boarseman CX98S
ø10mm Dynamic Driver
After the excellent CX98, I'd got the CX98S to see how far boarseman can improve their products further. Although CX98S might seem to be slightly better in terms of mids and vocals, the difference is quite minor, considering the fact that you can get two CX98 for the price of a single CX98S. In my honest opinion, if you're planning to get the CX98 or the CX98S, you should go for the CX98, as their price/performance ratio just makes more sense. But, if you want better-looking and better-built earphones, and even a better package and more ear tips, you should go for the CX98S.
Just like the CX98, these earphones are for audiophiles, not for bassheads.
Sound signature: Treble-centric
Pros
- Super clear mids and bright highs. The mids are slightly more emphasized and detailed than in CX98.
- Not bassy, but very bass-capable, entirely up to your DSP/equalizer.
- Beautiful design and a very high build quality.
- A bunch of accessories, like a shirt clip and a variety of ear tips to choose from, including double flange tips and 2 pairs of foam tips.
- A beautiful presentation in a wooden box.
- The officially-specified (inside the package) frequency response of 35-17,000Hz is pretty honest and accurate, which is rare.
Cons
- The highs could be too piercing and tiring on long listening sessions. A simple equalizer can fix that.
- Basically no sub-bass, and the bass is slightly pushed back, compared to CX98.
- Apparently, L size tips are not included, while there are duplicates of the same tips.
Ear Tips - Single-Flange:
2×M, white (translucent), ø4mm bores
M, white (translucent), ø4mm red bores
S, grey (translucent), ø4mm red bores
Ear Tips - Double-Flange:
Ear Tips - Foam:
Memory foam, red, ø5mm black bores
Memory foam, blue, ø5mm black bores
Shirt Clip:
Black, 360° cable holder, branded
Case:
Blue, rectangular, branded
Housings:
Metal, ø5mm nozzles, stiff strain reliefs
Cable:
Silicone-coated (rugged), 115cm, stiff, straight
Plug:
Metal, straight, short, soft strain relief
Surely you'll find the tips that most suit you. I also had no trouble with finding the perfect tips for myself.
These earphones aren't bass-heavy per se, but they are very bass-capable, in a sense that the bass is extremely precise. If you want a more bassy sound, just turn on the bass booster on your device and enjoy a distortion-free sound. As compared to CX98, the bass seems to be slightly less emphasized, even if it is actually more responsive as can be seen by the frequency response curve. Still, in reality, the mids seem to be more prominent and the bass seem to take the back seat.
The mids are clear and very detailed. Some of the best mids I've heard. Slightly more emphasized and detailed than on CX98.
The treble is vivid and highly detailed. Could be even harsh on the ears sometimes, but it's extremely detailed. Slightly more balanced than on CX98.
Frequency Response
Published on 2016-01-26 01:24:44 (GMT)
