Yanyin Canon II Review
“The Worthy Successor”
Intro
It’s my pleasure to introduce you all to one of Yanyin Audio‘s latest hybrid iems, the Yanyin Canon II. The Canon II is actually the successor to the very popular Yanyin Canon “OG”. This of course is my full written review of the Canon II which came to me straight from the good people of Yanyin, coordinated by Joseph Yueng. I have been a fan for quite some time of the original Yanyin Canon. I’ve spent a multitude of hours with them in my ears and have enjoyed every minute of it. During my time with the OG Canon, I never actually reviewed them due to scheduling constraints, but I’ve casually loved the sound and so I was very pleased to learn I was going to be able to audition this newer model.
Yanyin
Established in 2020 Yanyin Technology is a relatively new audio brand but by the atmosphere surrounding their releases it would seem that they’ve been around for a decade. Developed from a foundry studio since as far back as 2012 the Yanyin company hit the ground running since their conception. Specializing in research & development from “experienced earphone production masters” with years of production experience. This is one audio brand who seem to hit the nail on the head with everything they do as this can be evidenced by some of the more popular recent releases over the course of the last year or two. We have the of Yanyin Aladdin, Yanyin Canon, Yanyin Rosemary, Yanyin Moonlight, Yanyin X-HBB Mahina, Yanyin Moonlight Ultra as well as the set I’m reviewing today, the Yanyin Canon II. Each set has been very well received in the Audio community and each set leaves its own distinct mark on the hobby. I’d say Yanyin is doing pretty well friends.
Like I said, the OG Canon is still one of my favorite sets in the price point and I will try to answer whether the newer set is an actual upgrade, side grade, or dare I say a… downgrade. I’d also like to get a handle on whether the Canon II can stand amongst some of the best in the price point. I will try to explain this set the best I can and even throw in a comparison or three. With all that said, let’s dive in, this’ll be a fun one…the Yanyin Canon II!
Purchase Links:
Canon II Pros
-Build is a very nice all resin enclosure
-One of my most comfortable sets
-The look & design is absolutely stunning and creative
-Cable is very nice, shiny gloss white a perfect contrast to the Canon II
-Very full and expressive macro-dynamics
-The bass is robust and has great control per the quantity
-Vocals sound rich, melodious, and vivid
-Midrange in general is very well tuned
-Treble comes across non-offensive but well controlled
-Detail retrieval is very good for such a tuning
-Soundstage has great size
-Separation, Imaging, Layering
Canon II Cons
-I wouldn’t call the switches a gimmick but they don’t do a lot
-Possibly too much low-end for some
-I could use a hint more treble punch and bite
-If I’m being picky, for $379 can we get more eartips?
Gear used for testing
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
The Canon II arrived at my door in a fairly large rectangular box with pretty cool polygonal lines on the front and… Okay I won’t bore you anymore with that. The box is nice. Inside the box you will first see a sheet of paper with instructions (in Chinese) of the usage of the dipswitches. Under that is a box sitting in a foam cutout. Inside that box you’ll find the faux-leather case. Inside the case is the cable with the beautiful Canon II earphones pre-attached. Next to the black box you’ll find a small plastic case which holds the eartips. You also receive a dip-switch tool for operating your switches. So, it’s not the most impressive unboxing I’ve ever seen but also, it’s just an unboxing. Who cares right? Yanyin provides the essentials, and those essentials are more than decent.
Eartips
Do you remember when I said that the accessories that mattered were “more than decent”? Well, I may have forgotten one part of that. Possibly the eartips are a bit meager for such an expensive set of earphones. Folks this is a $379 pair of iems and for that it should probably be expected to get a vast number of eartips to suit one’s needs.
The included eartips are some semi-wide bore gray eartips which honestly are very nice. Yanyin provides four pairs in total (S, M, M, L). I actually used the large sized set for a bit. However, as I began tip-rolling I found at least four sets of tips worked very well for me. The JVC Spiral Dots EPFX10 eartips, the KBear 07, the Final Audio E-Tips and the Divinis Velvet tips. In my opinion, all four of those will work nicely with the Canon II. With all that said, the included tips are very much similar to KBear 07 tips which are some of the best in the game on a budget and they do fit the Canon II’s tuning very well. I have no issue with the tips included as they are very nice, but I always like to give some other options as well. I kept going back and forth between the four sets that I mentioned above, but the majority of my listening was done using either the Final E-tips or the Divinis Velvet tips.
Carrying Case
The included case is a tan colored case with a magnetic clasp that opens and closes with a nice smack of magnetism. Man, I wish I used cases more because I hate to see such a beautifully made case go to waste. Yanyin provides a very nicely crafted case that is perfectly suitable for an expensive set of earphones like the Canon II. The faux leather feels very much like actual leather and the microfiber soft inside is really well stitched in there to keep your earphones scratch free and safe. I find that there is just enough room for the earphones and cable along with maybe some extra tips inside. The case is a very nice accessory that should get plenty of use from many hobbyists.
Cable
The cable is the exact same cable given with the original Canon which… I can’t complain about it because I think that cable is awesome. Though Yanyin does specify that it is an upgraded cable, I can’t tell the difference. Anyways, I love the thickness, the look with that glossy metallic white is perfect against the colorful Canon II’s and the braiding is dope. It’s just an awesome looking cable that I’d love to buy a few more of. Yanyin provided me with the 3.5 single ended version but luckily, I had the 2.5 balanced version with my original, so I am using that one primarily.
The cable itself is a gloss metallic white with a sheen to the insulation covering that I think makes the Canon II POP! It is made out of high-purity single crystal copper and a high-quality silver plating. You can order the Canon II with either a 3.5, 2.5, or 4.4 connections. I see no reason to swap cables, this one is perfect friends though at times I do like to throw on the Dunu Hulk Pro cable because it looks absolutely bonkers cool with this set. However, for the most part the included cable is perfect… Nice job Yanyin!
Build / Design / Internals / Fit /
Build Quality
Once again Yanyin nails the build with a nicely durable and stout feeling all resin shell. Yanyin promotional advertising states that the shells are fully crafted out of 100% medical grade resin. Of course, you can get all resin shells at much cheaper prices anymore, so this is not unheard of. However, there is something which sets the Canon II apart in the overall feel when they are in hand. I can’t quite explain how something can “feel” durable but nevertheless, this is the case. There is a premium quality to the OG Canon as well as the newer Canon II that is unmistakably robust. The Canon II evokes a level of pedigree that isn’t easy to put into words. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that the Canon II looks absolutely beautiful. You’ll see two dip-switches on the back side of the Shells as well, but I’ll get into that later. Nevertheless, I cannot say anything bad about the build at all. They are also lightweight, ergonomically and strategically crafted to seat well inside of most human ears. One thing to note is that Yanyin did add in a front vent to help with driver flex which some had complained about in the first Canon. Just very well done.
Stunning New Looks Galaxy-Like Hand-Crafted Face Covers:-
Yanyin Promotional
Yanyin Canon II features premium medical-grade resin material ear shells. The shells feature stunning designs with a galaxy-like starry pattern on the beautiful hand-crafted face covers. With glittery looks and a comfortable design, the Yanyin Canon II is an amazing pair of IEMs!!
Internals
Just like the previous Canon, the latest revision and iteration is also a five driver Hybrid setup as well. That is, one “upgraded” Dynamic Driver and four Balanced Armature Drivers. To be more specific, the Dynamic Driver is a 10mm Driver with Bio-Cellulose Diaphragm in a dual-chamber setup (the DD has its own chamber) with four “individual” Balanced Armature Drivers. There aren’t any twin BAs in this iteration of the Canon which is nice to see. Two BA’s handle the mid to high areas of the mix while the other two are dedicated to the high-highs. There isn’t really any info on the BA’s that I can find other than “high performance Balanced Armatures”. However, they are fantastically tuned, but I’ll get into that later. There is also a three-way crossover circuit board as well as three-way acoustic tubing which really dialed in the frequency range with obvious bandwidth improvement and range from the first Canon.
It is pretty obvious upon first listen that Yanyin truly did seek out to make an upgrade and not just a “money-grab-side-grade” when implementing and tuning the Canon II. This is less common than I’d like to admit, almost to the point of me calling it a rarity. For as good as the OG is (and it is damn good) the latest Canon seems outfitted with a more cohesive and expressive driver configuration which has been dialed in to more pinpoint areas of the frequency. Not to take anything away from the OG Canon because I still adore that set but this is a different flavor, and the Internals have a lot to do with that.
Five-Driver Hybrid Goodness:-
Yanyin Promotional
In order to ensure top-quality sound performance, Yanyin has featured five driver hybrid setup on the Canon II. The pair houses four high-performance balanced armature drivers for unmatched resolution and clarity. The 4 BA drivers are combined with a customized Dynamic Driver unit with a third-generation biological diaphragm and dual-chamber spatial design!!
Precisely Designed Frequency Crossover:-
Yanyin has carefully adjusted the tuning and driver arrangement using precise frequency crossover. The DD unit produces a powerful lower-end response delivering enhanced tight bass with a deep-diving response. Two BA Drivers are here for mid to high-frequency response and another two for a detailed high-frequency response. The overall tuning of the pair is highly coherent promising high-resolution clarity and dynamics.
Dip switches
Yanyin made a change in the dip-switches from the previous Canon in a couple ways. First, they deleted one of the switches from “three”, down to “two” switches, which I completely agree with. Honestly, unless there is a large enough change in sound then there’s no need to add a million switches. They just become more cumbersome and not really worth the novelty of having them. Two is great. Also, these newer switches solely operate & affect the low-end, in the “up” position by adding dBs to the low-end. I was given some pamphlet piece of cardboard which visually shows each switch orientation setting. But… the explanation of what the picture shows was written entirely in Chinese… which I can’t read. Oh well, it was easy enough to figure out. Anyways, Yanyin states that you can get four tunings in total depending on the switch orientation. However, I’d argue that “UD” and “DU” are the exact same sound and not much of a difference at all. In all reality there is three different tunings and there is most certainly a difference between them. It doesn’t sound like three different earphones in one, but it does sound like three variations of one tuning.
What do the switches do?
I’m not going into a huge spiel about each switch orientation, but I’ll simply say that all switches down you’ll hear less bass and a more mid-friendly sound, a little bit of a neutral hue. One switch up adds a little bit of low-end thump (my preference) which sounds more like mid-bass inflation. Also, this is the orientation that I conducted my review of the Canon II. Now, pluck both switches up and you’ll get a bit more low-end beef. The bass gets a bit more energetic, fuller and… well… Bassier. I for one can listen with both up and I can be perfectly content. The bass still somehow doesn’t overshadow the mix to any great degree. However, for my style of casual and critical auditory joy I am all about the first switch up and second down. Just enough warmth and plumpness to go with instrumentation, voices, bass guitar fullness and those sweet bass drops. There is a reason they called this set “Canon”. Of course, I think it has nothing to do with the bass, just a happy coincidence I suppose. The Canon can truly be a… Canon.
Four Sound Tunings With Dual Tuning Switches:-
Yanyin Promotional
Yanyin has designed the Canon II with two independently controllable low-frequency switches. They allow the user to adjust the output to their liking and preference. Two tuning switches ensure four output tunings with the set.
Fit
The fit is lovely. Truly. Of course, I’m talking about the fit in my ears. I actually have zero clue how this set will fit your ears. To me they fit like a perfect glove, and I don’t get any driver flex, they aren’t heavy, they don’t have sealing issues and the Canon has very good noise isolation. One thing which does help is the slightly longer nozzle. Just past medium length (if that means anything to you). Clearly this will change from person to person, but I honestly find this set to have a nicely ergonomic shape that I have to imagine will fit most folks in the hobby.
Drivability
The Canon II is actually a pretty easy set to drive. Rated at 27-40 ohms (depending on dip-switch orientation) and a sensitivity of 112 db’s the Canon II can be driven off of almost anything with a 3.5, 2.5, or 4.4 female port. Now, this doesn’t mean that these lil baddies won’t scale with more power or to the audible sonic ability of your source. Quite the contrary. I actually found Yanyin’s latest Canon to thrive with more juice and really plays to the fidelity of the gear I’m using.
Mobile Listening
Listening with the IFi Go Blu (CS43131 dac chip) from the 4.4 balanced side, the Go Blu has a ton of power and the Canon II sounds positively dreamy with this setup. I wouldn’t have thought that too. The Go Blu is slightly on the warmer side and so is the Canon II, so I thought they would possibly be a double-negative of warmth. Well, it turns out the Go Blu is a great mobile source for the Canon II. Just as well when I took the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 (same CS43131 dac chip) which is actually much cleaner sounding, more punchy, more neutral, and also a ton of power for a mobile setup. These two are wonderful paired together. The Canon II was able to melt right into both source tonalities and come across beautifully with each. The same cannot be said about the OG which I do prefer with a more neutral setup. The Hidizs S9 Pro… same deal. The Canon II swoops in and blends in like they were meant to be.
Daps
I don’t have a desktop setup anymore, mainly because I don’t enjoy listening that way. So, I look towards DAPs to get me a more powerful look at how my music will sound through earphones which are tested a bit more. I’ll spare you the wait, both sounds fantastic. Using the iBasso DX240 (ES9038PRO dac chip) with its more neutral but crazy resolving sound and punchy delivery, like a Dawn 4.4 on steroids sounds amazing. However, my absolute favorite way to enjoy my jams through the Canon II is with my favorite Dap under $1,000…the Shanling M6 Ultra (AK4493SEQ dac chip) The M6 Ultra takes the sound of the Canon II and simply elevates it. Using medium gain the Canon II comes across rich and clean with a resolute coloration that may be one of the funnest technically savvy playbacks I’ve heard in a long time.
In the end
When all is said and done, you’ll be good with most anything you have. The Canon somehow has this innate ability to hone into any source sound and make it better. That is of course if you enjoy the sound signature. I for one really enjoy it so I’ve been very happy with all of my pairings. I truly didn’t expect this, but the Canon II is somewhat of a chameleon friends.
Sound Impressions
Now we get to the heart of the review. Probably what you all came here for. The Canon II generally has a warmish/neutral tonal coloration with a warmer lower half and clinging closer to neutrality as you rise through the frequency. Of course, this isn’t always the case but “generally” this is what I hear. If I were to try to categorize the sound signature, I would probably say it’s a slightly warm U-shape or a very slight V-shape. I would call the overall note body as lean-lush as it’s dense enough but also with a tightly condensed note structure. The Canon II also has fantastic coherency of Drivers as well folks. The sound comes across as very vivid and rich across the board with an expressive display of macro-dynamics for the price point. You won’t hear any undue sibilance or any annoying glare from odd peaks on the Canon II. What you will get is a highly resolving and intricate sound that’s pregnant in fullness, dynamism and lathered in warm emotionally charged auditory precision.
Quick look between the 20’s
I provide this section for a quick look into the sound. A little snippet if you will. The Canon II obviously has an emphasized low-end which can be even more emphasized with both switches up. That said, the lows are very clean, beefy, with a heavy punch, capped with a tight enough attack & decay per the quantity. The midrange is also clean and has no veil whatsoever. The mids replay vocals of both males and females with great note weight and keeps great musicality while holding onto the finer details in music. The treble region is lifted just enough to allow some levity to the mix and just enough to “up” the resolution of the mix as well. The stage is large, imaging is spot-on, and details are easy to come by. Which is not always the case with a colored sound. Coherency is great across the frequency as well and to be honest I’m having a hard time coming up with Cons here people. Other than for those who simply don’t like this type of sound.
Bass Region
Starting off with the bass, I hesitate to call it the star of the show, but kinda feel like I have to. Even if there isn’t any truth to it. I could very easily say the midrange is as well. It truly is a very nicely tuned bass region for a dynamic and fun sound-sig. I almost liken it to the Hiby Zeta (Zeta Review HERE) as the bass region is plump and deep yet also is well defined, not one noted, and it can be a bruiser. You have that thick and weighted center of gravity down low with the emphasis sounding like it peaks in the mid-bass… without taking anything away from the sub-bass. Truly and honestly, if you like an emphasized and boomy type low-end but also crave that clean, wet, and definitive bass display then look no further. One of the best, if not “thee best” low-end replays within the price point for me folks. I’d say “hands-down” but I want to retain some decorum. Eh, who am I kidding, I lost that a long time ago. The low end jams! This is a bass that is not overbearing and achieves this with its note definition and succinct note delivery.
Sub-bass
The sub-bass palpably reverberates that densely deep extension that so much of my library caters to. You can flat-out feel the gurgling grunge and the bulbous dirty resonance from the track “Heavy is the Ocean” from Bush. The song begins rumbling right away and slowly builds momentum until the Hook. Please trust… the Canon II is at home here. Also understand that this isn’t a sub-bass that overshadows anything else either. At least “per what it is”. This is a sub-bass that takes what it’s given and roars it back at you with a mostly concise compactness. There is tactility that’s served with a haptic vibration which stays tight to the fundamental note with good harmonics. Certainly, meant for fun and certainly made to dig pretty deep. That said, the Canon II has a speedy enough sub-bass that it still maintains its macro details with a nicely carved out delineation from the mid-bass. The sub-bass is speedy as well and can take on quicker tracks with relative ease. Also, the sub-bass isn’t over saturated either.
Good clean fun!
Or listen to “Paradigm” by The Head and Heart. Listen as the deep and guttural sub-bass tightly rattles as the Canon II still maintains control while clearly displaying the lead vocalist. There isn’t any smearing or any mud, and there definitely isn’t any over-saturation in this area of the mix. The song plays as it’s supposed to, and the recording is good which helps a lot. Also “Home Sweet Highway” by Ashley Mcbryde is another track out of hundreds in my “low-end” Playlist. I had a star next to my notes for the bass on this track as it has a great feel to it. What I noted was the rubbery ductility of the bass as it comes and goes in concert with the cleanliness of the bassline contrasted next to the other instrumentation. It’s just good ole’ clean fun folks.
Mid-bass
The mid-bass has an uncanny ability to boom and then get out of the way. It can detonate and leave the room clean as a whistle. Friends, the Canon II is playing a different game. I don’t want to oversell as there will most definitely be those who want less of an emphasis. Or more. Shoot, some may not enjoy this bass at all. These are MY THOUGHTS. Also, I wouldn’t outright call this “basshead”. I wouldn’t do that. This is more like “Bass-hifi”. “Humble Beginnings” by Bazzi has that hard edged and crystalline note outline when the bass drops. There isn’t a hint of fuzz or pillowy behavior here. This is… “mass x concrete x beef ÷ detail = YC2. It’s clean, seemingly speckless, untainted by the usual haze of a bigger bass section while employing a rigid and swift attack / decay / sustain in relation to the emphasis. Not overly quick either as the Canon II still maintains that nicely atmospheric DD type timbre.
Bass guitar is edgy and a plump replaying a gravelly sound on most any track I play on them. Songs like “John Wayne” by Whiskey Myers. You have those dirty and quick successive bass guitar riffs that set the pace and tone for the song. On the Canon II they come across as robust surges of bass energy without losing its timbral integrity. It’s just a very fun sound folks, and that fun holds onto its technical verity and exactness very well for a robust bass. I don’t want to put forth that this is just a bass dominant sound either because it isn’t. It’s simply good bass.
Mid-bass cont…
Take “Billie Jean” (MJ remake) by Weezer. This track is perfect for really dialing in the sound of a single booming kick drum. You can hear the fabric or the density of the note edge, the robustness or the hollowness of a single boom and that is followed directly by a powerful snare. This progresses just as you remember on the MJ original version yet with more power and dynamism. On the Canon II the sound has this effortless hollow boom that carries swift but absolute authority. It has a tacky leading edge to crest each note which when added together (hollow boom/tacky note edge) is very satisfying. The kick drum is very well isolated and localized. This of course is tailed by the snappy deep “pang” of the snare. Of course, I get this sound on many sets as many sets can do it well, but I have to hand it to Yanyin because the Canon II makes me want to listen to it over and over again.
Downsides to the bass region
With everything in audio there are always issues or downsides to everything. When trying to come up with those faults in my critical listening I came up with some subjective gripes which some people may or may not have. First off, the bass is bigger. Not basshead sized (at least with the 1st switch up) but big. I know so many people who like that ultra tight (BA, Planar, tight DD), fast decay, zero sustain, tight release and intricately kempt bass… I get it. Also, not everyone is a fan of genres which cater to a bigger bass section which ultimately means that a big low-end is just a nuisance. Also, if I were to pinpoint any issue, I could say that the bass is more colored than it is timbre accurate. Granted, it sounds fantastic, but it isn’t without obvious coloration. With that said, this is a very clean low-end guys and gals. Very well done and I’m very impressed.
Midrange
The other “Star of the show”… Maybe. The midrange is mostly a lush representation of my musical library, which actually probably sounds closer to natural than not. I call this lean-lush (density without being too bulbous) and liken it to lean muscle mass. Human voices have some heft to them with this set, some soundwave mass and texture. Instruments are the same. I think you need a tad bit of warmth to sound natural which means a little bit of color sounds about right to me. I have zero idea where people got that a neutral sound is a natural sound. For the most part, I’m not in that camp. Neutral definitely can sound very natural. You need some richness in any sound and the Canon II has an uncanny ability to come across 3Dish. There is presence all around midrange Instruments.
Also, I honestly don’t hear a severe recession folks. Really. The distance of the midrange is about right to me. The midrange is forward just enough to sound highlighted and focused. It doesn’t sound distant to me. Vocals in front, Instruments slightly further back, spread out, cymbals out wide (generally). The midrange has air to it while remaining lean-lush with a nicely wide stage for the midrange to work in. Best of all, the Canon II is musical to its core and a perfect set to enjoy many different genres and the midrange perfectly exemplifies this.
Lower-midrange
The lower mids are generally where I attribute male vocals to, even though this obviously isn’t always the case. Still, males have great note body with just enough warmth, but also just enough crispness to have good note definition. You’ll find most instruments sound fantastic too. The realistic note body goes a long way and the high level of resolution in the sound is the icing on the cake… Game over. However, as far as male vocals are concerned, tracks like “Sand in My Boots” by Morgan Wallen is a perfect example of this 3D-like note presence. The actual structure of Morgan’s southern drawl has some note body friends! There’s nice layering in this track and the instruments surrounding him too. Or the acoustic track “Everything” by Ben Howard. His voice is presented very forward, intimate and very clean too. Males really sound great with the Canon II.
Upper-Midrange
Female vocals on the Canon II have won my heart. There is this well-defined shimmer for female vocalists and can come across nicely to my ears. Again, note weight is there, it’s broad enough, soft when it needs to be soft, rich when it needs to be rich, but also there is a levity to a woman’s voice. Also, you have this airy separation in this region as I don’t hear anything even close to cramped or congested. There is space to operate for voices and instruments. There’s also this organic flavor to the sound which isn’t just a product of the timbre, but also from the actual structure & clarity within a note. “Who Are You Dreaming Of” by Rhiannon Giddens honestly sounds like the Canon II is putting on a clinic. Her voice is so very well-articulated and has an awesome presence in the mix. Honestly, I could go on and on like this over females on the Canon II.
“How Long Will I Love You” by Ellie Goulding is pretty special listening with the Canon II as well. She has this knack at making the softer and svelte in her voice also powerful somehow and not every set capture this very well. Don’t get me wrong she sounds great on most any set but an earphone like the Canon II adds that last little bit of emotional glaze and catches every little modulation and inflexion in her vocals.
Instrumentation
As far as instrumentation goes, I don’t find issue with almost any instruments that show up in my library listening with the Canon II. They have the body they need, the detail retrieval they need, the resolution they need, the separation and imaging are also afforded to instruments. Strings sound fantastic. “3 A.M.” by Gregory Alan Isakov begins with an acoustic guitar with melodic harmonics and great imaging next to Gregory’s voice. The pluck of the strings has that pointed “ping” with just enough sharpness to sound legit. Violin is lacking nothing to me. Depending on the recording of course. Percussion is all great. From kick drums, to snares, to timpani, to cymbals etc., they all have plenty of punch, pang, pap, and enough lift up top to make them exciting. Flute, trumpet, piano all seems to be very well laid out as well. Now I’m sure you can find some off the wall tracks that don’t sound perfect as a lot has to do with the actual recording (and the source) too, but generally the Canon II sounds great for instruments in the midrange.
Downsides to the midrange
If I were to list some possible issues with the midrange, I would think that some folks may want a hair more of that detailed and airy dryness… for those who dig a more analytical sound. Some may want an actual “mid-centric” sound where vocals are the masterpiece, way out front and on a pedestal. The Canon II is pretty well balanced for a fun sound signature and the mids sound fantastic, but there are those sets that strategically emphasize the vocal ranges that obviously would outshine the Canon II. Obviously, there are also downsides to those types of sets as well. Some may want even more of a smooth and lush sound with even meatier note body too. I could see some who would think the Canon II would be better with more warmth, without question I can see this. Remember, these are my thoughts. Honestly, I don’t know how a person wouldn’t like this midrange but, it takes all kinds. That is what makes us amazing and also what makes this hobby amazing.
Treble Region
The treble has just the right amount of lift to come across just north of shy. Meaning, there is a nice amount of bite and levity to lift the whole of the spectrum as well as add some pep to the sound too. You need a little sheen with your lush. The treble region has an “almost safe” approach. Enough that I would call the treble non-offensive, it’s not at all risky or trying to push the limits. Now, does this make the treble bad? Absolutely not! The treble has a great transition from the mids with very nice coherency and enough of an etched out and clean note delivery to call the detail retrieval very good. The resolution up top is really fantastic as that is one area that Yanyin definitely improved with the Canon II. Also, you’ll notice good extension past 10k as the secondary harmonics of cymbal strikes don’t sound faded or tinsley or splashy at all. Listen to “Right Here, For Now” by Bakar and you’ll hear what I’m talking about in the very first seconds.
Listening to the song “Keel Over and Die” by Old Crow Medicine Show shows off the BAs within the Canon II’s ability to render a very fast paced treble melody. In fact, the Canon II doesn’t skip a beat. Nothing gets mashed up or blended. “Gerri Marie” by Durand Jones also shows off the abilities of the Canon II with its symphonic beginning and the very organic and full sound. Honestly, I have yet to hear a track and feel dissatisfied or disappointed in this set.
Nice Treble
I should also make mention that if you bring both switches “down” the treble region gets an obvious bump and there is a little more brightness to the sound. Not so much that I’d call it forced resolution either. The Canon II is one set which employs drivers of the type and quality which can replay beautifully defined highs and doesn’t need special tuning tricks to pull it off. The treble has a nice bite and even some punch when needed. It all depends on what track you are listening to, but that should go without saying. The point is, Yanyin knows how to tune a very fun sound, a big sound, even bassy and still come across lifted, articulate and highly detailed. Truly a fantastic job Yanyin!
Technicalities
Soundstage
The Canon II stage size is one which fills the entirety of my mindscape. Very wide in width for the price point and full height with good depth. You have this big sound which stays true to the furthest reaches of the stage. Meaning, what you hear out wide comes through just as definite as what you hear towards the center. Again, depending on the track. This will always matter when referring to the soundstage. However, a track like “Hook” by Blues Traveler is one I use all the time to define a stage size because it is recorded so well. It’s wide and big and will tell you exactly how well your earphones etc. sound as far as the stage is concerned. The Canon II sounds very impressive for $379 in this respect.
Separation / Imaging
Separation of elements within an imaginary psycho-acoustically rendered stage come across very well delineated and clean. The Canon II has great resolution across the mix as well as that big stage I was talking about. You simply have space to operate and the cleanliness to make a defined note. You have the forward and backward depth to provide a glimpse of 3D sound which also greatly helps. Imaging follows suit perfectly. Really there hasn’t even been one track that I felt sounded bad in this regard. I think that hobbyists who enjoy picking apart musical arrangements will enjoy the Canon II.
Detail Retrieval
Let me first state that the Canon II was not tuned to be a detail marvel. This was simply not what this type of tuning usually provides. My interpretation of what Yanyin was going for was a definite improvement over its predecessor. That in turn means big macro-dynamics, lushness with that warm/neutral sound yet very resolving with an emphasized bass region. All of these attributes don’t usually translate to “good at details”. However, color me surprised because the Canon II does an admirable job of illuminating the minutiae within my music. There is very nice control over the whole of the frequency. I can list multiple tracks where I can hear the details just as well as many sets more known for such a thing. I almost feel that the Canon II is somewhat of an outlier in this way.
Expectations in check
However, please understand that just because this set can bring out the finer subtleties in music you still have to consider bassier tracks. In bass heavy songs the Canon II will obviously not illuminate some of the minutia in other frequencies as good just because of the emphasis. This usually is not something that is an issue and also, who honestly cares about details in bassy jams. Also, you have to keep expectations in check as there is certainly iems within the price point which have better detail retrieval. Of course, those sets also offer a more dry and less musical approach. Translation, they’re more boring. The Canon II is a beast, but it’s a controlled beast.
Comparisons
Note: Understand, to keep this review under a certain number of words I have to speak in very general terms when comparing. I cannot dive deep into differences between any of these sets. Also, these comparisons are not a duel to the death. My main focus is to try to simply show differences but I’m not always successful at this. Still, sometimes it does turn out to be “ones better than the other”. I try to compare logical sets that I actually have at my disposal so they may not always make perfect sense.
Xenns Mangird Tea ($299)
Oh Mangird Tea, how I’ve loved you. I have spent so much time with you that… OK this’ll get weird if I go any further. Folks the Mangird Tea OG is one of those sets that just hit all the sweet spots for me. It is another hybrid iem with 1DD and seven BA’s. It is a gorgeous iem that is just about at legend status in the hobby. I never got a chance to actually review them, but I have spent more time with the Tea than any other set I have. That said, there are certainly differences that are obvious between these two. In fact, they offer very distinctly different sounds. Really, they complement each other very well.
Differences
To begin, the Yanyin Canon II is the better looking iem, let’s just get that out of the way. Both are gorge, but I’d take the YC2 if I were picking a set soley for looks. Both are built about the same, all resin shell, yet the Canon II has the dip-switches. The Tea is a hint easier to drive and has the more neutral sound to the Canon II’s warmish/neutral tonal color. This is really a question of preference between the two and I’m simply comparing them for a reference. Both sets are very good in the price segment for their own reasons.
Bass Region
I’ll make this quick because these are very much different. Straight up the Canon II most certainly has the bigger bass across the board. The Tea isn’t without rumble as the sub-bass can dig moderately deep, but the mid-bass takes a quick slope and wide glide down, whereas the Canon II has a more pregnant bump in the mid-bass. The Canon II has much harder note density which I can actually feel, while the Tea has the more focused and detailed low-end. Canon II booms heavier, it’s more fun and aids in helping many instruments and voices to come across a bit thicker. The Canon II has much more slam and boom.
Midrange
This is an area where the Tea kind of steals the show as the Tea is made for vocals in my opinion. Truly one of the best vocal sets you can get. However, the Canon II is simply wonderful in this area as well. Still, I’d take the Tea’s vocal delivery over the Canon II. They are silkier, more forward with just the right amount of velvety shimmer. Instruments like bass guitar, snares, even strings probably come across a bit better on the Canon II just because of the thicker body to the sound. Despite that the Tea simply has this special quality in the midrange to sound wonderfully euphoric and pleasant in my opinion. That said, the Canon II has a fantastic midrange with very pleasing vocals which when paired with the rest of the frequency it begins to show the Canon’s pedigree next to the Tea.
Treble Region
Between the two the Canon II has the more sprightly, energetic and lively treble. The Tea comes across smoother and milkier up top while still holding some shimmer. However, the Canon II is simply better in many regards here. It has the greater amount of controlled luster, shine, smoothness and bite, while the Tea is less animated and lively. Detail retrieval in the treble region goes to the Canon II.
Technicalities
Both sets offer a nice stage, but the Tea is a bit more intimate. This does not inherently make the Canon II better either. Just different. The Canon II has a wider stereo image with the midrange a hint further back in the mix. There is also a hint better depth in the Canon II’s replay but I’m splitting hairs. Both sets have a perfectly reasonable stage size that works very well for each set’s respective tuning styles. Separation is great in both as well as imaging, but I’d have to give the nod to the Canon II in these regards. The same goes for detail retrieval.
In the end
Again, this was not supposed to come across as a “better or worse” battle. I wasn’t pitting one against the other here. I compared the two simply to give a glimpse of what the Canon II sounds like for those who have heard the Tea. Did I succeed? Maybe…maybe not? I will say this, I absolutely adore both sets. As far as the Tea is concerned, this is one set that if you can find one being sold second-hand somewhere you should really think about picking one up. Truly it is a special iem for special circumstances and a nice respite from the popular tuning styles. Still, I’m all about the Canon II at the moment and it simply does more for the money and is much more fun sounding. Yet at the same time it’s the more sophisticated and finely developed of the two…respectively.
Yanyin Canon (OG) ($349)
Prior to the announcement of the latest Canon II, I would’ve said that hands-down the OG Yanyin Canon is most certainly one of the top three iems under $400. To be honest, it probably still is… For me. Anyways, the original Canon is also a five driver Hybrid consisting of one Dynamic Driver and four Balanced Armature Drivers. Yanyin has made a few upgrades in the driver tech as well as the tuning. We have brand new upgraded “individual” BA’s, an upgraded DD, along with the addition of a better acoustics internally due to the chamber, tubing, as well as the crossover allocations.
Differences
To begin, the latest Canon has one less switch, which I celebrate. Also, the OG Canon’s switches affected all three areas of the mix whereas the latest Canon only affects the bass region. I think the Canon II is leaps and bounds a better-looking earphone from that maroon/gray colorway of the OG. Both sets accessories are about the same. To be honest the latest Canon is more of a tuning change with a slightly more polished sound as well as a more mature of a sound altogether.
Bass Region
The Canon series is quickly becoming a reference to great bass replay. Both sets offer a tactile and haptic sub-bass that rumbles nicely though the newer set seems to keep a tighter noose on those vibrational resonances. The OG Canon has more of an emphasis in the mid-bass and comes across as more boomy. The new Canon has better control with less slam to a slight degree there. This coincidentally also means the OG has a bit more bass bleed into the lower mids. The Canon II on the other hand has an improved slope from the mid-bass to the low-mids that could almost be considered a tight tuck. This makes for a much cleaner sound. It also helps to make the Canon II punchier, snappier for percussion, with a denser and more palpably textured body and better-defined note outline. Just more energetic and livelier in comparison. However, I freaking love both bass replays. Truly. They both give a different flavor down low. Both offer a fun yet disciplined sound for the quantity they have. Despite that, I find the Canon II to have a more polished low-end with a more tactility and texture while the OG has the more theatrical and slightly more Bulbous sound.
Midrange
The midrange of both sets has a slight variation from each other. The OG Canon has a slightly more forward midrange with a hint more warmth than the newer Canon II. The Canon II comes across with better clarity in the lower midrange with less body in note weight than the OG Canon. The OG can get a hair shouty in the upper midrange while the Canon II has a less pronounced ear gain which helps females to come across a bit more natural to my ears. I do like the newer Canon just sounds more polished and detailed yet doesn’t lose out on musicality. The OG just takes a different path with a smoother midrange by a hair and a little heftier note weight. The New Canon has more crispness when called upon yet can also sound velvet and emotional. Kind of the best of both worlds.
Treble Region
I find a good difference between the two lies in the treble region. The OG Canon has a brighter hue with a more sparkly treble, but also a more strident and sharp treble. The newer Canon II is simply more refined up top. Truly this is an upgrade folks. That is of course if the sound agrees with you. I hear a slightly better timbre on the new Canon while the OG Canon can sound a hint artificial somewhere around the lower treble. The newer Canon has just the right amount of smoothness and bite whereas the OG can become shouty listening to certain songs. Perhaps better haptic feedback in the treble too on the newer set. Both sets offer nice detail retrieval up top, but the newer set seems to do so with less forced resolution.
Technicalities
As far as stage size, both sets offer a nice stage. It is difficult to get a discerning feel for them. That said, the OG Canon has a more intimate sound with closer mids while the newer set is a hint more spread out and realistic. Separation is undoubtedly better in the newer set as the sound is simply clearer and has better resolution to my ears. Imaging is spot-on on both iems as they portray Instruments and voices very well in an imaginary stage. I’d also have to surely say that detail retrieval is evidently better on the Canon II.
In the end
Honestly, if you own the OG Canon I really don’t know if it’s worth it to pick up the latest set. They are probably different enough, but I don’t know if I feel it’s worth it. I will say that the newer set is most certainly an upgrade to my ears. I have spent way too many hours with both sets and can confidently say that the Canon II is simply cleaner across the board. Not to take anything away from the OG because I love it for its fun and vivacious sound. Ya know, I could probably say that the older set is probably the more fun set, just not the more refined set.
Fiio FH9 ($599)
Another set that I’ve grown to love. The Fiio FH9 (Review HERE), which is a seven-driver hybrid consisting of one 13.6 Beryllium Coated DLC Dynamic Driver and six custom Knowles BA’s. Truly a flagship level iem in every regard and at every angle you spin them. The FH9 is one of the sickest looking iems in the Audioverse…my opinion of course and a very competitive iem at its price point. The FH9 comes equipped with nozzle filters that slightly alter the sound. I chose the FH9 as a comparison because I wanted to see how well the Canon II could hang next to a bona-fide stud of a set in a higher price tier. Obviously, this is not the fairest comparison, but I think we will learn… Something.
Differences
There are a number of differences between the two sets. The FH9 is an all-alloy set whereas the Canon II is all-resin, yet both are built and designed very well. The FH9 is accessorized in the usual ridiculously nice “Fiio way” with a ton of extras and all of them are of great quality. The Canon isn’t bad, but it is usual to expect more from something this much more expensive. Tonally the FH9 is a bit more on the warm side then the Canon II. Also, the FH9 has more of a balance across the mix and so it isn’t probably considered as “fun” as the Canon II but is still “fun” to me. Let’s look a hair closer at the sound difference between the two.
Bass Region
Beginning at the low-end the Canon II has a deeper and more authoritative slam with more emphasis throughout. The FH9 comes across as better defined and quicker for complicated bass arrangements in my music. Still for those who enjoy a deeper and more bold bass region than the Canon II will have you covered. At these prices (>$400 & >$650) you should really expect great bass no matter the form and quantity it comes in and I feel both sets are awesome here. The FH9 is just a bit leaner but just as dense and probably a bit better detailed but that is up for debate. However, they are simply tuned differently. I for one enjoy the Canon II a bit more but I will always love the FH9.
Midrange
The FH9 has a smoother sound throughout the midrange while the Canon II is a bit crisper. I find the Canon II to have a bit more energy where some may call the FH9 kind of flat. Still, in that flat presentation (I don’t think it’s flat) the FH9 has a very well detailed response to my music and a bit better resolution than the Canon II. Vocals on both sets sound fantastic. Males come across warmer with heftier note weight on the FH9 while the Canon II has the cleaner and more energetic male vocal. Females on the other hand are much more energetic on the FH9 but I’d actually prefer the Canon II here. There are moments the FH9 can get a hint bright. With that said, I do think the FH9 is more refined, even despite the possibility of glare from the pinna gain area. Honestly, the Canon II has the more musical midrange of the two while the FH9 is a bit more audiophile.
Treble Region
Both treble regions are well done and very clean. The FH9 however comes across a hint brighter and crisper with slightly better treble texture and bite. The Canon II comes across smoother and easier on the ear. I find the FH9 to carry better detail retrieval up top yet in the same breath the Canon II does pretty well itself. Both sets have pretty good extension but the FH9 simply sounds a bit more emphasized in the upper air regions. I don’t think either is head and shoulders better than the other. In fact I’m mostly splitting hairs because both sets really do perform very well.
Technicalities
As far as soundstage is concerned, the Fiio FH9 has a semi-open shell which does add a sense of more air to the sound. Perhaps a bit more open. Both soundstage replays are above average but the FH9 does stretch it a bit more. Separation is great in both sets and so is imaging. Detail retrieval goes to the FH9. It’s just more balanced across the mix and very resolving. Of course, we are talking about miniscule differences here.
In the end
Listen, I realize the FH9 costs quite a bit more and it outperforms the Canon II in some key areas but honestly, I like the Canon II more. This is another battle of preferences. The “better” isn’t always the most adored. These two are very different in the way they present my music, but both sets truly do well in their price points. Some days I prefer one and some days I prefer the other. One thing is for sure… both sets are absolute ballers! The FH9 as a whole is just a hair less energetic yet macro-dynamics are just as full and vivid. I find the Canon II has a bit more of that fun coloration to the sound.
Is it worth the asking price?
I don’t like answering this question because it entails a very subjective answer. Not everyone is in the same income bracket, and we are all so much different in so many ways. Basically, what is good for one may be polar opposite to the next guy. Also, some may only dream of purchasing a $379 iem while to others it’s pocket change. So, I answer this question simply for me. My situation. I have three kids folks and $379 is an irresponsible amount of money to spend when you have very good sounding iems for cheaper. That said, I’ve been known to splurge from time to time. Perhaps recklessly even. For me the Canon II represents such a fun tuning that comes across so very clean and mature for the type of sound. For me it’s a yes, in fact it’s a 100% yes that the Canon II is worth the asking price.
The Why?
First off, name another iem in the $300 to $450 price range that does exactly what the Canon II can do? I’m waiting. I’ll answer for you, you can’t. This set has such a nice balance of fun, dynamism, macro-dynamics, detail retrieval, and flat-out clean resolve that when mashed together you get an iem that should cost more. I would say a “master of none” but “stud at everything” type of set. Also, it’s built and designed FREAKING BEAUTIFULLY! My word, these designers need a raise! Look at this set folks! For me, the Canon II just fits my type of sound at the moment, and I find it very difficult to find a ton of faults with the tuning that would render the Canon II “not” worthy of its price.
Of course, there will always be detractors or folks who simply like something different. That’s life, we are different, thankfully. I could certainly see some folks who would think the bass is too emphasized, or the treble isn’t elevated enough. For instance, I could understand those who love a neutral/bright sound not enjoying the Canon II very much. It certainly isn’t perfect either. I could definitely use more note weight in certain areas of the midrange and could use more treble body and vivaciousness. However, when I have them in my ears, I forget all about my subtle preferences and simply enjoy. I think Yanyin did a fantastic job on this set.
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 Yanyin Canon II ratings below, that would be $300-$400 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 earphone what it is. A “5” is exactly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against, this is important. $300-$400 US is a fairly small scope of iems and so seeing a “9. 0” for instance, is pretty understandable. My ratings are never the same, never cut n’ dry, 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: 9.0
-Look: 9.8
-Accessories: 9.0
–Overall: 9.3
Sound Rating
-Timbre: 9.1 The timbre and tonality are fantastic.
-Bass: 9.7 Some of the best bass in the price point, fun meets mature
-Midrange: 9.2 The mids are fantastic on this set in my opinion
-Treble: 9.4 Great treble timbre, detail & emphasis for the price
-Technicalities: 9.0 The Canon II does well here, esp for the tuning
–Overall: 9.3🔥🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
I’ll say it in every review; ratings are not a helpful way to actually understand an earphone, from a buyer’s perspective or a reviewer’s perspective. I’m sure it’s nice to see numbers to help make a decision a bit easier, but so much is lost in that. Take the Canon II for example. This set is clearly one of the best in this price point (that I’ve heard). Yet it yields a 9.3 overall sound score. Shouldn’t one of the best be scored higher? That’s because the individual parts don’t truly explain what the Canon II is when it is all put together. The Canon II is another set that shouldn’t be judged simply by breaking down each sound attribute. This is a set that needs to be judged as a whole. At which point I’d give it a “9.8 or 9.9″… as a whole. However, there are certainly better iems in each individual attribute area like “Timbre”, “Technicalities”, “Midrange” etc.
Pretty Darn Good!
However, looking at something like “Technicalities”. I gave the Canon II a score of “9.0”. Pretty darn good. Still, it’s all about perspective. The Canon II is phenomenal in all Technicalities per the type of tuning it has. Bigger bass, fun, dynamic, nice and expressive macro-dynamics, lean-lush timbre. Yet in the same breath the detail retrieval is great, resolving ability is awesome, transient response is perceivably very good too, separation & imaging are both very well done. Maybe I should’ve narrowed down the scope of the ratings to “fun sound tunings in the $300 to $400 price point”. If that was the case the Canon II would get 9.9’s across the board. Anyways, enough of my mindless blabber, the Canon II represents one of the best sets in the price point in my humble opinion and the ratings do speak to that.
Conclusion
To conclude my full written review of the Yanyin Canon II, I want to again thank Yanyin Representative Joseph Yeung and Yanyin for providing this great set for a feature at the website and across social media. Thank you, you are all very kind and I truly couldn’t review a set like this without you. Also, to anyone who chose to read this review and click that link, I thank you too. I love writing reviews and giving my opinion and I do hope it helps the person reading to make a purchasing decision.
One more thing, I always finish up my review by imploring you all to get a second opinion. Don’t rest on my word people! Take what you’ve read here and check out other reviews too. Read, listen to, or watch other perspectives about the Canon II so that you don’t go and spend a ton of money on a set that you will regret. Not everything is for everybody and just because I adore this set certainly doesn’t that mean you will. This review is just a baseline look at this iem from one reviewer’s perspective. We are all very much different. I hope all of you are well and good. Try to stay safe, take care and always… God Bless!
