Disclaimer
Hello everyone! I want to be clear as tell you all that I have received the Performer 5+2 as a review sample for this true and honest review. I want to be clear that I’m not getting paid for this, and they haven’t told me what to write, when to publish it, or even asked to see the review before it goes up. Everything you read here comes entirely from my personal experience with the product, and I’m sharing my honest thoughts with you.
I try to be as fair and objective as I can, but we have to keep in mind that at the end of the day, this is just my opinion, and it’s based on my own preferences and experience with the product. Everyone’s tastes are different, so keep in mind that your experience might vary.
A big thank you to Aful and HiFiGo for giving me the chance to review the Performer 5+2, and of course, thank you to you, the readers, for taking the time to read my review. Your support really means a lot to me, and I’m grateful for your trust in what I have to say!
Introduction
The AFUL Performer 5+2 (Performer 7) is a pair of in-ear monitors (IEMs) that promise a lot on paper, and I was really curious to see how they would perform in real life. It’s a hybrid design, featuring a mix of dynamic, balanced armature, and even a micro planar driver to cover the full range of sound.
At $239, it’s placed in a pretty tough spot, where there are a lot of great options, and it is surely hard to compete in, so I had high expectations going in. From the thoughtful unboxing to the unique design inspired by a Suzhou garden, the Performer 5+2 certainly makes a good impression, but it’s the sound performance that matters most. So let’s dive into the details!
Unboxing
The unboxing of the Performer 5+2 is pretty impressive in my opinion. The box itself is medium to large in size, with the Performer 5+2 displayed on the front. When you open it up, there is a hard cardboard piece with soft foam underneath, which I guess is good at protecting everything inside. Actually, every single item in the box is cushioned by foam: the IEMs, the case, and even the eartips, all nestled in foam inserts.
The case feels like metal with plastic, and it’s pretty nice for what it is, and inside it, there’s a high-quality cable that feels very premium, soft, flexible, and just the right thickness for me. However, the cable isn’t modular, and for a $239 IEM, I feel like it really should be.
As for the eartips, they are all pretty basic. There are three different types, but honestly, they all seem very similar. Maybe the black ones are the simplest, and they feel softer and less bulky compared to the others. They are fine, but I’d have loved to see a bit more variety, like foam tips or liquid silicone ones.
Overall, it’s a well thought out unboxing with great protection for everything, but in my opinion, there is definitely room for improvement in the eartip selection and cable options.
Technical Specifications
Specs
- Impedance: 15Ω士20%
- Sensitivity: 109dB@1kHz
- Frequency Response: 10Hz-35kHz
- Drive Configuration: 2DD+4BA+1Micro Planar
- Cable Connector: 2Pin (0.78mm)
- Cable Length: 1.2m
- Plug Termination: 3.5mm or 4.4mm
- Working Sound Pressure Level: 20~105dB
Design and Build
Shell: Made from medical-grade resin, so it’s lightweight, durable, and pretty comfortable to wear, although my ears are a bit smaller than average, so I felt a little discomfort after a while.
Faceplates: To my taste, they have got a pretty design inspired by a Suzhou garden, which gives them a nice and sparkly greenish blue look.
Build: Everything is built using high precision 3D printing, and it looks very solid and quality made.
Air-Pressure Balance: There is an air damping system that is 3D-printed. This system manages air pressure inside the IEMs using a tiny vent at the front of the shell, preventing discomfort and ear fatigue.
Driver Setup
- Total Drivers: 7 in each earpiece!
- Dynamic Drivers: 2 of them (6mm each) for deep and punchy bass.
- Balanced Armature Drivers: 4 of them to handle the mids and highs with clarity.
- Micro Planar Driver: 1 small driver for ultra-high frequencies, adding extra detail to the sound.
From my understanding, it is a 3 way crossover, which is 2DD + Micro Planar (which is strange to see, but if it works, it works), 2BA for the mids, and 2BA for the highs.
Frequency Division Technology
The RLC network (using a mix of resistors, inductors, and capacitors) splits the audio signal so each driver (bass, mids, treble) gets the right frequencies. It fine-tunes the handoff between drivers, and if done correctly (which is definitely the case), it should make the sound smoother and more natural without overlaps or gaps.
Sound Performance
Bass
The Performer 5+2 really shines in the sub-bass department. It doesn’t get too deep to make you feel the rumble, but at the same time it never gets to the point where I feel like it really lacks in rumble. There’s a nice warmth to it that adds character without feeling fake.
I tested it with “IOIO” by Nosaj Thing, and the sub-bass was rich and fast, although I must say that I might feel like the 2-6mm DDs are moving a bit less air than, let’s say, a 10mm DD, so it’s a bit less rumbly, but it is surely a fast and precise bass. On some faster tracks, which need more precise kicks, like Rival Consoles’s “Helios”, the kicks hit hard and fast without any muddiness. Even with a bit harder track like Zamilska’s “Hollow”, where the bass is pretty rumbly and where many other IEMs get it a bit smudged and spread to the vocals and muddy them up, here everything stayed clean and balanced.
What’s cool is how flexible the sub-bass feels. It still got the depth and rumble you’d want for electronic, but at the same time it is very natural for instrumental too. For example, with a fast double bass like at the start of Avenged Sevenfold’s “The Stage”, the kicks have just the right amount of weight and detail to keep things grounded without being too much, and every kick is separated amazingly from the previous one.
Mids
The mids are smooth and inviting, with a touch of warmth that makes vocals and instruments feel natural. Male vocals, like on Home Free’s “Everybody Walkin’ This Land”, sounded rich and full, with just enough depth to bring out the emotion in their voices. Everything just stayed well separated, and nothing felt crowded.
Female vocals, like Sarah Àlainn on “Nandemonaiya”, had this airy, soft quality that felt super natural. Her voice floated above the guitar and the piano, which added richness without taking away from her performance. The emotional delivery came through beautifully, and the guitar and piano in the background stayed clean and clear.
Even on tracks with lots of instruments, the mids never sounded muddy or overwhelmed. Everything has its own space, so you can hear all the details without things getting messy. That said, female vocals can sound slightly more forward on some recordings because of the slight V-shape sound with the boosted treble.
Treble
Talking about the treble, the treble is crisp and detailed but mostly never harsh or sharp, which makes it easy to listen to for long sessions. It’s bright enough to bring out small details, like cymbals and high notes, but it doesn’t feel overdone.
On “Gravity” by Steven Price, the high notes of the vocals were delicate and clear, adding a nice sense of air to the piece. The Performer 5+2 did an awesome job of capturing the fine details. Every string pluck and slide sounded natural, and the vocals had this realistic, airy feel that made it feel like I was right there, with an amazing extension.
Even in tracks with lots of high-frequency sounds, like cymbals and hi-hats, everything stayed controlled and smooth. It’s detailed enough to keep things interesting, although it can cross into the harsh territory at times, and when it does, it can cause fatigue to some treble sensitive people.
Technicalities
The soundstage is wide and open, making the music feel like it’s happening in a real space rather than inside your head. Listening to Hans Zimmer felt like being at the concert with a big and immersive sound.
Imaging is super precise. On “Bubbles” by Yosi Horikawa, I can hear sounds moving around with pinpoint accuracy, and I can tell where every droplet is located. The layering is also fantastic. Even on dense tracks like “Masters of the Universe” by Juno Reactor, it stayed clear and separate, which is amazing.
The Performer 5+2 is also great at pulling out small details. On Jesper Kyd’s “Sanctuary Can Fly”, I can hear the subtle echoes and tiny guitar harmonics that other IEMs might miss. What’s cool is that these details don’t feel forced, they just blend naturally into the music, adding depth without being distracting.
Quick comparisons
Performer 5+2 ($239) vs NiceHCK NX8 ($199)
I just felt the need to compare the Performer 5+2 to the NX8 because I think it’s the most wanted comparison for each of them, mainly because of their very similar tuning and both of them being a tribrid IEM (the Performer 5+2 has 2DD+4BA+1Micro Planar, while the NX8 has 1DD+6BA+1PZT). And although they are tuned similarly, they do still sound different.
The Performer 5+2 has a faster and snappier bass punch, while the NX8 leans more toward depth and a rumbly bass. I feel like the Performer 5+2 also gives more detail in the midbass thanks to its speedier response.
For treble, the Performer 5+2 is a bit spicier, adding extra energy, while the NX8 feels smoother to my ears, although they are very similar in this region, and the main difference for me is really in the bass.
When it comes to soundstage, the Performer 5+2 feels a bit more spacious for me, and it creates a bigger sense of space in the music. I also feel like the Performer 5+2 has a bit more detail in its sound, probably because of the faster bass and maybe the highs a bit more forward.
Comfort wise, the NX8 wins for me, as it is very small and light, even though the Performer 5+2 has a great ergonomic shape. My smaller ears just fit the NX8 better overall.
Performer 5+2 ($239) vs Myer Audio D62 ($236)
The comparison between the Performer 5+2 and the Myer Audio D62 (Hybrid, 2DD+6BA) is, in my opinion, worth making due to their similar price tags, making it a tough choice choosing between them.
The Performer 5+2 delivers punchier and faster bass, but as I have mentioned earlier, its dynamic drivers are smaller (2x 6mm), and it feels to me like they don’t move as much air as the D62, which uses larger 8mm and 10mm drivers. The D62 bass feels like it has more “oomph,” even though the bass of the Performer 5+2 has slightly higher volume overall.
The D62 has a more detailed and analytical sound due to its brighter tuning, which can make it feel clearer. However, it might cause some fatigue over time, whereas the Performer 5+2 feels easier to listen to for longer sessions.
Both IEMs are well built, but in the included accessories, I prefer the modular cable of the D62. It just feels more practical for me. The D62 also wins on eartips, offering more variety with SpinFit-like tips, narrow-bore, and foam tips. In comparison, the Performer 5+2 also includes three types of tips, but they feel pretty similar.
As for comfort, the D62 has a longer nozzle for a deeper fit, but overall, both IEMs are equally comfortable for me, with no clear winner here.
Conclusions
The AFUL Performer 5+2 is a great choice if you are looking for an IEM that sounds balanced and performs well across the board. Maybe it can be called slightly V-shaped rather than pure neutral, but in my opinion it just gives them a bit more of a spicier sound. But still, I think that the Performer 5+2 is a very versatile set, and it’s still a pretty safe pick in my opinion, which will play almost any genre greatly.
That said, there are a few small downsides. The eartips included are pretty basic, and it would’ve been nice to have more options like foam or liquid silicone tips for a better variety. The cable, while soft and nice to use, isn’t modular, which is, for me, a bit of a letdown for something in this price range.
For $239, the Performer 5+2 offers a lot of value. It handles all kinds of music well, blending fun with technicalities. So if you are after an IEM that sounds great and feels premium, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Pros
- Punchy, fast, and detailed bass.
- Clear and smooth mids.
- Crisp treble with good detail and control.
- Great technicalities.
- Comfortable fit for most ears.
- Great build quality.
Cons
- Basic eartips with limited variety.
- The treble might be a bit too spicy for some.
- Non-modular cable.
- Might not be the best fit for smaller ears.
