Comparison.

The comparison was done using IT01x with a stock cable and whirlwind eartips, DX300 source, volume matched in every comparison.  I don’t have too many other IEMs in the same price category, thus focusing here on iBasso own “family”.

IT01x vs IT01s – 01s has a wider soundstage which makes 01x to sound more intimate in comparison.  But the biggest difference here is in bass and lower mids.  Upper mids and treble are nearly identical between these two, where you will get a clear, detailed, natural, airy upper frequencies.  But, 01x has a deeper and more elevated sub-bass rumble, a little stronger mid-bass punch, and also a little more body in lower mids.  I wouldn’t call 01s bass neutral, but it sounds more neutral in comparison to 01x.

IT01x vs IT00 – these two IEMs have a lot of similarities in tuning and sound sig, though 01x has a little more sub-bass and more sparkle in treble, making 01x sound like a crossover between 00 and 01s.  They even have a very similar soundstage expansion.  The biggest difference here is in technical performance where in comparison to 00, 01x sounds more layered and with better separation of sounds.  Plus, it has a smaller and more compact shell and a premium cable.

IT01x vs IT03 – these two IEMs have a very similar soundstage expansion, both above the average and not super wide.  The sound tuning is different where 03 has more forward mids that result in more forward and more revealing vocals, while 01x vocals are smoother, more natural, and laidback.  Treble is a little brighter in 03 while sounds smoother in 01x.  With bass, I do hear 03 to have a deep extension and a good level of mid-bass punch, but overall, the bass in 03 is more neutral in quantity when compared to more elevated bass of 01x.

Source pair up.

In each source pair up, I was using a stock cable and stock whirlwind eartips.  IT01x is very easy to drive considering its 108dB sensitivity and 16ohm impedance.  No hissing was detected.  For your reference, these are very brief pair up notes.  And by brief, I just focus on any changes related to signature and general tonality, without going into too many details of technical performance.

iBasso DX300 (amp11 mk2) – a little more revealing sound with a deep sub-bass and stronger mid-bass impact, more revealing yet still natural mids, airy treble.

iBasso DX160 – smoother sound with a deep sub-bass and good mid-bass impact, but not as strong as in DX300, smooth airy treble.

Lotoo LPGT – smoother warmer sound with a deep sub-bass, natural detailed mids, crisp airy treble.

Galaxy S9 smartphone – smoother and warmer sound, but with a surprisingly wide soundstage expansion.

Conclusion.

The release of IT01x continues iBasso lineup of impressive price/performance ratio IEMs.  But what I found to be especially interesting is how IT01x combines the best of IT00 and IT01s, almost making you think that “x” stands for the crossover between these two IEMs.  Its tuning even reminded me in some way of IT07 flagship.  I’m not saying that 01x will be on the same level as iBasso flagship, but it felt like a scaled down “mini me” version of it.

Another big plus is the ergonomics of the design, making IT01x compact shells feel comfortable even with my head down on the pillow while watching movies on smartphone in bed before going to sleep.  But regardless of your listening habits, the deep bass extension, the natural detailed tonality of mids, and the natural airy treble makes IT01x tuning enjoyable and versatile for any music genre with any source and in any place of listening.