:
A noticeable tuning refinement of the first BLON BL03!
Warm, mild-v-shaped sound signature!
Firm, clean lows!
Slightly warm, thick mids!
Well-extended, decent treble response under 40 USD!
Decent technical performance for its price!
Comfortable fit! (If you managed to get a proper one)
Minimal, rigid build quality!
Decent mic quality!
Visually pleasing 2pin female connectors (when compared to the previous version)
Easy to drive!
:
Still has the BLON BL03 fit that make or break one’s fit, comfort, and isolation.
Eartips could be better in terms of variety and sizes.
While this isn’t really a bad thing, its overall tuning and sound can be easily overshadowed by today’s IEM market.
BLON BL03 II Review!Video review hereGood day! After 5 days of casual and critical listening, here’s my written review for BLON BL03 II! They somewhat grabbed the oppoty!
========================================================================
Disclaimer:
- I don’t read FR graphs. I only use my ears, as earphones should be used.
- Linsoul sent this unit to me in an exchange for an honest, independent review. Rest assured that this review will do its best to devoid from any bias/es as much as possible.
- The following remarks and observations shall be made and owned only by me.
- No monetary compensation is/was involved before, during, and after the period of creation of this review.
- Your mileage may (and always, will) vary.
========================================================================
Burn-in time: 4-8 hours per day, 5 days.
Source/s used:
- - Non-HiFi smartphone (Infinix Note 12 G96), PC.
- - Tanchjim Space DAC
- - Fosi Audio SK02 USB DAC
- - Venture Electronics Odo USB DAC
- - Snowsky Retro Nano BT DAC
- - Kiwi Ears Allegro Mini DAC
- - Rose Technics RS9039 USB DAC
- - Aiwa XP-V710C CD Player (12 sec. EASS)
- - Sony Xperia X Compact
- - Local Files via Foobar, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Qobuz with UAPP.
IEM/Earbud/Setup configuration: Stock large long eartips, any form of EQ or MSEB off, 40-60% volume.
========================================================================
Sound signature:
- The BLON BL03 II refines the well-known BLON BL03 sound profile, making it a warm, mild v-shaped sound signature. What sets it apart from its predecessor is its noticeably cleaner, and firmer sound, as it never sounded sloppy nor muddy in my ears, unlike its older sibling.
Lows:
- This region in my opinion, is where most of the refinements of the BLON BL03 II are very noticeable compared to its predecessor. Gone are the days wherein it exhibits a muddy, bloaty, slow bass response.The BL03 II is miles cleaner in this region when compared to the old one. It is still thick but retains firmness and control even on the bassiest tracks when needed. Its decay is on the average side, and is slightly subbass dominant. I wouldn’t classify this as a basshead set, but I also see bassheads on a 40 USD budget might enjoy this set as well.
Mids:
- The mids still exhibit the BLON BL03’s relaxed, smooth sound character, but it is a bit more cleaner and less warm here in the BL03 II. There is still a bit of midbass bleed showing in the lower mids, retaining a bit of thickness. Upper mids are mildly elevated, but not as much when compared to the lower mids. Peaks and harshness are surprisingly zero in this region, making it very recommendable for those people who are extra sensitive on upper frequencies.
Treble:
- As for the treble, it is quite elevated as well, but I wouldn’t call it bright nor dark as it never sounded rolled off. It does exhibit a decent amount of energy, extension, and presence which never sounded overboard or lacking for the most part. If I were to nitpick, I would’ve preferred a bit more detail retrieval capabilities for this price point given that this is a 35 USD set. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t blunt in details by all means, but the detail retrieval capabilities of this set sounds more like a 20USD IEM than a 35 USD set.
Soundstage, Imaging and Separation:
- When it comes to the technical performance, this region of the BLON BL03 II has nothing to write home about, but it is far from bad either. It performs decent and average at best, but isn’t quite remarkable for its asking price. The soundstage is your usual wider than deep soundstage, with a good amount of depth. Separation and layering is average for its asking price with slight hiccups on very heavy passages. Imaging is accurate enough for its price and will do with fps games just fine.
========================================================================
Other IEM Comparisons!
Twistura D-Minor(Stock filter)
- The Twistura D-Minor is a more mature, balanced warm sounding set, with a noticeable less extension on both ends when compared to the BLON BL03 II. Layering and separation, fit, comfort, and accessories are noticeably better on the Twistura D-Minor
Tangzu Wan’er SE
- The Wan’er SE is a neutral sounding IEM when compared to the BL03 II’s warm, v-shaped sounding nature. Note weight is noticeably thinner on the Wan’er SE as to be expected, but makes up for it by having its mids more forward in presence when compared to the BL03 II. As for the technicalities, Separation and layering are slightly better on the Wan’er SE, while the rest are quite identical on both sets. The Wan’er SE has better fit, comfort, and isolation on most ears, while the BL03 II has better overall build quality.
7Hz X HBB Elua
- The Elua exhibits basshead levels of bass, but does not have the amount of control that the BL03 II has, to my ears at least. The mids and upper frequencies are thinner on the Elua and less smoother, but exhibits more detail in return when compared. Technical performance on both sets are nearly the same, having the Elua wider in soundstage. Fit, comfort and isolation is definitely better on the Elua.
========================================================================
Pros:
- A noticeable tuning refinement of the first BLON BL03!
- Warm, mild-v-shaped sound signature!
- Firm, clean lows!
- Slightly warm, thick mids!
- Well-extended, decent treble response under 40 USD!
- Decent technical performance for its price!
- Comfortable fit! (If you managed to get a proper one)
- Minimal, rigid build quality!
- Decent mic quality!
- Visually pleasing 2pin female connectors (when compared to the previous version)
- Easy to drive!
Cons:
- Still has the BLON BL03 fit that make or break one’s fit, comfort, and isolation.
- Eartips could be better in terms of variety and sizes.
- While this isn’t really a bad thing, its overall tuning and sound can be easily overshadowed by today’s IEM market.
========================================================================
Verdict
Honestly, it is quite unexpected on my end that the BL03 - a crowd favorite years ago, made a comeback. While the overall changes on the BL03 II might not seem and sound a lot, I can see its goal from a hobbyist perspective. In my humble opinion, the BL03 II refines the overall tuning for it to keep up in today’s market, making it somewhat of a fan service for those ears who adored BLON BL03, or BLON products ever since. If you are a fan of BLON’s house sound character, the BL03 II will definitely make your ears happy. As a hobbyist however, the BL03 may come across as an IEM that may have gone under the radar due to it not being bad, but moreof a “same same but different” sound quality in today’s aggressive, saturated IEM market.You delivered well to your fans, BLON!
========================================================================
Pairing recommendations:
-
Source: The BL03 II is definitely easy to drive, but I recommend using it with a 2VRMS for better measure.
-
Eartips: The eartips included almost did not fit my ears well. The only eartips fitted my ear was the included large long stemmed eartips. You may want to do an extensive eartip rolling with this set.
-
Cable: The cable is surprisingly better than its predecessor. The 2pin female connection is also better as well as it is now recessed when compared to the previous one. You may still use your preferred cable.
Thank you for reading!
========================================================================
Non-affiliated link here:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/blon-bl03-ii
Additional Photos Here:
