Ceramic radiators in the role of high-frequency tweeters in portable audio are no longer a novelty, they were used by the Japanese from Radius, and the Chinese from 1More, while achieving very good results in the high-frequency region. But here's the model, which, in addition to the "tops" will be well worked out and the rest of the range, I somehow did not come across. Now such a model has appeared, and we will talk about it.
R1 from IMR Acoustics - the model is unusual, starting with a hybrid circuit, combining a large 13-mm dynamic driver with beryllium-plated diaphragm and a ceramic radiator for high frequencies. Also in the headphones used a special design, allowing a simple turn to change their acoustic design from closed to open (half-open, to be precise). Among other things, these IEMs have a replaceable cable and allow tuning the sound with the help of filters, combined with the sound ducts.
Developed and brought to mind this model is the same person that worked as a consultant and was responsible for the sound in Trinity Audio. Despite the fact that the latter behaved very ugly, having not fulfilled the promises on pre-orders until the end, IMR Acoustics has nothing to do with them, there are no pre-orders, headphones are in stock and are sent immediately after the order. The cost, of course, is not small, the price tag R1 is 500 pounds, but, running a little forward, I can say that in this case the cost is chosen correctly and corresponds to what the buyer receives.
Specifications
- Emitters: 13 mm dynamic with beryllium deposition + ceramic
- Acoustic design: variable
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Sensitivity: 108 ± 3 dB / mW
- Frequency range: 14 Hz to 40 kHz
- Cable: removable, 1.4 meters, oxygen-free copper
- Plug: 3.5 mm, gold-plated
Packing and delivery kit
Here everything is on a level sufficient for the price level: a stylish box of dense cardboard, a well thought out "layered" package of accessories. In addition to the headphones themselves, you will receive:
- two cables, normal and balanced
- 4 pairs of filters for tuning sound
- case
- adapter for 6.3 mm
- Clothes clip for clothing
- two pairs of foam nozzles
- four pairs of silicone nozzles
Design and comfortable wearing
One of the most fun features of R1 is the fact that in the photo (and partly on the video) they look worse than in life, which was one of the triggers for sofa experts who like to evaluate headphones from photos. In reality, IEM turned out to be interesting, with a slightly brutal design: everything is made entirely of metal, assembled on cogs, in short - such retrofuturism. The build quality is quite on the level, as they will behave after a couple of years - the time will tell, but according to the first sensations they look completely unattenable. Rotating covers for adjusting the acoustic design are quite convenient even for blind control, they are normally fixed to the extreme positions (they may, of course, eventually loosen up more, but so far this has not happened).
Despite the large size, R1 is comfortable in the landing, at least in my ears they sit down without problems, providing a long comfortable wearing and soundproofing a little above average. When wearing headphones there is a slight crunch of the membrane, but with careful handling no problems arise.
The cable is made replaceable, a proprietary two-pin connector with a protrusion that protects from a connection with incorrect polarity is used. Both bundled wires (they are the same except for the plug) are more brutal-it's probably the thickest IEM cables. Initially, isolation seems disobedient, but over time it is developed and becomes softer. Of course, the standard R1 wires are not ideal ergonomics, but in fact it turned out that they are quite comfortable to wear, the microphone effect is poorly expressed, and in the cold they harden a little. But for the longevity of this decision, obviously you will not have to worry.
Sound
The following equipment was used for listening.
- Yulong DA9 and Resonessence Labs Concero HP as DAC and Amplifier
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 2016 as a source
- Fidelia as a player
- Lotoo PAW Gold, theBit OPUS # 2, Astell & Kern A & ultima SP1000 and others as portable players
- High Definition Records in Lossless-formats (Dr. Chesky The Ultimate Headphone Demonstration Disc and others)
Before listening to the headphones were warmed for 48 hours, changes in sound were observed during the first 8-10 hours.
Before talking about sound, it is worth to say a few words about the possibility of its tuning. First, by rotating the outer parts on the housings, we can change the acoustic design between closed and open (it would be more correct to call it "not closed" or "slightly opened"). It influences, of course, noise isolation (not so much, by the way, as it could), at low frequencies and, as a result, a bit on an imaginary scene. In most cases, I use the "open" version, it is neutral, it is balanced, the imaginary scene is slightly wider (although the difference is not particularly large). In a noisy environment, the closed version comes to the rescue, firstly isolation is little, but better, and secondly, it is the low frequencies that penetrate most through passive noise insulation, so a slight increase in the bass well compensates for external noise.
Secondly, the sound can be changed with the help of filters, having gone over different options, I stopped on blue as the most balanced. If desired, IMR R1 can be turned into a very bassed model of very good quality, but I did not feel such a desire, so the review below will be with a neutral version of tuning.
LF in any version of the tuning remains noticeable, but with blue filters they do not dominate and do not pull on the blanket. The bass has an excellent weight, but it is good in speed and texture transfer. LFs go very deep (to the maximum possible depth for IEM), while showing quality control over the entire range. Of course, this is not a super-high-speed reinforcing bass, but for a large 13-mm "dynamus" everything is more than good. Perhaps it is the sensation of a well-controlled force that is what falls in love with this model, when necessary, the LF can really hit, picture an explosion or a roll of thunder, but when it's not needed, they take their place and stay there, offering an excellent, slightly A warm feed that gives incredible bodilyity to the instruments of the lower registers.
Middle frequencies are fed with a slight smoothening, allowing the model to show pleasant musicality. R1 do not make a bias on microdetails, but, of course, the appropriate level of detail here is available. MF emotional, with good drive and pleasant energy. The imaginary scene is voluminous, with normal separation of instruments, the scene is much larger than the average in width and depth, the plans in depth go slightly more smoothly than usual, but this in most cases emphasizes the realism of the scene construction. Headphones from themselves do not add volume, so for maximum disclosure they need well-aggregated material.
HF, perhaps, is one of the strengths of this model, they are detailed, they are very long, measurements really confirm that these headphones play a range of up to 40 kHz without a strong dip. Of course, the upper limit of hearing is 20 kHz, but recent studies have shown that most subjects are able to distinguish between records with the presence of ultra-high frequencies (most likely, it's interference with audible frequencies). However, these studies showed only the very fact of "distinguishability", without making conclusions about "better", but this is a topic of another conversation. The length of HF, on the one hand, gives an incredible wealth of overtones and nuances, rare in other headphones, on the other hand, it imposes higher demands on source and material, the shortcomings of mastering will be noticeable, despite the fact that in general I would not call R1 bright. HF here are good at the resolution, they have qualitatively designed attacks and damping, even the noble "stratification" of the top models is there, but taking into account the contentiousness of the material, they still deserve a remark "not for HF fobs".
If we talk about comparisons, I would probably limit myself to earphones similar in price range.
Dunu DK-3001. The Dunu hybrids are more neutral on the midrange and have a higher resolution, but on the HF and LF R1 sound "tastier", this is subjectivism, since, from the point of view of the speed characteristics, the 3001 is slightly better across the entire range, but not in speed, sometimes happiness .
Campfire Audio Lyra II. A more neutral, monitor model is slightly better with a resolution on the midrange and with a lower LF weight, one can argue which of the feed options is better, but I like the R1 more. In general, IMR R1 is similar to the step from Lyra II towards Vega, but with less emphasis on LF and a more even construction of an imaginary scene.
Campfire Audio Andromeda. Well, yes, "Andro" is about 2 times more expensive than this model, but I do not have other headphones of this price range. Andromeda is a more audiophile model, more neutral, but more detailed, with better construction of the scene and volume, but they are drier and less bodily on the MF (more precisely, the latter characteristic is more dependent on the quality of the recording).
Compatibility
The headphones, of course, are made with an eye to use with a good player, while they have a sufficient supply of "capacity", even for top solutions, with an amendment, of course, to the taste of the model. I liked them the most with neutral players (iBasso DX200 or the same Ultima SP1000).
Stylistically, the IMR R1 is universal if, of course, you are satisfied with extended HF (not all genres benefit from this), the sensitivity to the quality of the record is above average (especially at the upper frequencies), so on the "fault-finding" scale, 8 points out of 10 are deserved.
Traditionally, several tracks for example
Calvin Harris - One Kiss. The work of the Scottish DJ perfectly demonstrates all the strengths of the headphones. Excellent elastic bass, pure midrange, pleasant, up-going effects and, of course, a general feeling of three-dimensionality - all that R1 needs to show oneself from the best side.
George Michael - A Different Corner. If you look with an unbiased glance, then what the foreign masters of pop music can not take away is the quality of the material. Especially if it's a live recording of a very emotional vocalist. IMR R1 does not pass and on this material - a beautiful scene construction, excellent transmission of vocal emotions, complete intelligibility of all instruments.
Massive Attack - Teardrop. Well, yes, this is not a novelty, and the track is clearly famous, but after hearing how beautiful with him the characters of today's review, I just could not miss it. The characteristic corporeality in the presentation of the material turns both piano and accompanying vocal into a real feast for hearing, well, clearly outlined LF and light, extended HF complements the sound canvas.
conclusions
Full harmony of content and appearance, brutal enough body outwardly hides inside a lively, assertive, powerful sound with pleasant tuning possibilities. Price list, of course, is not budgetary, but this is the case when the headphones compete quite well in their segment and in many cases even surpass it.
The article is based on materials .
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