The AFUL Explorer stands as trophy to innovation and dedication in the IEM industry. With its hybrid driver technology and well crafted tuned sound profile, the Explorer aims to target to audiophiles seeking a balanced, refined listening experience without breaking the bank. From the moment I unbox it, the AFUL Explorer says quality. Its sleek design and simple accessory package promise a user-friendly experience, while its in-house developed technologies aim to deliver exceptional audio performance across various genres. This review will dive into the sound quality, technical specifications, and overall performance of the AFUL Explorer to determine if it lives up to its promising first impressions.
Disclaimer: This unit is sent as the Letshuoer’s Turkey tour from HifiGO through AG. I sincerely thank both parties.
Unboxed
When I unboxed the AFUL Explorer, packaging immediately caught my attention. Inside the box, the IEMs were securely placed on the front side of the panel and the cable is carefully wrapped within the zipped carrying case. The contents of the box was quite functional; it included ear tips of various sizes and a carrying case.
The driver housing boasts a solid and stylish design. Made from a hardened form of plastic, the housing is both lightweight and durable. Its ergonomic design ensures comfort even during extended listening sessions. The areas where the drivers are placed are crafted, ensuring optimal performance and maintaining the overall aesthetics of the earphones.
AFUL Explorer Sound Quality
When I first put on the AFUL Explorer, the high passive isolation immediately caught my attention. This feature, combined with the detail projection in delicate genres like smooth jazz and the organic playback, provided a highly impressive experience. Despite not being in the ideal listening time, the syrupy smooth, fast, dark, and fluid playback qualities earned the Explorer high marks. In Tool’s “Sober,” both the bass guitar and the atmosphere performed exceptionally well for its price range. The midrange frequencies were not overly elevated, but Maynard’s vocals were still clearly audible. The cymbal extensions were particularly metallic and sufficient for a 1+2 system. Other rock tracks also demonstrated similar performance.
Regarding electronic bass, as expected, it performed excellently under various conditions. Although I anticipated better subwoofer-like bass pressure effects, what I heard was still fantastic for the price. Nitpicking and penalizing seem unnecessary. In “Shut Up,” it delivers everything needed for enjoyment, which is very satisfying.
Bass
I can’t say the bass is entirely full, but it makes good use of its potential, adapting its character to the genre. This results in rumbling in rock, exactly what the song needs in post-rock, and a clean, well-defined bass in pop. In smooth jazz, it transforms into a gentleman, showcasing its versatility.
Sample Tracks:
– Tool – Sober: The depth and punch of the bass guitar stand out, enhancing the atmosphere of the song. The bass is powerful yet controlled, allowing each note to be distinctly heard.
– Billie Eilish – Bad Guy: The electronic bass is prominent and impressive. The AFUL Explorer captures the nuances of the bass frequencies, perfectly conveying the rhythm and energy of the song.
– Pendulum – Watercolor and Set Me On Fire: This showcases the Explorer’s capability in drum and bass, providing strong hitting bass along with well-represented midrange electronics.
Midrange
The midrange frequencies are syrupy smooth, fast, and highly coherent. The crossover controlling the three drivers is clearly well-programmed. Given AFUL’s history with models like MagicOne, P8, and P5, along with their new technologies, this performance is expected. In pop music, it shines like a star in terms of PRAT (Pace, Rhythm, and Timing), perfectly capturing the rhythm and tempo of the songs.
Sample Tracks:
– Adele – Hello: Adele’s powerful vocals come alive with the AFUL Explorer’s midrange performance. The vocal tones are natural and clear, conveying the emotional depth of the song effectively.
– Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why: Norah Jones’ vocals and the balance of the instruments are perfectly rendered. The midrange frequencies maintain the song’s soft and fluid nature, ensuring every detail is heard clearly.
– Morrissey – All You Need is Me: Morrissey’s unique vocal and British rock tone are well-presented, with the AFUL Explorer capturing the essence of the song’s dynamic changes and tonal richness.
Treble
In Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun,” the well-recorded trebles are given justice by the AFUL Explorer. The decay and extension of the treble are impressive, combining with micro-details to create a satisfying listening experience. The treble performance is notably better than expected for this price range.
Sample Tracks:
– Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun: The clarity and detail of the treble frequencies reveal the rich texture of the song. The treble extensions and decay enhance the song’s atmosphere significantly.
– Michael Jackson – Billie Jean: The clarity and details of the treble frequencies effectively convey the energy and dynamics of the song. The AFUL Explorer highlights the micro-details and subtle nuances, clearly presenting the song’s complex structure.
– Tom Mountain – Happy Together: The Explorer captures the rhythmic and expansive bass along with the energetic high frequencies, bringing out the hidden joy in the song.
Comparison__
Since I am on vacation and couldn’t bring much equipment, this comparison might not be that long. However, I will add comparison that are somewhat independent of price and driver structure. As with all my previous comparisons, I know the sounds of my guest by heart, so I didn’t feel the need to add photos.
AFUL Explorer vs. AFUL Magic One
When I first put on the AFUL Explorer, I was immediately struck by its high passive isolation and detailed sound, especially in delicate genres like smooth jazz. The Explorer, with its hybrid driver setup, delivers a versatile bass that adapts well across genres—from the rumbling bass in rock to the clean, defined bass in pop, and even a refined bass in smooth jazz. Its midrange frequencies are syrupy smooth and coherent, bringing vocals and instruments to life with natural clarity. The treble extends well and captures micro-details, enhancing the overall listening experience. Additionally, the Explorer’s design is ergonomic and comfortable, with a premium feel thanks to its hardened plastic construction, making it suitable for long listening sessions.
On the other hand, the AFUL Magic One focuses on simplicity with a single BA driver, delivering a neutral and analytical sound signature. The bass is present but more neutral compared to the Explorer, offering a cleaner sound that doesn’t overshadow the mids and highs. The midrange is clear and precise, though it lacks the warmth and richness of the Explorer, making it better for listeners who prefer a flatter response. The treble is crisp and well-extended, excelling in detail retrieval without sounding harsh. The Magic One is designed for those who appreciate clarity and a neutral sound. Its build quality is functional and comfortable, though it doesn’t have the premium feel of the Explorer IMO, and its isolation is decent but not as high as the Explorer’s.
In summary, the AFUL Explorer is good for those who want a rich, immersive audio experience with strong passive isolation and advanced technological features. It performs well across various music genres and offers a premium, comfortable design. Meanwhile, the AFUL Magic One if fine to listeners who prefer a neutral and analytical sound with a simpler design and functionality. It excels in delivering a broad frequency range and precise sound reproduction.
Pros
1. High Passive Isolation: The AFUL Explorer provides excellent noise isolation, making it suitable for various listening environments.
2. Detail Projection: Especially effective in delicate genres like smooth jazz, offering impressive detail and clarity.
3. Organic Playback: The sound is syrupy smooth, fast, dark, and fluid, enhancing the overall listening experience.
4. Versatile Bass Performance: Adapts well to different genres, providing rumbling in rock, clean bass in pop, and a gentlemanly bass in smooth jazz.
5. Rich Midrange: The midrange is coherent and syrupy smooth, making vocals and instruments stand out naturally.
6. Crisp Treble: The treble is detailed and extends well, providing a satisfying high-frequency experience.
7. Transparency: High, allowing even amateur non-studio recordings to be clearly heard.
8. Ergonomic Design: Lightweight and comfortable for extended listening sessions.
Cons
Actually, I have one to mention, and regarding the price tag, ultra-nitpicking is unnecessary:
1. Some Boominess: When multiple low frequencies add up in the mix.
AFUL Explorer Review Conclusions
The AFUL Explorer impressed me with its high passive isolation, detail projection, and organic playback qualities. Given its price, it delivers outstanding performance in rock, smooth jazz, and electronic music genres. The midrange frequencies are smooth and coherent, the bass adapts to the genre, and the treble is detailed and extended. Overall, the AFUL Explorer offers an excellent price/performance ratio and a good listening experience.