BLON BL-03II
For the watchers
Disclaimer & Introduction
This review sample was kindly provided to me by Linsoul in exchange for my opinions.
Non-affiliate product link - https://www.linsoul.com/products/blon-bl03-ii
Normally I wouldn’t be excited to try something like this and I don’t really want to make a habit of reviewing budget IEMs, but I do already own the first version of the BLON BL-03 and I was curious about any improvements or changes they made.
This review sample was kindly provided to me by Linsoul in exchange for my opinions.
Non-affiliate product link - https://www.linsoul.com/products/blon-bl03-ii
Normally I wouldn’t be excited to try something like this and I don’t really want to make a habit of reviewing budget IEMs, but I do already own the first version of the BLON BL-03 and I was curious about any improvements or changes they made.
Build, Design & Ergonomics
The original BL-03 was only available in polished metal, so it’s great to see the new version is also available in black, but that isn’t the only change.
The newer version has a slightly thinner nozzle… OK, it’s actually 0.2mm thinner, which I doubt anyone will notice.
But, the nozzle length has gained an entire millimeter in length. The old version being 5.5mm and the new nozzle is 6.5mm.
The overall shape and size of the IEMs appears to be unchanged, but the 2-pin connector is also different, going from the NF7/TFZ connectors to the classic ‘exposed’ 2-pin connector.
This might not be an accurate comparison as I’m not comparing to the new shiny metal version, but the newer black version is also 0.8g lighter than the predecessor.
The new driver is a little less sensitive than the original and contains an updated version of the 10mm “carbon diaphragm” – usually this means that it has been treated with a vapour deposition layer of carbon, as an actual fully carbon diaphragm would increase the final cost considerably.
The new cable is an enormous improvement over the old, with far greater tangle resistance, custom hardware and single cables after the y-split instead of the old dual-coils which are trash and shouldn’t exist.
The original BL-03 was only available in polished metal, so it’s great to see the new version is also available in black, but that isn’t the only change.
The newer version has a slightly thinner nozzle… OK, it’s actually 0.2mm thinner, which I doubt anyone will notice.
But, the nozzle length has gained an entire millimeter in length. The old version being 5.5mm and the new nozzle is 6.5mm.
The overall shape and size of the IEMs appears to be unchanged, but the 2-pin connector is also different, going from the NF7/TFZ connectors to the classic ‘exposed’ 2-pin connector.
This might not be an accurate comparison as I’m not comparing to the new shiny metal version, but the newer black version is also 0.8g lighter than the predecessor.
The new driver is a little less sensitive than the original and contains an updated version of the 10mm “carbon diaphragm” – usually this means that it has been treated with a vapour deposition layer of carbon, as an actual fully carbon diaphragm would increase the final cost considerably.
The new cable is an enormous improvement over the old, with far greater tangle resistance, custom hardware and single cables after the y-split instead of the old dual-coils which are trash and shouldn’t exist.
For example I prefer the cable on a $3 Vido or KBEAR flat-head earbud than the silly ultra-thin coiled cables many brands keep putting on entry level IEMs, the likes of which also bundled with the original BL03.
The only two things that might be a downgrade for some is that the plug is now straight instead of right-angled, but they make up for it with the shiny shiny, and that the ear-hooks are still too strong, which still makes it difficult to put these on one-handed.
I have attempted to ‘train’ the cables to make them the hooks more gentle, but they do slowly return to their original shape, so maybe it just needs more time.
Ergonomics haven’t changed much, and while it’s completely subjective to the user and your own ears, I found the fit has gone from bad to OK.
I still struggle to fit the originals in my ears. My ears have almost zero tolerance with them.
The new version with the slightly longer nozzles increases that tolerance which is great and makes them actually usable, however, even with three sets of tips, only one set of tips worked well with my ears to get a proper bass seal.
Each set of tips appears to be a different density of silicone, so in this case my ears only meshed well with the softest, most jelly-like tips.
The only two things that might be a downgrade for some is that the plug is now straight instead of right-angled, but they make up for it with the shiny shiny, and that the ear-hooks are still too strong, which still makes it difficult to put these on one-handed.
I have attempted to ‘train’ the cables to make them the hooks more gentle, but they do slowly return to their original shape, so maybe it just needs more time.
Ergonomics haven’t changed much, and while it’s completely subjective to the user and your own ears, I found the fit has gone from bad to OK.
I still struggle to fit the originals in my ears. My ears have almost zero tolerance with them.
The new version with the slightly longer nozzles increases that tolerance which is great and makes them actually usable, however, even with three sets of tips, only one set of tips worked well with my ears to get a proper bass seal.
Each set of tips appears to be a different density of silicone, so in this case my ears only meshed well with the softest, most jelly-like tips.
Finally, the included carry pouch has been upgraded from a synthetic velvet to what appears to be cotton.
In every single way, I very much prefer the new BL-03II design.
The Sound
I will mostly be comparing these to it’s legendary predecessor, the original BL-03, and a handful of others.
In every single way, I very much prefer the new BL-03II design.
The Sound
I will mostly be comparing these to it’s legendary predecessor, the original BL-03, and a handful of others.
BL-03
Bl-03II has better imaging and more staging width.
It is also technically better, but the original is closer to modern target responses.
Treble is still just as piercing on the new version, but it sounds louder because it has less bass than the original.
Overall the newer one gets a bit closer to the mid-fi IEMs, only lacking a tiny amount of detail, but clearly lacking staging and a bit of imaging.
Bl-03II has better imaging and more staging width.
It is also technically better, but the original is closer to modern target responses.
Treble is still just as piercing on the new version, but it sounds louder because it has less bass than the original.
Overall the newer one gets a bit closer to the mid-fi IEMs, only lacking a tiny amount of detail, but clearly lacking staging and a bit of imaging.
CCZ BC-01 Pro
These are cheaper, lighter, have better ergonomics and significantly superior imaging, but less refined detail and tone and a worse cable.
Simgot EW300
Overall quite similar, but the Simgot edges out in the lead in pretty much all aspects other than sub-bass slam and texture, but clearly shines the most for it’s better cohesion and treble quality.
Rose Technics QT-X
Sounds more upper-midrange forward and needs the best amping to shine, while the BL-03II doesn’t seem to mind which amp it’s plugged into and sounds more neutral, but the QT-X has a much more musical presentation with a more lively spacious soundstage.
These are cheaper, lighter, have better ergonomics and significantly superior imaging, but less refined detail and tone and a worse cable.
Simgot EW300
Overall quite similar, but the Simgot edges out in the lead in pretty much all aspects other than sub-bass slam and texture, but clearly shines the most for it’s better cohesion and treble quality.
Rose Technics QT-X
Sounds more upper-midrange forward and needs the best amping to shine, while the BL-03II doesn’t seem to mind which amp it’s plugged into and sounds more neutral, but the QT-X has a much more musical presentation with a more lively spacious soundstage.
Kiwi Ears Quintet
Is more similar to the QT-X in most regards, also with a more ‘energetic’ sound, despite also sounding more focused than the QT-X.
Is more similar to the QT-X in most regards, also with a more ‘energetic’ sound, despite also sounding more focused than the QT-X.
Ergonomics & Build
All of the above take less than a quarter of the time to put in my ears compared to the BLONs, because the BL-03II’s cable coil around the ear is still too tight.
Music
The original BL-03 is obviously bassier, which is great for heavy metal and a lot of bass-focused music, but is objectively not correct and for example can sometimes add too much warmth to bass guitars.
The new version is a step towards objectively more accurate sound.
Simgot EA1000 & Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite
The BL-03II somehow perfectly falls between these two with regards to tonal response alone.
The EA1000 has sweeter upper mids and a more accurate treble.
The Orchestra Lite, has dryer bass and a more relaxed sound overall.
Mainly I noticed that the BL-03II’s bass was the most likely to distort and was not as clean or clear as the other two, with a noticeably muddy sub-bass.
To keep things subjectively fair, the BL-03II’s sub-bass digs incredibly deeply with a good amount of energy that isn’t quite as good as it’s predecessor at slamming sub-bass, but still has more than most of the IEM’s I’ve previously mentioned.
All of the above take less than a quarter of the time to put in my ears compared to the BLONs, because the BL-03II’s cable coil around the ear is still too tight.
Music
The original BL-03 is obviously bassier, which is great for heavy metal and a lot of bass-focused music, but is objectively not correct and for example can sometimes add too much warmth to bass guitars.
The new version is a step towards objectively more accurate sound.
Simgot EA1000 & Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite
The BL-03II somehow perfectly falls between these two with regards to tonal response alone.
The EA1000 has sweeter upper mids and a more accurate treble.
The Orchestra Lite, has dryer bass and a more relaxed sound overall.
Mainly I noticed that the BL-03II’s bass was the most likely to distort and was not as clean or clear as the other two, with a noticeably muddy sub-bass.
To keep things subjectively fair, the BL-03II’s sub-bass digs incredibly deeply with a good amount of energy that isn’t quite as good as it’s predecessor at slamming sub-bass, but still has more than most of the IEM’s I’ve previously mentioned.
Conclusions
Overall, if the latest meta-tuning was a spectrum, the BL-03II gets very close to that but leans ever so slightly on the brighter side and is almost let down by it’s brighter than average treble, but remains within acceptable limits.
On one hand, it might actually be one of the most technical budget IEMs around, but with it’s slightly mushy sub-bass and average soundstage, it only comes out just below getting top marks, which of course shouldn’t surprise anybody.
If you add that to the build quality, plentiful accessories and more eco-friendly materials (carry pouch), you’re looking at one of the very best all-round packages in the entire budget segment.
Overall, if the latest meta-tuning was a spectrum, the BL-03II gets very close to that but leans ever so slightly on the brighter side and is almost let down by it’s brighter than average treble, but remains within acceptable limits.
On one hand, it might actually be one of the most technical budget IEMs around, but with it’s slightly mushy sub-bass and average soundstage, it only comes out just below getting top marks, which of course shouldn’t surprise anybody.
If you add that to the build quality, plentiful accessories and more eco-friendly materials (carry pouch), you’re looking at one of the very best all-round packages in the entire budget segment.
