Shopping link: EarAcoustic Audio GENESIS G318S
Top Line Summary and Standout Track/s
The immediate stand out of the Genesis is how low the volume can be set on my Kaei Tap1Pro to adequately drive the Genesis. I don’t feel I’m losing details at lower volumes. This is a massive win and sign of a real quality drivers.
Reviewing earphones you get to know certain characters and can refer back to other sets. With the Genesis I feel the sound is something new I’ve not heard before. It invites you in to listen, and focus. Treble doesn’t get too spicy ever. Mids are slightly recessed and the bass features heavy and well rounded.
Fatigue is incredibly important as I can listen many hours per day. I need a set that won’t bother me and the Genesis as with the VSA-max haven’t.
Soundstage is vast on the Genesis.
The Genesis draws you in, invites you in, to tune into its sound. It’s a warm analogue presentation on everything other than electronic music and bass heavy music where the Genesis comes to life.
This track: Jens Grant – Epic Sweep
The Genesis has tied me in knots writing this review. There’s absolutely stunning tracks such as the one above that have made me re write this review a number of times. With the right track the Genesis is epic! Tracks with bass support truly shine on the Genesis.
Rating
4.5 out of 5 (based on sets I’ve heard so far and relating to price bracket).
Price
At the time of writing £186 (GBP)
Driver Configuration
8.3mm Tesla Driver
Review Philosophy
(Skip to ‘Disclaimer’ if you're just here for the review)
I judge every IEM by sound alone — price or driver count doesn’t matter to me. I describe how sets sound using music tracks and timestamps rather than multi layered breakdowns of bass, mids, and treble as I recall being confused by those previously. I write for newcomers and seasoned listeners.
I review from a love of music; I typically dock 0.5 for each clear con and think carefully before lowering a score. I don’t revisit the scoring of old reviews.
As a professional musician (soprano/alto/tenor sax and clarinet), I listen for melody, texture, and emotional expression. That background helps me notice subtle differences in DAPs, cables, and tips.
I prefer natural, musical timbres over sterile tuning. If a set causes fatigue or ringing (I’m treble sensitive), I limit or stop the review unless it genuinely intrigues me. I review gear I enjoy, so my coverage leans toward my preferences and may be most useful to readers with similar hearing.
Setup and Listening
My reference is a shuffled playlist of 1,500+ tracks rooted in jazz but spanning many genres — it’s the backbone of every review. I use YouTube for discovery and hi-res files on DAPs for listening.
Playlist: "Jazz-infused, genre-spanning, audiophile vibe playlist" on my channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@Sullosax/playlists
How I Test Gear
I start with stock tips and cables and report if they fall short. I then try alternatives from my collection to find the best sound for my ears. I don’t split reviews into “stock vs modified,” but I note how swaps affect the experience. I don’t use EQ.
Disclaimer
I paid for these earphones with a small discount from EarAcoustic Audio in return for this review, I stay focused on the sound—not the brand or the gesture. I simply listen, share what works, and how each set aligns with my preferences. My hope is always to enjoy what I hear, or at the very least, help others find something that suits them if it doesn’t quite click for me.
Aesthetics And Materials Function
I’ve mentioned I’m not mega into looks of IEMS. I’m more into sound. The Genesis presentation does impress and gives a premium feel. It seems a step up from my last EarAcoustic Audio VSA max which was my 2025 summer only set I took away with me. The mottled metal shells really appeal too.
As with the VSA-max the cooling feel of the metal against ear is great too. The cold metal wakes the senses.
Ergonomics
Considering the size of the shells the Genesis fits in the ear with no consideration that the IEM’s are there other than the feel of the tips securing the Genesis to my ears.
Venting and Sound Bleed into the Room
There is no sound bleed heard from arm’s length. Getting up real close is the only apparent sound. Its then that I looked for the vents of which there are two. The smallest vent is near the nozzle as appears on most IEM’s, then I spotted the second vent which until then I hadn’t seen. The second is a special vent incredibly aesthetically appealing.
Burn In
On first listen I was struggling to understand the Genesis then all of a sudden the bass came alive on the Genesis as if the DD had just woken. So straight away burn in is a thing. I expect these will mature in the next many hours ill spend with them.
The burn in hasn’t taken long two full days into listening the bass levelled out to what I hear every day now.
Soundstage
There’s a super special openness to the Genesis: BWB – Billie Jean
Spectacular soundstage on this track: James Blake – Retrograde
Realness/Timbre
I’ve heard realness, the most real sound being from my blown up IMR Enigmas (sad face). The Genesis is up there with realism especially with instruments which have a treble edge and bass full tracks. I the distance of mid focussed tracks take away from the realness. So the realism is track dependant.
Give it a bass heavy track such as: Kevin Eubanks – Ghost Dog Blues
Detail
Below are tracks I’ve heard detail in the past on sets and not heard on others. The Genesis following these tests does demonstrate some levels of macro details but does not include micro details which can be distracting. I hear what the sound engineer wanted me to here with the Genesis.
Don Ross – Run, Don’t Walk
On: Melody Gardot – Your Heart Is As Black As Night
On: Khalid – Young Dumb & Broke
Bass
The first track which seriously impressed me bass wise was (Probably not coincidently): Genesis – Los Endos
There’s a wrapper round the bass which gives it a unique flavour on certain tracks: Lykke Li – Last Piece
The Genesis doesn’t have the most detailed bass when the bass doesn’t feature heavily on a track. When the bass is a feature its rich and detailed. On tracks where the bass doesn’t feature heavily it is there to accompany the other regions. It’s a warm bass.
The Genesis can go proper way down low: Manu Katche – Presentation
Don Williams – I Wouldn’t Want To Live If You Didn’t Want Me
The Genesis’ strength is with tracks that have a strong bass support. The bass fills out tracks and boost realism on the Genesis. Another example of this is: Radiohead – Burn the Witch
Mids
My preference is more forward mids than the Genesis provides. I’d say the Genesis is a strong V. I don’t feel I’m right in there which is my preference. I put this down to being a musician, I want to feel I’m in with the band which I miss on the Genesis.
The Genesis feels like I’m in the audience watching a performance rather than being on the stage and this feel comes from the distant mids: Vassilis Tsabropoulos – Gift Of Dreams
But then once the bass is filled out on other tracks the mids come forward pleasingly: Shuggie Otis – Island Letter
Treble
Treble does stand out on the Genesis there’s an extra emphasis on trumpet and alto saxophones I’ve not recently heard on other sets: Tim Hagans with Norrbotten Big Band – Boogaloo
At 05:00 the Trumpet solo kicks in. It sounds further away than I’m used to. The Genesis really is cavernous with its soundstage it’s like a huge bubble of sound strapped to my ears. Even though the trumpet takes off at this point I don’t feel fatigue kicking in.
Bjork – Frosti
Crunch/Resonance
I’ve not noticed Crunch on the Genesis. This isn’t tuned to give crunch. There’s only mild crunch on the stings section and later into the track on lead guitar: ELO – Showdown
Listening Fatigue
Is it safe to use this set for long periods without worrying about hearing issues, like ringing in my ears? There is no fatigue from the Genesis which sends this set to the top of my preferred sets as too many instantly fatigue me.
The first time I experienced real listening fatigue was with the TSMR X—I had to stop for an entire day because the sound felt overwhelming to both my ears and my mind. I assumed it was simply because I wasn’t used to that level of detail. Since then, two other sets have caused similar discomfort: the TSMR Feat and the Dita Audio Prelude. I don’t listen at high volumes, so it’s concerning when I notice ringing even at levels that should be harmless. When reviewing gear like this now, I pay close attention to any ringing and keep sessions shorter, knowing that some models are intentionally tuned with a brighter treble that can be fatiguing.
Instruments Breakdown:
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Vocals:
Mid Female Vocals: Julia Stone – Let’s forget All the Things That We Say
High Male Voice: Sticky Finger – Liquorlip Loaded Gun
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Drums
Drums can be spectacular on the Genesis: Daft Punk – Within
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Strings
- Cello: Mild crunch
- Double bass: Joaquin Sabina – Pero Que Hermosas Era
Serious wow once you get past the coughing on this track. At 0:28 there’s special depths to the strings on the double bass. More detail than I’ve heard yet adding to the realism of the sound. Special.
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Guitar
Bass Guitar: Fila Brazillia – Airlock Homes
0:46 so deep down low impressive. Satisfying slap. Impressive deep depths.
Lead guitar: Joe Satriani – Always we me, Always with you
Clean distortion without huge levels of crunch allowing me to focus on each individual note. Significantly great on the Genesis!
Nylon strung acoustic guitar: Pat Metheny – New Year
Just a bliss to listen to the nylon string intro to this tone. It drops off a little when the tenor sax enters at 01:06 I would expect to hear the sax closer. It gets a bit lost in the mix.
Steel strung acoustic guitar: John Renbourn – Bella Terra
Just stunning on the Genesis. Such detail and articulation across the range. Another pure delight on the Genesis.
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Woodwind
Tenor Saxophone: Marius Neset – Taste of Spring
As with many mid focused instruments on the Genesis I’m used to closer instrumentation, nearer to my brain. The Genesis continuously pushes the stage out. I hear the keyword on the genesis and feel the expression from Marius. Maybe not the greatest detail I’ve heard on this track but the musicality is definitely there in spades.
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Electronic
Infected Mushroom – Send Me an Angel
Wow this is the best I’ve heard this track the Genesis comes alive with this track enthralling, in there feel. There is a great balance of all sounds giving way to blissful tones. I’d like to try more electronic music on the Genesis. This could be its huge strength.
This track gets me upping the volume and there’s absolutely no fatigue letting me totally enjoy immersing myself in the music. This track as an all empowering immersion!
The second electronic track I put through the Genesis is: Tipper – Mason
The Genesis just comes alive significantly with detail I find masked on other genres. I do want that clarity across other genres.
Spacemonkeyz vs. Gorillaz – Tomorrow Comes Today
Again the Genesis comes to life. If only this was the feel on all my preferred music. If you are into electronic music the Genesis will be a winner for you.
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Comparisons
Taking into account all I’ve said above the Genesis is hard for me to compare to other sets as I’ve not heard anything like this before. So to compare to my other set of EaracousticAudio, the VSA-Max my preference is actually the VSA-Max, which works seamlessly with my library. If I had more electronic or bass heavy music my preference would be the Genesis.
The Genesis has a warmth in the bass which can vail instrument realism if the bass doesn’t feature enough on a track. I prefer the in head sound of the VSA-max.
With the right library the Genesis would truly shine. If you’re interested in the Genesis listen to the tracks I’ve listed and their descriptions they will give you an indicator if the Genesis could be for you.
At the end of the review With Penon Liquor Orange tips selected and Yongse Mars cable on the Genesis I compared the Genesis to the VSA-Max. The Genesis still has the recessed mids. So my preference remains the VSA-Max. There’s something simply engaging about the VSA-Max.
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Tips Used For This Review (with reasoned preference)
After the run down below my preference is Penon Liquor Orange tips. This is the second set Ive preferred these tips on, the other being the IMR R1 Zenith a few years ago. Special bass definition and tension on the right set. The Genesis rocks the Penon Liquor Orange tips.
- Stock: Of the included tips the black ones are my preference and remind me of Divinus Velvet wide bore.
- Divinus Velvet Wide Bore: Bring the sound closer. Much closer. Wow, the stock are not the same as Divinus wide bore. The stock weren’t giving proper seal.
- Coreir Brass: added treble sheen. More direct to the brain sounding. I prefer these over the Divinus
- Shanling SE100: These are special on so many sets including the Genesis. Just more real sound than the Brass
- Penon Liquor Orange: These tips always give the same feel when needed. They seem to tighten things up including the bass. These a beautiful with the Genesis. Ill try them against the SE100 again. I love the meatiness these add. The Orange tips add tension, which really suits the Genesis. These are my preference.
- Bullet shaped silicone: Added treble. Not my preference now I’ve heard the orange tips.
- AZLA Xelastec: Just not the same as the Orange tips. Again too much treble
- Softears UT Titanium: Again not as nice sounding as the orange Liquor Penon tips.
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Cable Used For This Review (with reasoned preference)
Following my analysis below my top 3 cables on the Genesis are the Mars, Stormrise and ALD Vectron. The winner for me is Mars. The heightened treble just makes the setup special. I guess I’m pushing the cable closer to the VSA-max sound with this cable.
- Stock: Great sound but the downside is the cloth wrap rubs against clothing adding noise and distraction from that sound (microphonic).
- Yongse Fujin cable (Gold-Silver alloy, Palladium-plated Silver, Pure Silver-plated OCC. Graphene and PVX shielding): Increased level of bass in greater instrument definition and separation. A preferred cable over the stock. I could stick with this cable but in the interest of science I’ll move on to the rest.
- Yongse Stormrise cable (silver-plated copper alloy, silver-copper alloy, gold-plated pure silver, palladium-plated pure silver, 7N single crystal copper+PVC): Wow greater more precise imaging. Closer vocals. My preference over the Fujin.
- Trusted Audio F cable (Silver Palladium, Elecromagnetic 8N OCC): Just something missin that the stromrise has.
- Yongse Mars (Silver palladium Copper alloy): Lovely metallic sheen to the treble. I’ll try this against the Stormrise.
- Angelears Phoenix (Type 45 litz 6N mono-crystalline Cu and SPC): Just steps down a little on definition over the Mars.
- Yongse WhiteSnake (Pure Silver and silver plated crystal copper): Slight artificiality vs the Mars.
- Ivipq66 Obsidian Titan (8N Copper, Graphene Palladium Plated): This cable beefs up the bass so much. Just a bit too much for me. This is an impressive cable which I still need to match with a set.
- Yongse KuroKami (Silver plated single crystal copper, Graphene shield): As with the last cable bigger bass. More forward mids. Like the Whitesnake a bit artificial sounding.
- Audio Lab Design Vectron (7n OCC Copper + Silver-plated 5n LC-OFC + 5n LC-OFC copper with silver-plated 5n LC-OFC): Sound good on the Genesis. Ill try this against the stormrise and Mars.
- Yongse Aegle (Furukawa Silver-Copper Alloy): Little too much separation. Not for me.
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Conclusion
The Genesis has been a new flavour to me. Unique sounding to anything I’ve heard before. It’s not a set to work on all of my library, where I prefer forward mids. The Genesis is a strong V adding pleasing treble sheen to many instruments and in turn added levels of realism, not the realism I’ve heard on other sets until bass heavy tracks appear which help boost the realism.
In this review I’ve called the genesis a split personality as on bass heavy tracks it comes alive and on weaker bass tracks the mids recess which is not my preference.
After many hours listening I’m left unfatigued which is a huge benefit to me.
My preference leans towards the EaracousticAudio VSA-Max over the Genesis simply as it plays all of my library how I would want to hear it. The VSA-Max also including crunch and slightly more treble which seems to be my preference even after upgrading the tips and cable on the Genesis.
Shopping link: EarAcoustic Audio GENESIS G318S