Rose Cappuccino MK2 review
Rose Cappuccino MK2;
The Beauty and the Beast!
Introduction:
The company Rose Technology is founded by University students in China and is specialized in IEM and Earbuds.
The Rose Cappuccino MKII is the Secondary flagship of the Company.
The motto of the company Rose is “Create difference”.
Purchase Link: http://penonaudio.com/Rose-Cappuccino-MKII
The main differences of First Cappuccino and MK2:
The first released version of the Cappuccino (aka MKI) had some minor issues with its 2 pin configuration.
After these issues, the company decided to use the new MMCX interface instead of the old 2 pin configuration for the new batch’s of the first Cappuccino and now for the new released MKII.
The biggest differences between the old Cappuccino and the new MK2 are the bass switch option.
The MK2 has a bass switch that lets you configure the bass amount.
The second improvement over the old Cappuccino is the re-designed and improved housing that gives a better wearing experience.
The third and last difference is the new Knowles 31736 balanced armature driver, which gives the MK2 a less distorted high frequency range.
Package and Accessories:
I think the company DUNU is the champion when it comes to accessories in the package.
The company Rose in the other hand gives us a small but useful accessory box.
So, what’s inside the box?
- Cable with MMXC interface: 1 piece
- Silicone eartips (blue color) : 4 pairs
- Silicone eartips (in transparent white) : 1 pair
- Double flansh eartips : 1 pair
- Foam eartips : 1 pair
- Hard Case : 1 piece
- Soft pouch : 1 piece
- 3.5mm to 6.5mm female adaptor: 1 piece
- Clips: 1 piece
inside the box
The provided Hard case is small and handy, it looks like a pelican case but I don’t think that it is water resistant.
The eartips inside the box are soft and comfortable, but can’t compete with Sony and Spinfit silicone tips.
The soft case is made of a silk like material that feels good in your hands.
BTW, it is nice to see a 3.5mm to 6.5mm female adaptor inside the box.
About the cable;
The cable that came in the box with my Rose Cappuccino MK2 is made of a soft material. It feels good in your hand and has no microphonic effects. The connection type is MMCX.
Specification:
The Rose Cappuccino MK2 has a 2BA (Knowles type 31736 ) + 2 DD (Panasonic 13.5mm) driver configuration.
As mentioned before, the MK2 has two switch options;
OFF is suitable for genres like pop, electronic, RnB etc. and the switch position ON is for genres like classical and jazz music’s with focus of instrument presentation.
The On / Off switch
Here are some technical specifications:
- IEM Type: Hybrid type of IEM
- Driver Type: 2 BA (Knowles 31736 ) + 2 DD (Panasonic 13.5mm Dual Dynamic Driver)
- Sensitivity: 108dB / mW
- Impedance: 12Ω
- Frequency response range: 4-26000Hz
- Plug diameter: 3.5mm
- Connection Type: MMCX
- Switch: 1 Switch for Bass Tuning ON/OFF option
Design and Build Quality:
Oh, this gear is a beauty!
The MK2 that I have ordered and shown in my pictures below is called Van Gogh Blue.
This color pattern is inspired by the well known painting Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.
Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh
The MK2’s shell is built with a 3D painting technology and is made of plastic. The build quality of the unit is well done.
The 13.5mm diameter Dual Dynamic Driver made by Panasonic occupies the largest area in MK2’s shell. The two Knowles type 31736 Balanced Armature drivers are really small compared next to the Panasonic DD drivers. The BA drivers are located inside the Nozzle.
The BA drivers are located inside the Nozzle
Fit and Isolation:
The MK2 is a relative small monitor for a 2BA + 2DD configuration that sits very comfortable in my ears. I think that the MK2 is one of the most comfortable Universal IEM’s that I have used to date.
The Earsonics Velvet and the Ibasso IT03 are good examples for comfort. But the MK2 is a step above this two.
The worst comfort I ever had with a UIEM was the InEar Stage Diver (not the S).
The isolation of the MK2 is better than my old Velvet and IT03, but the real champion in this category is the Stagediver SD3.
One example of the fit on my ear
Tracks and sources that I have use for this review:
a) Tracks:
- Massive Attack – Angel (Tidal HiFi)
- Celine Dion – The Power of Love (Apple Music)
- Opeth – Windowpane (Tidal HiFi)
- Metallica – Sad but True (Flac 24bit 192khz)
- Meshuggah – Nostrum (Tidal HiFi)
- Vaults – Mend This Love (Apple Music)
- Jehan Barbur – Seni Seviyorum (WAV 16bit 44khz)
- Bang La Decks – Aide (320kbps)
- Dr. Chesky’s – Pamafunck (Flac 24bit 192khz)
- Lorde – Royals (Flac 24bit 48khz)
- Mabel Matiz – Gel (320kbps)
- Amber Rubarth – In the Creases (Tidal HiFi)
- Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight (Flac 24bit 48khz)
- Arnesen: MAGNIFICAT 4. Et misericordia (DSD 128 5.6448Mbit/s)
- Yosi Horikawa – Bubbles (Tidal HiFi)
b) Sources:
IFI Micro IDSD, Shanling M2S, Walnut V2s, Ipad Air 2, Rose Cappuccino MKII
The Sound:
Note: Please note, I wrote this review after a burn-in process of 150 hours.
First of all, I think that the MK2 has a relative good price to performance ratio when compared to some higher priced IEM with the same configuration.
The MK2 is my first IEM that has a slightly L-shaped sound signature. The Bass is the most present frequency, followed form the highs and the mids. But don’t misunderstand me, the bass of the MK2 didn’t ruin the sound of this IEM and is in no way overpowering the sound when the switch is in reference mod.
Note: Please note, I wrote this review after a burn-in process of 150 hours.
Tonality:
The MK2 is not a cold or too warm sounding IEM. When the bass switch is on reference mod, the MK2 sound fairly natural. It has a small amount of warmth that is coming form the bass especially form the midbass section.
The Bass:
The MK2 has two dynamic drivers inside the shell. Only one of the dynamic drivers is active while the switch is in reference, so in on position.
In off position, the bass of the MK2 is well present but not overpowering. It is tight and has great dynamics, which gives a well bodied music presentation.
The subbass on the other hand gives a good rumble especial in pop and electronic music genres. The midbass kick is relative quick and responsive.
The best part of the bass presentation is, that it is not beading in to the mid section that would otherwise ruin the vocals and instrument presentation.
So, where is now the Beast?
Switching to bass mod:
The MK2 has an enormous bass kick capability when we switch it to the bass mod.
It has a deep and punchy “bass ability” that is also physical noticeable J
If you are a Basshead, the MK2 with its “bass mod” will provide you more than enough bass kick and rumble without ruining the whole music and sounding hollow.
The MK2 reminds me to my old Inear Stagediver SD3, but only quantity wise. When it comes to quality, the MK2 has the upper hand in every respect.
It is more controlled, detailed and has a better layering compared to the SD3 with is BA configuration.
BTW, the Bass quantity of the MK2 is not of my taste when the “bass mod” is on
“ Oh my God, I thing I am ageing 
”.
The Mid (Vocal, Instruments etc.):
The vocal presentation of the MK2 is relative neutral. The vocals are by no way recessed, due the L-shaped sound signature.
Both, female and male vocals sound realistic and have enough emotion to bring you in the middle of the stage. It is well defined and has a good layering with great detail that is welcome in this price range.
Nice to hear, that the midbass are not bleeding in to the mids, so that the vocals sound clean and not hollow.
Drums, guitars and flutes are sounding not to colored as I have expected form a dynamic + balanced driver combination. The instrument separation is above its price range.
Both vocals and instruments have a relative small amount of thickness when compared to the natural sound. This is not a big deal because it gives the mid presentation a slightly warmer presentation that is welcome for me.
The only negative side of the mid section is the upper mid presentation. There is a small amount of stress that is sometimes present, especially in bad recorded tracks like Metallica’s – Sad but True.
BTW, I think, that the MK2 is not only suitable for genres like pop, rock, electronic, RnB etc. It is also capable to make more critical listening with genres like classic and jazz music (for example Amber Rubarth).
Switching to bass mod:
If you listen to genres like classic, rock or metal music, I wouldn’t advise you to switch to the bass mod. The bass presence is not suitable for genres with to many instruments.
This mode is made more for electronic music fans that won’t compromise details in the music without loosing deep bass J and the MK2 does its job well!
The Highs:
One of the strong sides of the MK2 is the treble region. The overall treble presentation and detail level is surprisingly good for this price point.
The MK2 benefits from its L-shaped sound signature and doesn’t overpowering the rest of the frequency cart.
Complex passages with instruments like “cymbals” in my new favorite track “Meshuggah –Nostrum” sound well controlled and with good separation.
Male and female voices sounding vivid and clear and there is lot of detail.
One negative aspect of the MK2 is the upper treble. Some records with female voices sounds a bit harsh, especially tracks of Celine Dion (my favorite one is “The Power of Love”) could be more controlled.
I don’t know the specification of the stock cable, but a good upgrade cable could solve this problem.
The Soundstage:
The MK2 has a relative forward vocal presentation and there is also a good amount of air around each instrument with good stereo separation.
The soundstage is not gigantic like these of the Sennheiser ie800 or not expansive and airy like these of the Earsonics Velvet. But this two examples should be to unfair due the higher price tag.
The soundstage is a bit wider and deeper than the Ibasso IT03 and quite bigger and much airier than those of the Inear Stagediver SD3. The SD3 was a really claustrophobic IEM in this aspect!
Conclusion:
Rose Technology is a relative young company that has released many different earphones for all types of consumers. Rose Cappuccino MK2 is a good example how good Chi-Fi gears can sound.
The best description for the Rose Cappuccino MK2 is that it is a “good all-rounder”.
A beauty and a Beast!
Thank you for reading my second review, oh and sorry for my bad English
The Rose Cappuccino MK2 and Rose Masya side by side
Summary (plus and minus):
+ Great look and fit
+ Customizable tuning
+ Non fatiguing sound tuning with lots of detail
+ Well controlled bass
– Upper treble sounds harsh with bad recorded tracks
