Sound analysis.

Today so many manufacturers are trying to go for a coherent tuning where it’s hard to distinguish the number of drivers or their partitioning, which in theory is irrelevant anyway. The same as some of the manufacturers who are trying to tune their hybrids by scooping out mids for a better contrast between lows and highs. Looks like iBasso decided not to play the same game, and instead I hear a more precise individual tuning of IT03 drivers, for each to occupy their own space without too much of coherent blending. To make them shine, I would recommend putting IT03 through an extended burn in. Right out of the box, the bass was a bit overwhelming, and without hesitation I set them aside playing for 100hrs to make sure dynamic driver as well as all the solder joints and the cable got a proper burn in conditioning. Then after more listening and another 2 days, I was ready to start analyzing the sound with 150hrs of burn in mileage.

IT03 has a typical hybrid signature where you can clearly distinguish the deep impact of the dynamic driver, with its analog low end performance, and a resolving detailed crisp upper frequencies sound, with a more analytical dual BA drivers performance. But unlike some other hybrids where they scoop out lower mids or have slightly recessed upper mids typical of V-shaped or U-shaped signature, the sound tuning is quite balanced and evenly tuned throughout sub-bass, mid-bass, and most of the midrange. Not only did iBasso showed this in their own FR measurements, but I was also able to verify it by capturing FR in my Veritas setup. There are a few peaks in upper mids and treble, but I found them to add to the clarity and the resolution of the sound without crossing the threshold of harshness and graininess. These upper frequencies is where you find some variation depending on the paired up source. You get less forgiving, colder, and more analytical performance with brighter and more revealing sources, while more neutral and warmer sources will make upper frequencies smoother and more organic.

In more details, starting with a low end you can hear an even balance of quantity between sub-bass and mid-bass, probably among the best sub-bass rumbles I heard in awhile. It almost tricks you into thinking that you are hearing an enhanced bass performance until you realize it’s due to a sub-bass quantity which is close to the level of the mid-bass impact. We are talking about a well done analog quality bass, not too fast, with a little slower attack and a longer decay (not too long), and still quite articulate and well controlled without spilling into mids.

Lower mids have a full body, but it doesn’t feel muddy or congested. It’s very common with 3way hybrids to tune lower mids a bit thinner for a better accentuation of the bass, but in this case iBasso found a way to have a smooth transitioning from the bass to the full body mids without scooping them out. Upper mids are detailed and revealing, with lots of clarity. Actually, in here I found more contrast between fuller body lower mids and brighter, resolving upper mids which are not as smooth but still sound close to being realistic to my ears. You get a very detailed and energetic presentation of both male and female vocals, though some higher pitch female vocals can sound a bit harsh, but it was never sibilant to my ears. Those who like smooth organic vocals might not be satisfied with this tuning, but if you prefer better retrieval of analytical details – you will appreciate how much IT03 has to offer.

Treble is very crisp, well defined, and with plenty of airiness which pushes the sound toward the higher resolution and better layering effect between instruments and vocals. With this level of revealing and crisp upper frequency details, you almost expect a harsh bright performance pushing the envelope of sibilance, but instead the tuning of the upper mids and the treble is done in a precise way to avoid the pitfalls of grainy performance. I typically refer to myself as being “allergic” to revealing analytical sound, and to my ears high frequencies felt harsher out of the box before the burn in. Afterwards, I had zero complaints.

As I already mentioned, the layering and the separation of instruments and vocals was pretty good, despite the impact of the bass and the full body of lower mids which sometimes can stand in a way of it. The sound is actually quite transparent and rather dynamic.

When it comes to soundstage, IT03 expands way above the average in all 3 directions. With a deep low end extension and close to 3D soundstage expansion, I have been enjoying these IEMs especially when watching action movies which gives you a sound experience like you are right in the middle of the action. With such level of soundstage expansion you should also expect an imaging with an accurate placement and positioning of instruments and vocals, which sounds very convincing to my ears.

Comparison.

IT03 vs Primacy – IT03 has a wider soundstage; Low end performance is very similar with a deep sub-bass rumble and nice mid-bass impact, but IT03 bass is tighter and more articulate. Lower mids are the same, and upper mids are more revealing in IT03, while Primacy is smoother. When it comes to treble, IT03 is more crisp and has more airiness. Overall, IT03 is more revealing and more transparent, while Primacy is still a smooth operator.

IT03 vs P1 – IT03 has a touch wider soundstage; low end of IT03 has a deeper sub-bass, more mid-bass punch and overall bass being tighter and more articulate. Lower mids sound similar, while upper mids of P1 are a little brighter and harsher in comparison. P1 treble is brighter as well and has more airiness.

IT03 vs A83 – IT03 has a wider soundstage; the sub-bass of A83 goes as deep but has a little less quantity in comparison to IT03, and the impact of the mid-bass is a little more polite in A83. IT03 bass is tighter and more articulate. Lower mids are similar, while upper mids are smoother and more organic in A83. Treble is similarly crisp and well defined, but IT03 has a little more airiness.

IT03 vs DN2000J – IT03 soundstage is nearly the same; similar sub-bass extension but in comparison DN lacks severely in sub-bass quantity and has less mid-bass impact. As a result, DN bass has less weight and sounds more anemic in comparison. DN lower mids are thinner, not as much body, while upper mids are brighter, more revealing, and a little grainier in comparison. Treble is very similar, crisp, well defined, extended, and with plenty of airiness.

IT03 vs FLC8S (red/gray/gold) – nearly the same wide soundstage expansion, maybe more width in FLC and more depth in IT03. The filter combo of FLC didn’t give me the same deep sub-bass quantity, though it could be enhanced more but ends up being not as articulate as IT03. Lower mids in FLC are a little thinner, while upper mids and treble were nearly identical using a set of filters I selected in FLC. That’s one of the advantage of FLC where you can actually adjust the filters to shape the sound. But overall, I felt that FLC was a touch smoother, while IT03 has a tighter and more aggressive sound.

IT03 vs Andromeda – very similar soundstage with holographic expansion; IT03 has a little more sub-bass quantity, while the extension is very similar, including a similar impact of the mid-bass. Lower mids are close, though Andro has a little more body, and upper mids are smoother and more organic in Andromeda (and a touch more upfront), while IT03 is a little brighter and more detailed, close to analytical level. Treble is very similar as well, crisp and well defined, though I do hear IT03 having a touch more airiness which helps with a better layering and separation of instruments. I know many will be looking to draw a conclusion that IT03 destroys Andromeda, well, it doesn’t. But if you are on a budget and craving Andromeda sound, IT03 could be a good recommendation.

IT03 vs A91 – very similar soundstage; IT03 has more sub-bass quantity and a little stronger mid-bass punch, lower mids are similar while upper mids in A91 are smoother and more organic, treble in IT03 is crispier, more extended, and has more airiness. Overall, IT03 has a typical hybrid tuning with a distinct dynamic and BA driver performance, while A91 is more coherent, smoother, and with a more natural sound.

Pair up.

I already mentioned that while I expected to hear more sound difference when going between cables, I actually found more variation going through different sources which affected sub-bass quantity and upper mids smoothness. IT03 is easy to drive and has an interesting combination of 8ohm impedance and 105dB sensitivity. Here is how I hear it pairs up with different sources.

LPG – wide/deep soundstage; deep sub-bass with an excellent rumble and a punchy mid-bass with a powerful impact. Bright resolving mids with great retrieval of details, upper mids are a bit thinner with a presentation more toward analytical revealing sound quality with a few revealing peaks. Treble is crisp and well defined. Very faint hissing.

X7 w/AM2 – wide/deep soundstage; sub-bass is slightly reduced in quantity though still has a nice textured rumble, mid-bass still has a nice punch, and overall the bass is tight and articulate, but maybe a little less aggressive. Mids are bright and resolving, with a sound that’s a bit thinner and colder, toward a more analytical revealing quality. Treble is crisp and well defined, but with a little less sparkle. No hissing.

i5 – wide/deep soundstage; excellent sub-bass extension with plenty of sub-bass and a great impact of mid-bass punch. Mids are clear and detailed, and have a little more body which gives them a nice organic perception with more smoothness. Treble is crisp and extended with a nice level of airiness. A little bit of hissing.

AK120ii – very wide soundstage; sub-bass has a nice rumble but not as intense while mid-bass still has a nice articulate punch. Mids are clear and detailed, sounds smoother and a little more organic. Treble is crisp and extended with a touch less airiness. No hissing.

Plenue M2 – wide/deep soundstage; deep sub-bass rumble with a decent quantity evened out with a mid-bass that has a nice punch. Mids have a little more body, sounds very clear and detailed, and also smoother and more organic. Treble is crisp, well defined, extended, but with a touch less airiness. No hissing.

DX80 – wide/deep soundstage; sub-bass has a very nice rumble but the quantity is slightly reduced, while mid-bass still has a nice impact. Mids are clear and detailed and sound more organic and smoother. Treble is crisp and well defined, but not as airy. A little bit of hissing.

Opus#1 – wide/deep soundstage; great sub-bass extension, but a touch less quantity in comparison to LPG, while mid-bass has a nice articulate punch. Mids are clear and detailed, and have a more smooth and organic feeling. Treble is crisp and well defined with a touch less airiness. A little bit of hissing.

Samsung Note 4 – wide/deep soundstage (surprise!); decent sub-bass extension with plenty of quantity and a great mid-bass punch, though overall bass is not as tight or as articulate. Mids are clear and detailed, while being on a smoother side. Treble is crisp and detailed, nice extension but less airiness. No hissing.

Conclusion.

In the intro of this review I raised a question if the risk of adding headphones to iBasso line up of DAPs/DACs/amps paid off? In my opinion, absolutely! I can’t speak for iBasso and don’t know what was the exact thinking behind this move, but their take on 3way hybrid tuning turned out to be quite unique. From their FR (not sure if compensated or raw) you can get an impression of dealing with a neutral flat tuning. But once you start listening, you get 2 different worlds: a powerful dynamic driver bass tuned to its full potential and BA driver clarity and analytical details in upper frequencies, clashing together in this Yin Yang harmony that just works if you want big bass slam, especially sub-bass, and excellent retrieval of details. True, this might not be a cup of tea for those who want high frequencies to come through as smooth and organic or if you want a leaner bass, but then IT03 is not intended to be the one to rule them all. But if my sound impression is what you are craving for and if you want a pair of IEMs with a super comfortable fit and a very reasonable price – these new iBasso IT03 3way hybrids will hit the sweet spot.