IOAudio Volare Review
IOAudio Volare Review
Introduction:
IOAudio (aka I/O Audio or IO Acoustics) is a new brand focusing on portable audio products such like In-Ear Monitors and the Volare is their debut model, which features a special Hybrid Driver configuration.
The IOAudio Volare is equipped with a unique Nine Driver Tribrid configuration that consists of 1x Custom developed Dynamic Driver + 4x Custom BA’s + 4x EST (Electrostatic) Drivers located in a 3D printed medical-grade resin cavity made in collaboration with Heygears. Moreover, the IEM also utilizes a four-way frequency crossover system and comes with a detachable cable featuring interchangeable plugs.
Disclaimer:
I would like to thank SHENZHEN Audio and IOAudio for providing me the Volare IEM sample for review purposes. I am not affiliated with SHENZHEN Audio and IOAudio beyond this review and all these words reflect my true and unaltered opinions about the product.
Price & Availability:
The actual price for the IOAudio Volare is $599.00 USD. More information can be found under the link below.
Package & Accessories:
The IOAudio Volare comes in a large square box that exudes a sleek and premium feel. The box itself features the IO Acoustic and Volare logos, while the accompanying protective cardboard sleeve/cover displays the product and company logos and product related informations.
Inside the box of the IOAudio Volare are the following contents/accessories;
- 1 x pair IOAudio Volare Universal IEM
- 1 x 2-Pin Detachable Cable with Modular headphone plug design
- 3 x Modular Headphone Adapters (1x 4.4mm BAL, 1x 2.5mm BAL, 1x 3.5mm Single Ended)
- 1 x 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
- 3 x pairs IO-TW45 Silicone Ear Tips
- 3 x pairs IO-TT55 Silicone Ear Tips
- 3 x pairs IO-TW43 Silicone Ear Tips
- 3 x pairs IO-ST50 Silicone Ear Tips
- 3 x pairs IO-F49 Foam Ear Tips
- 1 x Leather Storage Case
- 1 x Cleaning Tool
- 1 x Print Material (VIP Card, User Manual, etc.)
The IOAudio Volare’s unboxing experience rivals that of some higher-priced models. The packaging and included accessories are well-made and provide a variety of options for users.
The included accessories consist of a detachable cable with modular headphone plugs (3.5mm Standard, 2.5mm Balanced & 4.4mm Balanced) for different connection types, a very aesthetic leather carrying, various ear tips including 4 types of silicone (IO-TW45, IO-TT55, IO-TW43, IO-ST50) and 1 type of foam ear tips (IO-F49), a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter, and even a cleaning cloth & VIP member card.
The IOAudio Volare’s presentation is simply stunning. The box, cable, and accessories all boast a premium, classy design that elevates the entire experience.
Design & Build Quality:
The IOAudio Volare comes with an eye-catching monitor design, which gives you immediately the impression that you hold something premium in your hands. The monitor cavity is made from 3D printed medical-grade resin material that was created in collaboration with Heygears a leading company for mass-produced IEM cavities.
This IEM combines 1x Custom-developed Dynamic Driver for the bass and parts of the midrange, the 4x Balanced Armature Drivers are responsible for the for the timbre and consistence of the Midrange and Treble, while the 4x Electrostatic Drivers complete the rest of the high frequency reinforcement.
The Volare features a four-way frequency crossover. This system combines physical design elements with electronic components to manage the distribution of audio frequencies between the drivers. The goal is to achieve smooth transitions and minimize distortion.
The faceplate is one of the main design attractions of the IOAudio Volare that looks very impressive. It has a unique and eye-catching design, a geometric, black vine-like pattern rests beneath a clear coat, creating a modern and stylish look. This intricate design is reminiscent of crystalline structures, lending a luxurious and sophisticated air, while the dark background highlights the metallic sheen of the pattern, making it shimmer and instantly capture attention.
The left and right earpieces are marked with a silver “I” and “O” for easy identification of the left and right channels.
On the top of each monitor housing is a 0.78mm diameter, 2-pin female connector interface. There’s also a relatively large pressure relief vent that likely serves the dynamic driver.
The inner surface utilizes the sound nozzle that has 3 bores on the top for the specially designed 4-way frequency cross over that removes possible multi-driver distortion.
At the rear surface of each monitor shell is the VOLARE brand logo.
The build quality of the monitors is impressive. From the shells to the connectors, everything feels well-crafted and lives up to the expectations for an in-ear monitor at this price point.
Detachable Cable:
The IOAudio Volare comes with a detachable 2-pin cable featuring a modular headphone plug design. The cable is constructed of 8 strands of mixed-braided, high-purity (6N) oxygen-free copper (OFC) plated with silver.
It boasts a highly flexible, anti-oxidant modified ABS outer sheath and a tensile aramid fiber core for added strength. I really liked the softness and tangle-free nature of the material used on the cable’s outer surface.
The 0.78mm diameter 2-pin connectors feature a protective black metal housing with a red ring for easy identification of the right channel. The left housing is marked with an “I” and the right one with an “O,” mirroring the branding details found on the monitor faceplate.
Near the 2-Pin connectors are flexible heat shrink ear guides on both sides that do offer extra comfort on the go.
The cable incorporates a y-splitter and a chin slider with a unique design. Both the y-splitter and chin slider are crafted from the same metal material as the connector housings. The y-splitter displays the IO brand logo on its top side.
As mentioned before, the cable of the IOAudio Volare comes with a modular headphone plug design with 4.4mm Balanced, 2.5mm Balanced and 3.5mm Single-Ended termination plugs that are included inside the box.
The modular plugs feature a straight profile design and attach securely with a screwable, stylish metal piece located on the cable’s connector housing.
All in all, for an IEM under $1000, this stock cable is a standout.
Fit, Comfort & Isolation:
Despite boasting a complex 9-driver hybrid configuration, the IOAudio Volare maintains a relatively small profile. This, combined with a well-designed shape, resulted in a surprisingly comfortable fit for my average-sized ears. I was able to wear them for extended listening sessions without any fatigue.
The IOAudio Volare provides above-average passive noise isolation. This makes them ideal for use in moderately noisy environments like buses, subways, or trains, where they can effectively block out distractions without requiring active noise cancellation.
Technical Specifications:
- Driver Configuration:
- 1x 8mm Customized Dynamic Driver+
- 4x Customized Full Range Balanced Driver+
- 4x Imported Denmark SONIC EST Driver
- Diaphragm Material (DD) : Silicon Rubber + Wood Dome
- Frequency-crossover Structure : 4Way Electronic (3Way Physical)
- THD : THD@1kHz<1% (94dB)
- Sensitivity : 121dB/ Vrms (@1kHz)
- Impedance : 4.8Ω±10% (@1kHz)
- FR Range : 10Hz – 40kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
- Effective FR Range : 20Hz – 20kHz (IEC60318-4, -3dB)
- Cable Material : 8-Strand Oxygen-free Copper Silver-plated
Drivability:
The IOAudio Volare has a user-friendly IEM with a low impedance of 4.8Ω and a high sensitivity of 121dB. These specifications allow the Volare to be effectively powered by a variety of sources, including USB DAC Dongles, Digital Audio Players (DAPs) with weaker amplification and even Smartphones, and Tablets with headphone output. This makes it to a versatile choice for listeners who don’t want to carry a large source on the go.
Equipment’s used for this review:
- IEM’s : IOAudio Volare
- Sources : iBasso D16 TAIPAN, FiiO M23, Quloos MUB1, iBasso DX260
Albums & tracks used for this review:
- Norah Jones – Come Away With Me (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Adele – My Little Love (Deezer HiFi)
- 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)
- Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- George Michael – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- 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)
- Dave Gahan – Kingdom (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Radiohead – Live in Berlin “Album” (Deezer HiFi)
- Radiohead – Pyramid Song (Deezer HiFi)
- U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Muse – Hysteria (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers – Nobody Weird Like Me (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Michael Jackson – Billie Jean (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Bear McCreary’s – Valkyries (Deezer HiFi)
- Bro Safari, UFO! – Drama (Deezer HiFi)
- Armin Van Buuren – Vini Vici (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Daft Punk – Instant Crush (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Daft Punk – Doin’ it Right (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Massive Attack – Angel (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
- Toutant – Rebirth (Deezer HiFi)
- Gogo Penguin – Raven (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Gogo Penguin – Murmuration (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Portishead – It Could Be Sweet (Spotify)
- Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Charly Antolini – Duwadjuwandadu (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Ferit Odman – Look, Stop & Listen (Flac 24bit/192kHz)
- Chopin – Nocturn No. 20 In C-Sharp Minor (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy (Spotify)
- Fazıl Say – Nazım Oratoryosu (Live) (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Vivaldi – Le QuarttroStagioni “The Four Season” (Deezer HiFi)
- Miles Davis – So What (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)
- Metallica – Dyers Eve (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)
- Opeth – Windowpane (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Tidal Hi-Fi)
- Rush – Tom Sawyer (Flac 16bit/44.1kHz)
- Slayer – Angel of Death (Spotify)
- Liquid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
- Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Spotify)
The Sound:
The IOAudio Volare is an In-Ear Monitor that has a unique Tribrid Driver design, featuring 1x Self-developed Dynamic Driver, 4x Custom Balanced Armature Drivers, and 4x EST (Electrostatic) drivers. It promises a rich and detailed sound throughout, with warm, controlled bass, natural and clear mids, and a well-balanced treble that prioritizes detail without becoming harsh. Despite a focus on clarity over expansiveness, the soundstage keeps instruments well-separated for an accurate and enjoyable listening experience.
This review is based on my impressions after burning in the IOAUDIO Volare for approximately 80 hours. My sound evaluations are primarily focused on pairings with the following sources: iBasso D16 TAIPAN, FiiO M23, Quloos MUB1, and iBasso DX260.
Bass:
The IOAudio Volare stands when it comes to bass thanks to its well-adjusted Custom Dynamic Driver unit. It leans towards a mildly warm sound, with a gentle boost in the lower tones that becomes more noticeable as you move closer to the middle range. This creates a rich and full sound, with focal point towards the subasss area.
The IOAudio Volare digs pretty deep into the sub-bass region, delivering impactful low-frequency details. This adds a physical sensation to the music, making you feel more immersed. The subbass rumble is satisfying during the opening synth line of Daft Punk’s “Doin’ it Right,” and Lorde’s “Royals” will benefit from a well-defined, powerful bassline.
The Volare impressed me also with its tight and controlled bass delivery. Each bass note starts and stops cleanly, avoiding muddying up the sound of other instruments. This results in a clear and defined low-end, even in complex passages. The intricate bass work in Gogo Penguin’s “Raven” is a great example – the Volare keeps the bassline crisp and separated from the rest of the instruments, allowing you to appreciate all the subtle details in the lower tones.
Finally, the IOAudio Volare handles bass dynamics exceptionally well. Dynamics refer to the ups and downs in volume of the bass. It accurately reproduces these changes, making the bass sound natural and engaging. Whether it’s the powerful kicks in Massive Attack’s “Angel” or the subtle fade-out of a bass note in Really Slow Motion’s “Deadwood,” the IEM delivers them with the right amount of punch and control.
Midrange:
The IOAudio Volare’s midrange prioritizes a natural midrange response, which has also a fairly natural timbre. This can sometimes be a challenge for IEMs that try to reproduce their midrange with balanced armature drivers.
Both vocals and instruments in this important frequency range come through clean and well-defined. The lower midrange is produced with a decent amount of body and depth. This was pretty audible while listen to male vocals like Issac Hayes and Dave Gahan, which have been reproduced with just the right amount of warmth and coloration.
The upper midrange of the IOAudio Volare gets a slight boost, making female vocals clearer and easier to understand without becoming harsh or sibilant. Listeners with a keen ear will appreciate the sharp attack of percussion instruments, which adds to the overall clarity of the midrange. This balance between detail, clarity and brightness creates a foundation for a listening experience that prioritizes accuracy without sacrificing comfort.
The IOAudio Volare’s midrange strength translates to a detailed presentation of complex musical passages. Instruments like pianos and guitars, which are key elements in many genres, are presented with a balance between their initial strike and their full body of sound, staying relative true to the original recording. Thankfully, the carefully adjusted level of brightness avoids crossing the threshold into sibilance, that harsh emphasis on high-frequency sounds like cymbals or consonants. The crispness and snap of percussion further solidify the overall clarity in the midrange.
Overall, I was very impressed by the IOAudio Volare’s midrange presentation. It struck a perfect balance between warmth, brightness, and resolution.
Treble:
The IOAudio Volare has a well-controlled and detailed treble response according to its 4x EST drivers designed for this area. An initial evaluation indicates exceptional clarity and definition in the high frequencies, without any significant fatiguing sharpness or sibilance. This controlled presentation extends even to recordings typically known for such issues.
Interestingly, despite the emphasis on control, the lower treble remains energetic and delivers impactful transients. Transients, referring to the attack and decay of sound, ensure that percussive instruments like drums and cymbals retain their punch and realism. This energetic character complements the controlled detail of the IOAudio Volare, resulting in a treble presentation that’s both nuanced and engaging.
The Volare’s ability to reproduce intricate details was pretty audible in tracks like Opeth’s “Windowpane,” where the guitar work and vocals are brought to the forefront. Similarly, the attack of drums and the definition of guitars in Megadeth’s “Sweating Bullets” sounds fairly enhanced. Even complex and dynamic compositions like Liquid Tension Experiment 2’s “Acid Rain” do benefit from the Volare’s focus on clarity.
Overall, the IOAudio Volare’s treble performance strikes an impressive balance between control, detail, and extension. It delivers a refined and nuanced high-frequency experience that avoids harshness or excessive brightness. While a gentle roll-off is audible after the 8kHz region in the uppermost treble range, the Volare’s controlled and detailed treble presentation remains a significant strength.
Soundstage & Imaging:
The IOAudio Volare’s soundstage prioritizes clarity and focus over expansive width. This means instruments and vocals are placed precisely within the headspace, creating a well-defined listening experience. While the overall width might not be vast, excellent instrument separation ensures each element occupies its own distinct space within the sound image. This approach allows for critical listening, where discerning details and nuances take precedence over a room-filling atmosphere.
Conclusion:
The IOAudio Volare stands out with its well implemented Tribrid Driver Design and luxurious aesthetic. This combination of cutting-edge technology, premium materials, and user-friendly features creates a strong case for audiophiles seeking a rich and detailed listening experience. From the warm, controlled bass to the natural mids and well-balanced treble, the Volare promises a clear and immersive soundscape. If you prioritize sonic fidelity and a touch of sophistication, the IOAudio Volare is a compelling option.
Pros & Cons:
- + Rich and detailed sound with warm controlled bass, natural mids, and well-balanced treble
- + Tight and controlled bass delivery with good sub-bass presence
- + Natural midrange with good clarity and resolution
- + Well-controlled and detailed treble response
- + Premium design with a Luxurious Aesthetic
- + Fit and Comfort
- + Decent Cable with Modular Headphone Plug Design
- + Best in class Unboxing Experience
- – The Storage Case is visually very appealing but offers only space for the monitors
- – May not be the first choice for those who prefer a Reference Sound Profile
Thank you for the Read!
