Here we have AFUL Performer5, latest 5 drivered gem. Thanks to AFUL and Hifigo for the review unit. It will be neutral as always.

Aful Acoustics was established in 2018, and ever since the founding of the company, they concentrated on development of in-ear monitors that perform at a high level while also maintaining an affordable price point. Aful Acoustics in-ear monitors are designed to be worn in the ear and are intended to be used by musicians at the same time with sound quality seekers. The inventive concepts that were conceived by those who work in research and development (R&D) at Aful are primarily responsible for the extensive patent portfolio that the firm possesses, such as 3D Air-Pressure Balanced Relief Technology, Multi-Driver Acoustic Structures, EnvisionTEC Medical-Grade 3D Printed Acoustic Tube Structures, and so on. 

Pros__

Wonderful daily driver with nice clarity

Bass is lush and laid back

Easy to drive

Cons__

Technicalities aren’t for techheads

Treble is a little shy

Slightly lacking in dynamics and slam

The Sound

The aesthetics are stunning, the fit is perfect, the technical aspects are solid but could use some refining, the track picking is a downside, but the fun factor is above the roof.

The bass is soft and slow, with some tactile feedback; the driving is simple; vocals are forward, and the soundstage is expansive (which is unusual given the dx300’s results). The treble is rolled off, particularly vocally. This is making power metal (Hansi Kürsch) easier to listen to because even his vocals can’t reach piercing highs. AFUL Performer5 looks like it doesn’t need a fancy source to play well. Because everything above was taken from the iPad Pro.

Above were my first impressions of Performer5. Let’s see what we can learn from sound analysis, balanced listening results, and comparisons.

The soundstage is comfortable wide, but it’s not very deep, which makes live recordings feel like they’re on the surface. I can hardly say the same for studio recordings. The lack of slam can be forgiven due to its clarity and fidelity to the source. You see no / very little sign of sibilance in vocals, which is adding another point up to its scoreboard. But the upper trebles should have had more resolution do get rid of their splashy characteristics. However, the gentle touches of basses can be observed here and there. Am I complaining? I would definitely do so if I were a 7/24 electronic music listener.

AFUL Performer5 is performing surprisingly good in math rock if you don’t mind the slow basses. The mid- and upper-range is fast enough to solve this guitarist’s bugging genre because of its complex passages, riffs, and notal and scale changes. It was the same for Polyphia or Ichikoro, too. The true star of its essence, however, is revealed in the vocal genres. It is producing a mellow, realistic vocal performance with the band behind him / her. Charles Aznavour is so lovely with it. And speaking of complex + vocal; Millennium is enhancing your perception of Performer5’s true merit. Ability to produce the electro guitar solo first, then the clarinet like blown instrument with the tiny vibrations in its notes are eargasmic.

“Natural” is an easy label for its sound. And a sign of its neutrality between laid back and forward. Pretty good for vocal centered tracks. 

Balanced_

P5 balanced listening is the way to heaven! Harmonics, 3d imaging, slam, clarity and layering improved to a greater level. However, it stayed true to its origins and bass’s favor warm timbre didn’t end. It’s a feature of p5 package in the end.

Comparisons_

vs Letshuoer s12: S12 is playing back obviously less meaty and less clear. And soundstage is wider in live recordings. Layering levels seem on par with each other. S12 isn’t that vocal oriented like P5 here. Vocal transitions are less observable. Basses are superior in p5. Period. S12 is dry compared to it. Treble can never reach to a planar iem and maybe parameters about treble is its biggest downside against s12.

vs Moondrop Blessing2: Despite some years between them and not having the same config, I wanted to put p5 into stress test. Soundstage, details and naturality + neutrality are b2’s great points. And its scoring higher than P5 in many fields. Prices are comparable, but R&D expertise and tuning experience elevated it to the ranks of legends. p5 must study its lessons to rise up and take its place near b2.

AFUL Performer5 Review
Verdict

A true steal at this price. It’s better if you aren’t one of the nitpickers and look for daily fun with its bass colored clarity. 4BA is doing magic here. It’s also a medium for the singer to sing to you. Alternatively, a speaker that can address you directly without causing any discomfort in your ears.

You can purchase it through the non affiliated links here:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804801271867.html

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0BN5R23ZP/aful+performer+5/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN45CJX4/aful+performer+5/