• Wants great sound value as an intro to Hifi
• A disposable set to take on dog walks or to the gym without being worried about breaking them as they are great value for money
• Likes a smoother analogue sound
• Appreciates a strong V Bass and treble heavy set

Top Line Summary and Stand Out Track/s
This has been a review of two definite parts! I began writing as I usually complete reviews with my Cayin N7 and Kaei Tap1Pro. The review wasn’t going well until I reached the section describing how my portable kit works on the Cipher and I couldn’t believe the improvement of the sound.

Before switching to the Fiio M21 I was struggling with the Cipher’s treble. It was fatiguing and I was unable to listen at the volume I prefer and would develop ringing in my ears when not listening and in a quiet room.

With the M21 at Low gain I can now appreciate the Cipher and I’ve had to rewrite most of this review due to this discovery. Previously I’d reduced the score by 1.0. 0.5 as I had to constantly adjust the volume to defend my ears against the treble and another 0.5 I couldn’t say preferred it over my only other set in this price bracket.

So here I start the review again and can put Cipher up against other sets I own and truly appreciate the Cipher’s abilities, where bass is more impactful and treble more controlled: The Weeknd – Alone Again

I want to boost the volume on this track to bring out the impressive impactful bass line and treble of his voice. From 1:22 introduction of a chime sound perfectly accompanies the treble in his voice. The bass doesn’t hit as low as other sets I’ve heard but its seriously impresses for £20.

Soundstage can be truly magical on this set: Charlotte Day Wilson – Dovetail

Throughout this next listening phase I will see if the same slight ringing occurs after long listening sessions experienced on the N7 and N7 with Tap1Pro. And I’ll report back now that has passed I don’t suffer ringing with the Cipher now.

Rating
4.5 out of 5 (based on sets I’ve heard so far).

Price
At the time of writing the price on Aliexpress was £18.95 - £22.89 (GBP) depending on cable configuration. 3.5 vs USB-c, whether you select in line mic too.

Driver Configuration
10mm Nano-Crystal Ceramic Dome.

My Review Philosophy
(Feel free to skip ahead to the next header for the review itself.)
As a professional musician—soprano, alto, tenor sax, and clarinet—my ears are tuned to melody, not lyrics. I respond to the emotional depth and texture of sound, and that sensitivity naturally extends into my approach to portable audio. Years of musical instinct allow me to pick up on subtle nuances in DAPs, cables, and tips, which directly inform my impressions.
My journey into audio began with the hunt for the perfect IEM, but it quickly became a deeper exploration of musicality and timbre. I’m not drawn to sterile tuning or gear for gear’s sake—I want instruments to breathe. The TSMR X was a turning point; before that, most gear felt Harmon-flat. I don’t rely on graphs. I rely on what I hear, what I feel, and what moves me.
My setup is minimal and music-first. My playlist—over 1,400 tracks, jazz-orientated but spanning many genres—is the backbone of every review:

(Click the link to visit my playlist page, then choose the one titled "Jazz-infused, genre-spanning, audiophile vibe playlist.")

https://www.youtube.com/@Sullosax/playlists?view=1&sort=lad&flow=grid

My Playlist I set to shuffle for each review it’s like a lottery waiting for gems to appear on each new set. I then select tracks that match the categories I evaluate as they appear. I rarely repeat tracks across reviews unless I’m focusing on micro-detail, where certain songs excel. YouTube is my tool for discovery, not fidelity—I highlight timestamps so readers can hear what I hear. It’s a companion to the hi-res playlist I use across my DAPs. If my picks resonate with you, maybe we hear alike.
I optimize IEMs during testing. If stock tips or cables don’t work, I’ll say so. I don’t split reviews across setups but will spend time on both during my reviews to see what each offers—I need to enjoy the music to write honestly. Everyone hears differently: ear anatomy, genre preference, treble sensitivity, even room acoustics all play a role. My DAP/AMP adds its own flavour, and I don’t use EQ.
Once I lock in a setup—whether stock or swapped—I stick with it unless something worries me in the sound. In that case I will try ironing this out with either stock or other cables and tips. I want each IEM to perform at its best, and not everyone has the luxury to tweak endlessly. My goal is to hear gear at its full potential.

I give every set an equal chance whether its £20 or £1750 set I review for the love of music not for financial gain. Finding a diamond in the rough is magical I love an underdog proving itself. Cost is immaterial to me when assessing sound.

Disclaimer
https://earacoustic-audio.com/ generously provided these for review, but 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.

Tips Used For This Review (with reasoned preference)

• Divinus Velvet Wide Bore (Bowl shaped silicone)
• Coreir Brass
• Shanling SE100
• Penon Liquor Orange
• AZLA Xelastec
• Bullet shaped silicone – These became my preference as they were the only tips I own which gave a proper seal with the Cipher. The nozzle diameter on the Cipher must be thinner than other IEM’s I’ve owned, where the tips above all fit my ear to give proper seal.

Aesthetics and Materials Function
I’ve mentioned I’m not mega into looks of IEMS. I’m more into sound. The Cipher comes in many different colours for the body and the case lid follows other models in the Earacoustic Audio line up with a shiny silver finish.

They are incredibly light to pick up, lighter than I am used to.

The nozzle filter is of the same design as the VSA-Max I also own.

I do like the cable of the Cipher with the silver there are red and blue strands running through it.

I do struggle with this section as I say the important part for me is the sound but for the money they are aesthetically pleasing and I like the option of so many different colours for the body.

Ergonomics
These fit in my ears without any problems. The only thing noticeable are the tips as is the norm.

Venting and Sound Bleed into the Room
There is a small venting hole near the ear tube. It’s less than 1mm in diameter. There is no sound

Compare To My Other IEMS.
I no longer own a working set in this price range. The only other set I’ve owned was the BLON bl03 and before I discovered the Cipher required a certain DAP to drive it properly I felt the BL03 would be my preference over the Cipher but since discovering a perfect combo with the Fiio M21 the Cipher simply offers a different flavour over the BL03. The Cipher being a strong V is fairly new to my ears and I enjoy it for that reason.

Portable Kit Used on high gain
Fiio M21 player (with USB Audio Player Pro app) and a 2tb micro SD loaded.

Desktop Kit Used on high gain
Cayin N7 loaded (with USB Audio Player Pro app) and a 2tb micro SD loaded, Penon Totem Purple Interconnect (required an earth wire fitted by Penon), Kaei Tap1Pro with Muses02 Opamps installed, PSU2 for extra power to the Tap.

How Do The Two Setups Differ? (Portable And Desktop)
The largest part of this review was completed on my desktop setup. In fact this section is me listening to the M21. I ran the M21 from battery to get a true feel for the portable sound.

I’m actually enjoying the sound through my M21 over the N7 and N7 with Kaei Tap1pro.

There is less treble spice through the M21. I’ll now listen for a prolonged time to the M21 to see I’ve I still suffer from the same Treble fatigue as I did with the N7 and N7 with Tap1Pro.

The bass is coming alive with M21 as I’m able to increase the volume to my preference.

If I switch to desktop mode with the Cipher plugged into the mains the same painful levels of treble are experienced. This is a totally different set with the M21 not running on desktop mode. The bass is so pleasing! Amazing that such a relatively cheap DAP can perform so well.

I am going to deduct 0.5 here as I’ve not come across a set so dependant on source before. I prefer sets to work on both desktop and portable setups. I don’t think this is harsh given it’s the only deduction to the score I am making for the Cipher.

My Audio Journey (For Reference)
In order of ownership: Blon BL03>Fiio m11> Oriolus ba300s (Tube Amp)>Mangird Tea 2>Thieaudio Hype 4>Tansio Mirai X (Tsmr 10th anniversary)>Fiio m11plus>Bgvp Dma>Simgot Super Mix 4>Soundrhyme Dte500>Imr R1>IMR Enigma (Sadly I blew these up!)>Cayin N7>Kaeo Tap1Pro With Muses02 And PSU2>Burson Classics Dual opamps>Sparkos SS3602>Grand Oriveti Supremacy>TSMR Feat>Fiio M21>Earacoustic Audio VSA-Max>Earacoustic Audio Cipher>Dita Prelude

Kit still owned
Blon BL03, IMR Enigma, Cayin N7, Kaei Tap1Pro with muses 02 and PSU2,Grand Oriveti Supremacy, FIIO M21, Earacoustic Audio VSA-Max, Earacoustic Audio Cipher, Dita Prelude

Soundstage
I wasn’t sure about soundstage on the Cipher until this track came alone on my shuffled playlist: John Prine – Glory Of True Love

At 1:14 the lead guitar shows itself up front, not forced just pleasingly there. Vocals and main instrument can come forward in the stage. If I could change the cable then I’m sure further depths would be discovered. You will experience soundstage with the Cipher (I hope).

Ani DiFranco – Dilate

 Is seriously impressive on the Cipher. Close vocals as if I’m next to her singing into the microphone. The Cipher is super impressive on this track. I keep having to remind myself this is a £20 set, which is impressive!

I have to mention a third track with impressive soundstage on the Cipher: alt-J – Nara

I have to say the Cipher is a soundstage beast on this track. The best I’ve heard on other sets (it’s £20!) A totally floaty yet precise track. Magical!

Detail
I’m surprised with the Cipher’s ability to pickup micro detail the treble edge helps with this. With some sets the difference between Bitrate of recordings isn’t so evident. I can hear it with the Cipher. I have a track from 10cc at 192kbps and I could tell immediately the lack of detail (this is a good thing). There have been other moments which have really surprised too.

Don Ross – Don’t Walk

on my Grand Oriveti Supremacy there is an annoying string twang at 0:10, not detectable on the Cipher.

On: Melody Gardot – Your Heart Is As Black As Night

On the Supremacy there is an annoying feedback heard from the right channel from an amp. This is present on the Cipher, but no way as much as is heard on the Supremacy which can be quite distracting.

Bass
The bass does go deep on the Cipher. On: Peter Green / Fleetwood Mac – Black Magic Woman (Live)

At 06:28 on this track the bass starts burying itself in my head impressively.

Bass can get a little boomy/congested at times. An example of this is: Robert Plant/ Alison Kraus Killing The Blues. I’m used to more pronounced double bass from my other sets on this track.

Mids
The Cipher is shy on the mids. Hence me titling this a V set. Mid focussed instruments seem to have a treble shimmer to them placing them high in the mix. I’ve struggled identifying a mid-forward track during my many hours listening to the Ciphers V.

A perfect example of this is: Hendrick Meurkens – Mountain Dive

 Two mid focussed instruments feature, the harmonica and the tenor sax. Each has a treble spike to the instruments. Not a bad think just something I’m not used to hearing. Something different to awaken the senses.

There are some sweet mid moments I’ve found on the Cipher: Michael Kiwanuka – Piano Joint (This Kind Of Love)

but at moments the sweetness of his turns to treble spice, a tilt I appreciate at for example 1:23 and slight sibilance at 1:43.

Highs
I had to lower the volume significantly as to not damage my hearing before trying the Cipher on my Fiio M21. The M21 on low gain produces beautiful treble highs accompanied by pleasant impactful bass: Peter Gabriel – Solsbury Hill

perfectly demonstrates this from the outset the treble of the guitar would have been sibilant on the N7 with the M21 its perfectly accompanied by the bass of kick drum.

Crunch
Crunch isn’t as noticeable as other sets I’ve heard but it’s still there with the right electric guitar and can still be impressive.

Eivor Palsdottir – Wake Me Up

The resonance of the bass notes throughout cuts with undeniable crunch as have other tracks I’ve heard adding to the realism/timbre.

Burn In
I have not noticed a change in the sound from stock to a few weeks in where I would expect to hear a difference. So burn in hasn’t been noticeable on the Cipher. Maybe it didn’t help that a long time was spent finding the right setup to listen to the Cipher and burn in passed without me noticing. Now at the end of the review I change this statement. Either my brain or the Cipher has burnt in with many hours under the hood. I now enjoy the Cipher more than I first heard it on the M21. Excellent!!!!!

Realness/Timbre
The Cipher is not up there with realness like more expensive sets I’ve heard. But for the money it’s astonishing the sounds I’m hearing. The Cipher is warm sounding so masks the realism of instruments. The treble punch to everything also hides the real sound but adds punctuation to instruments which is pleasant to the ear/something different.

I’ve heard realness, the most real sound being from my blown up IMR Enigmas (sad face) you would not be disappointed by the sound from the Cipher for realness if you have the same ears as me.

The Cipher adds a lick of fun: Tauk – Sweet Revenge

Demos that fun perfectly, articulated, punchy, staccato with just enough instrument separation.

The sets these days are mostly up there for amazing sounds unattainable only a few years ago. We are spoilt with amazing sound coming from China. Yes there is realism to the Cipher but that’s not what this set is about.

Listening Fatigue
The first time I encountered listening fatigue was with the TSMR X—I had to take a break for an entire day because my ears and brain felt overwhelmed. I put it down to being unaccustomed to such intense sonic detail.

I never listen at excessively high volumes; I keep it just at the edge where the music feels most alive. When fatigue sets in, my first step is to switch from high gain to a lower setting to see if that helps. I don’t use EQ because I feel it compromises the integrity of the IEMs’ original tuning. If the discomfort persists, I simply lower the volume to better appreciate the sound as the tuner intended.

Having spent a number of weeks listening to the Cipher the treble spice was intense and after longer listening session I couldn’t get away from the fact when I’m in quiet surroundings I had ear ringing.

The previous lined through was my original statement listening through my desktop setup. Now on my Fiio M21 my thoughts have completely changed. With the right DAP/dongle you too could appreciate the Cipher, and its only about £20 so worth the experiment. With the M21 the ear ringing effect is no longer an issue.

Instruments Breakdown:
Vocals:
Mid Female and male Vocals: Shayna Steele – Can’t Let You Go

This is the most pleaing mid focussed track I’ve heard so far, there’s a warm mask over the vocals which adds to the creamy smoothness of both male and female vocals.

High Male Voice: Sticky Finger – Rum Rage

This track would have worried me before discovering how well the Cipher works with the M21. Wow! There are so many sweet moments with his vocal. Even the guitar solo from 03:09 isn’t too much – Cipher has ‘knocked it out of the park’ (I never use this phrase!)

Drums
A V set to me lends itself perfectly to Rock music. I turn to: The Hu – Triangle

The drums surrounding the kick drum at the beginning are seriously impressive on the Cipher you hear the looseness of the skins. You also hear the mids are missing

With: Aaron Tessor & The New Jazz Affair – Little Darling

with other sets I’ve become accustomed to more pronounced drum kit sounds with est playing its part even on the VSA-Max I get the shine I appreciate now from sets. The presentation of drums on the Cipher reminds me of the TSMR X, less pronounced and in with the rest of the band, less showy drums. I know people would favour the full band sound more from the Cipher’s presentation of drums.

Strings
Double bass: Oddjob – Return Of The Party Animal

Just precise as I would want the double bass with added warmth which improves the tome of the double bass and helps it stand out on the Cipher.

Guitar

• Bass Guitar: Steve Khan – Infant Eyes

very steady bass and similar reproduction as the double bass. Warm as what I’d say.

• Nylon strung guitar: There’s a beauty to nylon strings on the Cipher: Kings Of Convenience – Mrs. Cold a real warmth to the instrument and still defined.

Steel strung acoustic guitar: Buena Vista Social Club – Chan Chan

There’s a realness if not a little distant to the steel strings. Not the definition I’ve heard on much more expensive sets but still pleasing with its warmer presentation.

Woodwind
Tenor Saxophone: Manu Katche – Ride Me Up

The tenor sax sounds true to itself, without the treble flair experienced on other mid focussed instruments. Did you know the Tenor sax is the closest sound to the human voice that I guess is the reason I prefer soloing on tenor sax over Alto and soprano.

Soprano Saxophone: Mo’ Blow El Amario

The soprano is what I would expect, precise, articulated, you hear some pleasing micro detail in the key action and breathing. Excellent reproduction. Calm and warm, pleasing.

• Clarinet: Eric Schaefer – Tohoku
• The exposed nature of the solo clarinet on this track really stands out. As a clarinet player I can really appreciate the sound reproduction of the Clarinet on the Cipher. Not up there for realness of more expensive sets but beautiful in its own right.

Electronic
Bent – Exercise 4

 Not as precise as other sets I’ve owned. The warm presentation would not tilt this set to my preference of electronic music. If you prefer a warm set you’d like the Cipher.

Piano
Electric Keyboard – There’s a beauty to the keyboard on the Cipher: Fleetwood Mac – All Over Again

The weight of the keys at 0:11 is mesmerising smooth and effective. This is a £20 set!!!

Conclusion

Can I enjoy this £20 set, without doubt, an emphatic YES! Lines are blurring between price brackets. With the right setup and under a blind test could I identify this set as £20? I don’t think I could. I really do enjoy this set as you will have read above. The Ciphers sound reproduction is effortless. On the right track it shines and some of the tracks I’ve listened to for this review are the best I’ve heard from any previous £20-£1750 set.

The Cipher has taught me an important lesson. To adjust volume to suite the set. The treble heavy nature of the Cipher demanded lower volumes or it punished my ears with the N7. The lower volume brought out the sweetness of this set on the N7 too.

Switching to the FIIO M21 was game changing. I was able to appreciate the Cipher more than I could have imagined and it joined the ranks with preferred sets. The balance and bass and treble is just beautiful with the M21.

I’ll end on this track to demo the Cipher’s true ability for if/when you buy the Cipher: Rebekka Bakken – Innocence

Sets I’ve really enjoyed in the past include the TSMR X, BGVP DMA, Soundrhyme DTE500, IMR Enigma and Grand Oriveti Supremacy and Earacoustic VSA-Max.

If the music I’ve referenced resonates with you, feel free to explore my full playlist here:

(Click the link to visit my playlist page, then choose the one titled "Jazz-infused, genre-spanning, audiophile vibe playlist.")

https://www.youtube.com/@Sullosax/playlists?view=1&sort=lad&flow=grid

I will now return to finding new music, thanks for your time.

EarAcoustic Audio Products at KEEPHIFI