day by day Use, and Gaming Impressions
The XENNS Mangird Prime should not a tough set to drive. With a sensitivity of 107dB and an impedance of 25 ohms, they’re capable of be pushed to acceptable volumes on absolutely anything. With that in thoughts, they’re made to scale. I did my listening utilizing a mixture of the Fiio K7 desktop DAC/amp hybrid and the Tempotec Sonata HD dongle. I can’t say that there was any massive distinction between them, in order that they’re broadly appropriate and don’t demand listeners spend money on costly extra gear.
On the value of $530, the Mangird Prime are costly earphones in comparison with nearly each mainstream set on the market. They fall into the mid-range of audiophile IEMs, however for most individuals, I believe it’s an affordable expectation that they need to work for absolutely anything you’ll throw at them. They’re costlier than a PlayStation 5, in spite of everything!
However that’s not how high-end audio works. Each set is tuned in a different way, which is why there are such a lot of, eac making an attempt various things, or related issues at totally different value factors, all hoping to be that “excellent set” for a selected listener. Working for every thing you’ll throw at it, or need it to work for, goes to be totally different than one other listener even whereas listening to these very same issues. All of us have totally different tastes: extra bass or extra treble, extra spaciousness or a extra intimate listening expertise, affordability versus technicalities.
Picture Credit score: Nymz Evaluations by way of Squig.Hyperlink
Due to this, audiophiles at this stage spend time wanting over frequency response graphs just like the one above to verify it would work for his or her specific style. They learn evaluations like this one to teach themselves — and that, reader, is a good suggestion for all of us.
So what does this graph inform us? First off, that the Prime has a U-shaped sound profile with barely elevated bass and elevated treble. The mid-range is barely scooped however begins using once more fairly shortly. This graph additionally falls pretty near the Harman Goal, however with a bit extra within the upper-mids and a pleasant rise above 15kHz so as to add air and spaciousness to the sound. The Harman Goal, in case you’re not acquainted, is a frequency response goal based mostly upon the preferences of mainstream listeners. Although it’s not a rule, the Harman Goal is an efficient place to begin in case you don’t know what you’ll like. The modifications right here look so as to add a bit extra heat, clean higher mids, and extra treble vitality.
Graphs don’t inform every thing, nonetheless. It’s vital to listen to the way it truly sounds from a number of listeners. Right here is how the Prime sounded to me.
Bass: The bass on this set reaches deep. There’s plentiful sub-bass for rumble and sub-woofer-like texture. The mid-bass can be elevated so bass guitars and kicks sound excellent. There’s a number of texture to the bass frequencies, which lends them an engrossing tonality. The beryllium dynamic driver is quick, so kick drums have lifelike thump and influence. The DD is doing excellent work right here.
The amount of bass is a step under the XENNS Up, which you will recall I adored. It had a really heat, thumpy sound signature. However, the extra time that IEM has spent available on the market, it’s clear that it was a bit a lot for some listeners. This set strikes an incredible center floor.
This tuning is superb for gaming and films too. There’s cinematic rumble and daring presentation for issues like explosions, rolling tank tracks, and swells from the soundtrack.
Nice instance tracks: Block Out the Noise, D.R.E.A.M., and By no means Again Down by Jonny Craig
Mids: Regardless that the graph signifies a mid scoop, vocals nonetheless sound pure — if a contact heat. The early rise into the higher mids additionally lends mid-range devices a bit of additional brightness that makes them rise out of the combo. The Monster by Rihanna and Eminem is an ideal instance of this because the acoustic guitar simply shines out. The combination of acoustic and electrical piano in Ghost by Caelin Rivers and River Camille is one other standout.
On the rock entrance, The Disappearing Act by Coheed and Cambria is particularly spectacular. There’s such a very good steadiness of tones right here between the guitars, Claudio’s vocals, the synths, and the drums. With a lot occurring, it’s straightforward to lose element, however the Prime is a element powerhouse, dropping nothing in any of those ranges. As a guitarist, I discover so much throughout the effects-laden guitar tones of prog rockers like this, and the earphones seize excellent texture inside distorted guitars and the synths. Micro particulars like fingers on strings come by cleanly in quieter tracks like Pearl of the Stars.
For gaming, that is additionally an asset. Necessary particulars like footsteps and positionality come by very effectively with these. Relating to the center register, I believe it’s much more vital for realism, ambiance, and engagement. They’re very, superb on this regard.
Treble: Treble is attention-grabbing. I believe XENNS did a very good job right here, and it resonates with my preferences very effectively. The treble rise attracts out particulars and there’s a little bit of the etched “BA timbre” right here. I like that, personally, however not everybody does. They is also perceived as being a bit brilliant, so in case you’re delicate to sparkly highs, that’s one thing to pay attention to right here.
The treble tuning additionally lends these earphones an airiness that provides a greater sense of house to the listening expertise. This can be a boon to gaming for ambiance and immersion.
General, the treble could be very effectively carried out!
Technical Efficiency, Soundstage, and Imaging: The coup de grâce: technicalities. At this value, you count on massive issues they usually completely ship. The drivers are very, very succesful and render particulars exceptionally effectively. I liken this to upgrading from an SD TV to excessive def, and that holds true right here. One other solution to put it could be that they take away the veil between you and what you’re listening to; a veil you may not even have been conscious of till listening to it gone! The element retrieval right here excels previous a few of my favourite planar magnetics that are identified for distinctive element, just like the Timeless AE (which I’ll be reviewing quickly!).
Different technicalities are simply as on level. The soundstage is way wider than you’d count on from closed again earphones. XENNS has carried out a wonderful job of tuning these to offer that sense of house. Will they compete with open again headphone? No, however no IEM does. Apples to apples, nonetheless, these present one of many wider listening experiences you’ll discover at this value and infrequently above.
Layering and imaging can be distinctive. That “excessive def” listening expertise is engendered largely as a result of the layering is so good. You’ll be able to hear each single aspect that makes up your favourite songs and video games. Pinpointing the place these sounds are coming from is sweet on a stereo stage. There isn’t as a lot verticality to the listening expertise, however they do a very good job of pulling sounds aside and making it clear that they’re coming from totally different places in your head stage.
Gaming: If it wasn’t already clear, these are nice earphones for gaming. The excellent particulars, U-shaped tuning, stellar layering, and large soundstage completely make them the most effective picks at this value for gaming. You don’t have to allow Dolby Atmos with these to compensate for a constrained listening expertise. If you happen to do, you’ll achieve a bit extra positional info, so it’s nonetheless value turning on.
General Impressions and Last Ideas
General, the XENNS Mangird Prime are an impressive pair of earphones. Are they a set you should utilize for something? For my library, sure, completely. I might put them on par with the costlier XENNS Up, even with out the Up’s electrostatic drivers. They’re an incredible various with a bit much less bass. I are likely to desire the Up for that cause, however the Prime has a greater soundstage and is extra balanced general.
I might additionally select these over its greatest competitor, the Moondrop Variations. The element retrieval and soundstage are higher, which I didn’t count on going into this text. However right here we’re with the Prime impressing in a number of methods.
As all the time, there isn’t a excellent earphone. It comes all the way down to library. For my mixture of rock, steel, piano and strings, chillstep, and MMO and FPS gaming, it’s exceptionally good. With my listening tastes, it may very well be my one IEM to make use of for every thing, so if my tastes align with your personal, it’s a secure guess that you would too.
There’s little question: that is an costly pair of IEMs, however between the wonderful audio efficiency, prime quality cable, and really versatile listening expertise, they do an incredible job of justifying their price. They take advantage of sense for audiophiles, as merchandise on this class typically do, however their means to sport with the very best IEMs on the market make them a primary candidate to improve your listening expertise throughout the board.
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