TL;DR
At around $20, these are astonishing (yes … for the price). But even at 2x or 3x that price, one wouldn’t be (too) disappointed, I don’t think. Get a few for a drawer at work, your travel bag, etc., or give them away as gifts. The Cipher helps you realize that the gap between a $20 IEM and a $1,000 IEM, while noticeable, isn’t actually that wide. The Cipher shows that it’s not hard to make a very good, very affordable IEM.
Introduction
In July, EarAcoustic Audio announced “EarAcousticAudio is thrilled to introduce Lyrine Studio, the new studio our brand has launched! At Lyrine Studio, we’ll be unveiling a series of high-performance IEMs that are designed to elevate your audio experience. Whether you're an audiophile or just curious, now's your chance to try our cutting-edge products! Stay tuned for exclusive releases, and be among the first to experience what’s next!”
EarAcoustic Audio provided me a red unit with 3.5mm termination and a lavender unit with USB-C. I used the USB-C unit with my iPad Air. I think the USB version performed just a tad better; in comparison the 3.5mm unit may have been just a little brighter/sharper with some tracks (or maybe I imagined all of that).
At around $20, these are astonishing (yes … for the price). But even at 2x or 3x that price, one wouldn’t be (too) disappointed, I don’t think. Get a few for a drawer at work, your travel bag, etc., or give them away as gifts. The Cipher helps you realize that the gap between a $20 IEM and a $1,000 IEM, while noticeable, isn’t actually that wide. The Cipher shows that it’s not hard to make a very good, very affordable IEM.
Introduction
In July, EarAcoustic Audio announced “EarAcousticAudio is thrilled to introduce Lyrine Studio, the new studio our brand has launched! At Lyrine Studio, we’ll be unveiling a series of high-performance IEMs that are designed to elevate your audio experience. Whether you're an audiophile or just curious, now's your chance to try our cutting-edge products! Stay tuned for exclusive releases, and be among the first to experience what’s next!”
EarAcoustic Audio provided me a red unit with 3.5mm termination and a lavender unit with USB-C. I used the USB-C unit with my iPad Air. I think the USB version performed just a tad better; in comparison the 3.5mm unit may have been just a little brighter/sharper with some tracks (or maybe I imagined all of that).
I am not affiliated with EarAcoustic or Lyrine and of course was not asked for any copy checking before publishing. Photos are my own. ALL opinions shared in this review are my subjective thoughts. The Cipher can be purchased at https://www.earacoustic-audio.com/ProDetail.aspx?ProId=106.
Driver
10mm nanocrystalline ceramic dome + flexible polymer polyurethane suspension
Shell
“ABS resin material with a touch-friendly paint”
Presentation
Simple but nice. At this price point you don’t expect much. But the Cipher does come with a rather nice pouch. KZ never gave me a pouch.
Comfort and Fit
The Cipher sits very light in the ear and is barely noticeable. My right ear has an abnormally large opening (apparently) and I always have to use my own tips (14mm or a bit bigger. I settled on the Divinus Velvet wide bore for best seal.
Overall Sound
Clear vocals, surprisingly good bass, plenty of sparkle on the top. Yep, it’s V-shaped. What you lose at this price are the refinement and details, but you’ll be amazed that you aren’t losing as much as you expect for $20.
Evaluation Tracks
Most tracks were local hi-res files (96/24 or better) on my Cayin N7 or through my desktop setup (Foobar 2000>Schiit Modius E > Schiit Lokius > Monolith dual THX Amp). Where noted, some tracks were streamed (on the Cayin), and some were from vinyl LPs. Vinyl setup is: Fluance RT85 turntable > Schiit Mani 2 > Schiit Lokius > Schiit Vali 2. That’s a lot of Schiit.
Tears for Fears, “Swords and Knives,” The Seeds of Love (vinyl). Listening for: Instrumental separation and space. There’s a dramatic “middle section” in this track with a great vibe. Piano, guitar wails, backing vocals, and plenty of other pieces fit together quite well, although not quite as organically spacious as it can be.
Everything But The Girl, “Wrong” and “Single,” Walking Wounded (Apple Music). Listening for: Female vocal accuracy. I love Tracey Thorn’s soulful vocals. Maybe that’s why Massive Attack used her that one time … anyway, on this track she sounds maybe just slightly tinny. But nothing horrible. And instead of one track I listened to two.
The Secret Sisters, “Little Again,” You Don’t Own Me Anymore. Listening for: Female vocal accuracy. Two sisters, and a simple backing band. Beautiful. On this one, the Sisters sound wonderful. The harmonies I fell in love with in July are delightfully evident. The Cipher did great.
Peter Frampton, “Wind of Change” and “All I Want To Be (Is By Your Side),” Acoustic Classics (Apple Music). Listening for: Acoustic guitar tone and presence. This is a great Frampton acoustic collection, with a very intimate feel. The Cipher keeps that intimate, in-studio feel and the guitar sounds just as good as always … so good, in fact, that I kept going for another track, again!
Led Zeppelin, “For Your Life,” Presence (2014 remaster). Listening for: Drum clarity and decay. This bluesy number has some good studio space and, of course, excellent drumming from Bonzo. The Cipher did just fine. I would say the overall sound is not quite as spacious as with other IEMs … but, come on, $20!
Hans Zimmer & David Fleming, “Windstorm,” The Night Logan Woke Up OST (Apple Music). Listening For: Bass. This moody track has some great bottom end, and I was very impressed with how the Cipher conveyed the bass. In fact, it’s better than some of my more pricey sets. Good driver action and bass rumble here! (BTW, this is another great Zimmer album; the last track especially sticks in the memory. Highly recommended).
Listening Summary
Really solid performance from the Cipher, both the USB and the 3.5mm … but i think the USB version is a little better experience.
Comparisons
Let’s be real: The Cipher isn’t going to outperform units at a higher price point. A champion high school football team isn’t going to beat an NFL team. The Cipher’s magic is that they outperform the price.
EarAcoustic VSA-Max: Another single DD that I recently reviewed. At $140 or so, the Max has a better build and a better driver. It’s just better. But again, the difference isn't that far. I would almost say the Cipher is the Max’s “little brother.” Very similar, just that one is bigger and better.
KZ ZS10 Pro: My first introduction to the IEM world, back in 2019. I actually haven’t used the KZ for quite a while and had to rummage through my audio drawer to find them, and a cable. This is a more appropriate comparison, although the KZ has four BAs to go with the DD. The KZ is more refined and smooth, but I think the Cipher comes across as livelier, thanks to a bit more sparkle on the top. If treble details are important to you, you may very well prefer the Cipher.
Conclusion
My headline says it all: This is a budget set that you just have to get. They perform admirably and will surely surprise you. At this price, you don’t have anything to lose.
Driver
10mm nanocrystalline ceramic dome + flexible polymer polyurethane suspension
Shell
“ABS resin material with a touch-friendly paint”
Presentation
Simple but nice. At this price point you don’t expect much. But the Cipher does come with a rather nice pouch. KZ never gave me a pouch.
Comfort and Fit
The Cipher sits very light in the ear and is barely noticeable. My right ear has an abnormally large opening (apparently) and I always have to use my own tips (14mm or a bit bigger. I settled on the Divinus Velvet wide bore for best seal.
Overall Sound
Clear vocals, surprisingly good bass, plenty of sparkle on the top. Yep, it’s V-shaped. What you lose at this price are the refinement and details, but you’ll be amazed that you aren’t losing as much as you expect for $20.
Evaluation Tracks
Most tracks were local hi-res files (96/24 or better) on my Cayin N7 or through my desktop setup (Foobar 2000>Schiit Modius E > Schiit Lokius > Monolith dual THX Amp). Where noted, some tracks were streamed (on the Cayin), and some were from vinyl LPs. Vinyl setup is: Fluance RT85 turntable > Schiit Mani 2 > Schiit Lokius > Schiit Vali 2. That’s a lot of Schiit.
Tears for Fears, “Swords and Knives,” The Seeds of Love (vinyl). Listening for: Instrumental separation and space. There’s a dramatic “middle section” in this track with a great vibe. Piano, guitar wails, backing vocals, and plenty of other pieces fit together quite well, although not quite as organically spacious as it can be.
Everything But The Girl, “Wrong” and “Single,” Walking Wounded (Apple Music). Listening for: Female vocal accuracy. I love Tracey Thorn’s soulful vocals. Maybe that’s why Massive Attack used her that one time … anyway, on this track she sounds maybe just slightly tinny. But nothing horrible. And instead of one track I listened to two.
The Secret Sisters, “Little Again,” You Don’t Own Me Anymore. Listening for: Female vocal accuracy. Two sisters, and a simple backing band. Beautiful. On this one, the Sisters sound wonderful. The harmonies I fell in love with in July are delightfully evident. The Cipher did great.
Peter Frampton, “Wind of Change” and “All I Want To Be (Is By Your Side),” Acoustic Classics (Apple Music). Listening for: Acoustic guitar tone and presence. This is a great Frampton acoustic collection, with a very intimate feel. The Cipher keeps that intimate, in-studio feel and the guitar sounds just as good as always … so good, in fact, that I kept going for another track, again!
Led Zeppelin, “For Your Life,” Presence (2014 remaster). Listening for: Drum clarity and decay. This bluesy number has some good studio space and, of course, excellent drumming from Bonzo. The Cipher did just fine. I would say the overall sound is not quite as spacious as with other IEMs … but, come on, $20!
Hans Zimmer & David Fleming, “Windstorm,” The Night Logan Woke Up OST (Apple Music). Listening For: Bass. This moody track has some great bottom end, and I was very impressed with how the Cipher conveyed the bass. In fact, it’s better than some of my more pricey sets. Good driver action and bass rumble here! (BTW, this is another great Zimmer album; the last track especially sticks in the memory. Highly recommended).
Listening Summary
Really solid performance from the Cipher, both the USB and the 3.5mm … but i think the USB version is a little better experience.
Comparisons
Let’s be real: The Cipher isn’t going to outperform units at a higher price point. A champion high school football team isn’t going to beat an NFL team. The Cipher’s magic is that they outperform the price.
EarAcoustic VSA-Max: Another single DD that I recently reviewed. At $140 or so, the Max has a better build and a better driver. It’s just better. But again, the difference isn't that far. I would almost say the Cipher is the Max’s “little brother.” Very similar, just that one is bigger and better.
KZ ZS10 Pro: My first introduction to the IEM world, back in 2019. I actually haven’t used the KZ for quite a while and had to rummage through my audio drawer to find them, and a cable. This is a more appropriate comparison, although the KZ has four BAs to go with the DD. The KZ is more refined and smooth, but I think the Cipher comes across as livelier, thanks to a bit more sparkle on the top. If treble details are important to you, you may very well prefer the Cipher.
Conclusion
My headline says it all: This is a budget set that you just have to get. They perform admirably and will surely surprise you. At this price, you don’t have anything to lose.