DISCLAIMER
The review I'm about to share reflects my personal experience and provides an honest evaluation regarding this set. I am completely unaffiliated from the brands I review. I did not receive (or will receive) any financial or monetary incentives in exchange for writing this review, I wrote this review of my own free will and all of the opinions you'll read are my own.
SPECIFICATIONS
Driver configuration: 10mm TPLX Dynamic Driver
Impedance: 15.6Ω±20%@1kHz
Sensitivity: 104.5dB/Vrms@1kHz
INTRODUCTION
I’ve been using this set for a little over two weeks now, and so far, my experience has been quite positive. As a big fan of Tangzu—especially their impressive budget offerings—I decided to give the Yu Xuan Ji a try. I made a conscious effort to manage my expectations and avoid bias, so rest assured, I’ve done my best to keep this review as objective as possible. I’ve taken a highly analytical approach with this set, which is why it took me over two weeks to finalize this review. I wanted to ensure I could describe it as thoroughly and accurately as possible.
Also, I reviewed this set solely for its sound quality as well as my sound impressions, so this will be a pretty straightforward and short (but detailed) review. Here are the gears I've used in writing this review:
DAC Dongle: Jcally JM7l or Fiio Q3 MQA
Phone/Device: Either my iPhone XR or my laptop
Music player: Spotify and Tidal
SOUND IMPRESSIONS
So, let’s dive right into my sound impressions. The Tangzu Yu Xuan Ji offers a smooth and relaxed mild V-shaped tuning, similar to their budget set, the original Wan’er SG. The Yu Xuan Ji features relatively balanced tuning across the board, with no particular frequency range being overly emphasized or overshadowed. While this makes the set slightly average in terms of excitement, the technical performance is where it truly stands out.
(Shout out to Audio Amigo for this graph)
As I mentioned earlier, the Yu Xuan Ji is tuned similarly to the Wan’er SG, with slight differences in the upper frequencies. When I first listened to this set, it immediately reminded me of the Wan’er SG. After using it for a couple of weeks, I began to question: Is this a direct upgrade to the Wan’er, or is it simply a slightly different variation in tuning?
This uncertainty is why I didn’t rate this IEM particularly high even though it is relatively good. While there are significant improvements in the cable, the addition of Sancai eartips, and the overall build quality of the IEM itself, I didn’t notice much improvement in sound performance. Perhaps the Wan’er is just that impressive, or perhaps the Yu Xuan Ji is simply average.
As I mentioned earlier, the Yu Xuan Ji is tuned similarly to the Wan’er SG, with slight differences in the upper frequencies. When I first listened to this set, it immediately reminded me of the Wan’er SG. After using it for a couple of weeks, I began to question: Is this a direct upgrade to the Wan’er, or is it simply a slightly different variation in tuning?
This uncertainty is why I didn’t rate this IEM particularly high even though it is relatively good. While there are significant improvements in the cable, the addition of Sancai eartips, and the overall build quality of the IEM itself, I didn’t notice much improvement in sound performance. Perhaps the Wan’er is just that impressive, or perhaps the Yu Xuan Ji is simply average.
Bass
The bass on the Yu Xuan Ji is present but leans towards a smooth presentation rather than being rumbly or punchy. This gives it a relaxing quality, though it slightly lacks texture and detail. While the bass region is somewhat laid-back, it rarely feels lacking in most scenarios. The attack is on the slower side, but not overly so, contributing to its overall smooth and relaxed bass presentation.
Mids
The midrange is clean and detailed, with no bass bleed, though it does sound slightly thin. Vocals are somewhat more forward compared to the instruments, but they still feel as though they share a similar plane. The upper midrange avoids being shouty or aggressive, though it is also not particularly forward. Despite this, the midrange integrates well with both the lower and higher frequencies, delivering plenty of detail and a natural timbre. However, this region can feel borderline boring at times, as the slight thinness detracts from its overall engagement, despite the good detailing.
Treble
The treble offers a lot of detail without any harsh peaks or shoutiness. It has a balanced amount of energy and sparkle, providing just enough liveliness to avoid sounding dull. The treble region is textured but tends to sound dry, and occasionally even grainy. On the upside, it opens up a good amount of air, enhancing the set’s sense of spaciousness. Compared to the smoother bass and midrange, the treble lacks smoothness, but its detailed nature stands out without being overly aggressive.
Details, Imaging, and Soundstage
The technical performance of this set is undoubtedly its strength. The Yu Xuan Ji excels in detail retrieval and offers impressive resolution. This aspect is one of my favorite qualities of the set, and I can confidently say it holds its ground against other IEMs slightly above its price range. Instrument separation is reasonably good, complemented by above-average imaging accuracy that allows you to discern the directions of instruments and vocals with some clarity. The soundstage is neither cramped nor overly expansive, providing a balanced sense of space both vertically and horizontally.
CONCLUSION
The Tangzu Yu Xuan Ji holds its own against other sets in its price range—there’s no denying that. However, when it comes to tuning, the Yu Xuan Ji doesn’t feel particularly special. It comes across as a different iteration of the Wan’er, with noticeable improvements in detail retrieval, but that’s about it. While I may sound disappointed, I’m really not; this set is good, but it doesn’t feel groundbreaking or overly impressive.
So, who is this IEM for? If you’ve tried the Wan’er and want an upgrade in build quality, design, and technical performance, the Yu Xuan Ji is a solid choice. If you’re shopping for an IEM with a $50 budget, this set is worth considering. Additionally, if you’re looking for a side-grade to complement other budget sets, and you value resolving, smooth, and non-offensive tuning, the Yu Xuan Ji will certainly meet your expectations.
UNAFFILIATED LINK 40% OFF
https://keephifi.com/discount/yuxuanji-blog?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Ftangzu-yuxuanji-in-ear-monitor-10mm-tplx-dynamic-driver-iem-earphone-wired-earbuds-with-detachable-cable-for-musician-audiophile
The Tangzu Yu Xuan Ji holds its own against other sets in its price range—there’s no denying that. However, when it comes to tuning, the Yu Xuan Ji doesn’t feel particularly special. It comes across as a different iteration of the Wan’er, with noticeable improvements in detail retrieval, but that’s about it. While I may sound disappointed, I’m really not; this set is good, but it doesn’t feel groundbreaking or overly impressive.
So, who is this IEM for? If you’ve tried the Wan’er and want an upgrade in build quality, design, and technical performance, the Yu Xuan Ji is a solid choice. If you’re shopping for an IEM with a $50 budget, this set is worth considering. Additionally, if you’re looking for a side-grade to complement other budget sets, and you value resolving, smooth, and non-offensive tuning, the Yu Xuan Ji will certainly meet your expectations.
UNAFFILIATED LINK 40% OFF
https://keephifi.com/discount/yuxuanji-blog?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Ftangzu-yuxuanji-in-ear-monitor-10mm-tplx-dynamic-driver-iem-earphone-wired-earbuds-with-detachable-cable-for-musician-audiophile