This time, I'd like to review one of CCA's new products, the CCA Phoenix, which retails for 399,000 Rupiah. Before starting this review, I'd like to express my gratitude to KZ Indonesia for sending me this
CCA Phoenix unit for review.
Disclaimer: This review is purely my opinion based on several days of use, using the Fosi Audio DS2 as the source. I used the stock eartips and cable for the CCA Phoenix unit. For your information, this IEM is still relatively source-friendly; I think using a cheap dongle like the Kinera CD-2 is more than enough.
Accessories
The accessories are what really excites me about this IEM and represent a significant upgrade from previous CCA products.
The box itself feels quite luxurious for an IEM at this price point. The unboxing experience is similar to the older EPZ Q5 IEM, with a split opening.
Other accessories include a card with a phoenix motif, a nod to the IEM's name. There's also a synthetic leather pouch, something I haven't seen in previous CCA products. What I'm also pleased about is the cable, which is quite attractive and flexible. Finally, the eartips are quite comfortable to wear, unlike previous CCA eartips.
Overall, this is something to be commended about the CCA Phoenix, not only because it's new for CCA, but also because it's a rare find at around 300,000 Rupiah.
Fitting & Build Quality
The build of this IEM is excellent. It's made of metal with a solid feel, so the build quality is beyond doubt. However, IEMs with metal housings like this have drawbacks, especially when used on PCs or laptops, which are prone to electric shocks, so I wouldn't recommend this IEM for either.
Personally, the fit is quite comfortable; I'm quite comfortable wearing this IEM for extended periods. Although this IEM is made of metal, it's still relatively light, and the housing is also small, so it should be safe for most users.
Sound
- Bass: This IEM has a V-shaped sound directionality. The bass is quite substantial, with a fairly balanced portion between the sub-bass and mid-bass. The sub-bass has a fairly deep extension, while the mid-bass is quite punchy with good texture and control, so there's minimal bass bleed into the mids. Although this IEM has a large bass output, its speed is still quite fast. Overall, the bass presentation of this IEM is quite good, in my opinion. The bass is quite noticeable but not excessive, and it's quite fun.
- Mid/Vocals: The mids are positioned slightly behind the bass, with just the right amount of weight in my opinion. The vocal presentation is balanced, with both female and male vocals equally pleasing on this IEM. There's also a boost in the upper mids, which gives the vocals an open feel. The vocal presentation is quite clear and sweet, especially the female vocals. Furthermore, the vocals are still relatively low in sibilance. Instrumental presentations like piano and acoustic guitar are still quite pleasant on this IEM, sounding clear and natural without any strange sounds. Overall, this section is still quite pleasant for me.
- Treble: The treble is still quite energetic, although not a very sparkling treble. The instrument and cymbal details are still pleasant without any peaks or graininess. The extension is also quite good, although not very extended. Overall, the treble is still quite pleasant and enjoyable for long listening sessions.
- Technical: Technically, it's quite good for the price. This IEM has a fairly wide staging with fairly precise and accurate imaging. The stage is slightly wider with quite good height and depth. The resolution is also quite good, although this IEM is quite bass-dominant. The detail is also quite noticeable, although not the most detailed for the price. The separation between instruments feels neat, and the timbre feels natural. Overall, technically, for its price, this IEM is quite good and one of the best for me right now.
Comparison
CCA Phoenix VS Letshuoer D02: The bass is clearly better on the Phoenix, with more bass than the D02, which is just adequate. For vocals, I prefer the D02, especially on female vocals. The vocals are clearer, cleaner, sweeter, and more emotional on the D02. However, for male vocals, I prefer the Phoenix because it has a more appropriate weight than the D02. For treble, I prefer the D02, although the Phoenix feels a bit more energetic, but the extension is better on the D02. Technically, the D02 is still a level above the Phoenix. Detail, resolution, clarity, and other aspects are still superior to the D02.
Who is the CCA Phoenix suitable for and who is not suitable for:
Suitable for
- Definitely those who like the V-shaped sound character.
- Those who need an IEM with big bass but don't want other areas to be overshadowed by the bass.
- Those who need an all-rounder IEM.
- Those who need an IEM that can be easily worn without having to worry about changing cables and eartips.
- Those who need an IEM with solid build quality.
Not suitable for
- Deep bassheads or deep trebleheads.
- Those who need an IEM with forward or dominant vocals, also known as vocal lovers.
- Those who need an IEM for PC use and similar purposes. Because of the risk of electric shock due to the metal material.
- Those who dislike the V-shaped sound character.
Conclusion
The CCA Phoenix is CCA's latest product, which has made a very interesting breakthrough in terms of packaging. Unlike previous products, which seemed standard or somewhat lacking in my opinion, CCA has made some very positive changes with the CCA Phoenix.
Besides the attractive packaging, this IEM also delivers excellent sound and can compete with other IEMs at this price point, both tonally and technically. Overall, for the price of 399,000 Rupiah, I think this IEM is worth checking out.
