:
1. Controlled yet Powerful Bass
2. Extensive Treble
3. Energetic and Upfront Vocals
4. Good Detail retrieval
5. Good Imaging and Layering
:
1. Metallic characteristics
2. Hot and peaky instrument presentation
3. Lean female vocals
Introduction
The CCA is a sister brand of KZ or Knowledge Zenith, a company which I believe brings commoners into this hobby. With great affordability and variety of IEMs, KZ is in actuality a medium through which people get to taste what music should sound like. My own journey started from KZ. Under CCA, I understand that KZ release a differently tuned version of their IEMs, where they retain the quality of sound. So CCA released their entry level budget IEM called CCA CRA which is about $15, let’s see if these are worth the price.
Disclaimer
*Thanks to HiFiGo team as this unit tour has been arranged by HiFiGo, lovely people. And as mentioned in all of my reviews, same goes with this one too and that is, each and every thoughts below mentioned are my personal own thoughts and they are not fiddled with any outside influences. Interested may visit this link.
*I will be referring these IEMs to as 'CRA' for the rest of the review.
*And at last I will only be reviewing the CRA on the basis of their performance, I do not care what these are made of or packaged with when newly purchased unless it affects the sound in any sense what so ever.
Specification
The CRA houses a 10mm Dynamic driver which adopts an ultra-thin 3.8μ diaphragm. The impedance is of 34 ohms and sensitivity of 105dB. The frequency response is from 20hz to 40kHz. Although some websites shows different data on impedance and sensitivity, so please look on different website to know more about this.
Sound
CRA has a more U shape sound signature, but many may agree upon this IEM being V-shape sounding. The treble is extensive and exciting where as the mid range is engaging and clean. The bass region is impactful and punches hard.
Treble
The treble is where this IEM surprised me, the treble extension is really great with good details which do not pixelate or changes the nature of vocals or the instruments. The upper mid range have enough air and space to sound open with a hint of sibilance where as the lower treble is exciting and forward in the mix, the vocals in the upper region tend to sound metallic especially female vocals but when it comes to lower treble the timbre retains and keeps them expressive. The instruments like cymbal crashes sounds hot and peaky in the upper treble region while the same instruments sound very energetic in the lower treble. The overall presentation of this region is exciting and extensive where some sibilance and hotness is felt.
Mid Range
When it comes to the mid range, the mid range sounds very light and smooth. The upper mid range has enough presence in the mix to sound balanced and clean. The lower mid range becomes shy and recessed. The vocals in the upper mid range sounds fuller and crisp, while in the lower mid range vocals sounds muffled. Some instruments are a little pushed back where acoustic guitars sounds over shadowed most of the time but the saxophone performs satisfactorily. Yes, both in the both upper and lower mid range, the instruments sounds fine with enough presence to keep the balance right. Overall the mid range sounds smooth, relaxed and somewhat dull.
Bass
The bass impressed me a lot, the presentation is powerful and hard hitting, while keeping everything. in control not bloating over the lower mid range. The bass emphasis is on the sub bass range though still mid bass bleeds a little over the lower mid range. The bass response is punchy with hard hitting/ on your face bass, the rumble sensation is godly and still keeps the presentation clean and intact. Here and there with heavy bass tracks, the response was quite boomy as well. But do I not love it. Especially due to the bass tuning I find the whole presentation to be attractive and fun, with good details and resolution. Overall presentation of this region is hard hitting bass with rumbling sensation on a next level.
Technical Performance
The technical performance of the CRA is quite impressive. The stage is wider and have more space than most of the IEMs that comes under this price range. The CRA have good imaging and layering which I expected from a 15 dollar IEM. There is a good separation between sound elements
Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation
The soundstage have adequate head-stage, where the stage is wide enough to not sound mushed or congested. The imaging and layering has a vigorous presentation where everything clear. The separation is done right where the instruments and vocals are distant and sounds spacious. I can easily pin point where the sound is coming from.
Coming to the resolution, these are captivating and details are expressive and rich, not what I counted on. The attack and decay of notes are precise and fast than most of DDs in this price bracket. All in all these perform way better than I anticipated.
Conclusion
To conclude this review, I can only ask people who likes relaxed and warm sounding IEM to steer away from this. Other than this, I can easily recommend this to anyone who wants a fun, engaging IEM with good details. I loved this and I am keeping these. One of the better tuned IEMs under this price category.
Sources And Tracks Used
Sources
Apple iPhone XS Max
LG G8X
iPad (4th generation)
Apple Dongle Dac
Shanling UA1 Pro
iFi HIPDAC
Venture Electronics Megatron
Questyle M15
Apple Lossless
UAPP
Localy stored Flac and Wav Files
Tracks
Curtis Mayfield - Pusherman
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove
Boston - More Than A Feeling
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere(Remastered)
Toto - Africa
The Police - Every Breath You Take
George Benson - Affirmation
Daft Punk - Doin' It Right
Daft Punk - Derezzed
Daft Punk - Tron Legacy (End Titles)
GOJIRA - Amazonia
The Mars Volta - Inertiatic ESP
Fergie - Glamorous
50 Cent - In Da Club
Jay Z - Holy Grail
Erbes - Lies
Nitti Gritti - The Loud
Juelz - Inferno
CCA 40% OFF
