EINSEAR FIX

ø9mm Dynamic Driver + Balanced Armature

$45~$50
3.5/5.0

After falling in love with the dirt-cheap and superb T2, I received a sample of the more expensive model: the FIX. Unlike what I expected, the FIX did disappoint, especially on weak sources.

The FIX is a powerful pair of earphones. We can argue about the build quality and the materials used with these earphones (considering the price), yeah, but not many will argue that these earphones are monsters. They excel mainly in the lower frequencies, as this sound signature is aimed towards average-consumers, not the audiophiles.

With that being said, I did experience a more noticeable muffle in the mids and highs on a lower-powered source, where the bass totally overpowered them. The source has a huge impact on these earphones, thus I wouldn't even consider them without an amplified source. An amp will help push the highs forward to keep up with the impactful bass.

I'm highly skeptical whether they worth about ~$50, but EINSEAR fans might love these, as these are their most expensive offerings, and a nice trophy to own.

Pros

  • Monstrous and quick bass, suitable mainly for electronic music.
  • There are proper strain reliefs to protect the otherwise thin cable (except near the housings).
  • High-grade carrying case and memory foams are included.

Cons

  • The mids and highs are quite muffled and slightly discolored with a darkish tone, simply unimpressive.
  • The pre-applied foam tips are very hard to take off without damaging them.
  • The nozzles are extremely narrow, so forget about using wide-bore tips with these earphones.
  • Please, don't use thin flat cables, it lowers the durability drastically.
  • Overpriced for what you get.

Package & Accessories

Package:

Hard paperboard

Ear Tips - Single-Flange:

S, black, ø4mm azure bores

L, black, ø4mm violet bores

XL, black, ø4mm yellow bores

Ear Tips - Foam:

Memory foam, black, ø3mm bores

Extra:

Hook and loop fastener, generic

Build & Materials

Housings*:

Plastic (matte), ø3.5mm nozzles (ø2mm bores), no strain reliefs

Remote:

Plastic (glossy), single-button

Y-Split:

Metal, soft strain relief

Cable:

TPE, 130cm, flat, soft, mildly bent

Plug:

Metal, straight, short, soft strain relief

Comfort & Fit

Not sure how wisely these earphones were designed. I mean, I do get a great seal, but there's nothing keeping these earphones from sliding out of my ear. It seems as if the rear end of the housings just stay in midair, and the only things holding them in place are the ear tips.

Lows / Bass

The bass impact is significantly larger than on the T2. That sub-bass is intense, like two speakers in front of your ears!

On weak sources, the bass becomes bloated to the point that it overpowers both the mids and highs and requires tinkering with equalizers.

Mids / Vocals

The mids are quite recessed on amplified sources, muffled even. I would definitely say that these are not $50-worth mids. There is nothing impressive about them.

On weak sources, however, the mids are recessed even further and sound quite overpowered by the low-end.

Highs / Treble

As long as you don't use a weak source, the highs will be decent. They are recessed but are also piercing because of the extreme peak in the upper-highs. I'd say that while T2's highs are crispier and more delicate.

However, when it comes to weak sources, like budget smartphones and players, the highs suddenly change their tone and sound muffled quite a bit, while most of the loudness is tilted towards the lower-end frequencies.

Frequency Response

Published on 2017-04-27 19:59:51 (GMT)
FIX
T2