iBasso IT01X IEM Review
iBasso IT01X IEM Review
Introduction:
iBasso is a well known Chinese company that is specialized in the Portable Audio products such like Digital Audio Players (DAP), Portable Amplifiers and In-Ear Monitors.
- iBasso Website: www.ibasso.com
The IT01X is the latest In-Ear Monitor of the company and belongs to the entry level product like. It features a Dynamic Driver that is equipped with a Double Side Beryllium Plated Diaphragm, High Magnetic Flux NdFeB Magnet, 3D Suspension and a Dual Helmholtz Resonator, which is located inside a High Density Brass Internal Cavity.
Disclaimer:
I would like to thank iBasso for providing me the iBasso IT01X review sample. I am not affiliated with iBasso beyond this review and these words reflect my true, unaltered opinions about the product.
Price & Availability:
The iBasso IT01X is available in three different color option that are red, blue and black. The actual price of the product is $119.00 USD. More information’s can be found under the link below;
Package and Accessories:
The iBasso IT01X came in a rectangular box in yellow color that is warped with a colorful cardboard sleeve that has some product related brandings on its surface.
This box includes the following items/accessories;
- 1 pair x IT01X In-Ear Monitor
- 1 piece x Detachable cable with MMCX connector and 3.5mm Single Ended Headphone plug
- 12 pairs x Silicone Ear Tips2 pair x Foam Ear Tips
- 1 pair x Spare Screens
- 1 piece x Metal carry case
- 1 piece x Print Material (Warranty Card & Quick Start Guide)
Design, Build Quality and Fit:
The iBasso IT01X is an IEM with a pretty small and ergonomic design that looks quite fancy with its metallic paint finish that is available in blue, black and in red color same like my review unit.
The housing is made of metal material that that features an Internal Cavity made from High Density Brass material that efficiently reduces the resonance and distortion that could be produced from the Double Side Beryllium Plated Single Dynamic Driver.
On the front of the monitor is the faceplate in blue color that sports the silver InTune logo on the top.
At the inner surface of the monitor shell are the Left / Right markings and the IT01X branding. Here are also two openings for the Dynamic Driver and slightly angled sound nozzle which is in silver color.
The sound nozzle has a removable filter/screen on the top that prevents the insertion of particles such like dust or ear-wax that could damage the internals over time.
On the top of the monitor is the MMCX (Micro Miniature Coaxial) female connector.
The overall build quality of the iBasso IT01X is quite decent for a product at this price category.
Cable:
The IT01X comes with a detachable High Purity Silver Plated Copper wire cable that features a transparent isolation and has a braided design.
The detachable cable of then IT01X has MMCX male connectors that do have a semi transparent plastic housing in black color. Each connector has Left and Right color indicators in form of rings that are located on the top.
Both the Y-splitter and the chin slider are made of Stainless Steel Material in silver color.
The 3.5mm gold plated TRS headphone plug has a straight profiled metal housing in silver that has the iBasso Audio branding and on the top and a strain relief at the rear side for extra durability.
Specifications:
- Driver Type : Double Side Beryllium Plated Single Dynamic Driver
- Freq. Res. : 10Hz-40 kHz
- Sensitivity : 108±2dB
- Impedance : 16 ohm
- Noise Atten. :-26dB
- THD : <1%(at 1k Hz/1mW)
- Plug Size : 3.5mm Single Ended (TRS) Gold Plated
- Core length : 1.2m
- Weight : 7g without cable
Drivability:
The iBasso IT01X is a quite efficient In-Ear Monitor that has a relative low impedance of only 16Ω and a sensitivity of about 108dB, which makes it compatible with relative weak sources like Smartphone’s, Tablet’s and DAP’s with weak amplification.
Fit, Comfort & Isolation:
The IT01X has a pretty small and very comfortable shape that fits perfectly in to my medium sized ear concha’s without to hurt them even after longer listening periods.
The passive noise isolation on the other hand is above average, which is pretty fine for the use in fairly noise environments such like a metro, bus or train.
Features:
3D Dimensional Suspension System:
The IT01X features a 3D Three-Dimensional Suspension design supported by a high-flux magnetic system that accurately calculates the suspension with a larger opening compared to other earphones. It effectively suppresses the unit split vibration, lowers distortion, and provides a cleaner sound output for its users.
Dual-Sided Beryllium-Plated Diaphragm Material:
The diaphragm coil inside the IT01X dynamic driver features a double-sided beryllium coating that provides excellent rigidity with low internal resistance allowing the pair to produce a widely detailed high-frequency response.
High-Density Brass Driver Cavity:
The IT01X features premium high-density brass driver cavities with a dual-cavity design. Brass cavities effectively reduce distortion and resonance in the output presenting the user with a true-to-life natural sound output throughout a wide frequency range. Dual-cavity allows for better air pressure management for a smoother and more transparent sound production.
Albums & tracks used for this review:
- David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Barry White – Just The Way You Are (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Isaac Hayes – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Sting – Englishman in New York – (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Eric Clapton – Wonderful Tonight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Hayley Westenra – Odyssey Album (Dezzer HiFi)
- Dionne Warwick – Walk On By (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Sarah McLachlan – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Sertap Erener – Aşk (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Edith Piaf – Non Je Ne Regrette Rien (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Diana Krall – So Wonderful (DSF)
- Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Payer (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Really Slow Motion – Deadwood (Deezer HiFi)
- Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Jo Blankenburg – Meraki (Spotify)
- Bro Safari UFO! – Drama “Party Favor Remix” (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Lorde – Royal (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Christian Reindl (feat Lucie Paradise) – Cernunnos (Deezer HiFi)
- Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
- Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
- Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
- Otto Liebert& Luna Negra – The River (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- 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)s
- Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
- Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)
Sources used for this review:
- IEM : iBasso IT01X, Final Audio E4000, OE Audio Tita
- DAP/DAC : iBasso DX300, iBasso DX220, xDuoo MT-604, iBasso DC03
The Sound:
The iBasso IT01X is a very genre friendly In-Ear Monitor with a lightly pretty clear and lightly warm tonality. It shows a close to W-shaped sound signature with its strong low and that has its focal point in the subbass area. The midrange is airy, smooth and transparent that show more presence in the lower midrange, while the upper midrange is moderately pronounced. The treble range on the other hand offers a good sense of airiness, clarity and sparkle while the extension is on a sufficient level.
Bass:
The iBasso IT01X shows a strong subbass response with great sense of depth, intensity and rumble when I do listen to some of my favorite tracks like Bro Safari UFO! “Drama (Party Favor Remix)”, Massive Attack’s “Angel” and Jo Blankenburg’s “Meraki”. The subbass decay is pretty fast while the control of the IT01X in this area is decent for an IEM at this price range.
The midbass region of the IT01X is less highlighted soft and controlled, which gives the midrange more headroom. The depth and impact in this area is on a moderate level that is in general fairly enough for a wide variety of genres. It is controlled and so that I didn’t hear any audible muddiness or mixings.
The lower frequency region of the region of the IT01X offers a fast and controlled response, with good level of attack and sufficient sense of intensity when I do listen to instruments such like cross or snare drum.
Midrange:
The iBasso IT01s has slightly warm and pretty clear midrange tonality that shows a great sense of transparency and airiness. It is silky smooth yet detailed for an IEM at this price level.
The lower midrange is more highlighted compared to the upper midrange that shows a smooth tuning that is free from sibilance and harshness. The lower midrange has a good sense of body and depth while listen to male vocals or to instruments such like an acoustic guitar or contrabass. This tuning adds the overall presentation an efficient level of musicality.
The upper midrange of the iBasso IT01X is not as pronounced such as the lower midrange and has a moderate amount of brightness, while it still able to produce a sufficient level of detail when I do listen to female voices such like Edith Piaf, Diana Krall up to Hayley Westenra. Instruments on the other had such like guitars have a soft, slightly warmish and smooth presentation, while violins are mildly bright and emotional.
Treble:
The treble range of the iBasso IT0X is nicely pronounced but offers at the same time a good sense of control in both the lower (presence) and the upper treble (brilliance) regions. The lower treble region shows a mildly peak around the 5 kHz region and is more highlighted compared to the upper midrange. It adds the overall presentation a good amount of clarity when I do listen to soprano vocals and instruments like snare drums or mandolins. The general presentation in this area is crisp and detailed, while the extension is on a sufficient level for a wide variety of instruments.
The upper treble region of the IT01X is concentrated around the 8 kHz and the 12 kHz regions, which are popular peaks that do add the overall presentation a nice touch of airiness, brilliance and sparkle. Instruments like cymbals do sound pretty pronounced yet controlled, while hi-hats do come slightly from the background.
The general treble presentation of the iBasso IT01X can be described as clear, airy, controlled and pretty detailed for an IEM below the 200 USD price range.
Soundstage & Imaging:
The IT01X shows a good level of airiness and space that are ideal conditions for a precise separation and placement of instruments and vocals. The soundstage has an above average wideness and depth that is filed with a nice sense of neutral air.
Comparisons:
iBasso IT01X versus Final Audio E4000:
Both IEM’s do offers a very versatile sound character that surpasses the expectation from a product at this price level.
The IT01X and the E4000 do offer decent performance in the lower frequency region, while they are specialized in different ranges. The IT01X is the clear winner in the subbass region that shows a better level of depth, extension and rumble. However, both IEM’s are pretty equal in terms of subbass decay and control.
The midbass region is a different story where the Final Audio E4000 sounds more accented, impactful and full bodied. The IT01X is slightly more controlled in this area and shows a tad more clarity and resolution.
The iBasso IT01X offers more headroom and neutral air in the midrange while both IEM’s are quite successful in terms of clarity and resolution. The lower midrange of the E4000 shows more coloration and shows also a tad more depth and body. The upper midrange of iBasso IT01X is slightly less highlighted but keeps up with the Final Audio E4000 in terms of detail retrieval and transparency.
The treble range of the iBasso IT01X is more highlighted, bright and detailed compared to the Final Audio E4000 that shows an audible roll-off right after the upper midrange. The IT01X is also superior in terms of clarity, airiness and overall extension in this area.
The iBasso IT01X has the upper hand when it comes to both the soundstage depth and wideness.
iBasso IT01X versus OE Audio Tita:
The OE Audio Tita has a warmer tonality and somewhat veiled overall presentation compared to the iBasso IT01X that shows a slightly more neutral tonality and a better level of clarity.
The subbass region of the iBAsso IT01X is noticeably more pronounced compared to those of the OE Audio Tita and shows a higher level of intensity and depth in this area. The midbass region on the other hand is the area where the Tita is more highlighted and impactful. However, the IT01X has the upper hand in terms of clarity, resolution and control in this area.
The midrange of the iBAsso IT01X offers a better sense of transparency, headroom and is also superior when it comes to the general detail retrieval in this area. The lower midrange of the OE Audio Tita is slightly fuller and denes, while it is missing the sense of clarity and resolution the iBasso IT01 offers in this region. The upper midrange of the IT01X sounds more natural and a bit more detailed compared to those of the Tita.
The treble region of the OE Audio Tita has a moderate level of intensity, while the emphasis of the iBasso IT01X is noticeably stronger. This tuning makes the overall presentation of the IT01X more airy and detailed.
The soundstage of the iBasso IT01X is more successful in terms of wideness, while both IEM’s do show a pretty equal performance when it comes to the depth of the stage.
Conclusion:
The latest iBasso member comes with a fancy looking monitor design that fits perfectly in to my average sized ears, while it packs a sound character that stands out with its strong bass performance, highly transparent and silky smooth midrange, and with a treble region that is able to produce a great sense of airiness and sparkle. All this features do make the IT01X a real all-rounder IEM, which is suitable for a wide variety of genres, listenable for long periods.
Pros & Cons:
- + Very Versatile Sound Character
- + Strong Subbass Performance
- + Transparency and Smoothness of the Midrange
- + Fatigue Free Treble Tuning
- + Design & Comfort of the Monitor Shell
- + Price to Performance Ratio
- – Slightly Roll-Off in the Upper Midrange
- – No other remarkable cons for a product with such a competitive price
Thank you for the Read!