I just got these and have been using them mostly with the Fiio KA17 dongle, and it has plenty of power for this set, and did the Fiio BTR5. I am more of a mid-volume listener, so my power needs might be less than most. I tend to avoid high volume both to protect my hearing, and because I hate shouty and sibilant stuff. I get that not everyone is going to feel the same way about it, but the Explorer might be a top 5 for me right now.
Excellent, honest and comprehensively detailed review - thanks man 😉 I'm kinda curious about the Simgot SM4 (the first Simgot that I'm thinking (?) won't murder my delicate, upper-treble-sensitive ears) and maaaybe the Dunu DaVinci... (need to watch/read reviews) ... but more likely the ISN H30 from a couple years back (9.2 Bery driver, 1 Sonion (mids) & 1 Knowles (trebs) ... but for now I'm still enjoying the heck outta the Artti R1 purchase based on your review/words. Cheers !
I’ve got the desktop/dongle that can shoot the juice to this set, the FiiO Q15. 1500mw of AKM powaa….Cheers🍻my friend, I’m one those this set was made for.
I don’t find it to be super demanding, it does sound way better the louder you get though. But around 30 / 100 on the onix and 20-25 /60 on the btr7 both high gain. Haven’t tried my shanling m3 ultra yet, but that’s probably between the onix and btr7. Also haven’t tried my fiio k11 either, probably this weekend.
Aful, for me, has the best ergonomics in the business. Good to see them with a more relaxed tuning with the Explorer. I ordered it, but I'm a little concerned that you couldn't power it with a dongle. The irony of that is that the Explorer is meant to be a high volume set, and at $120 bucks, I think most will use it on the go and with as little gear as necessary. I'm hoping to use it in the gym, so it has to pass the dongle test. 😊
@tonedeafmonk Much appreciated. Looks promising, with some punch! I enjoy your channel, especially since I can never predict which IEMs you'll favor. Keep us guessing! 😊
This or sound rhyme sr5 overall ? Details and soundstage matter to me..also does SR5 still hold up good in 2024 or you feel another iem has surpassed it in terms of bang for buck crazy value and sounds better than them in the same price range?
I was waiting for this review, i love my pula pa02, and i think i will love this too, i like to listen my music with volume higher than mid, so i think this is for me thanks for this review
Yeah it is in the same category as my cklvx d41 (same as pula) just less air and treble. Same type of tonality, both are very smooth, both have good bass.
Perfect iem for blasting volumes. Normal for the upper mids and treble to scale up to 5 db when we boost over 80db. Thats howbwe see the quality of drivers. What i dont understand is why with 26 sensative and 108 mw cant be drive with a normal dap or dongle
@@tonedeafmonk but having more power in the amp does not relate to the volume that I play. Better question. What's the volume in max you think this iem needs ? 40mw per channel at 3.5?
I see what you mean about drivability. I like higher volume listening, but lower level has it's merits. The Performer 5 looks like it can be even more like this, which could explain why you never listened to this, or why you might not recommend it. However, with the 5+2 it seems they've addressed this issue. I pulled drivability data from The Aful and my go-to's Aful Explorer Impedance 26@1kHz Sensitivity 108dB/Vrms Aful Performer 5 Impedance 35 ohms Sensitivity 110dB/Vrms Aful Performer 5+2 Impedance 15 ohms Sensitivity 109dB Truthear Zero Red Impedance 17.5 ohms@1kHz Sensitivity 117.5dB/Vrms NiceHCK F1 Pro Impedance 16 ohms Sensitivity 104dB/mW Thanks for the perspective.
Aha, I just thought their advertising strategy to be ridiculous…like spend that advertising money on ACTUAL R&D and QC etc. I do love a good unboxing and accessories package but the heft of the cost should absolutely be focused on quality and true innovation I.e. Plunge Audio’s offerings! Thanks monk..great video like always my friend! I can’t wait til I get the chance to buy ya a couple quality brews and chat with ya and pick your brain about audio!!
@@tonedeafmonk I keep hearing while the Supermix has good technicalities and is really clear vocal wise , its bass is lacking compared to the Explorer Will look forward to your review as well comparing them both !
From the dictionary "And timbre may also be correctly pronounced just like timber as \TIM-ber\. And the spelling of timber was unsettled for many years; it was sometimes spelled tymmer, tymber, and, yes, timbre.Jul 27, 2024"
I just got these and have been using them mostly with the Fiio KA17 dongle, and it has plenty of power for this set, and did the Fiio BTR5. I am more of a mid-volume listener, so my power needs might be less than most. I tend to avoid high volume both to protect my hearing, and because I hate shouty and sibilant stuff. I get that not everyone is going to feel the same way about it, but the Explorer might be a top 5 for me right now.
Sweet glad you are enjoying you set!
I quite like it too, just got mine the other day. It’s great for general content, movies and higher volume. Really good for metal and rock.
Excellent, honest and comprehensively detailed review - thanks man 😉 I'm kinda curious about the Simgot SM4 (the first Simgot that I'm thinking (?) won't murder my delicate, upper-treble-sensitive ears) and maaaybe the Dunu DaVinci... (need to watch/read reviews) ... but more likely the ISN H30 from a couple years back (9.2 Bery driver, 1 Sonion (mids) & 1 Knowles (trebs) ... but for now I'm still enjoying the heck outta the Artti R1 purchase based on your review/words. Cheers !
I’ve got the desktop/dongle that can shoot the juice to this set, the FiiO Q15. 1500mw of AKM powaa….Cheers🍻my friend, I’m one those this set was made for.
Absolutely!
exactly like the AFUL Magic One, need super POWER
Thank you for your review, very usefull
My pleasure!
No super needed. Q3 without gain driving satisfactorily
Very good review of the Aful Explorer! Thanks for the detailed comparison with the Pula PA02! 😃👍🎶🎵
My pleasure! Too bad the Supermix didn't show yet I think it will kick it's ass
I don’t find it to be super demanding, it does sound way better the louder you get though. But around 30 / 100 on the onix and 20-25 /60 on the btr7 both high gain. Haven’t tried my shanling m3 ultra yet, but that’s probably between the onix and btr7. Also haven’t tried my fiio k11 either, probably this weekend.
This iem sounds great on the btr7 and the onix xi1 that you recommended. It’s a good iem for metal and rock, probably gaming too.
I love it when you talk power. XD
Thanks for the review! Would the Ifi Zen Dac v2 be an appropriate pairing since you mentioned to not get a warm source?
Yeah that would work great!
Aful, for me, has the best ergonomics in the business. Good to see them with a more relaxed tuning with the Explorer. I ordered it, but I'm a little concerned that you couldn't power it with a dongle. The irony of that is that the Explorer is meant to be a high volume set, and at $120 bucks, I think most will use it on the go and with as little gear as necessary. I'm hoping to use it in the gym, so it has to pass the dongle test. 😊
New Onix XI1 Dongle $109 500wm
@@tonedeafmonk Appreciate the tip. Can't seem to find it. Is it out yet? Thx!
@@jeffreybateman7314 onixhiend.co.uk/introducing-onix-alpha/
This month
@tonedeafmonk Much appreciated. Looks promising, with some punch! I enjoy your channel, especially since I can never predict which IEMs you'll favor. Keep us guessing! 😊
thanks for the detailed review and description of the replay, Monk. I love my PA02 and given the comparison, I don't think the Explorer is for me.
Me neither
This or sound rhyme sr5 overall ? Details and soundstage matter to me..also does SR5 still hold up good in 2024 or you feel another iem has surpassed it in terms of bang for buck crazy value and sounds better than them in the same price range?
Stage and Explorer don't go together in the review I talked about it. Juzear 61T best bang/buck right now
Even better than SR5 sir?
Im glad they didn't name it the p3. IMO its better than the P5
Sounds like the MagicOne which also took a real chunk of power to get cooking. Might even be the same wide spectrum BA driver.
Possibly I skipped that one
Another well presented comprehensive review. Thx Monk. 👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed it thank you
I was waiting for this review, i love my pula pa02, and i think i will love this too, i like to listen my music with volume higher than mid, so i think this is for me
thanks for this review
Yeah it is in the same category as my cklvx d41 (same as pula) just less air and treble. Same type of tonality, both are very smooth, both have good bass.
I'm offended that my dongle doesn't have enough juice! 🤣🤣🤣
There is meds for that LOL
Perfect iem for blasting volumes. Normal for the upper mids and treble to scale up to 5 db when we boost over 80db. Thats howbwe see the quality of drivers. What i dont understand is why with 26 sensative and 108 mw cant be drive with a normal dap or dongle
I am sure you can play it but like the FATfreq IEM'S they need more power to get to optimize the tuning
@@tonedeafmonk but having more power in the amp does not relate to the volume that I play. Better question. What's the volume in max you think this iem needs ? 40mw per channel at 3.5?
"...elicit a s#!+ eating grin.." 😆 That was a great moment.
I'm going to get the Hiby R4 soon. It should drive the Eplorer, no problem, you think?
For sure
Yes no worries that DAP is a wonder !
Any chance you’d have access to review the Xelento 2?
I don't sorry
Many thanks for the review, its a mega skip for me, the juice needed is big turn off even though the M5 ultra has the juice in 4.4 bal
I'm looking forward to Supermix.
You and me both! Should be here this week
I see what you mean about drivability. I like higher volume listening, but lower level has it's merits.
The Performer 5 looks like it can be even more like this, which could explain why you never listened to this, or why you might not recommend it.
However, with the 5+2 it seems they've addressed this issue.
I pulled drivability data from The Aful and my go-to's
Aful Explorer
Impedance 26@1kHz
Sensitivity 108dB/Vrms
Aful Performer 5
Impedance 35 ohms
Sensitivity 110dB/Vrms
Aful Performer 5+2
Impedance 15 ohms
Sensitivity 109dB
Truthear Zero Red
Impedance 17.5 ohms@1kHz
Sensitivity 117.5dB/Vrms
NiceHCK F1 Pro
Impedance 16 ohms
Sensitivity 104dB/mW
Thanks for the perspective.
I have btr15 and QUDELIX 5K, I think I’m well served to use this Explorer, right?
Hard to say for me the Cayin at 600mw was just about right on high gain 92/100
The qudelix can blow out your eardrums they provide plenty of power for these
@@profound369 so i'm well served, thanks for the reply
So much ‘technology’! 😂😂
Thier words not mine. Not a single set of AFUL has impressed me yet.
Aha, I just thought their advertising strategy to be ridiculous…like spend that advertising money on ACTUAL R&D and QC etc. I do love a good unboxing and accessories package but the heft of the cost should absolutely be focused on quality and true innovation I.e. Plunge Audio’s offerings! Thanks monk..great video like always my friend! I can’t wait til I get the chance to buy ya a couple quality brews and chat with ya and pick your brain about audio!!
Weirdly, this is the only review that says the Explorer is hard to drive. I think he just didn't like the laid back signature of the IEM
Kinda tough pick for the price cuz I only have dongles😢
The Simgot Supermix 4 might be a better choice I will have that one this week
@tonedeafmonk yep, Simgot is looking quite promising. Both the supermix4 and em10(I believe?)
Looking forward to your review
@@tonedeafmonk I keep hearing while the Supermix has good technicalities and is really clear vocal wise , its bass is lacking compared to the Explorer
Will look forward to your review as well comparing them both !
Me fail English? That's unpossible.
Timbre is the Only accurate way. Timber is in relation to wood. You need a new "dictionary"... lmao
From the dictionary
"And timbre may also be correctly pronounced just like timber as \TIM-ber\. And the spelling of timber was unsettled for many years; it was sometimes spelled tymmer, tymber, and, yes, timbre.Jul 27, 2024"
Thank you TDM, Ill skip this one
Def skipping this set...