Aful Acoustics has always targeted a strong and experienced acoustic R&D Team. They have adhered to the simple concept of "Only Real Progress in Technology can bring Tangible benefits to the Consumer". Four Years Ago, AFUL Acoustics was founded to bring a change to the HiFi Audio industry with class-leading IEMs and Headphones at pocket-friendly prices.
After painstaking research by the team for over two years, Aful Acoustics matured the basic technology in 2020. Ever since then they have got several different technologies such as EnvisionTEC Medical-Grade 3D Printed Acoustic Tube Structure, 3D Air-Pressure Balanced Relief Technology, etc.
1、Acoustic Bass Tube and 3D Special-Shaped Resonator
2、Precisely Designed Multi-Layered Electronic Crossover
3、The fusion of Magicone Concept and P Series Concept technologies with 3 units, promising quality sound and comprehensive output.
4、Wide Frequency Response Range
Technology and Sound Characteristics
The integration of P Series and Magic One Technical Concepts
Magicone Concept: 1 driver unit for complete sound representation and magical sound.
P Series Concept: The sound of each unit is precisely integrated to achieve a complete musical experience and Deliver a fuller sound.
Explorer: The fusion of two concepts and technologies with 3 units, promising quality sound and comprehensive output.
Why do we name it Explorer?
Due to the use of a panel themed around the cosmos, exploring the infinite possibilities of the stars, coupled with the unique tuning akin to the Performer series, and the widespread preference among most friends for the name "Explorer," we have decided to name this IEM Explorer.
Acoustic Bass Tube and 3D Special-Shaped Resonator:-
Precisely Designed Multi-Layered Electronic Crossover
RLC Network Frequency Division:-
Innovative Technology brings excellent frequency response curve
High Damping Air Pressure Balance System:-
Sound Description
Technological Innovation
All drivers are imperfect, traditional technology has reached the limit of the driver’s own capabilities, and it is difficult to break through to bring substantial sound improvements. AFUL’s latest Explorer creatively combines MagicOne and P series technologies and concepts, achieving a new level of sound with three drivers.
Feature 1： Wide Frequency Response Range:-
A relatively wide frequency response range will make the instrument presentation accurate and realistic. Not only does it express the main channels, but it can also perfectly express the harmonic tone. However many in-ear monitors on the market can only express the main frequency band and cannot present the overtones because their frequency response is not wide enough.
Technology to make it all possible？
The current tuning in the industry is basically changed through very simple circuits or sound paths. However, we used joint modeling of circuits and sound paths(Electronic and physical crossover), and through difficult multi-dimensional complex mathematical calculations, we have overcome many difficulties in the tuning.
P3 has excellent low volume, it does not affect the expression of mid-frequency vocals and musical instruments. The expressiveness of vocals and musical instruments can be achieved at a high level at the same time. These qualities are undoubtedly the qualities of a high-end set. AFUL has achieved this performance within a budget of 100 US dollars.
Feature 3： Easy Driveability:-
P3 does not come from blindly stacking multiple units, it relies on the precise acoustic structure and electronic crossover to bring acoustic correction and deep matching between different drivers. It has a high degree of easy driveability. If you have a good quality Hi-Res audio player, you will realize its better potential, but if you are using a normal decoder or a Bluetooth module or even a smartphone, you can still hear relatively good high-quality sound.
Sound Signature / Sound Characteristics
Lower End: Elastic, Deep Diving:-
1. Features high-quality dynamic driver unit
2. With the ultra-long low-frequency acoustic tube, the ultra-low frequency characteristics show better extensions
3. High damping pressure relief pipe, while removing the ear canal pressure, it makes the low-frequency better textured and responsive.
Vocals:-
Real and Warm, while ensuring a sense of atmosphere and air. It shows well-textured vocals.
High-Frequency:-
Treble area, smoothly extended, ensuring the authenticity of instruments and their overtones.
Easy driveability:-
Very easy to drive, It is recommended that you try it with Bluetooth ear hooks or Bluetooth Decoder. The response will be much better than most IEMs on Bluetooth.
Recommended matching and suitable music:-
It has good adaptability to various front-ends. Suitable for Pop, and also complements Classical symphonies, etc.
Explorer is an entry-level-priced set of IEMs with high-quality sound quality.
Technologies:
- 3D Pressure Balancing Technology
- RCL Net Frequency Division Technology
- Self-developed Wide Frequency Response Balanced Armature Driver Unit
- Microresonator Technology
Story
4/16: Actually, our AFUL 1DD+2BA IEMs boast a celestial-inspired panel for enhanced aesthetics and deliver a distinct sound signature, unlike the Performer series.
AFUL Explorer Review: A Deep Dive into a Unique Hybrid IEM
Pros: Powerful and impactful bass response
Detailed and textured bass
Rich and intimate vocals
Full-bodied instrument reproduction
Excellent clarity and detail retrieval
Maintains clarity during busy passages
Balanced sound signature
Comfortable fit and ergonomic design
Quality construction and materials
Flexible cable
Cons: No interchangeable termination plug cable
Limited variety of ear tips included
Introduction
AFUL, renowned for their innovative, technology-driven IEM designs, has taken a bold leap forward with their latest offering, the Explorer. This IEM represents a departure from their previous models, such as the single BA MagicOne and the hybrid Performer series, by adopting a hybrid driver configuration comprising 1 dynamic driver (DD) and 2 balanced armature (BA) drivers. What sets the Explorer apart is its exceptional bass performance and technical prowess, all while staying true to AFUL's signature tuning. In this review, we'll explore the Explorer's sound signature, technical capabilities, and how it stacks up against other IEMs in its class.
What’s in the box:
1 x AFUL Explorer IEM
1 x Set of soft white ear tips
1 x Set of hard silicone ear tips
1 x 1.2m IEM cable with 0.78 2-pin connector (3.5mm or 4.4mm)
Self developed wide frequency response balanced armature unit
Microresonator technology
Unboxing
The unboxing experience of the AFUL Explorer is straightforward and elegant. Upon opening the box, you are immediately greeted by the beautifully designed Explorer IEMs. Beneath the earpieces lies a new AFUL carrying case. The case features a combination of hard and soft materials, with a firm structure on the upper and lower sides and a softer texture around the zipper area. Inside the case, you'll find the cable of the AFUL Explorer and two sets of silicone ear tips. One set is white and made of white, soft silicone, while the other set is darker in color and made of harder silicone. While the provided ear tips are functional, I highly recommend using your favorite ear tips for a more comfortable and personalized experience, as this simple change can greatly enhance your overall enjoyment.
Design and Build
The AFUL Explorer showcases a sleek and contemporary design that underscores the brand's dedication to premium craftsmanship. The earpieces are ergonomically crafted to provide a comfortable fit, even during prolonged listening sessions. Notably, the earpieces are smaller compared to most IEMs in my collection, weighing just 4.2 grams with a nozzle diameter of 5.6mm. This compact size, coupled with its light weight and average nozzle size, ensures a comfortable fit that enables me to enjoy extended listening sessions without discomfort.
Additionally, the IEM features a vent positioned in the outer corner, strategically placed to prevent contact with the ears and ensure the ears don't cover the vent. The detachable cable enhances the IEM's versatility, allowing for effortless replacement or customization. However, the passive noise isolation is average.
The resin earpieces' blue faceplates resemble a galaxy, evoking a stunning visual reminiscent of a starry sky. Overall, the AFUL Explorer's design and construction are not only aesthetically pleasing but also contribute to a comfortable and enjoyable listening experience.
Cable
The provided cable for the AFUL Explorer is a two-wire weave, intertwined and covered with a sheath. It features a light grayish color with a hint of light brown, which may not appeal to everyone's taste, including mine. However, the cable is constructed from quality materials and feels solid. It has no memory effect and does not tangle easily.
Compared to the cable of the MagicOne, the Explorer's cable is a noticeable step up in quality. However, it falls slightly short when compared to the cable of the Performer 5. One downside is that the cable does not come with an interchangeable termination plug, meaning you'll need to choose between a 3.5mm or 4.4mm termination when purchasing.
Sound Signature
Sound signature of the AFUL Explorer could be described as neutral with a bass boost.
Sub-Bass
The Explorer truly excels in its reproduction of sub-bass frequencies. The dynamic driver effortlessly delivers deep, rumbling bass that is not only heard but felt. This adds a sense of weight and authority to the music, creating an immersive experience, particularly in genres like EDM, dubstep, and orchestral music, where sub-bass adds grandeur and scale.
The sub-bass of the Explorer extends well into the lowest frequencies, providing tracks with a sense of depth and dimensionality. This extension makes the music sound more expansive and dynamic. The sub-bass is also well-controlled, with a fast attack and decay that maintains tightness and control even in complex passages.
Mid-Bass
The AFUL Explorer stands out with its impressive bass response, a notable improvement over previous AFUL IEMs. In the past, I found AFUL's bass lacking in impact and attack, particularly compared to what I prefer from a dynamic driver. However, the Explorer completely changes that perception.
The mid-bass of the Explorer is punchy, powerful, and delivers a strong slam. Importantly, it is also clean, well-defined, and textured, enhancing the dynamic range of your music. The bass extension is excellent, reaching the lowest octaves with both quality and quantity. The sub-bass is deep, providing a satisfying rumble that adds depth to bass-heavy tracks.
Whether you're listening to electronic beats or bass guitar solos, the Explorer delivers a bass experience that is powerful, impactful, authoritative, and controlled. Listening to bass-heavy hip-hop tracks is particularly impressive, especially the sub-bass rumble that the Explorer produces when the music drops. AFUL's engineering and tuning prowess are on full display here, showcasing their ability to deliver exceptional bass performance.
I am impressed by the Explorer's bass, especially its controlled nature that caters to a wide range of listeners. The mid-bass of the Explorer is punchy and well-defined, adding a sense of rhythm and drive to the music. It's not overly emphasized, but it has enough presence to give tracks a satisfying thump without overwhelming the rest of the frequency range. This quality makes the Explorer well-suited for genres like pop, hip-hop, and electronic music, where a strong bassline is crucial for the overall groove of the track.
Lower Midrange
The AFUL Explorer's impressive bass performance seamlessly transitions into its midrange, creating a cohesive and engaging sound signature. Thanks to its DD + 2 BA configuration, the Explorer delivers a rich and detailed midrange that truly brings vocals and instruments to life. The midrange is slightly forward, imparting vocals with a strong sense of intimacy and presence. This emphasis on intimacy is a standout feature, making vocals feel remarkably realistic and close.
Instruments are rendered with remarkable clarity and precision, allowing for the subtle nuances of the music to be fully appreciated. There is a subtle amount of mid-bass bleed into the lower midrange, which adds a lush quality to vocals and instruments, enhancing their thickness and richness. Despite this, the effect remains clean, enhancing the lower midrange rather than muddying it.
Male vocals sound particularly thick and lush, while instruments are full-bodied, with thick notes carrying a sense of boldness. This quality is especially noticeable in low piano notes, which exhibit clarity, definition, and a natural sound characteristic of the lower octaves.
The lower midrange of the AFUL Explorer is characterized by warmth and richness, thanks in part to the dynamic driver's contribution. Male vocals benefit greatly from this enhanced lower midrange, sounding full and authoritative. Instruments such as guitars and pianos exhibit a lifelike timbre, with a natural decay that adds to their realism.
Overall, the Explorer's lower midrange adds weight and body to the music, creating a sense of presence and depth. This characteristic makes it particularly well-suited for genres like rock, blues, and acoustic music, where the lower midrange plays a crucial role in conveying emotion and impact.
Upper Midrange
The upper midrange of the AFUL Explorer is a standout feature, offering exceptional clarity and detail that is truly delightful. Handled by the balanced armature drivers, this region of the frequency spectrum is characterized by excellent separation and transparency. Female vocals are particularly impressive, exhibiting a sweetness and clarity that is captivating. Instruments like violins and flutes also benefit, with a sparkle and airiness that enhances their ethereal quality.
This region of the Explorer's sound signature also contributes significantly to its sense of intimacy, drawing the listener deeper into the heart of the music. This quality makes the Explorer particularly enjoyable with vocal-centric music and genres that feature intricate melodies and harmonies. Additionally, the upper midrange plays a crucial role in maintaining the Explorer's overall balance, ensuring that no part of the frequency range feels overpowering or recessed.
In conclusion, the lower and upper midrange of the AFUL Explorer are finely tuned to deliver a rich, detailed, and engaging listening experience. Whether you're enjoying intimate acoustic performances or energetic rock music, the Explorer's midrange performance is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Treble
The treble of the AFUL Explorer is detailed, energetic, and well-extended, contributing to its overall engaging sound signature. The Explorer's treble presentation is particularly impressive, thanks to its dual balanced armature drivers, which handle this frequency range with finesse. The treble of the AFUL Explorer is detailed and extended, providing sparkle and airiness to the sound. Cymbals shimmer with realism, and high-frequency instruments are rendered with precision. The treble is well-balanced, never veering into harshness or sibilance. The treble extension also contributes to the Explorer's sense of balance, ensuring that no part of the frequency range feels lacking or recessed. Overall, the treble performance of the Explorer adds a layer of refinement to your listening experience.
Treble Smoothness and Control
Despite its emphasis on detail and clarity, the treble of the Explorer remains smooth and controlled, without any harshness or sibilance. If you have listened to AFUL IEMs, then you know what I am talking about. This quality makes the Explorer well-suited for long listening sessions, as the treble never becomes fatiguing or overwhelmingTop of Form
Non-Fatiguing Presentation
Despite its detailed presentation, the Explorer manages to avoid harshness or sibilance, even with poorly recorded tracks. This makes it suitable for long listening sessions, as the detail is presented in a way that is engaging and immersive without being fatiguing.
Technical Performance & Detail Retrieval
The AFUL Explorer excels in detail retrieval, offering a high level of clarity and resolution without veering into harsh or overly analytical territory. This balance is achieved through its hybrid driver configuration, which combines a dynamic driver for the lows and two balanced armature drivers for the mids and highs.
The AFUL Explorer excels in detail retrieval, allowing you to hear subtle nuances in your music that you may have missed with other IEMs. The combination of the dynamic driver and balanced armatures ensures that every detail is reproduced with accuracy and clarity.
The Explorer's dynamic driver provides a solid foundation for the music, delivering deep, well-textured bass that adds weight and impact without overshadowing the finer details. The balanced armature drivers handle the midrange and treble with finesse, offering excellent separation and clarity that allow for the nuances of the music to shine through.
Maintaining clarity during busy passages
This is an aspect that differentiates the Explorer to me from other IEMs, it can maintain clarity during busy passages.
Imaging and Soundstage
While the soundstage of the Explorer is not the widest, it is still quite impressive for an IEM in this price range. Instruments are well-placed within the soundstage, creating a sense of space and separation. Imaging is precise, allowing you to pinpoint the location of each instrument within the mix.
Intimate Sound
The intimate sound signature of the AFUL Explorer is perfect for those who enjoy a more personal listening experience. Vocals are front and center, drawing you into the music and creating a sense of connection with the artist. The Explorer excels at conveying emotion, making it ideal for genres such as jazz, blues, and acoustic.
Comparison
AFUL MagicOne
The AFUL Explorer represents a significant upgrade from the MagicOne, particularly in its bass response and upper mid-range performance. While the MagicOne is impressive for a single BA IEM, it falls short in bass depth and can sound slightly shouty in the upper mid-range with higher-pitched vocals and music.
In contrast, the Explorer offers a more balanced and refined sound signature. Its bass, both sub-bass and mid-bass, adds a much-needed fullness and richness to vocals and instruments, enhancing overall clarity and instrument separation. Importantly, the Explorer maintains vocal clarity and instrument separation without ever sounding shouty in the upper mid-range. Overall, the Explorer represents a significant upgrade and improvement in every way over the MagicOne.
Performer 5 vs. Explorer:
The Performer 5 falls short in comparison to the Explorer, particularly in bass depth and vocal intimacy. While the Performer 5 has lower bass and lacks the intimate vocals of the Explorer, the Explorer's vocals are rich and intimate, and its instruments sound full-bodied and detailed. Additionally, the Explorer maintains clarity even during busy passages. However, the Performer 5 still has its strengths, offering more detailed and better-quality treble extension, which results in a more resolving and airy sound compared to the Explorer.
Performer 8 vs. Explorer:
In comparison, the Performer 8 is still the king of resolution and instrument separation, outperforming the Explorer in these aspects. However, the Explorer excels in bass performance, offering better bass compared to the Performer 8. The Performer 8 boasts one of the best treble performances in its price bracket, providing a detailed and airy sound signature.
Truthear Nova
When comparing the AFUL Explorer to the Truthear Nova, the Explorer stands out for its more impactful bass response and slightly warmer overall sound signature. In contrast, the Nova offers a more neutral sound with lower mid-bass and thin vocals, at least to my ears. Both IEMs excel in detail retrieval, but the Explorer's dynamic driver gives it an edge in bass performance, offering greater clarity, quality, and quantity in the lower frequencies.
Kiwi Ears Quartet
When comparing the AFUL Explorer to the Kiwi Ears Quartet, the Explorer stands out for its more dynamic sound signature. The Quartet, in contrast, is much warmer but lacks in detail retrieval and technicalities. The Explorer surpasses the Quartet in several aspects, including clarity, treble extension, detail retrieval, bass texture, vocal reproduction, and imaging.
Simgot EM6L
When comparing the Simgot EM6L to the AFUL Explorer, several differences become apparent. The EM6L exhibits less sub-bass and less impactful bass, which may not reach deep enough for some listeners. The quality of the bass on the EM6L is also noted to be less detailed and textured compared to the Explorer.
Additionally, the upper mid-range of the EM6L can be prone to sounding shouty depending on the music genre. The EM6L features a QDC connector, distinguishing it from other Simgot IEMs. However, despite these features, I prefer other Simgot IEMs over the EM6L.
In contrast, the AFUL Explorer offers a more balanced sound signature that remains smooth and enjoyable across various music genres, never sounding shouty or harsh. The Explorer also provides a more full-bodied and balanced sound compared to the EM6L. While the EM6L boasts more treble extension, giving it a slightly more airy sound, the Explorer is favored for its overall sound quality and balance.
Myer Audio CKLVX D41
The Myer Audio CKLVX D41 is another impressive IEM that has caught my attention recently, despite its higher cost compared to the Explorer. I find it worthwhile to compare these two IEMs because they share some similarities in their sound signatures. Both IEMs exhibit a noticeable bass presence, but the Explorer stands out with its stronger bass slam, impact sub-bass, and more textured bass overall.
One key difference I've noticed is in the treble region: the CKLVX D41 has an elevated treble around the 12K region and higher, resulting in some hi-hats and cymbal strikes sounding splashy. In contrast, the Explorer offers a more intimate sound signature. Detail retrieval is similar in both IEMs, and without having them side by side, it's challenging for me to differentiate between them due to their overall similar sound signatures. This speaks to the quality of the Explorer's sound.
Personally, I prefer the sound of the Explorer because its treble never sounds splashy to my ears, allowing me to enjoy my music without experiencing fatigue. Additionally, the Explorer is much more comfortable to wear compared to the CKLVX D41, as the latter's larger size and elevated earpieces cause discomfort for my ears. The Explorer provides me with a better fit, enhancing my overall listening experience.
XENNS UP
While it may be an unfair comparison, I feel it's important to include the XENNS UP in this discussion because of the striking similarities in tonality between the two IEMs. The main difference lies in the XENNS UP's superior detail retrieval, wider soundstage, and more forward mid-range presentation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the AFUL Explorer is a standout IEM that offers a unique sound signature that will appeal to a wide range of people. With its powerful bass, detailed midrange, and extended treble, the Explorer delivers a listening experience that is both engaging and immersive. The AFUL Explorer has something to offer to everyone Pair it with a high-quality source and you'll unlock a world of sonic bliss that will leave you craving for more.
I have the Mangird Tea2, The AFUL Explorer sounds very good from your description, Is it worth to me to buy or it dosent change so much from the tea 2 ?
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Is the shell identical to P8? Best shape for my ears of all universal iem I had...
If the same I might try them