IKKO Audio OH2 IEM Review     

Introduction:

IKKO Audio (IKKO Technology Co. Limited) is a relative new Chinese brand that designs & develops Hi-Fi components like In-Ear Monitors, Portable DAC/AMP, Docking Stations and many more.

The IKKO OH2 is a Single Dynamic Driver IEM with a special Deposited Carbon Nano Diaphragm that is located inside a comfortable monitor shell made from Metal and High-Transparent Polycarbonate material. Moreover, it features a 24K Immersion Gold Board to optimize microcurrent plus ultra-low resistance FPC and IKKO’s patented SVAS (Separating Vector Acoustics System) Technology.

Disclaimer:

I would like to thank IKKO Audio for providing me the OH2 In-Ear Monitor sample for review purposes. I am not affiliated with IKKO Audio beyond this review and these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.

Price & Availability:

The IKKO OH2 is available in five different color options that are purple, white, yellow, black and green, while the currently price is 79.00 US$. More information’s can be found under the link below;

• IKKO OH2 In-Ear Monitor

Package and Accessories:

The IKKO OH2 comes inside a very fancy looking rectangular box that is wrapped with a cardboard that has some product related brandings and anime characters on the top.

This box is including the following contents/accessories; 

• 1 pair x IKKO OH2 In-Ear Monitor
• 1 piece x Detachable Cable with MMCX Connectors
• 6 pairs x Silicone Ear Tips
• 3 pairs x Foam Ear Tips
• 1 pair x Spare Filters
• 1 piece x MMCX Tool
• 1 piece x Leather Carry Pouch
• 1 piece x IKKO Branded Shirt Pin
• 1 piece x Product Manual/Warranty Card

The OH2 came with a rich accessory package such like 6 pairs of special oval silicone ear tips, 3 pairs of foam ear tips and a leather carry pouch and IKKO shirt pin.

The leather carry pouch is in brown color and has a pretty unique design with well-made stitching on the sides. This pouch even has a guide on the top, which is a little detail but a nice addition.

Design, Fit and Build Quality:

The IKKO OH2 is a nice looking IEM with a very unique monitor design with a triangular shape that has rounded corners. The monitor shell is made from metal and high transparent polycarbonate material that has a very high quality look and feel.

The IKKO OH2 is available in 5 different color options that are purple, yellow, black, green and white same like my review unit. The OH2 features an IKKO’s patented SVAS (Separating Vector Acoustics System) Technology that helps to increase the performance of the Single Dynamic Driver, which has limited space in the relative small and flat monitor housing.

The faceplate is a combination of metal and transparent polycarbonate material. The metal surface, which has a white finish on my review unit, shows the IKKO brand logo. The Immersion Gold Board which is a PCB is visible under the transparent polycarbonate area, which adds the OH2 a stylish look.

At the rear side of the monitor shell are the sound nozzle and a small vent for the Single Dynamic Driver.

The slightly angled sound nozzle has an uncommon oval shape with a fine filter on the top to prevent the insertion of dust or ear-wax.

On the top of the monitors are L (Left) or R (Right) markings and the MMCX female connectors.

The OH2 comes with a detachable cable with that is made from OCC Silver plated copper wired cable with a braided design. The isolation of the cable shows an average level of microphonic effect while it is a bit stiff but not prone to mixings.

The MMCX male connectors on the cable do have a plastic housing with L (Left) or R (Right) markings on their surface.

The cable sports on both sides flexible ear guides that do offer extra comfort especially on the go.

The cable of the OH2 sports also a stylish y-splitter and chin slider with a rounder cylinder like shape that is made from metal material with a glossy finish.

The IKKO OH2 comes with a 3.5mm Single Ended headphone plug that sports a straight profiled housing made from the same material like the y-splitter and chin slider.

The build quality of both the monitors and the cable is decent, especially for a product at this price level.

Fit and Isolation:

The IKKO OH2 is a pretty lightweight and comfortable In-Ear Monitor that fits perfectly in to my ears with a moderate size of ear concha. The passive noise isolation of the OH2 is on an average level Isolation on the other hand is on an average level, while it is fairly enough for relative noisy environments such like a bus or even train.

Technical Specifications:

• Model              : IKKO OH2
• Driver              : Single Full Range Dynamic Driver with Deposited Carbon Nano Diaphragm
• Impedance     : 32Ω
• Freq. resp.      : 20-20kHz
• Sensitivity       : 100dB/mW
• Connector       : MMCX
• Plug                : 3.5mm
• Cable Material: High purity OFC silver-plated cable

Drivability:

The IKKO OH2 is a quite efficient In-Ear Monitor in terms of amplification thanks to is relative low impedance of 32 ohms and a sensitivity of 100dB, which makes it quite compatible with relative weak sources like Tablets or Smartphone’s with headphone output and DAC/AMP dongles.

Equipment’s used for this review:

• IEM’s              : IKKO OH2, Hidizs MS1 Rainbow, ThieAudio Legacy 2
• DAP&DAC’s  : HiBy RS6, iBasso DX240, IKKO ITX01

Albums & tracks used for this review:

• Adele – My Little Love (Spotify)
• Randy Crawford – On Day I Will Fly Away (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• 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)
• David Bowie – Heroes (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Elton John – Rocket Man ((Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• 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)
• B.B. King – Riding With The King (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
• Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Really Slow Motion – Deadwood (Deezer HiFi)
• Jo Blankenburg – Meraki (Spotify)
• Lorde – Royal (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
• Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
• Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
• Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (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)
• Lunatic Soul – The Passage (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Deftones – My Own Summer (Shove it) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Photek – The Hiden Camera (Spotify)
• Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
• Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Rush – YYZ (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
• Rush – 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)

The Sound:

The IKKO OH2 offers an easy going listening experience that is ideal for long listening periods, thanks to its pretty linear bass response, transparent and airy midrange atmosphere and nicely smooth and fatigue free treble presentation that has a moderate level of extension.

This IKKO OH2 review has been written after a burn-in period of 60 Hours. I have used the stock silicone ears tips and cable included to the package. My main source is the HiBy RS6 and iBasso DX240.

Bass / Midrange / Treble / Soundstage:

The IKKO OH2 shows a pretty natural and somewhat linear bass response with focal point in the midbass region. The subbass area is less highlighted, which shows an audible roll-off. The single dynamic driver of the OH2 offers a moderate level of subbass depth and rumble when I do listen to songs like Massive Attack’s “Angle” or Lorde’s “Royals, while it stands out with the sense of clarity.

The midbass region on the other hands is pretty tight and impactful when called upon, while it is not dominant and overpowered, which means that you won’t hear any negative conditions such as a midbass hump or muddiness. What I really like about the bass response is the tonality and natural presentation when I do listen to instruments such like drums, trumpets or bass guitars; however I would wish slightly more body and depth in this area.

The general bass intensity is pretty sufficient for genres like pop, rock or classical music, while it is a bit limited in quantity is a bit limited for bass intensive genres such as Dubstep, Glitch Hop, Bassline, etc. So if you are looking for a natural and linear bass response the IKKO OH2 will satisfy you, but if you are a bass head this won’t be the ideal choice for you.

The IKKO OH2 shows mildly warm midrange tonality that is created in the lower midrange area but without to sound overdone. The general midrange presentation is lush and relaxed, while it offers a sufficient sense of clarity and airiness.

The lower midrange of the OH2 shows a good level of depth and intensity, when I do listen to vocals male vocals like Barry White and Isaac Hayes to Sting and David Bowie. Moreover, fairly transparent tuning of this area increases the sense of detail retrieval of instruments like violas, cellos and acoustic guitars.

The IKKO OH2 shows a fairly pronounced upper midrange tuning but that doesn’t get wild even at higher volume level. Female vocals for example like Dina Krall and Edith Piaf are reproduced with a good sense of clarity and emotion, without to shows a remarkable sibilance or harshness. Guitars for example do sound nicely clear, smooth and detailed, while violins do have a mildly bright tonality. So if you like a natural, smooth and realistic vocal and instruments presentation this IEM with fulfill your expectation at this price point.

The treble range of the IKKO OH2 sounds mildly bright and controlled. The focal point of the treble range is the lower treble register, which shows a fast roll-off towards the upper treble region. This area sounds fairly controlled without to have any audible annoying sharpness or harshness. For example; instruments such like cymbals and hi-hats are reproduced in a moderately pronounced yet fairly controlled manner, while hi-hats do sound a bit recessed.

The upper treble region is less pronounced compared to the lower treble while here is a mildly peak around the 8 kHz region that adds some airiness and sparkle to the overall presentation, which was also visible on the frequency table that was shown on the box of the OH2. The extension in this area is a bit short, while the general presentation is free of sharpness, which makes it ideal for longer listening periods

The IKKO OH2 shows a nice sense of airiness and space for a fairly precise separation and placement of instruments and vocals, which fulfils the expectations from an In-Ear Monitor at this price range. The soundstage has a good level of wideness, while the depth is on an average level.

Some Comparisons:

IKKO OH2 versus ThieAudio Legacy 2:

The ThieAudio Legacy 2 has a slightly more energetic sound character that tends to a V shaped sound signature. The Legacy 2 has a slightly warmer tonality and in general fuller presentation. The subbass region of the IKKO OH2 is noticeably less pronounced and shows a fairly linear tuning, while the ThieAudio Legacy offers more depth and rumble in this area. The OH2 on the other hand shows a slightly better sense of authority and a better level of transparency this region. The midbbass region of the OH2 has more depth and intensity and offer a bit more resolution especially in more complex bass passages.

The midrange of the ThieAudio Legacy is sound a tad fuller and has also a slightly warmer tonality. The midrange of the IKKO OH2 shows less coloration and offers a better sense of clarity and naturalness, while the resolution is pretty similar. The lower midrange of the Legacy 2 is shows a bit more body and depth when I listen to vocals and instruments like violas and cellos. The upper midrange of both IEM’s is quite pronounced and lively, while the IKKO OH2 sounds a bit more natural when I do listen to female vocals and instruments such like pianos and flutes.

The treble region of the ThieAudio Legacy 2 is more highlighted, energetic and bright in tonality, while the IKKO OH2 shows a smoother overall presentation with an audible roll-off after the 5 kHz region. The lower treble region of the OH2 is more controlled, while the extension is slightly shorter than those of the Legacy 2. The upper treble area of the Legacy 2 is more energetic, but not as controlled and smooth compared to the OH2.

Both the IKKO OH2 and the ThieAudio Legacy 2 do offer a pretty spacious soundstage atmosphere for a fairly precise placement of instruments and vocals. The soundstage of the Legacy 2 has slightly more depth, while the OH2 offers a better level of wideness.

IKKO OH2 versus Hidizs MS1 Rainbow:

The Hidizs MS1 Rainbow shows a more V shaped sound signature that is pronounced on both ends, while the IKKO OH2 offers a more balanced tuning. The MS1 Rainbow has the upper hand in terms of subbass quantity and extension, while the OH2 is superior in when it comes to the midbass area where it shows a better level of speed, impact and control.

The midrange of the Hidizs MS1 Rainbow sounds a bit recessed due to its V shaped sound signature and shows also a slightly warmer tonality compared to the IKKO OH2. The OH2 on the other hand has a more balanced and natural midrange presentation with higher sense of clarity and resolution. Male vocals do have more body and depth when I do listen to the MS1 Rainbow, while the OH2 offers a bit more transparent. The OH2 is superior when it comes to female vocals and instruments like pianos and flutes due to its more natural upper midrange character.

The treble range of the Hidizs MS1 Rainbow is more pronounced especially in the upper treble register, while the IKKO OH2 shows a smoother, liquid and controlled overall treble presentation with focal point in the lower treble register. The transitions from the upper midrange towards the treble region are more controlled when I do listen to the OH2.

When it comes to the soundstage, I can say that the IKKO OH2 shows a slightly better level of wideness, while the Hidizs MS1 Rainbow has the edge in terms of depth in this area.

Conclusion:

IKKO comes with a budget friendly IEM that has a very robust and visually stunning looking monitor design. The Single Dynamic Driver that is located inside OH2 impressed me with its easy going, natural, transparent and liquid overall sound profile, while the beautiful storage case and the rich set of accessories are some remarkable additions that do make it to a real bargain at this price point.

Pros & Cons:

• + Easy Going Sound Profile
• + Linear Bass Response with Good Sense of Authority
• + Liquid and Transparent Midrange Tuning
• + Smooth and Controlled Treble Presentation
• + Build Quality
• + Rich Set of Accessories (Storage Case, MMCX Tool, Lots of Ear Tips)

• – Audible Roll-Off in the Treble Register
• – Soundstage Depth
• – Unusual Sound Nozzle Design

Thank you for the Read!