BGVP DM8 IEM Review   

 

Introduction:

BGVP is a Chinese brand founded in 2015 and is the subordinate brand of Dongguan Nengjiang technology limited company. BGVP mainly produces and customizes various high-end HIFI earbuds, earphones and other electronic products. BGVP has also introduced new products such like TWS earphones and Electrostatic IEM’s this year.

The BGVP DM8 features 8 Balanced Armature Drivers on each monitor from that are 5x Knowles & 3x Sonion branded drivers. The BGVP DM8 adopts also an electronic four-way crossover design.

• Website: http://www.bgvp-hifi.com/

 

 

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank BGVP for providing me the DM8 sample for review purposes. I am not affiliated with BGVP beyond this review and all these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.

 

  

 

Price:

The price for the for the BGVP DM8 varies between 345,50 USD (monitor with resin shell) and 395,00 USD (monitor made of stabilized wood).

More information’s can be found under the links below;

• BGVP DM8: http://en.bgvp-hifi.com/product/info/24            

 

 

 

Package and Accessories:

The BGVP DM8 came in a black box with BGVP logo in silver color which was wrapped with a colorful cardboard which has various brandings (DM8, Hi-Res Audio, Knowles, Sonion, etc.) on the top.

This box is including the following contents: 

• 1 pair x BGVP DM8 IEM’s
• 1 piece x Detachable Cable with MMCX Connector
• 3 pairs x Vocal Eartips (size S/M/L)
• 3 pairs x Bass Eartips (size S/M/L)
• 3 pairs x Balanced Eartips (size S/M/L)
• 1 pair x Foam Eartips (size M)
• 1 piece x Storage Case
• 1 piece x User Manual/Quick Start Guide

 

 

Monitor Design, Fit/Isolation & Build Quality:

The BGVP DM8 is a nice looking IEM with a pretty ergonomic semi custom like monitor shell that is available in two different shell material options, which are the stabilized wood variant and the one made of EU IIA skin-friendly resin material, like my reviews sample.

The transparent resin variant allows you to see the internal parts like BA divers, cables, PCB, sound tubes, etc. that are located inside the DM8 monitor shell. The overall build quality of the DM8 monitor shell is very good, which are produced with the latest DLP 3D printing technology (resin shell variant).

On the front of the right IEM shell is the BGVP DM8 logo and on the left IEM shell is the BGVP logo, both are in metallic silver colour.

The inner surface features the sound nozzle that has slightly angled profile. The sound nozzle has four sound bores/holes on the top that you should clear periodically and carefully with a cleaning tool.

At the rear side of each monitor is a small sound opening/cavity and some product related brandings and information’s like model name and serial number.

On the top of each monitor shell is a MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) female connector to connect it with the detachable cable.

The monitor shell has an above fits pretty nice to my average sized ear concha without to hurt them even after longer listening periods. The sound isolation on the other hand is above average with the right tips selections that should be efficient enough for the use in quite noisy environments like bus, train, metro etc.

 

 

The Cable:

The BGVP DM8 came with a detachable cable that has a braided design and is made of 6N high purity silver plated OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) wire material imported from Estron welding Denmark.

Each wire has a diameter of 0.5 ± 0.2mm, and the cable core is covered with an insulating sheath, which offers higher conductivity.

The cable has a soft plastic insulation in brown colour with low to non amount of mircrophonic effect.

Each of the MMCX male connectors do have a metal housing gunmetal colour with red (right) and transparent (left) ring indicators.

The cable sports on both sides near the MMCX connectors heat-shrink ear guides for extra comfort while wearing the DM8 over the ears.

This cable features also a metal chin slider and metal Y-splitter in gunmetal colour.

The 3.5mm single ended headphone jack has a straight profiled metal housing in the same gunmetal colour like all metal part of the cable and sports also a transparent plastic strain relief for extra protection.

The build quality of the cable is of high craftsmanship.

 

 

 

 

Technical Specifications:

• Driver Type                 : 5x Knowles + 3x Sonion Balanced Armature Drivers
• Frequency range        : 10Hz-40 kHz
• Features                     : 4-way electronic crossover
• Impedance                  : 12ohm
• Sensitivity                   : 110dB / SPL/mW
• THD                            : 0.5%
• Rated Power              : 9 mW
• Channel Imbalance    : ≤ 1dB
• Connector                   : MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) Connector
• Cable Length              : 120cm +/- 5%

 

 

 

Drivability:

The BGVP DM8 is an efficient In-Ear Monitor with a pretty low impedance of 12Ω and a sensitivity of 110dB. This makes the it to a highly compatible and easy to drive IEM for sources with weak amplifications like Smartphone’s, Tablet’s, etc, while it shows its true potential when you pair it with devices like DAP’s or Portable Amplifiers.

 

 

Equipment’s used for this review:

• IEM’s                           : BGVP DM8, Final Audio B2, FiiO FA7
• DAP/DAC/AMP          : iBasso DX220 MAX, FiiO M11 Pro, FiiO Q5s

 

 

 

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• B.B. King – Riding With The King (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Aretha Franklin – I Say a Little Prayer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
• First Aid Kit – My Silver Lining (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• London Grammar – Interlud (Live) (Flac 24bit/44kHz)
• Laura Pergolizzi – Lost On You “Live at Harvard and Stone” (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• George Frederic Handel –Sarabande in D Minor (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• The Dave Brubeck Quarted – Take Five (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• No Doubt – Hella Gut (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Lorde – Royal (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Twerl – Lishu (Spotify)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Portishead – The Hidden Camera (MP3 320kpbs)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush’s – Leave That Thing Alone (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
• Tom Player – Resonace Theory “Album” (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)

 

 

 

 

The Sound:

The BGVP DM8 is an In-Ear Monitor with a close to soft, transparent and smooth overall presentation and has a nicely done warm tonality which is not overdone. It shows a slightly coloration that comes from the sub- and midbass region that adds the midrange and treble area a nice lush presentation.

The bass has good depth and speed, the midrange shows good detail retrieval and transparency, while the treble range is nicely highlighted, control and has a good level of extension. The BGVP DM8 is in general a pretty lush and gentle sounding In-Ear Monitor.

 

Bass:

The BGVP DM8 offers a very comfortable and pleasant to listen to subbass presentation with a nice hint of warmness. It is able to produce a good level of subbass depth without to add additional intensity and unwanted muddiness.

The BGVP DM8 offers a good subbass depth and extension for an In-Ear monitor that is producing its bass with balanced armature drivers. The has an entertaining and nicely soft tonality, while I was able to here the deep and strong subbass rumble in songs like Lorde’s “Royals”, Massive Attack’s “Angel” and Photek’s “The Hidden Camera”.

The subbass rumble is maybe not as strong like the ones that can be produced by bigger diameter dynamic drivers, but the quantity and intensity should be enough for most bass intensive genres like EDM, Pop, Hip-Hop, etc.

The midbass range of the BGVP DM8 has slightly more quantity and intensity compared to the subbass area and shows a soft tonality with good amount of detail retrieval. The midbass are punchy rather than boomy and don’t shows any negative situations like a midbass hump or muddiness that overflows to other frequency areas.

Midbass presentation of the BGVP DM8 is successful with almost any type of genre and shows for example, an impressive level of control and speed while listen to drums intros in songs like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, No Doubt’s “Hella Gut”, Opeth “Windowpane”.

Other instruments like electro guitars are nicely bright, while bass guitars are reproduced with a good level of depth and speed.

The BGVP DM8 is an In-Ear Monitor that stands out with its bass performance both in terms of technicality as well as fun factor. The bass of the DM8 shows in general a very good speed, separation, emphasis, and resolution without to show any remarkable shortcomings.

 

Midrange:

The midrange of the BGVP DM8 has a close to neutral presentation with a hint of coloration, while the level of clarity and airiness is above average. The resolution of the DM8 in this area is on an impressive level for a product at this price range, specifically while listen to vocals, thanks to the pretty forward midrange tuning.

 

Vocals:

The BGVP DM8 is quite successful product in terms of extension, detail retrieval and transparency of female vocals thanks to the good highlighted but not overdone/peaky upper midrange. Female vocals do show in general a small amount of coloration, and do sound buttery smooth, musical and also quite intimate. There are no negative situations such as sibilance and or harshness, and I really enjoyed the female vocal presentation of the DM8 while listen to a wide variety of genres from pop to jazz vocals without to feel bored for hours.

The DM8 has a clean and detailed male vocal presentation, without to show any negative situations like muddiness or mixings. The lower midrange depth, intensity and extension of male vocals are on a pretty good level, while the tonality is slightly soft and warm. Male vocals from Barry White to Eric Clapton do sound very enjoyable and musical to listen to.

Instruments:

The BGVP DM8 has a slightly warm, buttery smooth and near neutral instrument presentation, with good level of detail and airiness. The DM8 is also quite successful in terms of definition and separation of instruments.

Instruments like pianos are slightly bright, pretty soft and pronounced, while acoustic guitars do sound natural, smooth and detailed. Other instruments like violins are mildly bright and fatigue-free, while the contrabass sound full bodied and with good level of depth.

 

 

Upper Midrange & Treble:

The BGVP DM8 offers a pretty good upper midrange intensity and shows in general a close to neutral and soft tonality in this area. The DM8 performs also quite well in terms of control and detail retrieval in moments where the instruments play with high distortion.

For example, the transitions of instruments like cymbals and drums or the vocals in metal music do sound very clear and pretty controlled. The highly distorted guitars and guitar solos in Megadeth’s “Sweating Bullets”, Slayer’s “Angel Of Death” and Rush’s “Leave That Thing Alone” do sound quite clear, detailed and controlled.

Classical instruments like violins and flutes do sound slightly bright and have a good level of extension, while pianos do have sufficient amount of upper midrange intensity and detail retrieval.

The treble range of the BGVP DM8 has a slightly bright, close to natural tonality with a soft, airy and smooth character, which offers a fatigue free listening experience. This makes the DM8 to an ideal IEM for those who want to avoid a sharp and overly aggressive treble presentation. I really like the gentle, buttery smooth and mature treble tuning of the DM8.

But the BGVP DM8 is able to show an above average performance when it comes to the treble intensity, extension, airiness and sharpness. The treble extension of the BGVP DM8 shows a slightly better level of extension in the lower treble range.

The lower treble region shows in general more intensity compared to the middle and upper treble area. The hits/kicks of Instruments like cymbals in metal music are pretty distinct and countable, with good level of control and extension. The treble range of the DM8 also doesn’t show any remarkable mixings when instruments like the piano accelerates the presentation still pretty clear and distinct.

The treble range of the BGVP DM8 is in general pretty transparent, airy and spacious, which makes it to a quite ideal IEM for a wide variety of music genres.

 

Soundstage & Imaging:

The soundstage of the BGVP DM8 shows a good performance in terms of separation and placement of instruments & vocals, while it offers also an airy and spacious atmosphere. The soundstage has in general a good performance in terms of wideness, while the depth is on a moderate level.

 

 

 

Some Comparisons:

BGVP DM8 versus FiiO FA7:

The FiiO FA7 is an IEM with a slightly warmer then neutral U shaped sound signature. Both IEM’s are successful in terms of subbass depth, while the BGVP DM8 has a slightly advantage when it comes to the subbass intensity and general extension. The midbass presentation of both the FA7 and DM8 is pretty strong and impactful, but the DM8 has the upper hand when it comes to the speed and control in this area.

The midrange of the BGVP DM8 is more upfront compared to the FiiO FA7 that sounds a bit recessed in this area due to the U shape sound signature with exception of female vocals. The midrange of the FA7 shows a slightly warmer tonality and is less transparent/clear compared to the DM8

The male vocal presentation of the DM8 shows more depth and better detail retrieval, thanks its lower midrange tuning, while both are equal in terms of female vocal performance with exception a slightly different tonality.

The upper midrange of both the DM8 and FA7 has a good level of intensity and sounds also pretty controlled without to show any remarkable sibilance or harshness. The main difference is that the DM8 has the upper hand in terms of clarity and detail retrieval.

The soundstage of both In-Ear Monitors is quite airy and spacious and offers fairly precise positioning and separation of instruments and vocals. The main difference is that the BGVP DM8 has the wider stage, while the FiiO FA7 is slightly better in terms of soundstage depth.

  

 

BGVP DM8 versus Final Audio B2:

The Final Audio B2 is an In-Ear Monitor with a warm and soft tonality, which shows a musical and smooth presentation. The BGVP DM8 on the other hand shows a slightly more neutral tonality with higher level of transparency and detail retrieval.

The subbass of the Final Audio B2 shows slightly more intensity and rumble compared to the BGVP DM8 that has the upper hand in terms of clarity and control in this area. The midbass of the B2 sounds slightly more impactful and dominant compared to those of the DM8, which is superiors in terms of overall bass speed and tightness.

The midrange of both In-Ear Monitors shows a warmer than neutral tonality, while the Final Audio B2 sound slightly warmer and smother in this area. The BGVP DM8 has the upper hand in terms of midrange clarity, airiness and detail retrieval, which offers also a better performance with female vocals. The Final Audio B2 on the other hand sound a bit dry and smoothed out with slightly more lower midrange depth and emphasis that makes it suitable for male vocals.

The upper midrange and treble range of the BGVP DM8 is more highlighted, detailed and has also a higher level of intensity compared to the Final Audio B2 that sounds a bit dull/veiled in this areas.

The soundstage of the BGVP DM8 sounds both more airy and spacious and has the upper hand in terms of soundstage wideness. The Final Audio B2 on the other hand shows a slightly better level of depth.

 

Conclusion:

The best description for the BGVP DM8 would be “A Great All-Rounder” with its bass that sounds fast and controlled, the midrange that shows an above average clarity and lush presentation, and finally the buttery smooth yet detailed treble tuning. All this sound characteristics does make the DM8 to a mature and gentle sounding In-Ear Monitor.

 

 

Pros & Cons:

• + Overall Timbre
• + Bass Speed & Control
• + Midrange Clarity & Detail Retrieval
• + Buttery Smooth Treble Tuning
• + Beautiful Monitor Shell (Especially the Stable Wood Version) & Nice Cable

 

• – Treble Range is maybe a bit smooth for Treble-Heads (not a real con)
• – No Cleaning Tool/Brush

 

Thank you for the Read!