Aful Performer 8
Intro
Hello folks, this is my full written review of the Aful Performer 8, or “P8” as I’ll call it for review purposes. The P8 is an eight-driver hybrid iem hovering around the mid-fi/midrange price of about $330 depending on where you can find it. Also, the P8 is one of three earphones (in total) which have come from this brand-new company… Aful Audio. I actually just recently reviewed the Aful MagicOne (MagicOne Review) and I feel it is one of the better sets in the price point and certainly one of the most unique. I’ve also had the Aful Performer 5 (Mahir’s P5 Review) for a little over a year and have enjoyed it and used it often for comparisons in my reviews. The P5 is a highly regarded set in its price point. Point is, so far Aful hasn’t made many mistakes folks. They seem to take their time and create products they know are going to work for the general public. I feel their tuning process is different for each iem and each iem is in turn… different from the last. Each set thus far has its own distinct flavor and flare and each can certainly be considered very good within their price segments.
Aful
Aful was not a name that we in the west were very familiar with. Well at least I certainly hadn’t heard much of them. Not until the Aful Performer 5 (Mahir’s Review) was released to the public anyways. Shortly after, Aful also released the Aful Performer 8 (Pavan’s Review) as well as the Aful MagicOne and I gotta tell you folks again… all three of these sets are very well tuned and hold a nice spot in their respective price points. Aful actually began their journey back in 2018 when they quickly began setting up their lab and by 2020, they had procured three patents! That’s saying something folks! By 2022 the Performer series was off the ground with the release of the Performer 5, followed shortly thereafter by the Performer 8 and after much R&D the MagicOne came to us. Talk about a startup. This company went from complete obscurity to one of the big players very quickly.
Tour Unit
I want to thank HiFri as well as the good people of HiFiGo for sending this unit to me as part of a tour through the US. Also, I want to thank everyone on the tour as I’ve had more than enough time with this set to get a good understanding of it. I feel this is essential in completing a thorough review. Most tours give you a week and then off it goes. So thankfully I have very good experiential knowledge about the P8 to hopefully help anyone seeking to purchase this set. Welp, I think I am ready to get into this one folks. The Aful Performer 8….
Non-Affiliated Purchase links:
Disclaimer:
I received the Aful Performer 8 from HiFiGo for tour purposes in exchange for a full review. I have not received any payment or any other form of compensation for this review. This set is a tour sample iem. HiFiGo has not requested to pre-read any review and doesn’t have any control over “what” or “when” anything gets published to mobileaudiophile.com. All thoughts within this review are my own though please take note that I will always have my own biases. This is impossible to get around. I try to be as objective as my subjective self can be, but this is an opinion piece folks. Thank you to HiFiGo and thanks for reading.
P8 Pros
-Build Quality is nice
-Nice looking iem
-Accessories are fitting for the price
-Balanced hi-res sound
-Neutral heads should really like this set
-Timbre is very natural to my ears
-Mature & nimble bass with slight emphasis
-Holographic stage presence
-Very detailed sound across the board
-Treble structure is good with nice punch
P8 Cons
-Price
-Not for those seeking a “fun” sound
-Not for bassheads (not really a con, this is probably a good thing)
-Note weight comes across more lean
-Not the most musical or warm sounding iem
-Soundstage isn’t the vastest in depth
-The slightest bit of BA timbre
Gear used for testing
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
The unboxing experience is pretty standard as far as what you will receive upon purchasing the P8. The box is of good size with a picture of the Performer 8 on the cover as well as some specs, the usual. Open up the box and you’ll notice some reading material in a thin box. Remove that section and you’ll see the earphones themselves seated all pretty in foam cutouts along with the carrying case right next to them. Take out that section and you’ll see the eartips also seated nicely in foam cutouts. Looking inside the carrying case you’ll find the cable. All things considered, the unboxing isn’t bad by any stretch, but it won’t blow your mind or anything.
Eartips
The provided eartips are sort-of puzzling to me. I say that because you get six sets in total. They are all silicone, narrow bore tips. Four sets of those tips (S, M, L, L) belong to the same series of tips which are narrow bore, longer, all black. The last two sets of tips are basically the exact same eartip but with colored (blue/red) stems. Very strange. No wide bore, no different style of eartips to fix the sound to any degree. Again, very strange. I suppose it didn’t matter to myself as I used my favorite KBear 07 tips. I found the upper midrange to come across with more presence and the bass region to have more punch using the 07’s. The included tips are perfectly fine, and they do have a firm flange which does well for sealing in most ears so I certainly wouldn’t call them “bad” tips. In most (99%) of my reviews I will tip-roll. I feel it is almost always beneficial unless the brand actually adds in tips which make good sense for their earphones. While the included tips didn’t make much sense specifically for the P8 here, I still do think they are decent tips.
Carrying Case
The included case is pretty cool. It’s a black hockey Puck shaped case that is of good size. I find the leather which covers the case to be a nice touch. You’ll notice the Aful logo in the center and a classy looking stitching around the top. Again, it’s also pretty big inside. Certainly, big enough for your earphones, cable, tips, and possibly a small dongle dac. The lid on the case opens rather easily but stays nicely closed due to the friction of the materials around the lid nice and tight. It doesn’t screw on, clasp, or button down and so I really do like how easy it is to get in and out. If I’m being honest, I usually never use the cases with any set of earphones. However, because this was a tour unit, I used this case constantly and was very happy with it.
Cable
The cable which comes with the P8 is pretty good. I wouldn’t say it is something which will wow anyone. It’s decent. The cable is a 98 wire x4 strand cable. The cable in my package is a 2-pin 3.5 single ended, High Purity Monocrystalline Copper cable with Silver Plating. If any of you are familiar with the Tripowin C8 cable, then you’ll notice this one is very close in almost all ways. However, this cable is a bit more elegant to me. I would’ve liked to see more of a flagship looking cable at this price, but it serves its purpose very well and even looks good paired with the P8 too. Not bad at all folks. You can purchase either the 3.5 or 4.4 at checkout wherever the P8 is sold.
What’d I use
Due to the fact that the cable I was given is a 3.5 single ended cable, I instead went with the awesome KBear Chord 4.4 cable to pair with the P8 and my balanced sources. Folks, whether you actively believe cables make any auditory difference in sound quality or not, I do believe the KBear Chord with its Graphene and Copper mix does help add some warmth into the sound. That cable is fantastic on a budget! Anyways, the Chord is a beefcake of a cable and looks dope paired with most any set. I think it looks pretty fly on the P8 too. One further thing, the P8 will scale with slightly more output and nine times out of ten the balanced jack will provide more output power. I do think it helps with the sound though it isn’t earth shatteringly different.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
Once you’ve seen an all-resin build, you’ve basically seen them all. They’re really nice but the P8 isn’t anything truly special. It is nicely built though. It has a solid feel in hand and in the ear. The feel is robust for an all-resin design. It is actually constructed by way of 3D printing, which includes the entire shell as well as the acoustic cavity inside. There’s a premium essence about this set. However, I couldn’t say it’s built any better than sets costing 1/5th of the P8. It’s nice but nothing out of the ordinary. You’ll notice the P8 is in two pieces. The Shell and the Faceplates. I only see one small vent hole towards the front and the nozzle is of medium length. The nozzle width read about 6mm on my calipers. Inside the nozzle you’ll see the three tube endings so be sure to not block those with whatever tips you use. I prefer a more semi-wide to wide tip like the 07’s I spoke about. The build is nice, the finish is nice, and the build is perfectly ergonomical.
Design
I suppose that the design will not be for everyone, but I like it and I think it looks very cool. You’ll notice the deep orange, yellows, reddish-purple, and reds on the faceplate but mostly looks like a brownish-orange hue from afar. I also enjoy that the faceplates refract the light in a room to a degree. It looks as though Aful used six different colors of foil on the faceplate and strategically covered them in resin. It is a dope look in the right light as the foil bounces the light around. Aful also added in their name or logo along the bottom of the faceplate which I feel is a class way to go about it. I usually feel disdain for any logos, but this is nice. I feel the Performer 8 is very much a “Fall Themed” iem. Kinda reminds me of the colors of Autumn where I grew up and is very striking. Granted, not everyone wants these colors in their ears and that I understand. Personally, I actually dig blues, blacks contrasted with more vibrant colors, but I don’t think this set is bad looking at all. It’s a cool look and a nice design theme for the price.
Internals
Aful went all-out on the P8 by providing this set with one dynamic driver and seven balanced armature drivers. The dynamic driver is said to be an 8mm driver with a biological diaphragm. The DD covers the bass in total, but Aful also used two BA’s (of unknown origins) to cover this area as well. I’m assuming to add that BA type snap to the mid-bass. They also decided upon two BA’s covering the midrange and two more BA’s covering the top end of the treble. I haven’t found anything which states exactly where the BA’s come from or what type they are, but I can tell you they are there. Aful did a nice job of tucking them inside very nicely.
Patent
One sweet thing about this set involves one of Aful Audio’s very own patents (Patent #: CN109803206A). This patent is named “Special Shaped Sound Channel Physical Frequency Division of an Earphone”. Yes, that is a mouthful. Aful also incorporated an air-pressure balance system which makes use of different filters to fine tune the treble area. Aful adds that this system will replicate the sound of electrostatic drivers in this region. Now, I don’t know if I would necessarily go that far but the treble does have a smoothness to it, so I figure the tech is doing something right.
Internals cont…
Aful uses a physical style frequency division technology which makes use of sound tubes of various lengths to harmonize the sound waves. Basically, this helps to create a more coherent sound between all of the drivers. If you look inside, you can see a very long tube running from the mid-bass BA’s. Aful states that the tube is actually 46 mm long. You’ll also see a roughly 10mm midrange tubing too. Aful also used an air pressure relief system using dampers which is said to add elasticity and depth to the low frequency of the P8 by way of a catheter tube and filter system. Adding into that, Aful also uses a RCL frequency division correction tech for better help with tuning the P8. I will not go into depth on this tech due to the length at which it takes to explain it. However, I am impressed with how far Aful went to make a solid sounding earphone. Look what this genius company did with the single-BA MagicOne. Quite impressive.
Fit / Isolation
This is one area that astounded me personally. I find the fit to be so good that I may rank it number one next to Aful’s own MagicOne. The fit is incredible. It’s perfect for me. They fit so good you’d think the damn P8 grew there. I get no suction at all as the pressure relief does work well. I also found that the passive noise isolation is great for an earphone. Maybe not stage worthy but fantastic for a casual listening iem. I have zero clue how the P8 will fit you, but I am assuming most people will have a great fit.
Drivability
Mobile Listening
The Aful Performer 8 is a very easy to drive iem. With an impedance rating of 30 ohms and a sensitivity of 115 db’s I am very impressed by how well you can bring this set to good fidelity with even low powered sources. Even listening with my Fiio UTWS5 was a great pairing. The warmer chip of the UTWS5 worked great in creating a good synergy making this setup one fantastic tws type option. Moving up to the IFi Go Blu on 4.4 balanced proved to me for the 1st time that the P8 will scale with power and to the quality of the source. Preferably something warmer. The Go Blu is just that.
I also used both the Moondrop Dawn 4.4, as well as the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus as both devices provided their own flare manipulating how the P8 can sound. The Dawn is a bit more technical, very dynamic, but also more neutral. I certainly enjoyed the warmer and thicker sound of the S9 Pro Plus. I feel the synergizing effect of the S9 Pro Plus was a bit more evident to me.
More juice
As far as extra power, I honestly didn’t feel it is some open-shut case that more power will make this a better set of earphones. I don’t totally agree with that. However, I do most certainly hear a slightly more refined sound listening with my two very powerful daps (Shanling M6 Ultra & iBasso DX240). Both daps set at medium gain. Having said that, I more so feel that the P8 does scale, or better said… improves to the source tonalities and is actually pretty picky too. You’ll find this with slightly dryer sounding or analytical sets from time to time. Eh, who am I kidding, you’ll see this with any set, maybe more-so with the dryer sets. Definitely with the P8.
The difference between the ES9038Pro flagship chip of the DX240 and the AK4493SEQ flagship chip of the M6 Ultra is discernible. The M6 Ultra is simply warmer, more silken, velvet, and reacts so much better to the sharpness of a BA timbre to my ears. With the DX240 there is almost a metallic BA type note edge at times. Without question the M6 Ultra was smoother, tighter, and less edgy or coarse. Again, not open-shut and there are variables to that but from my devices this is what I came away with, with certainty.
In the end
At the end of the day, you don’t need a powerhouse of a source device. I feel the P8 much more reacts to the quality and tonality of your source. They’re picky friends. The P8 simply wants something with a tad more thickness and weight, smoothness and warmth to counter the neutrality a bit. I say this but let me also say that these are for my preferences, you could be very much different. So, keep that in mind.
Sound Impressions
The Aful Performer 8 is most certainly a neutral sounding set with only very slight shades of warmth near the low end and some brighness from the highs. This is a neutral sound which is kept in check and very clean. In fact, this is one of the cleanest sounding sets in the price point from my understanding. Everything comes through loud and clear folks. Still, I feel the greatest asset of the tuning comes from the dynamic balance that the P8 has across the mix. You have a pretty snappy transient attack & decay with a hair more sustain in the low-end sub-bass region. Everything else comes and goes very quickly, precisely, and distinctly, with a smooth overall feel to my music listening with the P8.
Pint sized sound Between the 20’s
Beginning with the bass region, the P8 has more of a sub-bass tilt with adequate rumble that I would consider just over moderate. The P8 has some haptic energy and “feel” to the rumble, but the mid-bass may be lacking in warmth and slam for some folks. Basically, this is not an overly emphasized bass, but it is a very lithesome, acrobatic, supple and basically a mature bass. Certainly, it’s quality over quantity here. The midrange is mostly unblemished, well separated, gracefully nimble and the timbre is closer to natural. Despite those lofty words, the note weight is pretty thin with a slight dryness to the sound. Certainly not the most musical sounding set. However, the midrange has a very nice sound to it. I don’t hear any great recession and there is a natural type of density to the entire region. I’m not usually a fan of a thinner and dryer sound but I find myself enjoying the P8 quite a lot. I feel the beauty of this set is the roundness and crystalline definition to notes, which sort-of makes up for the lack of note weight and warmth. The treble is emphasized without being shrill. It’s detailed without sounding overcooked, forced or peaky. I wouldn’t call the extension the greatest in the world, but it is very good. The treble has a nice punch and doesn’t come across brittle or splashy.
If this is all the further you read
So, if you cannot go any further just know that each area of the mix is very well laid out. The tuning is very nicely balanced, textured, sprightly, and good layering within the sound field. Some may feel the sound is lacking proper dynamics or “fun” energy, but I beg to differ. At least for my own listening enjoyment. There are still some pretty vivacious and full macro-dynamics but they just come across more vibrant. Low-end notes do have some liquid tactility and a very detailed and technically astute response. But they are simply a bit lean.
Again, the bass does lack a bit and doesn’t add any real weight and warmth to the midrange. In the same breath, the low-end is very snappy, detailed and still has some punch to it. The mids are thinner but vocals don’t seem to suffer like a thinner timbre usually does. Now, in some tracks you’ll hear some slight sibilance, but it is not enough for me to label as a “con”. Just the slightest tinges of BA timbre show up from time to time. Beyond that I find the P8 to be a very resolute and vibrant example of a natural tuning. I call it “off natural”. Very close to what I envision real world instruments and voices to sound like, yet with some added luminous color from the elevation up top and the lack of emphasis down low.
Not for everyone
This will certainly not be everyone’s favorite so please hear me out. The sound is going to throw some folks off. In the next sections I will go through each 3rd of the mix and will try my best to outline exactly what I hear. Again, if this is all the further you read just know that this is a technical beast with a very lively sound. It’s clean, it’s resolute, and has very good balance, albeit tilted a hair towards neutral/bright.
Bass Region
The low-end is just like I explained, it’s less than full and not the most bombastic and deep. It’s a good bass but not necessarily a compete bass and it likely won’t fit everyone’s preferences. It’s a quick hitting bass. It comes and goes and doesn’t play around with any atmospheric sustain. Possibly there is some slightly longer sub-bass decay, but I wouldn’t call it an organic sounding low-end. It’s efficient, moderate in quantity, but it will also show up adequately when a track calls for it. Also, this is a bass that won’t infringe on any other frequency. Aful crafted this set to keep it all clean and fleet-footed. Great for fast paced tracks and doesn’t easily sound congested. Ever.
Sub-bass
The sub-bass has the majority of low-end emphasis. I feel it’s just enough to create a balance across the mix. It steps up when called upon. For instance, I hear a nicely guttural deepness in the song “2040” by Lil Durk, but also, every set sounds pretty deep and authoritative with this song. The beauty of the P8 is its ability to not lose any clarity on the rest of the track while still keeping that edgy rumble. Another track is “Heat Waves” by the Glass Animals. There is a slight melody which begins this track, but it runs straight into a heavy bass drop. I love that the P8 hits with this distinct and hard-edged meatiness. It isn’t bulbous or heavy handed but it’s more natural to my ears. Well, as natural as this track can sound. Honestly the sub-bass has very few shortcomings and comes together very well for me and my library.
Technical sub-bass
“Groove” by Ashley Monroe is an example of a sonorous sub-bass hum and thrum that stays so very clean and clear with a more technical sounding sub-bass. Folks, the sound of Ashley’s vocals running in tandem with the bassline is beautiful. Her voice and all other instruments separate almost perfectly. Nothing is out of place and all of it is very coherent in the mix. I could give you a multitude of tracks I have notes for, and each follows the same trajectory. Clean, deep, separated, detailed with a sub-bass that is represented well. Could it have a bit more rumble? Without question. Again, nothing is for everyone. Yet at the end of the day, the Performer 8 has good extension down low with very good speed for complicated bass passages.
Mid-bass
When I’m listening to the mid-bass section with the P8 I do find that it lacks just a bit for those fans of a bigger bass section, but I also feel the balance is great and works well for the overall sound of the P8. That’s for me though. However, I don’t find this mid-bass lack a huge issue because the sound is so well rounded in its slam. There is an elasticity to the sound down low and there is actual texture and great definition to the sound. But best of all is the clarity and precision in the slam and boom. Much different from the more lagging decay of the Performer 5, it is very easy to hear the refinement on this set. I’m sure many would consider this a definite upgrade from the previous installment in the series (P5) but that all would have to coincide with your preferences.
Slightly less full sounding
However, the slight lack of mid-bass authority, warmth and fullness does take away from some instruments like bass guitar. For instance, “Feelin’ the Miles” by The Wilder Blue incorporates a bending and rolling bass guitar riff that needs a full-bodied groove. The P8 doesn’t quite get there. The sound is more thin and slightly more edgy/vibrant then it is bellowing and droning. Another instance of slight lack is in big booming kick drums. Like in the track “Billie Jean” by Weezer. One of my most favorite test tracks. It’ll tell you so much about the low-end in easy to digest samples of kickdrum beats. Mostly the sub-bass will show up and provide some feel to the boom, but I notice that some of the fundamental frequency boom has a softened leading edge and just a tad less emphasis than perfect. Well, I have yet to hear perfect, so I think the P8 is doing just fine. That said, the panging snare drum paps hit with a strident sound that has some energy to it. Slightly less natural sounding then it would be if there was more warmth but very nice for casual listening. Fun even.
Further thoughts about the bass
I don’t have much more to add as I think you have a pretty good idea how this set sounds down low. It isn’t the most emphasized and assertive as a whole. It is dialed back but I also feel this was very much intentional. Aful does nothing by accident folks. The bass is one which leaves a crystal-clear midrange by rolling off the mid-bass just short of blending the frequency too much. Also, I feel the low-end BA’s do a lot to add that energy to the note edge on many tracks. There is an expedient nature to the bass. It’s very fast, very tight and micro-dynamic subtle shifts are well rendered.
Downsides to the Bass Region
The obvious downside is that the bass isn’t the biggest, which will also obviously “not” appeal to bass heads, or even moderate bass lovers. This isn’t a super “fun” bass either, for most hobbyists anyways. You won’t get that satisfying decay that some sets will give you. It isn’t the most atmospheric and organic in that regard. Almost too swift to be natural. At least that’s how I hear it and that is certainly debatable. All that said, I think it sounds great per the tuning that Aful was going for. Truly a special for fans of this type as it’s a low-end that’s mature and clean.
Midrange
Looking at the midrange, it’s not a very thickly weighted or warm midrange. It simply doesn’t have the extra boldness to it that a purposeful mid-bass bleed can offer. I also wouldn’t say the midrange has a lot of fullness in the structure of its notes. From the low-mids to the upper-mids the P8 comes across leaner than it is rich. I’d even venture to say that the mids are drier than they aren’t though the mids also aren’t completely devoid of lushness. The mids are almost perfectly neutral to my ears with just some slightly bright coloration. This may sound like drawbacks but I find the midrange to be fantastic. Just because it isn’t syrupy or milky in its tonal weight doesn’t mean it doesn’t have density and even some smoothness. Another thing, just because the sound is drier and more analytical doesn’t mean that macro-dynamics are forgotten. I find the sound to be very energetic and with plenty of dynamic flare with a very nice stage presence is this region.
Lean-lush
Transients are fast which tightens the note structure. However, in that tighter structure there is some solidity and clean neutral density. This is what I always refer to as “lean-lush” and the P8 holds this moniker like a badge of honor. Please remember the P8 is not what I would consider a “Musical” sounding set. There isn’t that atmospheric emotion that some good smoothness, warmth, and texture can provide, which I prefer. However, the P8 makes up for it with cleanliness, clarity and a lean-lush vibrant texture that is very well defined in the mix. Maybe it isn’t the most musical, but the P8 is still melodic for what it is. It is very well detailed with even the most subtle of details displayed nicely against the neutral balance of this set. No one frequency masks any other frequency which helps tremendously for detail illumination.
Lower-midrange
The low-mids come across pretty smooth with a nice transition from the bass, even with the slight roll-off. No, there isn’t that ultra warm and bold male voice, but most males also have a very poised and composed sound. Take Larry Fleet in the track “Where I Find God”. His southern rasp is edgy, very edgy. It’s coarse and can so very easily derail on so many sets. So easily his vocals can sound almost metallic and grainy in sets that don’t have good control over the region. Not on this set, no sir, the P8 holds that edge very well, even in Larry’s more vivacious vocals. There is some real note integrity here that I find refreshing. It almost makes this less than musical set kind of engaging. There is something to be said of a set that has great clarity and refinement.
A small observation
Listening to the bass singer Avi Kaplan sing “First Place I Go” is almost a double-edged sword for me. On one hand the definition of his vocals is great. He comes across almost magisterially in the intonation of his vocals, which is helped by the crystalline note outline and fast release of each note. It’s lean-lush in every sense of the word. Not syrupy and sonorous in his inflection but still prominent, forward sounding and bold. However, in this lean-lush type of fast release density you also don’t have the deepness or full bellow that his voice usually sounds. There’s a bit more luster to his vocals with the P8. Just a tad too vibrant then what I feel his voice should sound like. Please don’t take this as a bad thing but it’s simply an observation. Most males sound very nice.
Upper-Midrange
Females in the upper midrange certainly have some shimmer and vivacious behavior to my ears. The upper-mids come across a hint brighter tonally with good note definition. Now, with that you also do have some moments of sibilance. However, not so much that it is an annoyance for me so take that for what it is. Still, in the grand scheme of things females come across resplendent and melodic, albeit slightly drier than it is moist. Listening to Olivia Rodrigo in the track “Teenage Dream” she sounds so effortlessly svelte and soft with a whispery sensualness to her voice in so many lines of this song. Also, at the same time she comes across vibrant and each note she sings has this glass lined cleanliness to it. She sounds forward in the mix yet not overbearing. To me her vocals sound really nice.
BA timbre?
I say all that, but I also hear some less than stellar sounding female vocals like Jess Williamson on the track “Stampede”. Not bad by any stretch but her voice does have a hint of metallic texture to the crest of her notes. Her vocals aren’t as full in body as they can be. She sounds forward but almost tinny, if that makes sense. Perhaps one would call that BA timbre? Still, these issues are few and far in between and seem to only show up with a coarse type of voice like this. It simply isn’t as musical as it could be. Now, I could point to quite a few tracks which go against this example, but I felt the need to add in this little rebuttal to the favorable words thus far. For the most part females sound well developed and framed nicely in their dry and analytical form.
Instruments
As always, I will keep this short and use very broad strokes to preserve my word count. Instruments are a part of my listening which could derail into a novel if I’m not watching myself. So, generalities it is. Strings are more lurid and striking than they are organic to my ears. For the most part. However, harmonics come across pretty nicely for an analytical sounding set. Details emerge with ease as every scrape, scratch and pluck is highlighted. Strings are just a hair more energetic and brighter in its fundamental tone than perfectly natural. Whatever “natural” is. Percussion is also more energized with a sharpness and bite to them. Especially snare drums, cymbals and hi-hats. Now, yes, they are energetic, but the snap and pang of percussion hits are like a perfect exclamation point on this set. There is a directness and exactness to the sound which is very nice to me. I don’t hear anything tizzy or splashy at all. Piano sounds resounding and tuneful for the most part. Maybe I could use a bit more weight to some lower pitch tones but not a big deal. Violin can sound anywhere from silvery, sharp and edgy to mellow and very charming. Forgive me for my choice of descriptors but this is what I hear folks. I honestly don’t hear anything odd or weird in timbre with most instruments. Just know that all instruments will indeed have a bit more bright/neutral sound than usual.
Downsides to the Midrange
If I were to pick some downsides or issues with the midrange I would 1st point to the note weight. The P8 will not be a set for those who enjoy a richer, more moist, and emotionally charged sound. The mids are thinner and drier to my ears which is a direct connection to the lack of warmth. Next, I would say that the overall tonality has some spritzes of brightness which does color the sound to a degree. There are also times when I do hear some sibilance in this region. I mentioned that it isn’t enough to bother me but… It can be bothersome if you focus on it. It isn’t in any track either but instead sibilance only occurs in tracks really prone to it.
However
So, to counter all of that I would say that the detail retrieval is top notch folks. I mean “top notch”! Transient swiftness is more than evident and the imaging in this region is fantastic. Separation of elements of the stage is almost class leading. Obviously, the BA’s within are very nice drivers which can handle even the most complicated tracks with ease. You have this marvelous technical ability all the while the P8 isn’t completely devoid of musicality. Also, there is great air to the sound with an openness that is refreshing. Still, this is certainly not a sound that is for everyone, that’s for sure. If it was my perfect preference, I would say that I enjoy a warmer and fuller sound in this region, but I can certainly enjoy this set.
Treble Region
Listening with the Performer 8 I found the treble to have a nice luminous sound without going overboard and never really causing any offense to my ears. The greatest strength of this treble is in its balance and the fact that the treble adds some levity to the overall sound of the P8. This set would be pretty dull had it not been for the tuning up top. In fact, the treble is very well tuned in my opinion. The detail retrieval up top is something to be admired from other sets in the price point. I really mean that with solid conviction folks. There is awesome note definition and awesome resolution in this region. Each note has its own well-defined structure to it. This isn’t some forced resolution either because there is a nice balance across the mix. In fact, I wouldn’t even say this is an unusually bright treble either. No sir, I would instead say it is simply a refined and talented treble region that offers excellent clarity and separation.
Kept in check
Perhaps, the level of vibrance will be too much for some warm and dark lovers but coming from someone who enjoys pretty much every sound signature I can tell you that it is not too much for me. I never hear any undue and obvious glare or piercing peaks in my music. The only objection I would give is that the treble does add some extra energy to other regions at times and does color the sound a little bit. Most notably in the upper midrange. However, for the most part the treble is kept in check. As though it is brought right to the cusp of a peak, but an imaginary governor holds back the sharpness to manageable and clean levels. The awesome thing is that all this energy comes across smoothly in its definition. Yes, the P8 can come across crisp, but only when called upon. What it isn’t is grainy or tizzy and not even close to shrill.
Examples
Listening to Billy Strings in his track “In The Morning Light” I hear very delicate micro-dynamic shifts which illuminates even the faintest and most subtle plucks of the guitar with a tinsley and chimney energy that is very nice to hear. This track features almost dainty notes which are laced in intricate details. Or his track “Ice Bridges” which is another of his rapid-fire banjo tracks. I’m telling you the P8 handles this track and laughs. Too easy. Every modulation of the melody is accounted for and cleanly displayed with roundness to each note. Possibly treble heads would like more of an electrostatic type of treble punch but I gotta tell you folks, the P8 brings you close to that. There is some haptic recognition to notes but I still find now weight to be slightly thinner and still drier than it isn’t. Having said that, the treble is very well accomplished.
Downsides to the Treble Region
To pick apart this treble region would be easy for someone who enjoys a thicker and rolled-off treble experience. They could certainly say there is too much lower-treble energy, and I wouldn’t disagree per their preferences. Again, those who are very treble sensitive are not going to enjoy this treble region. There are moments of some shoutiness and the energy is the type which adds an overarching layer of brightness. Granted, it is kept in check for me but I’m not everyone else. You may feel it is way too much. However, I honestly cannot get too down on this treble region as I feel that the P8 is tuned very well. Detail retrieval is fantastic, and I do mean in “every” sense of the word fantastic. The sound is open, airy, and so very well separated. There is a cleanliness to the note outlines up top which is very nice to hear and extension past 10k is admirable without sounding splashy. This is a sparkly and shimmery treble without the shout folks. Nice job Aful!
Technicalities
Soundstage
The soundstage has above average width and good height for a fuller sounding intimate experience. However, I do feel that depth could’ve been a bit more… deep. The sound stretches pretty wide to my ears and while the whole presentation is more forward sounding, I still find it big in all directions. It’s full sounding, big sounding. Yet also close. I do get a sense for layering of sounds, but I also feel that the depth leaves a little bit to be desired. However, in the grand scheme of things the soundstage is not one which sounds as though it lacks. Depth is a difficult thing to hear until you hear a set that is obviously deep with easy to hear layering. The P8 does layer the sound but something is slightly missing here. Again, it certainly doesn’t lack to me so take that for what it is.
Separation / Imaging
The Performer 8 excels in separation of elements on an imaginary stage. It has all the good quality attributes to help in this area. Tight transients, open and airy sound, clean note definition and resolution and a good-sized stage. It’s almost as though there is room and air for each instrument to breathe. There is also some roundness to the sound of instruments and layering of those sounds. It definitely isn’t flat which helps this drier and more analytical sound to feel more engaging and 3D. Imaging of instruments and vocalists is very well laid out. Whether left to right or even front to back (to a lesser degree) there is a definite all-around image and nice placement. As it should be for this price. You should expect the P8 to perform here. It would’ve been a tragedy if they didn’t get this part right.
Detail retrieval
Another thing the P8 excels at is detail retrieval. It simply has all the tools to compete well against any set within the price point in illuminating all the subtleties within a track. Again, the P8 has great resolution, tight and compact transients that come and go quickly. The sound is balanced across the mix and so you won’t have the bass overshadowing any other frequency or even the treble for that matter, most of the time. I don’t think anyone will be left wanting if you are after an iem that excels in the analytical type of approach, and you desire to have some of the best detail retrieval within the price point. My opinion of course and also, I haven’t heard every set in the price point so do keep that in mind. I realize it is a lofty statement whenever I am including the word “best”. However, I really am impressed at the P8’s ability to resolve micro-details as well as resolve all the micro-dynamic subtle shifts in such a clean manner.
Comparisons
Note: I want to make it clear that I do not add comparisons to anoint one set better than another. These will never be a duel to the death. I provide anulu comparisons simply to explain the sound of the set I’m reviewing. I will be very general when describing these comparisons as I’m trying to keep my word count to a manageable count.
Xenns Mangird Tea ($329)
The Mangird Tea is a set which has been a mainstay in the price point for many years now. Proving that good sound is good no matter what. Of course, we have a Tea 2 by now, but I actually prefer the OG model. The Tea is a seven-driver hybrid model consisting of 1 DD & 6 BA’s and has been lauded for its smooth vocals and balanced sound. I chose the Tea for comparison simply because so many folks have heard it and plus, I understand its sound very well and have spent years dissecting it and enjoying it. Still, after all these years the OG Tea is one of my favorites in the +$300 price point.
Differences
Aesthetically there really isn’t much which differentiates the two. Both are all resin builds and both have a premium feel and a dope look. Personally, I prefer the look of the Tea but that is neither here nor there as you could feel totally different. I do think the P8 has a bit better accessory additions for a better unboxing, but honestly it is very close between the two. I will say one thing, it is very possible to find the Tea for much less than the MSRP. In fact, Linsoul has it for $269 at the moment.
Sound Differences
The first difference that comes to mind is the Tea has a bit more warmth across the mix and actually sounds a bit better balanced though it is very close between the. The P8 on the other hand comes across closer to neutral and even slightly brighter than neutral. The Tea has the smoother sound across the mix with transient behavior which seems a bit more drawn out whereas the P8 is tighter and more abrupt in its decay. the Tea sounds softer and easier for long periods of listening as well. The P8 on the other hand has a bit more hard-lined solidity, for the most part anyways.
Bass Region
The Tea has slightly more impact in the low-end though the graph seems to make me a liar. However, I definitely hear more warmth and low-end oomph on the Tea. Despite that, I find the P8 to have the cleaner and tighter low-end with better separation. The Tea has a bit more sustain and is a bit more atmospheric in the bass whereas the P8 sounds more immediate down low. I can tell you this, I don’t feel I need to add a bunch more mid-bass emphasis on the Tea as I do the P8. Both sound fantastic for what they are though. Perhaps the Tea is a bit denser in its bass but also a hair fuzzier at the note outline.
Midrange
This is an area that the Mangird Tea has been adored for over the years. When it comes to vocals the Tea is one of the 1st sets that I recommend. The Tea has better note weight and is simply more organic in its timbre. The P8 adds a bit more vibrance across the midrange. However, the P8 is certainly the more technically astute set. If details and separation are what you are after, then you’ll prefer the P8. It has better separation and imaging. Still, for vocals and for an emotionally engaging sound the Tea is much better suited for it. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better set for vocals. The two are a bit different from each other though on paper you’d think they are very close in most ways. The P8 is just a bit brighter, and transients are quicker, tighter and more exact. The Tea is smoother and closer to a velvet sounding iem.
Treble Region
Certainly, the P8 is brighter and has more added levity to its overall sound. The Tea on the other hand seems a bit more cohesive in its balance. Between the two the P8 has a bit better extension into the highest of highs, but the difference in extension is minimal. Certainly, the P8 has the snappier and more energetic treble region with better detail retrieval and better separation. However, the Tea is no slouch in this area, but it is better known for its musicality and smoothness rather than its technical abilities. The Tea is less offensive and easier to stomach over long periods of Listening while the P8 seems to take you right to the point of a peak and stop just short. One more thing, the P8 has much better extension past 10k and simply seems to extend the stage a bit more in this regard.
Technicalities
Between the two the P8 pretty much wins out across the board with better detail retrieval across the mix, better separation and better imaging to my ears. The only thing the Tea has an advantage in is its soundstage. Granted, the P8 sounds wider than the Tea, but I feel there is better depth of field on the Tea. However, the Tea wasn’t tuned to be a detail marvel quite the same as the P8. The Tea is a smooth, coherent and musical sounding iem. The P8 is just a beast in the detail department and just about every area that equates to a “technicality”. Truly these are both special in their own ways.
In the end
At the end of the day these two are both fantastic iems. Do you like a set which is more analytical rather than musical or musical rather than analytical. That really is the difference. The P8 isn’t as atmospheric and organic while the Tea isn’t as clean lined and agile. Both fantastic iems and both really perform well. I do think that the P8 is the more refined sounding set with a much cleaner approach and honestly, it sounds as good as it costs. The Tea is fantastic, but many sets can equal what it can do for less. Other than vocals. I still feel the Mangird Tea is one of the best vocal sets under $500.
Yanyin Canon II ($379)
The Yanyin Canon II is simply one of my favorite iems, at any price point. I actually reviewed the Canon earlier this year (Canon II Review) and gave it very high marks. The Canon II is a five driver Hybrid with 1DD and 4BA’s. The Canon II was chosen just because it offers a much different sound signature and probably a different set of audio fans which coincidentally helps a lot helping to explain the sound of the Performer 8. I truly enjoy both iems but I am a bit partial to the more fun and robust Canon II. That said, there are a few areas where the P8 out-classes the Canon II and vice-versa.
Differences
Both iems are fairly close in price. One (P8) is an 8 driver Hybrid and the other (Canon II) is a five driver Hybrid. However, we all know that driver count is meaningless if the tuning isn’t done well and cohesive. Thankfully both iems are very well done for each respective sound signature. I feel the Canon II is a bit more robust in build though both sets are all resin builds. The Canon II has the luxury of having two dipswitches which do affect the sound quite well so that is something to consider. Without question the Canon II is the better-looking set, well, in my opinion anyways. I much prefer the fluorescent blues, blacks, greens and the design is simply better to me. Tougher looking. Both sets have a nice unboxing experience, and both sets offer quality accessories for the price.
Sound Differences
Between the two we have some pretty drastic differences in overall sound, tonality, & timbre. The Canon II is a warm sounding set with a thick note weight and a big macro-dynamic expression. The P8 is a neutral sounding iem with a tilt towards bright and thinner note body. It’s also still dynamic and energetic but not with the same syrupy type of body to notes of the Canon II. The P8 has swifter and more dexterous transients while the Canon II is what I would call “agile for its tuning”. One set is warm, thick-lush and smooth and the other neutral, lean-lush and an analytical dynamo. The P8 has better resolution and clarity throughout but the Canon II is certainly the more musical of the two.
Bass Region
This’ll be quick, the Canon II is much more guttural, deep, and thickly weighted down low yet very nimble for such emphasis. The P8 is exactly as I’ve explained this entire review, it’s leaner, more vibrant in its punch and less of a nuisance to other frequencies. If a big and dense boom with a tacky note edge while still having a very nimble agility meets your preferences, then the Canon II is likely more up your alley. Or, if a punchy and very taught bass with a clean and precise note delivery are more likely to catch your attention then the P8 would more closely fit your preferences. The biggest difference to me is the quantity here folks. Both low-end displays of both sets are very well done for their respective tunings.
Midrange
The P8 comes across with better clarity and simply has the clean precision of a great analytical iem. The Canon II on the other hand has the smooth musicality of a nice vocal set. I find the Canon II and the P8 sound equally close in the sound field for stuff like vocals and some instruments. However, the P8 simply comes across thinner and slightly more artificial compared to the slightly richer sound of the Canon II. I do feel that vocals come across better in the Canon II throughout the midrange and instruments have that warm/neutral approach with the clean note delivery to really come across nice. Now, the P8 is better for fine listening and better for picking apart the details in a track. I should also add that the P8 is much more prone to sibilance in comparison to the great control that the Canon II was tuned with.
Treble Region
Both sets have very nice energy up top, but the running theme carries in in this region. That is; the P8 is thinner, higher resolution, better detailed and snappier. Also, the Canon II is more dense, better haptic recognition, better treble punch and only slightly less detailed. Mainly on heavier bass tracks you’ll hear some masking up top on the Canon II but for the most part I hear great details on both sets. Extension is nice on both sets with good info into to the upper-treble. I do find the P8 to be quite a bit brighter to the less offensive Canon II. Both offer very nice treble experiences.
Technicalities
Most technicalities will go to the Performer 8. The tuning is such that separation, transient swiftness, resolution, details and clean note definition are its superpowers. Of course, these attributes take away some of the more musical traits that so many people look forward to. So, it’s a give and take. However, both iems have a nice technical playback but the P8 is simply more inclined to show off its technical abilities. The only area the Canon II supersedes the P8 is in its stage depth and overall 3D holographic sound.
In the end
When looking at these two sets I can only refer to this comparison as a preference battle. You’ll know right away what you are more aligned with just due to the drastic difference of tuning between the two. At times I use the term “preference battle” often when comparing two sets of entirely different sound sigs that will offer obvious and distinct differences and anyone reading will likely fall into one or the other camp. Personally, I enjoy the Canon II quite a bit more. I enjoy the musicality of the Yanyin set and I am not losing much in technicalities. I love the deep and resonant bass, but I also love the clean sounding playback, the juicy lean-lush vocals. I’m sure some will much prefer the P8, and I can totally understand that. Both sets are absolute beasts in their price point, and both represent the best that their price points offer.
Ratings (0-10)
Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles with the unique parameters of my choosing. In the case of the Aful Performer 8 ratings below, that would be $250-$350 iems of any driver configuration. Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5” is exactly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $250-$350 US is a decent sized scope of iems and so seeing a 9 should probably be pretty special. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings it will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.
Aesthetic
-Build Quality: 8.0 Built well but nothing out of the ordinary.
-Look: 8.0 Looks great but maybe not for everyone.
-Accessories: 7.5 Nice accessories
–Overall: 7.8
Sound Rating
-Timbre: 9.1 The timbre and tonality are very good.
-Bass: 8.3 Mature bass that is quality over quantity.
-Midrange: 8.5 The mids are exceptionally good on this set.
-Treble: 9.4 The treble has good body & has great control
-Technicalities: 9.8 Technical BEAST!
–Overall: 9.0🔥🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
I feel the ratings pretty much explain themselves, but I do have to explain at least for a few categories, just for full disclosure. First off, I gave the P8 a rating of “9.1” in the “Timbre” category. I honestly feel the timbre is great on this set, but I do hear some hints of artificial BA timbre at times along with some sibilance too. Still, the neutral and natural sound is just too nice to ignore. So yes, it may be a high rating, but I feel it qualifies. You may disagree and that is understandable. The next rating which could be argued is the “Bass”. I feel the P8 is worthy of the very lofty rating of an “8.3”. I could see many folks thinking I’m crazy with such a small quantity. Folks, this bass is very good, and not because of its quantity. This is a very mature and very clean bass with a nice punch that is too resolute and defined to give it a low score for me. I suppose those are the only two ratings that are questionable to me but please comment if you feel differently.
Is it worth the asking price?
For me this is an easy answer. The Aful Performer 8 is simply fantastic for what it was tuned to be. Too good to simply brush off folks. However, the P8 is without question a polarizing set as it is so one sided in its delivery. There will most certainly be plenty of hobbyists who don’t dig this type of sound. So, I could see many of you thinking there is no way you’d ever put up $329 for a set like this. That all said, as a reviewer I feel that what Aful intended the P8 to be they accomplished. Not only did they accomplish their target, but they created a fantastic rendition of that target by creating a beautifully tuned iem.
The Why…
Because the P8 is built very well, accessorized well according to the price point and has a premium look and feel. As always, the most conclusive reason rests in the P8’s ability to playback music. Friends, the P8 has an elastic dexterity with probably some of the best resolution between $300-$400. The sound is clean to its core, precise across the board from the bass to the treble and each area of the mix has solid representation. The bass is agile as it gets and can take on complicated tracks very well. The midrange is a nice mixture of lean-lush with good density which remains very transient quick yet also melodic as well. The treble is very well detailed and showcases even the most subtle & finite little details with relative ease. The treble also has nice energy that is some of the best in the price point from my perspective. If an analytical sounding set which wears its resolution as a badge of honor sounds like something you’d enjoy, then it’s highly likely you’d agree… The Aful Performer 8 is worth every penny.
Conclusion
To conclude my full written review of the Aful Performer 8 I first have to say thank you to HiFiGo for providing this unit for review, as well as HiFri for conducting this tour through the US. I have greatly enjoyed my time with the Performer 8. Even though the P8 isn’t my favorite sound signature I do have quite a bit respect for what Aful was able to create and I do enjoy my time listening with this set. So, I again thank Aful and HiFri for enabling me to have this enjoyment. I also want to thank you, the reader, for clicking the link and checking out my thoughts. It always means a lot.
Other perspectives
Folks, $329 is not cheap. It is a lot of money for any set. So, I want to implore you to check out other thoughts and perspectives concerning the Aful Performer 8. We all have different tastes in what we like and dislike, different music libraries, different gear and we haven’t all been down the same journey through audio. Some perspectives will come from a person with even more knowledge who has seen even more of what is out there and others maybe not as much. The point is, we are all different and each can offer a different view of this set. So, read, listen to, or watch other thoughts and I do hope you get it right and get the most out of your money. I think I’m done folks, please take good care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!
