Review by Yee Wei
General/Packaging/Comfort/Build
EUIU is a new brand that is sold under the Linsoul’s lineup. The brand released two models namely the 05 and 01, let’s focus on the 05 today as we will be covering only the 05 today.
The UI-05 comes in a hybrid configuration with driver config of 2DD Coaxial + 3BA with 3 way crossover. Nothing too fancy and complicated setup. We will discuss more about the sound in the later part of this review.
Build quality is solid, it doesn’t feel cheap overall and the faceplate is inspired by Nebula texture with some glitters, but the picture doesn’t really do the justice, it looks better in real life on your hand.
Packaging wise, it is quite standard for the asking price, a storage case, eartips and also a cable structure that features gold and alloy plated supposingly will enhance the lows as well as overall texture based on my previous listening experience of the said cable material.
In terms of comfort, the design has no weird edges that protrudes that cause discomfort, I have been wearing them for a rather long listening session lasting approximately 2-3 hours+, I did not experience any pressure build up as well, fit and seal well overall.
Equipment and Software used
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Burson Conductor Stellar
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Fiio K17 R2R
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Tanchjim Space
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Apple Music/Tidal/foobar2k
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Fiio M33 R2R
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UI-05 stock cable and eartips
Foreword
My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far
Sound Impression
Upon first listening impression, the overall sound of 05 is quite natural and although the bass is slightly lifted, it does not overpower other regions at all and with good texture all around. Timbre sounds quite natural to my ears, very minor BA timbre if you pay attention real hard.
Bass
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The bass has fairly good speed and doesn’t sound bloated or muddy when listening to busy tracks such as Slipknot’s People’s = Shit!
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Sub bass has good extension with rumbles that will be felt, but i wouldn’t say it reaches deep to basshead level, but it is fun overall whenever the track calls for it
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Mid bass is punchy as well and with good texture to it, it doesn’t sound thin and hollow, the transition between sub bass and mid bass is also very good
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Bass does not bleed into the mids which is good despite the bass is slightly lifted
Mids
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Vocals come through rich and reasonably forward without tipping into shouty territory
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Male vocals carry decent body, Zhao Peng's baritone has a fair amount of weight to it
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Female vocals stay clear without harshness, Faye Wang’s vocal sounds smooth in retaining reasonable texture without sounding thin and shouty
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The single mid-frequency BA appears to be doing solid work here, nothing about the midrange calls attention to itself in a bad way, which for a debut design from a newer brand is a genuinely an encouraging sign
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Instrument reproduction across piano and guitar sounded natural
Treble
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Treble is smooth and free of harshness in my listening so far, consistent with EUIU's stated goal
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Detail retrieval is good for the price bracket, without any obvious peaks or sibilance
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This isn't the airiest or most extended top end I've heard, but it's a comfortable, easy listen that will not cause fatigue over longer sessions, and works well with most of the genre in fact
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Air and sparkles are okay to my ears, not too much nor too little that causes the 05 to sound dark, and also it is not overly analytical
Soundstage/Imaging
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Imaging is excellent possibly due to the implementation of coaxial driver? Instruments can be pinpointed easily
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Soundstage feels adequately proportioned, not particularly wide or narrow, without any sense of congestion even in busy track
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The soundstage and imaging capability of 05 is really good for the asking price
Driveability
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UI-05 is not hard to drive but it does scale very more power, in terms of dynamics and bass control, it is evident when i am listening it via the Conductor Stellar as well as K17 R2R
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Most of the entry level/mid range dongles will do just fine but desktop setup will drive the UI-05 to its best, the Tanchjim Space that i also use it with is actually more than enough for day to day listening unless you are very particular about the sound and you want to squeeze everything from the 05
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Again, with my DAP M33 R2R, pushing the gain to high, UI-05 sounded a bit more dynamics, better control on the bass, also bass quantity and somehow the treble has slightly more bite to it
Comparison (Ziigaat Doscinco) Similar configuration
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Slight V shaped sounding tuning compared to UI-05, but pricing wise, the Doscinco cost a lot more than UI-05, the UI-05 has a more balanced sound tuning overall to my ears
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Treble is slightly more energetic compared to the UI-05, resolution and detail retrieval capability is slightly better than the UI-05 due to the tuning
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Tonality is slightly cooler sounding compared to the UI-05, but this is not a bad thing, instead more of a preference
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Soundstage is slightly narrower compared to UI-05, imaging is not as good
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Mids has good body and vocals are not too recessed nor forward in the mix although being slight V shaped sounding, more or less similar to UI-05 but a little bit more relaxed on the UI-05
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Upper mids are not perceived as shouty as well, the same goes to UI-05
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Noticeable BA timbre but sounds quite natural overall
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Overall, the UI-05 is a warmer set compared to Doscinco, if you prefer more energy, then you can go for Doscinco, but given the asking price and Doscinco is slightly dated, personally, i would recommend the UI-05 as it comes in at much lower price that offers similar performance if not better, depending on your preference
Final Thoughts
As a new brand in the highly competitive market, the EUIU certainly introduced something interesting that will certainly catch the attention of fellow audiophiles. The introduction of a high price performance ratio IEM that comes in at only 99$, which to me is crazy high value.
The UI-05 offers a very balanced and smooth listening experience, each of the regions are tuned well in the sense it will not try to overpower each other. The only minor gripe that i have with it is, it doesn’t come with a modular cable or at least an option for 4.4 balanced, but other than that, at only 99$, there’s no reason to not recommend this, seasoned audiophile or newcomer, everyone will enjoy this set!
*A big thanks to Linsoul for sending this over for the purpose of this review. Thanks for the support and opportunity as always
Head over to their store if you are interested in getting a pair:
