EAA added in a total of seven pairs of eartips using two different styles of tips. Both sets are of decent quality and should be pretty good additions to your collection. The first set of four pairs (L, M, M, S… I think) are some black silicone eartips which have a wide bore and sit shallower. Honestly, I didn’t like these tips as they are far too flimsy for my ears. I simply couldn’t get a good seal and believe me I tried. These tips will greatly influence the treble and upper mid regions while slightly dialing back the low-end. Decent tips, but not for me. The next set of three pairs (L, M, S) are actually tremendous eartips that I’ve praised a lot in the past. These are gray eartips with a red stem which are identical to the Tenmak Whirlwind eartips. They have a wide bore, shallow fit, very firm flange, very rigid altogether. They actually have ridges inside of the flange which help to add some more structural integrity. Fantastic eartips. However, I did not use these tips for critical listening. I just don’t think they fit sonically with me. I actually went through a multitude of eartips seeking the best fit for me and my ears as well as my sonic taste. What I came up with was the Dunu S&S eartips. The S&S tips provided me with that wide bore, but also with a much deeper fit which made my experience much better for me. Obviously, we are all very different and you may have a different experience. Still, nice enough eartips for any collection.
Friends, I don’t usually go too nuts over carrying cases as they are usually simple and cheap add-ons to the packaging on 99.9% of iems. I have never in my life seen such an awesome carrying case. Hands-down the best I’ve ever received. So, the case provided is a very large black leatherbound case with a beautifully textured cladding, gorgeous straps, a nice Keychain and a silver zipper. It’s flat-out awesome. I hope my pictures do it justice. Again, it’s pretty large at 4 ½” x 3 ½” x 2 ½” using a very rough measuring tool (my eyeballs). Plenty of room to store the GENESIS earphones, the fat cable, plenty of eartips, and easily a good-sized dongle dac if needed. This is simply such a classy looking case which more so resembles luggage than anything else. I give EAA nothing but props for this inclusion.
Now, the cable is another nice inclusion as it is a black fabric cable which I like a lot, yet with a couple reservations too. Anyways, the cable is a long 1.2m detachable 2-pin braided cable using two fat twisting braids and has some nice girth to it. Certainly, a nice aesthetic option with the GENESIS. To be exact, the cable is a 0.78 2-pin cable in a Litz style with a fixed 4.4 balanced connection made of high purity silver plated oxygen free copper wire which is used to hopefully bring out the best in the GENESIS’s sonic ability. I really dig how nice this cable looks with the GENESIS, but I do have some slight issues that I’ve noted. First, the cable ear hooks are very stiff and aren’t very forgiving at all. Not bad as they fit my ears well, but I know people are going to have issues with the style. Next, this is a fairly stiff cable and when trying to roll this set up for storage can result in them springing out of its roll. Last, this cable can be very microphonic. Without music playing I do hear it rubbing in my shirt or tapping different objects. So, it isn’t the most user-friendly cable I’ve received, but also, for pure fidelity and aesthetic appeal the cable is spot on. After this review I am going to put a new wire on this set. Still, it is a nice addition to the packaging and looks dope.
Okay, so, when it comes to quality of build there are a few brands which percolate near the top of my mind which typically craft some very well made iems. However, there is one brand who always makes sure to blow the doors off of everyone, and that brand is EarAcoustics. Folks, the EAA GENESIS is built almost to the tee of perfection (with a couple caveats). Made entirely out of three fat chunks of high-quality aluminum. I couldn’t imagine how heavy these would be if EAA didn’t use aluminum. Anyways, they used 5-Axis machining to carve and shape the GENESIS into the beauty that it is. Again, it comes in three pieces, the nozzles, the shell, and the faceplates. Now, as chunky and big as this beautiful set is, it still is only reported to weigh 8 grams. Which is surprising until you put the GENESIS in your ears and realize that this set is actually very lightweight considering the bulk and full alloy build. The nozzles have the standard width of right around 6mm and are roughly about average length. I also notice a small vent near the rear of the unit as well. Now, the only other real important thing to note is that the GENESIS is a dual cavity design and so EAA did have to machine those internal cavities. Folks, aluminum (skin friendly) is one of the most used and adored materials to use for iem construction and there’s a good reason why. EAA perfected its use. This set is one of the best built iems that I’ve seen in any price point including kilo-buck sets that I’ve tried. Wonderful work EarAcoustics!
Have you ever seen a better looking iem? This is me standing and clapping my hands in adoration to those people at EarAcoustics who designed this absolute beauty of an iem. I’m willing to bet that everyone who reviews this set says something similar to… “The GENESIS looks like jewelry”. Well, that’s because this set does in fact look just like a piece of fine jewelry. The textured feel and smooth hammered metal design is one of the best ideas that I’ve ever seen on any iem at any price point by any brand. I honestly feel that the design is right up there with the best I’ve seen. Which is surprising considering the GENESIS only cost $249. It isn’t just another resin 3D printed set, it isn’t some easy-peasy aluminum build, no sir. The EAA GENESIS is a finely crafted iem that feels and looks premium. Let’s put it this way, if someone told me that this set cost $2k… I wouldn’t bat an eye at that. Sure, looks like it. However, thankfully, EAA are just very good designers who have an eye for things that look nice. I simply cannot praise them enough. In truth, I thought that there’d be no way they could top the version of the SPA Limited Edition that I had, but EAA certainly did. To add to that, they added a very simple “GENESIS” printed in the faceplates which somehow makes it even more dope looking. Friends, this set has BALLER intentions in every moment and I am so impressed.
As I said earlier the EAA GENESIS G318s carries a single dynamic driver inside of those gorgeous shells. In all actuality, EAA went with an 8.3 mm Tesla driver featuring a titanium-coated dome with diamond coated suspension alongside dual magnets inside of dual cavities. Folks, this is a fairly sophisticated situation we have going on around here. Also, I like that they went with the 8.3 mm as opposed to some larger like a +10mm driver. There’s something perfect about the 8.3mm size. How much air it moves, how resonances bounce off the internal acoustic cavity and how transients come across. I really-really like this driver folks. I should note that within the internal housing is one open voluminous space which is subdivided into two carefully crafted front & back cavities. The front cavity handles the upper frequencies which relies on the structure of the housing and nozzle geometry to shape the sound and attenuated certain metallic and artificial resonances. While the back cavity is all about the bass. EarAcoustics states that the “internal structure is designed to carefully manage airflow, pressure, and resonance”. Which can easily be heard when listening to the GENESIS. It’s a quality design folks.
Now, as far as the fit and comfort is concerned, the EAA GENESIS is what I’d call a comfortable fit. There is nothing which feel uncomfortable, I can tell you that. Well, that is unless you are standing in sub-zero weather. I think in that situation you may want to limit your use… Lol. These all aluminum iems may get a tad cold. Seriously though, the fit is great. EAA made sure to craft this set in an ergonomic way with perfectly curved shells to fit the human ear. They are actually very nice with great weight distribution.
The EarAcoustics GENESIS G318s is a fairly easy to drive set of iems as they come with an impedance rating of around 38 ohms and a sensitivity of about 110 db’s. They aren’t the “most” sensitive set, which is good, but they also don’t need huge power to drive. The GENESIS is easy enough… let’s just put it that way. For instance, I can drive the GENESIS just fine using even a smartphone. Granted, it isn’t the cleanest sound I’ve ever heard. Somewhat blunted note definition and less resolute. Slightly bumping up to a few of my 3.5 se Conexant dongle dacs (cheapies) I got better technical production, slightly tighter bass, but still not super dynamic. Certainly, it still sounds good, but I’ve heard this set with power, and I’m definitely jaded. Anyways, I also used my iPad with its 3.5 jack, as well as some other weaker dongle dacs, the KZ AZ20, stuff like that. It isn’t that you can’t power this set well, as you can hear your music just fine. However, if you have a source with more juice, that 8.3 mm DD will certainly reward you. Without question the EAA GENESIS scales with power. No doubt about it.
Most review sets I begin with my favorite sources; I can’t help myself. Then I usually go back and check with the weaker ones. That was short lived. I say that because the GENESIS comes alive with good and clean power. At the very least a good and strong dongle dac. If you can do it. Not everyone has money for a dongle dac on top of the $249 GENESIS, but if you already have one or can swing the extra $75 for a decent dongle dac, then do it. Shoot, you can probably find a solid dongle dac for around $45-50 anymore. At any rate, the best this set came across was with my 1-watt daps and their wonderful circuitry marrying wonderfully with this set making every last musical note feel alive and bold. Like the iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2 installed, or the Shanling M6 Ultra, the Hiby R6 Pro II 2025, the Fiio Q15 etc. Big power portable devices are where it’s at for me. I don’t feel that you need the type of power that harder to drive planars need, desktop setups aren’t necessarily needed either. Just good and clean power. I’ll just put it like this; the EAA GENESIS deserves your best.
As far as pairing with different sources tonally, the EAA GENESIS comes across very nicely with many different source devices. The sentiment from most reviewers will probably be that neutral to neutral/bright will work best to offset the analog warmth of the GENESIS. I don’t entirely disagree, but I do feel that the GENESIS also plays very well with even warm/neutral sources. In fact, it plays well with most any source. I really don’t feel that you are going to be put off with most any tonal coloration from your sources. It’s a dope set that definitely sits in that tonal sweet spot and has its own flavor with any source I attach it to. Perhaps you like a cooler sound, or maybe you like a warmer sound, who knows? That said, the GENESIS seems to adapt to just about any source I throw at it and makes something pretty out of each pairing. Maybe I’m the wrong person to ask, as I love every type of sound signature and tonality, but the GENESIS is a damn fine set, and I don’t think it’ll let you down with any source tonality.
*Note: before I proceed into the sound portion of this review, I have to me tion that I did burn-in the GENESIS prior to any real critical listening. Now, I honestly don’t feel this really did a whole lot. I remember feeling that the bass sounded tighter, denser, but also, that could just be me dreaming that up. So, if I were you, instead of burning-in, I’d just listen-in. Just enjoy this set. Next, all of my listening is done using flac or better files (some MP3) which are stored on my devices and rarely stream anything. The Android music player of my choice is mainly UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro) as well as Hiby Music Player for some daps or Eddict Player for some non-Android Shanling daps. Beyond that, I did tip roll to Dunu S&S eartips for all critical listening. I simply like the way they manipulate the sound. I used the included cable for all listening as well.
Friends, I have reviewed every sound signature under the sun. I’ve heard ‘em all (not exactly an accomplishment, I know). Within those different signatures there’ll be some good, some dope, some not so good, and some downright terrible. Can I just say that what EarAcoustics did with the GENESIS G318s is a five-star effort which marries melody and rhythmicity with this poignant and dynamic analog clarity that is absolutely infectious for its type of tuning! For those who simply want to drown in their music, feeling every chord, every robustly rendered and undulating groove with a certain warm resolution that doesn’t just play the emotion within a track… it celebrates it. When you’ve heard as many sets as I have (not patting myself on the back either) you can begin to become somewhat jaded. Especially nowadays when a good set is pretty much… every set. However, when I hear a certain signature (in this case warm, smooth, analog, yet brilliant enough) that turns my jaded expectations on its head, kinda like the GENESIS did with me, it’s definitely something worth telling you all about. The metric that provides the most validity for me is… I love my music on this set. Something about the GENESIS’s holographic dimensionality and its euphonic and fluid way of maneuvering around those dynamic and sonorous crescendos, natural sounding bulbous bass lines, electric sizzling guitar riffs, the wave-like flow of a solid Jazz joint, or the strum of a lone acoustic guitar and a dreamer’s voice speaking their truth in song. Something about how well this set connects the emotion of a song to the listener is a very special thing.
Of course, I don’t want to oversell here, but these are my opinions after all. I’m not one of those stalwart and professionally strict writers who only declare the facts from an objective observational perspective. That’s not me. I give you what I hear, exactly as I hear it, and tell you exactly how I feel when I’m listening, knowing full well that you may think I’m nuts. Folks, with that thought in mind, I find the EarAcoustics GENESIS to be a set worthy of adoration. Before I go hard on the sound of this set, please know that there are some drawbacks to the GENESIS’s tuning. There are some areas where it could improve. Despite that statement, those areas that could improve just so happen to be the areas which make this set as wonderfully groovy as it is. So, nothing is for everyone folks. Having said that, I don’t want to beat around the bush, I think the GENESIS is one of the best buys at its cost for anyone who desires the particular sound signature that EarAcoustics tuned it with. I’ll explain that sound in a bit, but for right now… I’m just going to chill with my music before my deep dive.
So, to my ears the EarAcoustics GENESIS G318s Elysian Fields comes across with what I consider a “mild V-shaped” signature. Just like every time I try to explain my thoughts on these signatures, I’m not very happy with them. I only say that because the midrange is not your typical old school V-shaped recessed and pushed back style of sound. It’s definitely forward enough for great presence in the mix. Actually, I want to call this a U-shaped set, but I’m not entirely happy with that either. Somewhere in between I suppose but I’m going with mild V-shaped anyway. At any rate, the GENESIS is an iem which prizes engagement and musicality over technical precision boasting a very well dimensioned and holographic stage and a musical euphony and mellifluous nature that is very enthralling. EAA certainly tuned this set to be very fluent in rhythmic cadence with a very smooth demeanor. At least that’s what I assume the intent was. The crazy thing is that the GENESIS isn’t bad at all in its technical skills. At least in respect to its musically adept and totally fluid style sound. Of course, nobody should purchase this set for its technical skills alone. There are plenty of better iems for that. This is a set you purchase because you greatly value hearing your music as intended, yet with just enough coloration across the mix to keep the sound enticing, immersive, and engrossing.
To my ears the EAA GENESIS has some very organic, very earthy, grounded, and even somewhat natural warm timbre which has this very clean version of an analog sound that separates it from other similarly tuned sets. As I said earlier, the soundstage really plays a huge role in the overall tuning of this set. Also, again, the GENESIS carries a fairly pristine and euphonic resonance which never seems to blur the note delivery or overly elongate note decay, which is not the norm. Usually, these analog sets geared towards musicality, warmly skewed with richer note weight will always sound less accurate and cleanly rendered. Now, I’m not calling the GENESIS some technical beast, and I’m not describing some ultra snappy and pinpoint iem or anything, but I am saying that it isn’t devoid of clarity. However, that timbre I was talking about really carries that good tonal accuracy for instruments and vocalists. Guitars for instance have that subtle bite without aggressiveness. Or vocals definitely sound fleshier and bolder without a hint of dryness to be heard. They’re moistened. Percussion seems to have that nice robust attack, believable and impactful, but also with a realistic and natural decay. Nothing too fast and unrealistic and nothing laggy either. The GENESIS has this toned-down treble yet smartly tuned with very nice extension which tempers the warmth, adding tonal contrast, big macro-dynamics, and helping to create this vinyl-like feel with relatively decent transparency. Folks, I’m really trying to explain this set to the best of my ability but I’m listening to them as I write which is constantly pulling me away from what I sat down to do. So please bear with me. The point is this; the GENESIS has that sweet magic sauce which you truly don’t get every day. I’ve reviewed many warm and smooth sets recently and I gave them good reviews, but this set has me rethinking and realigning my north star standard of what this type of sound can be when the right people are crafting that sound.
Now, I won’t go deep here but as an overall depiction of the sound it is my job to steer you in a direction of understanding how the GENESIS replays my music and what some of its characteristics and sonic traits are “prior” to doing acute deep dives later in my review. So, in a very “broad stroke” kind of way, very generalized, I’d say that the EAA GENESIS has a technically proficient sound with respect to its warmer, smoother, and more analog approach. Yes, I just repeated myself. Welcome to my reviews, my name is Chris Love… Lol. Anyways, for a warm single DD the GENESIS has a nice way of highlighting macro-textures and macro-details well. I’m mean, surface texture stuff like breathy vocals and lip smacks, or the gravelly growl of an edgy and mean bass guitar. Having said that, the GENESIS certainly prioritizes fluidity, tone, and tunefulness over micro-details. Especially in more complex and complicated passages of music. The forward-ish upper-mids seem to help bring upon some good note separation coupled with the big holographic stage helping layers of depth stand out. Granted, it won’t be the most focused and acute pinpoint imaging and layers, but much better than your typical musicality-first single DD. Yet excellent edge definition and placement of elements within a stage help with imaging, along with a strong and centered image for stuff like vocals. Again, great soundstage. Not the widest on planet earth, but wide, very tall, and deep. Technically, the GENESIS isn’t going to change your life, and it won’t beat even budget analytically tuned iems for sheer technical acuity, but for its tuning I find this set very good. I’ll break these down further later.
Bass Region
Without question this bass region is not aimed for studio style neutrality and pin-point accuracy. This is not some super sprightly and technically savvy bass. EAA was much more going for raw musicality, that analog and weighty fullness. It has those clear sublevel notes with deep extension boasting a guttural low pitch when called upon. The GENESIS also has a very healthy and muscular emphasis which adds warmth across the frequency without drowning the spectrum in mud. Now, I don’t feel that the GENESIS is necessarily a “basshead” style set as it sounds better balanced and less overwhelming down low for that, but this bass is very close to that. Folks, this is a very physical bass which was tuned in a way to feel palpable and bullish without oversaturating the mix or overtly masking every finite bit of minutiae within the mids and treble. Basically, the bass never-ever feels or sounds… sluggish. This 8.3 titanium dome dynamic driver is no joke and can speed along with an agile quality, pretty dexterous, ductile, and with that hard-lined density which is always so satisfying. The warmth created from the bass was sweetly and smartly intended. Now, the bass doesn’t carry surgically carved and fine-lined note separation, but for a beefy bass the GENESIS won’t deny the listener with good quality alongside the muscle. It comes across with more a swelled and convex thump and body rather than an ultra-tight quick punch and jab style. Yet notes tend to hit with a very clean and clear impact. You’ll feel the attack pulse in a fairly rigid and hard-edged manner though decay is slightly more atmospheric and natural rather than precise.
To my ears I have a hard time declaring that this is a strictly sublevel focused bass. However, the physicality alone leans me in that direction. This is the type of sub-bass which reaches deep but also carries a certain dynamic quality which makes its presence felt with proper rumble weight. You get bone dense fundamentals that vibrate in a tangible way without becoming all-consuming or violating the rest of the melody. Note definition is solid enough that the mental image doesn’t feel smoothed, blended, or like a mishmash of bass smear, even in more complicated tracks. Songs like “Anthem Part 3” by Blink-182 which features rapid fire drums that never sound smeared. Each note has a beginning and an end, cleanly defined, each with its own robust and rounded lifespan. A track I use strictly for critical listening is “The Hidden Camera” by Photek. This track replay does a good job of bringing out the GENESIS’s keen ability to sound very textured, showing that sweet warmth through its rolling sublevel rumble and faster style density. Really it just helps to get an idea of how nicely technical the GENESIS’s sublevel prowess can be in respect to its emphasis. Please don’t come at me saying that I said the GENESIS is some technical dynamo though. Not saying that. I am trying to say that it has a very high quality for such a warmth infused sound juxtaposed to its authoritative and juddering rumble. Again, not for everyone.
So, to me the sub-bass carries the bulk of the emphasis, until I focus on the mid-bass. I cannot tell you which of the regions has the most lift with absolute assurance, but I can tell you that the mid-bass can flat-out BANG when called upon to do so. It’s the mid-bass which forms the majority of the GENESIS’s warmth as it really does have great presence that doesn’t sound as veiled, cloudy, or muddy as other sets with this type of emphasis. Definitely thick, full-bodied, and very rigid. I hear a mid-bass which has very good grip and note-to-note dexterity that is fairly quick in its stop-and-go dynamic fluctuations. Now, I’d say that kicks are more rounded than hard-edged, which should be expected, though that rigidity does sound nicely concrete for the tuning. The initial hit has some snap. Not like a clean and lean and vibrant style bass, but it’s there, however it’s attached to a big body boom, depending on the track. In light of everything I’ve said, I’d still declare that the mid-bass is articulate and textured, very impactful and punchy, with much-much better control of intricate notes than many similarly tuned sets that I could name. Tracks like “Billie Jean” by Weezer (I always use for reviews) shows off this big and fast mid-bass so well. Every note is concise for its size, very booming, clean, and punchy. I love it. However, those big and booming notes never cloud the mix in a truly detrimental way for me. As I said, the mid-bass has “intentional” warmth bled strategically into the mids. I do not see this as an issue because the mids never sound mushy or veiled in muck. In fact, I really enjoy the warmth added to that region.
Listen folks, if you picked up this set for its precise and neutrality focused bass region then I am sorry for you. Really. You won’t find that here. Anyone who enjoys bass speed and precision would do much better on any “other” iems. This is a fun set, almost guilty pleasure in its bass prowess. This bass may be too prominent and pronounced for certain genres like Classical or some vocal centric tracks at times etc. Its bass will get in the way of some of the more neutrally tuned songs which feature intricate layering if the bass has some decent presence in that track. I could definitely envision some people calling this bass bloated or even muddy depending on how scalpel clean they like their preferred low-end replayed. No doubt I definitely understand that and I have to be cognizant of what tracks I listen to or what I’m listening for in my music at times. I think that’s a no brainer, but it should be pointed out. Nothing is perfect and nothing fits everyone. That’s a fact. Also, while the bass has some great texture for a big rounded and big-girth style, it will not come across with ultimate detail and won’t carry the crisp surface textures that many folks desire. Basically, all of the drawbacks that come with a slightly larger bass emphasis will pose a problem on the GENESIS.
As much as it pains me to say that because I really enjoy what EAA created with this set. But still, I’d be remiss if I didn’t warn you that while a bigger bass is fun at times, it also can mask some of the nuances in music. Of course, anyone who feels that the GENESIS has big drawbacks are also people who shouldn’t be looking to purchase this set in the 1st place. I can give many other iems that would fit their preferences.
One of the EAA GENESIS’s best qualities is how well the midrange cohesively and melodically blends with the bass region to form a very musically rendered and analog sound that is very gratifying for me. You won’t find anything dry, nothing thin, nothing sterile and you won’t find anything overly clinical with this set. Every note is smoothly contoured, easy on the ears, nothing shouty, artificial, or too knife-edged. Certain instruments, along with some males and most all females sound nicely textured and carry some fantastic presence. Guitars, piano, percussion etc. all seem to have that warmth infused, full bodied intimacy and natural hue to every note without ever becoming shouty. This is a midrange predicated on smoothly rendered control, macro cleanliness, top notch rhythmicity, and some of the grooviest presentations that a $259 single DD iem can give you whilst still remaining fairly precise too.
To my ears you almost get something akin to a tube-like sound, but instruments seem to retain their natural character in my opinion. Depending on the track I hear smoothness like velvet and other times like porcelain. The midrange has subtle vibrance, just enough luminance, just enough levity and just enough air to accommodate decent note separation and dynamism. Certainly not boring or drab and the GENESIS does have some decent enough tonal contrast along with a bold enough macro-dynamic expression to sound powerful in its sonorous and symphonic crescendos with engaging and well controlled dynamic swings. Think of a strumming acoustic guitar and a light piano building up into a powerful chorus without sounding like a flat plain of compressed sound. Sorry, I’m trying my best to describe this folks. Anyways, that’s what I’m talking about. The GENESIS has this 3D style well dimensioned canvas to display those dynamic fluctuations and the clean warmth of an analog sound, along with the note richness and body to sound convincing and with solid presence. Especially in the upper midrange. I do notice the slightest recession of male vocalists in the lower midrange which is made up for by the bulk and bold body. I’d almost say it’s not really recessed at all but simply not as far forward as the upper-mid area. Also, in less complicated and less bass heavy tracks you’ll hear some solid detail retrieval for the tuning. Nothing to write home about but the crest of midrange notes certainly isn’t 100% blunted or sanded-down. Overall, it’s been an easy midrange to enjoy.
As I’ve said a few times the lower midrange is aided in warmth and clean weight by the strategic bleed from the bass region. What this does is bring upon a more saturated and rich sound. This will be very evident for anyone who takes the plunge on this set. Assuredly you’ll hear a more full-bodied sound with a certain chesty resonant timbre and a more grounded note structure in this region. What I find nice is that the lower midrange isn’t just a drab and dull region, nothing sounds too far pushed back, or distant. There is some good presence and better texture than some would probably guess. Males like Sam Fender in “Remember My Name” come across anywhere from growling and bass aided to vibrant and more etched in his higher register moments and always emotionally weighted. Very clear and clean, always centered and grounded. Or a voice like Alex Warren in “Heaven Without You” suits the GENESIS with his smooth tenor inflections with a soft glow of vibrance as well as resounding during his vocal swells which sound rich, never sibilant, always smooth, and never overwhelming. Of course, this is the story for most any male lead track that I used for review purposes. Males just seem to fit very well. Again, I honestly don’t feel the recession ever hurts male vocalists and I do think that it is a very small low-mid range which even hints at being affected by it. All-in-all, when you have body and warmth along with that 3D holographic stage and room for notes to breathe along with great organic timbre, you will usually have a set which can adapt to most voices.
In my opinion, the upper midrange is one of the hallmark best ranges in this set. Really friends, female vocals are almost perfect for me. Especially for a single DD costing $259. I think what caught my attention first was the presence afforded to just about any female voice. Females have this promoted and embossed quality protruding towards the listener with nice and measured 3k energy and shimmer. That said, there’s this auditory cocktail of great qualities which mesh perfectly. Stuff like; great sound field dimensional realism, semi-rich and bodied inflections and notes, just enough glimmer to define and add sparkle to those female voices, along with this emotional immediacy brought on by that energy and more intimate placement in the holographic sound field. Add to that, notes in general are simply cleaner than any other area up to this point which does stand out a bit. Transients are perceived to be tighter (by a hair) without losing that analog character. Rachael Price sings “Twenty Five” as she is the lead in her band Lake Street Dive and her voice illuminated from the GENESIS sounds so soothingly soulful with crystalline clarity evoking every last shred of emotional turmoil that she is going through. Friends, I promise you, not every set pulls this off. Her poignant female chesty sweet voice is totally aided by the GENESIS’s macro-dynamics and fullness as even softer, mellow, and more vulnerable verses sound highlighted or emphasized. Folks, she just sounds great. Or Norah Jones in a track I always use, “Don’t Know Why” which is ridiculously velvety and intimate in a way that would disarm anyone. From her featherlight and hushed moments to her bolder and more sonorous chorus sections she sounds as though the GENESIS is made for her voice. Simply awesome folks.
Now, the midrange is one which may be a hair too one sided, warm, analog, and much less energetically precise and neutral than some would like. This is totally a question of preference. I find this midrange beautifully done and so gratifying but those who really enjoy that analytical and clarity rich sound may not find the GENESIS quite as captivating as I do. For one, the bass bleed most certainly can slightly congest or blunt the low-mids to the point that they aren’t quite as clear and clean as some would like. Many tuners will roll-off the bass even tighter so that the mids aren’t as affected by the bass. Furthermore, warm, organic, smooth, and rich almost never translates to detailed, separated, airy, crisp, or pristine. I know a huge swath of people who only want the latter. They don’t want rich and weighted, they want precise and crisp notes with clean edges, and tight transients. The GENESIS won’t give you that to the degree that those folks may want. Admittedly, there is no planet in our solar system that I’d feel the GENESIS isn’t very-very solid in this range for what it is. However, I agree with any of these people who feel that the GENESIS isn’t the most clean-lined and transparent. It simply isn’t, plain and simple. That is for you to decide, and I hope my words have helped at least a little bit. Still, great job on these mids EarAcoustics!
When I think of the treble region, I think of capped and judiciously measured brilliance which never crosses any line into harshness or anything resembling piercing treble peaks. This region was tuned less energetic and with less emphasis for a reason. It’s smoothly rendered, mostly relaxed (some tracks can definitely make a liar out of me). But this was by design. For the GENESIS to remain unified and cohesive in the spectrum the treble couldn’t all of a sudden come across ultra defined and radiant with beaming brilliance. Number one, a dynamic driver can’t do that without the entire spectrum changing, and number two, EarAcoustics is much better at what they do than to totally dismantle and change what makes this set as good as it is. Actually, the treble is similar to the rest of the mix. Never aggressive when it comes to peaks and abrasiveness, but totally and completely musicality focused. The treble does a nice job of balancing the tonal equilibrium, so to speak. There is just enough luminance to hear the brilliant intonations and notes when a track calls for it yet not enough tuned brilliance to change the tonal coloration of the sound on this set. I hope this makes sense to you because there aren’t many ways of saying it. Or maybe I have to get better.
The treble is not the focus of this iem but rather a nice working partner which carries enough emphasis to add sparkle and shimmer to a hi-hats, to cymbals, or even the harmonics of a nice female vocal without derailing into sharpness or any artificial timbre. EAA tuned this treble to walk alongside the bass focus, the rich and melodic mids. Certainly, the GENESIS’s treble favors organic flow and earthy timbre over pristine effulgent brightness. This is a smoother treble, nothing artificial sounding, adding just enough edge for strings to have that metallic decay and for percussive instruments to have a natural splash without any treble tizz type smearing. The type of treble which is very easy on the ears yet without sounding rolled off or non-existent. As the graph shows there is fairly lively upper-mid lift which transitions into a nicely present lower treble providing plenty of relaxed luster and coming across very engaging to my ears. Without question it’s a treble which promotes musical flow whilst also not coming across as to smoothened. Actually, there is some crispness, some edge defining bite, and even some treble punch. However, each of those descriptors stay within the framework of the tuning. Again, relaxed, but also fun, musically engaging and decently contoured, smooth in cadence with toned-down energy and very solid presence when it matters.
Technically the GENESIS’s treble region is one which (just like the rest of the mix) won’t blow your mind. This is not a tuning which stretches this 8.3 mm DD to its technical limits. Thankfully. Having said that, there are many tracks that I could point to which come across (to me) very technically in line with what I’d call a realistic performance. Again, the secondary harmonics of a cymbal strike have that nice crash and splash feeling immediate with appropriate decay. Maybe not as shimmering in irradiant treble sheen as some treble heads may prefer, but very much in tune with the rest of the mix. Detail retrieval is another area where the GENESIS may surprise you as micro-details aren’t all hidden. As smooth as this treble is, it also has fantastic, relaxed resolution, a decent amount of air and openness from a driver which really does outline notes with good precision feeling separated with solid transient attack through decay for a musically expressive tuning. Not a detail beast (I think I’ve covered that) but definitely impressive, nonetheless. You get pretty good note separation in busy tracks. I always use Billy Strings tracks if a set has the ability to resolve them well. Tracks like “Ice Bridges” which is a blazing fast Bluegrass BURNER which is absolutely awesome for testing. Maybe one day I’ll release my ultimate testing playlists. Moving on. There’s so much 8-12k energy here with rapid fire banjo and mandolin notes and upper register violin edginess. I was impressed to hear the GENESIS easily take on this track. Sure, it won’t be to the level of an analytically tuned hybrid iem, but man this driver is awesome folks! This set is so good for Bluegrass as the earthy realism and organic subtle haze really captures the analog spirit of the genre. For me anyways.
I spoke in this briefly, but the upper treble has very good extension providing ample air and openness in a non-exaggerated way, copacetic to the bass and mids, adding to the tuning… rather than coming across as a focus of the sound. Again, cymbals chime with a tinsely shimmer, transients arise and decay in fairly rapid order, and notes do have some structure rather than just a blurred haze within the upper treble. This extension most certainly adds headroom and voluminous capacity to the psycho-acoustically rendered soundstage. Of course, I don’t want to get carried away, which I have the tendency to do at times, but the upper treble is no slouch and really is smartly tuned by EAA. This upper treble does provide sparkle and bite in adequate amounts to the midrange, the lower treble, and it does provide a sort-of balance against the boldness of the bass. Again, the treble exists in good tonal coherence and within the framework of the overall tuning very well.
The biggest issues with the treble region will come from treble heads or those people who seek out a more effulgently bright treble. As I’ve said, the GENESIS doesn’t have what I would deem as a “brilliant” style treble. It much more stays in line with the musical, organic, and analog theme. This is more of a relaxed treble and not the most analytically articulate treble. You won’t have loads of bite, and micro details will sound slightly smudged in comparison with quality treble focused iems. Honestly, I’d even say that those people who’d much rather hear an overall neutral sound with a more tonally balanced treble might not enjoy the subtle lack of brilliant energy on the GENESIS. I realize that I just wrote four full paragraphs explaining why I enjoy the treble and how well it was tuned in relation to the overall signature, but I’m not blind to the fact that there are those who cannot stand this type of output in this region. Not everyone wants a treble which borders on rolled-off presence. Granted, extension is pretty nice but it too isn’t what I’d call “super energetic”. So, you have to enjoy something that isn’t a focus up top. You have to enjoy that smooth moderately boosted range. Some may call it boring, some may say it lacks nuance and dynamism. I suppose that just like everything else in life it comes down to the person doing the listening, or in your case…doing the reading.
One of the EarAcoustics GENESIS G318s’s most standout technical features is its big and vast stage. For a $249 single DD the stage is wide, tall, deep, and very immersive with a definite holographic dimensional feel. In truth, the soundstage is an enormous reason why this set is good at all. It’s the overall presentation which earns this set its flowers and the sound field presence cannot go understated. I’d say that the GENESIS has to be top class in this regard, but I don’t know if I know what “top class” truly is. I just know that it’s very-very good, very pleasing, and really does a nice job of helping my music to sound realistic. Now, just because the stage is wide, tall, and deep doesn’t mean it will sound like some stadium in my ears. It’s not that. In fact, the stage is actually somewhat intimate and somewhat forward with a sound field which envelops the listener feeling very immersive. However, instruments do travel past my ears as I pan left to right. Front to back depth provides a somewhat layered experience as well. I’d say that the soundstage is certainly a “Pro” in my experience.
So, I feel that for a single dynamic driver earphone costing $249 that is a blatant musicality-first tuning, bigger bass, warm, rich, smooth, it does a very good job of separating notes. However, if you are comparing this set to less musical, more analytically inclined, and much more technically gifted iems within the price point (even single DD’s) the GENESIS is not going to stand out as great. You really have to break this down by its tuning. For instance, there is no way that the GENESIS resolves fine-lined note-to-note separation as well as the Tanchjim Origin, or the Simgot EA1000. However, you find a set like the equally priced Hidizs MK12 X DucBloke which is also extremely warm, rich, and musical and the GENESIS quite literally blows the doors off of that set. So, you have to consider the tuning. So no, this set is not top shelf for a $250 single DD, but it is tops in tuning class for sure. My opinion of course. Now, when it comes to imaging, I’m going to flip this on its head and say that the imaging capabilities of the GENESIS is outstanding. You get an absolutely laser-focused center image (vocals) that isn’t just some flat plane in the center. Instead, there is depth there. Stuff like keys, guitars, pianos etc. all track very smoothly and in perfect placement from left to right as well. So imaging is a big strong suit. Having said that, Imaging won’t come across quite as crystalline and clear as some sets, but the placement and ability are definitely like I said…outstanding. Also, background elements come through easily as the GENESIS records layers very well for what it is. Beyond that, I also hear very solid vertical layering too making even complicated or congested tracks sound structured and not sloppy or blurred.
Okay, to break this down I have to first state that the GENESIS is not some hyper-focused set which highlights every last subtle bit of minutiae with exaggerated micro-detail clarity. However, the GENESIS does come across very solid for its warm organic and earthy sound. There will also be moments that the bass clouds and masks a bit, but for the most part the GENESIS is very good. Despite that warmth, despite that richness, despite that bass focus, the GENESIS also carries tight to naturally occurring transients, a decently open sound, with solid resolution for the tuning. Notes have clean contour, they aren’t flat, and I do hear some luminance too. Still, the end of the day this will never be a detail beast, and it won’t resolve the little things as well as those detail trackers would like. Still pretty darn good for the tuning, driver configuration, and price.
I’ll start this comparison section out with a set that I just recently reviewed and published named the Hidizs MK12 X DucBloke (MK12 X Review). I was going through many sets to compare with the GENESIS but this one stuck out as a sure-fire competitor. Also, the MK12 X comes in at just $10 more. One of the standout features of the MK12 X is that it is part of the MK12 series of adored and praised iems which uses a very rare 91% Magnesium single dynamic driver. I should also add that the MK12 X is a collaborative effort between Hidizs and YouTube personality and reviewer… “DucBloke”. I actually find the MK12 X to be a very well done ultra warm and bass heavy iem. Let’s see what some of the differences are.
To begin, both sets offer a very nice accessory haul, but I have to give this to EarAcoustics because the GENESIS packaging and presentation is far superior in my opinion. However, the MK12 X does come with a full plastic tray of Divinus Velvet eartips. Still, I like the cable of the GENESIS better and the carrying case is miles better. Now, both sets are built using aluminum, both are large, and both are lightweight in respect to their size. However, the GENESIS fits my ears better and are more comfortable for extended use. Though neither is really “bad”. As far as design/aesthetic is concerned, do I even have to say it? The GENESIS wins hands down. I like the look of the MK12 series, but my word folks, the GENESIS is one of the most beautiful on the market as a whole!
I have been sitting here comparing these two sets for close to 1.5 hours right now and if I’m being honest, I needed about 20 minutes. I just like both sets, a lot. However, the GENESIS is much more balanced to the much warmer MK12 X. The GENESIS has the cleaner, closer to V-shaped sound with better treble presence and better energy altogether. The MK12 X is all warmth, totally L-shaped, and basshead all the way. Both have different tonal colorations of an organic and earthy sound. Though, I’d call the GENESIS more clean-lined and clear with a better technical showing across the board.
The bass of the MK12 X is perceivably bigger, less treble contrasting and so it sounds much fuller, more all-encompassing. The GENESIS on the other hand has tighter bass notes, just as dense, but more hard-edged and punchier. Definitely cleaner. Both reach deep into the sublevels but the MK12 X is certainly more for actual bass-boi bassheads. The midrange if the GENESIS has more levity, has more versatility, has a better vocal delivery, and much better resolution. The MK12 X is praised for its completely velvet sound with not even a snowball’s chance in hell at being harsh. Whereas the GENESIS can sound shimmery in the upper-mids. The Genesis has the more holographic midrange sound field, better separation, detail retrieval, and imaging too as well as comes across with more believable timbre. Next, the treble region is much the same story. Between the two the GENESIS carries much more brilliance without being brilliant sounding in the 1st place. That should tell you how warm the MK12 X is. The MK12 X has an early roll-off which begins around 8k and drops fast. On the other hand, the GENESIS has great upper treble extension for a warmer sound. Anyways, the GENESIS has more sparkle, more shimmer, better note definition, more detailed, and frankly it comes across as more precise. Again, the GENESIS wins in every technical department although both sets have good imaging. However, the GENESIS has cleaner imaging in that notes are cleaner and higher resolution which improves intelligibility.
I really enjoy these two sets for different reasons. So often I’ll simply be in the mood for that straight up BANGER basshead set which rumbles and booms with authority. However, much more I lean in a set like the GENESIS which simply comes across wonderfully organic and isn’t at a loss in its technical qualities. Honestly folks, the GENESIS is simply more versatile, and I do feel much less polarizing than the MK12 X. Still, for what these two are, they both represent very well at their cost per the tuning they have.
Thank you Jaytiss for the graph
Once again another review has come and gone and once again, I feel that everyone who desires what I’ve explained in this review should most certainly put this set on their short list. The GENESIS is one of those iems which harnesses that organic flavor, that analog creamy tone and does so with some pretty great technical chops. I mean, within reason of course. Sorry, I should have said the GENESIS has some great technical chops for a warm analog set. There, now I won’t get messages at 3am telling me I’m nuts. I’ll still get them. Lol. Anyways, the EarAcoustics GENESIS really stamps what I feel is a benchmark sound for an under $300 single dynamic driver with a musicality-first big-bass tuning. The GENESIS is far more versatile than I thought when I first peered at its frequency response graph and the surprise has all been mine. I went from puppy love at first listen to head-over-heels and I don’t think that’ll end anytime soon. For the record, the EAA GENESIS goes right into my big rotation case of iems, which is saying a lot. Ya know, I absolutely adore single DD iems. Granted, I love all types of sets and driver arrangements, but there is something so wholesome about a well tuned single DD. I think it has to do with the natural cohesion because of the driver limitations, and when you hear a very well-tuned and good dynamic driver set inside of a very well thought out acoustic chamber there is simply nothing which compares. Other than… well… “other single DD sets”.
Think of all of the super high-quality single DD iems on the market. The Simgot EA1000 of course comes right to mind, the Tanchjim Origin, the Moritz Dragon, Intuaura Impact, the Twistura WoodNote, and of course the amazingHidizs MK12 Turris Titanium Edition and OG MK12 Turris and about 50 others that I don’t feel like typing out here. The point is that there are a metric ton of quality single DD sets and it’s the EAA GENESIS which makes it into my rotation. Well, the MK12 Turris Titanium Edition is in there too. At any rate, I say all of this to hopefully propel some of you to give this set a shot. I truly think that if you enjoy a warmer, bassier, and effortlessly melodic sound that the GENESIS will quench every auditory desire. Now, no doubt there are sets which offer you a cleaner sound, more technically adept, even more clean-lined and natural sounding. So, you have a world of options there. But if you are like me and really enjoy the quality sound experience that you can get from this dynamic driver tech, then the GENESIS is right up there with the best that under $300 has to offer.
Having said all of that good stuff, there are definitely days that the EAA GENESIS isn’t what I want to hear. That’s how I roll. Some days I want a much more reference, more neutral-natural sound like the Twistura WoodNote for example. Shoot, I have so many amazing hybrid iems that I adore which take the mantle on certain days as well. However, I am blessed to have many of these brands send these iems to which I am very grateful. I certainly couldn’t buy all of these. I know that the great majority of you are in the same boat. You can’t purchase a hundred and fifty sets to try them out and many of you don’t have shops or friends to test them either. Plus, we aren’t made of money. I understand that you have to be picky. When I’m seeking out a set to purchase, I will do homework for days trying to decide. I get it. Also, with so many options on the market, brands like EAA really have to bring their ‘A’ game for their products to stand out. The GENESIS certainly carries that special quality about it that I haven’t heard in many iems tuned similarly. Again, not everyone wants warm and smooth. Not everyone wants a big bass set that rumbles deep and slightly smudge clarity. Also, there’s no doubt that you can find lesser expensive iems which do a fine job as well. So, this set most certainly won’t be for everyone and I have to acknowledge that and hopefully strike that pause within you to really seek out the best for you. $249 is not cheap… at all. I want to urge you to be picky, do your homework, and I hope you find what you are looking for. That said, for me the GENESIS has been so well received folks. This was clearly and easy recommendation and I do feel that $249 is well worth it to own this set.
This entire review is my “why”. Seriously though, the packaging, the unboxing, the card with your name on it, just the experience as a whole is fun, and it’s nice to see. The accessories are great, and this set is built and designed in a premium manner. Folks, take a moment to look at this block of beautifully textured aluminum. I absolutely adore it’s aesthetic appeal. The fit is nice, it’s lightweight, and I can wear the GENESIS for hours, no issues. However, it’s that wamr analog sound with its big holographic sound field and technically-fun replay of my music which truly makes this an easy rec. The bass hits very deep, hard, impactful, but also clean for its size. Also, that midrange was unexpected. I did not expect to enjoy vocals this much through this set. It has that organic and pleasing timbre, never shouty, never harsh, never sibilant, yet with this reserved energy and big macro-dynamic expression that is flat-out addictive. Ya the treble isn’t super energetic or biting, but it fits. It fits the acoustic aesthetic of this tuning like a glove and also isn’t bad in the technical department either. The GENESIS’s imaging ability is flat-out awesome. Sure, it isn’t as clean-line as some sets, but placement is pin-point. Also, I hear so many layered tracks. Whether top to bottom or front to back the GENESIS has such a dynamic sound field that is effortlessly well dimensioned. That is such a huge piece to this puzzle and is not something that you hear every day. Really, what makes this set so special is how each area of the mix comes together, cohesive, unified, and perfectly textured creating a musical sound that is hard to put down. Trust me, it affects me daily. Again, easy rec!
While I only listed a few solid genres in my opinion, there are some which the GENESIS doesn’t thrive in necessarily. I definitely have heard many Classical or Orchestral tracks which sound flat out amazing, so hear me out but Classical and Orchestral stuff can suffer from the slight lack of air. Also, the bigger bass does mask some delicate strings, and you simply don’t have those analytical style micro-details either. Great for some, not so great for some too. Like I said above, “some” metal will be good, and others not so great. I just feel that any track which relies on treble sparkle to sound correct doesn’t really jive with the GENESIS all too perfectly. Not bad at all, but not perfect. So really, it’s the harsh metal stuff. Also, some Jazz joints, especially more acoustic Jazz stuff like “Nardis” by Bill Evans Trio where an uncolored and transparent midrange is absolutely essential. Anyways, I could keep going but you get the gist, I think. Again, this is not set in stone, and many tracks will make me a liar. I’m not dying on these opinions folks as I can find many tracks which sound very solid in all of these genres.
-Build Quality is top tier
-Aesthetic appeal is also top shelf. One of the best looking iems at any price
-Very comfortable
-Great unboxing experience
-The carrying case is clearly one of the best at any cost too
-Warm, analog, and completely organic timbre is so good
-Very rich, lifelike note weight and body
-Emotionally charged sound draws out the sentiment of the artist in any track
-Textured and well-controlled deep sublevel extension with good rigidity
-Bass adds body without the bloat
-Midrange is silky smooth yet very clean, very engaging, very musical, tuneful
-Treble is non-fatiguing yet fits perfectly with this tuning
-Imaging is very nice for such a tuning
-Soundstage is hands-down one of the best in the price point
-Just a wonderfully tuned warm and analog sound, great macro-dynamic expression
-Cable is very microphonic, ear hooks are not pliable
-Needs a good clean power source to sound it’s best
-Shells may be too large for many smaller ears
-Excessive bass will not appeal to everyone
-Somewhat rolled-off treble (non-vibrant extension) lacks air for some tracks
-Not a detail beast though good for such a tuning
To conclude my full review and feature of the EarAcoustics GENESIS G318s, I first have to offer a huge thank you to Zoe with EarAcoustics. She has been such a sweet rep to work with. I can’t thank you enough Zoe and I am very grateful for EAA. Always. I also need to thank you, the reader. I cannot thank you enough for clicking the link and taking your time to read my words. It means everything to me, to our team, and to our whole operation. I love writing reviews and put a ton of work I to them that I don’t get paid for. Never gotten even cent folks. Not patting myself on the back either, but you should know that when I say I appreciate you for supporting me and MBA, I mean it wholeheartedly. Every click helps and the amount of time you spend helps. We are a small operation that has grown vastly since we started and we owe all of that to you. We try to give the best reviews possible, and I do hope that this review has helped you. That is always the goal. Thank you!
Remember that we are all different folks. Each one of us can hear our music a little bit differently than the next guy. Not all of us have been down similar roads through audio, we may not all have similar musical tastes or libraries. We may have different likes and dislikes and who knows, we may not even hear the same. So many variables. Please, I am asking you to watch, read, or listen to other reviews of the GENESIS. I’m telling you it will help you to make a more educated decision. Also, there are so many great reviewers out there with fantastic perspectives. It’s worth it to check ’em out. Beyond that, I think I’m done friends. I hope you enjoyed this review and I hope each and every single last one of you are well and good. Please take good care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!
Spend Less Enjoy HIFI
