Celest Yaksha Review
Intro
Hello everyone, this review and feature covers the latest from the audio brand Celest Audio named the Celest Yaksha ($139). The Yaksha is actually a four-driver tribrid iem which comes in at a very competitive price of $139. To be exact, Celest used two dynamic drivers, one balanced armature driver, as well as one micro-planar driver. So, it’s a very ambitious driver configuration and I am curious to see where the Yaksha lands against a very swelled field of fantastic iems. The vast number of new releases every single week poses a serious threat to any new iem hitting the market. Especially within the $100 to $150 price bracket. It’s like walking into the lion’s den at this cost. So, hats off to any brand that decides $100 to $150 is their target price. For me personally, I am usually a hard skeptic of any set in this price range. Many brands will simply slap some drivers into a glamoured-up shell casing and release it to market without proper R&D. We see it all the time. Sets which may not even hold up against the best $50 iems. It’s just the truth. For the record, those are the sets that I decide not to review, and they’re piled up in my basement at the moment. It goes without saying that my wife is not happy about that aspect of my audio journey… lol. Having said that, knowing that the Yaksha is a Celest/Kinera branded iem I’m fairly confident that the Yaksha will not be one of those sets. Anyways, tracking says the Yaksha will be at my home in a couple days, we shall see.
Celest
Folks, the audio brand Celest is one of those brands which needs no introduction at this point. It is well known that Celest is actually a sister brand to the very popular Kinera Audio. When I was approached to review the Yaksha, it was a no brainer for me. In all honesty, just about every set that I’ve reviewed from either Kinera, QOA, or Celest has been very solid performers within their price points. Of course, I haven’t tried them all. However, there is a running theme that is beginning to be established surrounding Celest. That is… “Quality”. Just take a look down their catalog folks. Check out the reviews, not just mine. Without question Celest is making some fine sets and I feel a lot has to do with the lineage, or the pedigree. It’s no small thing to be linked with Kinera. We all know that pedigree. If Kinera is your big brother, then you have a whole lot of resources, a whole lot of experience, and you’ll have a whole lot of people who know exactly how to correctly tune a four driver tribrid and to hit the target they’re shooting for. I have yet to actually receive the Yaksha, but I have a strong feeling it is going to be a quality iem.
Celest/Kinera/QOA
As always with every Kinera, QOA, or Celest product the Yaksha was created to a theme. I have praised this brand up and down to no end for how they go about crafting and creating their products. Every single product has a name which follows a backstory, a myth, a legend, a fable, a theme, and the creation of that product walks in perfect step with that theme. That means the build, the design, the accessories, the packaging, and especially the tuning. I am so utterly impressed by Kinera and its sister brands. Just the creativity and artistic ingenuity it takes to create these products is praiseworthy. We should all praise the effort, whether you enjoy the tunings or not. Look at some of their sets! Start at their ultra budget products and work upward and you’ll notice that each product was carefully crafted, with care, with purposeful intent, with artistic originality, and each product is the product of someone’s passion. That is without question. You cannot make these products with this much detail and not be passionate about that product.
Yaksha
In the case of the Yaksha, it is named after an attendant from Vaisravana, who is the king of the north, and is one of the eight classes of divine beings in Indian Buddhist mythology. Taken right from Volume 31 of the Abhidharmakosabhasya-vyakhya Taisho Tripitaka, Volume 29, Page517. That’s a mouthful. In any case, Yaksha is said to be a protector of sorts. Deities or spirits which are said to dwell in certain places in nature. Places like trees, mountains, rivers, etc. The backstory is actually very involved and if you have time I’d skim over some of it as it’s pretty interesting. I like that the story, or myths surrounding Yaksha’s gives me a roadmap as to what to expect in a sense. I haven’t received the Yaksha, but I can already envision the tuning and based on the design of the Yaksha it is clear that this is a labor of love for Celest.
In all of Kinera/Celest/QOA efforts, each of their products usually revolve around some mythological creature of some sort and each product follows the theme from beginning to end. Once again, I love this. I honestly feel that brands would greatly benefit from following the lead of Kinera & company. Having said that, we are beginning to see some brands follow suit. There are a few products that I could reference which do follow a theme and I believe that those brands have certainly benefited from that.
Okay Celest!
I just received the Yaksha, and I can already tell you that it should be received well within the community. Especially for a tribrid within the price point. For certain listeners anyways. As with anything, not everyone is going to enjoy the sound. There are some issues that you run into with this type of tuning. Again, for some listeners. Furthermore, I can tell you that for $139 the Yaksha obviously has plenty of competition. In fact, competition is probably the Yaksha’s greatest downside. Remember the lion’s den? That’s certainly the case here. Having said that, it is a fine set which will easily be considered a “price-to-performance” option under $150. Now, I’ve only spent about 30 minutes with the Yaksha at this point and so I haven’t taken it through the paces, haven’t given it any burn-in, and I haven’t compared it to anything. So, it remains to be seen if it can truly compete. One thing is for sure; the Yaksha is a good set, and I couldn’t possibly pass up reviewing it. With that, I think it’s about time we get moving on this review. The Yaksha will be off to the burn-in station for about 3-4 full days and then critical listening. See you all in about a week and a half. The Celest Yaksha everyone…
Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:
Yaksha Pros
-Extremely well built (all resin) for the cost
-Very comfortable for my ears
-Above average noise isolation
-Very nice design, artsy and simple
-Fantastic cable, one of the best in the price point
-Actually, the whole unboxing is great
-Deep penetrating bass, not basshead, but has some nice thump, fairly tight
-Warm, rich midrange with a very melodic and rhythmic sound
-Treble is non-fatiguing, just enough levity, very smooth
-A very musical presentation
-Average technical ability, yet very good for the musical & warm tuning
-Fairly wide presentation
-All things considered, the Yaksha is a nice sounding set for those who align with its tuning, nice tonality, and it’s fun
Yaksha Cons
-The competition is the Yaksha’s largest issue (doesn’t mean it isn’t a great set)
-Not a detail lover’s dream set
-Bass is a hair pillowy, not bad, but also not concrete hard on attack
-Mids can get somewhat shouty for those sensitive
-Could use more air within the treble region (again, for those who care)
-Those who don’t enjoy some heavier bass may want to keep looking
-May be a bit large in size for smaller ears
Gear used for testing
–IBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
One fairly nice aspect of the Celest Yaksha is undoubtedly the unboxing. Especially at the price of $139. It is rare that you receive the quality of accessories such as you’ll find when you open the box from Celest. I realize we are only talking about an unboxing, but the bonus is that you will not have to buy extra tips, a case, or a cable. All good stuff folks. At any rate, the box which arrived at my home is an average sized box (what’s average Chris?) with very minimalist design on the cover in neutral colors. It comes with a light grayish brown sleeve white text in the center saying “Yaksha” as well as a smaller cursive “Celest” in the top left corner. Slide off the sleeve and you’ll see a white box with a nice-looking gray graphic. Open the box and the first thing you’ll see is the beautiful Yaksha earphones staring back at you. Also, inside of the box you’ll find the black Pelican style carrying case. Inside of that case is the gorgeous cable and all of the eartips as well. So, you know, I purposely don’t go into much detail of the unboxing as I don’t want to ruin that for you. However, it really is a quality unboxing and one of the best I’ve received from any set within the price point.
Eartips
Another bright spot is the haul of eartips added into the packaging. Celest provides a total of nine pairs of tips over three different styles. The first set of tips (S, M, L) are gray silicone eartips with a wide bore and a shallow fit. I like these tips alot for the Yaksha as the flange is fairly rigid. Nice tips for sure. The next set of tips (S, M, L) are dark gray silicone eartips with a red stem, a semi-wide bore and a somewhat firm flange. I didn’t like these tips as much as they didn’t seal as well for me, but they are nice tips for sure. Lastly, Celest provides a set (S, M, L) of what appears to be KBear 07 eartips. They resemble them in every way, but I cannot be sure that these are in fact the 07’s. However, these are definitely the tips that I went with. I like the semi-wide bore; I love the firm flange too. I will always love the 07’s as they always fit me like a glove. I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt to tip roll just to be sure you found the best fit and sound for your particular ears. That said, I looked no further than the last 07 style tips. The sound is great, and the fit is great.
Carrying Case
Celest added in a nice carrying case as well. It is one of those watertight knock-off Pelican cases which clamps shut. Actually, a nice case for a set which costs as much as the Yaksha. I really don’t usually use carrying cases but when I do I want something to throw into a bag and not worry about. I can tell you for sure that you won’t have to worry with the case that Celest provides. It is easily large enough to fit the Yaksha attached to the cable, some extra tips, and even a small dongle dac. In my opinion these watertight cases which can actually seal shut are clearly some of the safest cases to have. It’s a nice case folks.
Cable
One of the biggest surprises for me is without a doubt the cable that comes with the Celest Yaksha. It is truly a gorgeous cable folks! It’s a very fat, very colorful cable that looks awesome paired with a colorful set of earphones. At any rate, you can order this cable in either 3.5 se or 4.4 balanced terminations. The cable is actually a 2-pin, 6N OCC Silver + OCC hybrid cable that is 1.2m in length and terminates in a straight plug. Mine is the 4.4 balanced plug. All of the outer fittings are made using anodized silver colored aluminum and the look is absolutely awesome. Honestly folks I would purchase this cable separately for sure. It’ll look nice for most any set that has any of the colors within the cable. Those colors are a mixture of yellows, blacks, and purples, all weaved in a very nice way and altogether looks very fat, very nice. Having said all of that, the cable is pretty stiff as it has a harder outer PVC cover and so just be aware of that. I know plenty of folks who cannot stand a stiffer cable. At any rate, the real upside is that nobody will have to cable swap. There’s no need to use more of your hard-earned money in an upgrade cable. Really a nice addition Celest.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
The actual build quality of the Celest Yaksha is not bad at all. It’s made 100% out of 3D printed resin. The resin they used feels very durable, weighted, and just feels like a quality set. I can feel when a set is cheaper in build and the Yaksha isn’t that. Now, the Yaksha is a larger iem. I wouldn’t say it’s too large as there are definitely bigger iems. However, I feel that those with much smaller ears may have a problem, so be aware of that. Having said that, the Yaksha is also a very light earphone, and I feel that the weight is distributed rather well. One thing I like is that the Yaksha are smooth everywhere, no hard edges at all which helps tremendously with comfort. The nozzles are about average, or medium length and never posed a problem for me. Also, the nozzles are right around the standard 6mm in width. I also see one small vent on the back cavity located near the rear of the Shells. I feel that Celest made a substantial set with a substantial build which doesn’t feel or look cheap at all.
Design
Now we come to one of the highlights of this set. The Celest Yaksha comes in two color variants. Those being an almost turquoise blue, or blue-green color as well as an almost blood red colorway. I do prefer the turquoise color that I have quite a bit more but both designs look absolutely striking folks. Each colorway has a transparent black shell with gorgeous faceplates. I do like being able to see the drivers and the internal components. Though, I do need a light to see them halfway decently. Anyways, I think this set looks like it should cost about $200 more because the faceplate design is flat-out awesome. The faceplates have what looks to be wings, or wavy feathers on a wing. I suppose that the faceplates are supposed to take on the look of the Yaksha wings. Well, they did a good job because it looks very cool. The faceplate design almost has a 3D aspect where it looks like there is some dimension to the wings. Really just a nice-looking set.
Internals
Like I said the Yaksha is a four driver tribrid iem which is quite awesome at this price. Of course, we’ve seen sets around this price point before which have a tribrid configuration as well. So, it isn’t unheard of. Anyways, the Yaksha is equipped with two dynamic drivers, one balanced armature driver and one micro-planar driver. To be exact, the first dynamic driver is an 8mm DD of unknown diaphragm material. Celest simply calls it a customized in-house unit. This driver covers the sublevels of the frequency. Next, Celest decided on a 10mm LCP (liquid crystal polymer) dynamic driver which covers the mid-bass through to the first half of the midrange. For the upper mids to the highs Celest used a Knowles RAN-62462 balanced armature moving iron. Lastly, they chose to go with a micro-planar driver to cover the upper treble. To bring all of these drivers together Ina cohesive manner they used a four-way crossover unit.
Fit / Comfort
As far as fit and comfort I found that the Yaksha is perfectly fine for my ears. The again, I rarely have an issue with fit. I suppose I just have those types of ears. I never felt any irritation at all as every corner on this set is smooth and without any hard edges. Really the build is very nice. Again, the nozzles aren’t too long or too short and so getting a seal was very easy for me. I of course have zero idea how they will fit your ears. I should also point out that passive noise isolation is very good on this set. Enough for me to notice.
Drivability
Output Power
The Celest Yaksha is rated for 12 ohms and a sensitivity of 105 db’s. What that translates to is that the Celest Yaksha is a fairly sensitive iem. I honestly had no issues bringing the Yaksha to proper volume and dynamics with even sensitive sources. I briefly used three or four cheap no name dongle dacs along with the Roseselsa RZ200M 3.5 dongle dac. Each is very weak in output and the Yaksha did fine. I also used my iPad, two older Android phones, along with the Fiio UTWS5 as well as the KZ AZ20 (best for cutting grass). Again, each had zero issue bringing the Yaksha to good dynamics. Having said that, I do feel that a little more output does help to slightly tighten up the spectrum. Like going from those 3.5 se dongle dacs to the Shanling M6 Ultra is a fairly large upgrade using medium gain. I’m not saying it’s night and day, but the difference in cleanliness and transient attack through decay is noticeable for me. I definitely feel that using at least a solid dongle dac helps quite a lot to bring the most out of the Yaksha. Bass does tighten, absolutely. The metallic tinge in the upper treble seems to go away. Also, it seems like midrange notes almost gain a hair better note contour. Obviously, my more powerful sources are also my better sources, and so you have to figure in that too. No doubt my better daps, better dongle dacs are going to sound better. Weird, I know. Still, a little more power does help.
Source Pairing
The Celest Yaksha is right around warm/neutral to my ears, at times. Some tracks it’s closer to neutral, and some feel warmer. However, for the most part the Yaksha is about warm/neutral. With that in mind, I found that most any source which ranges from warm/neutral to neutral sound pretty darn nice, except a few. I did notice that some of my old ESS Sabre dacs can bring on a sort-of metallic tizz out of the treble region. So, I suppose that’s something to keep in mind. However, any of the newer ESS dacs are great. I definitely did not like the Shanling UA2, the Fiio KA3, or the Roseselsa RS9039. The UA2 and the KA3 also gave me that strange tizz up top and the RS9039 felt very dull, warm, and flat. Which is saying something because the Yaksha is very far from boring. My favorite dongle dac pairings were unquestionably the Shanling H0, the Shanling UA6 and the EPZ TP35 Pro. Each sounds awesome, and each sounds different. Of course, I can dial in the sound exactly as I like on the TP35 Pro (review incoming) with its custom EQ ability. I liked the pairing with all of my daps. I regularly use the Shanling M6 Ultra, the iBasso DX240 (with Amp8 MK2), as well as the Fiio JM21. Each device had its own subtle spin on the Yaksha’s sound. I honestly don’t know what to tell you all. The stuff I like and the stuff I don’t like paired with this set each have very different tonalities. I suppose the Yaksha is just very particular with which devices it wants to sound good with.
What do you need?
I’d say just find something with a hair more power. When I say power, I mean the EPZ TP35 ($55), the EPZ TP20 Pro ($40), the Moondrop Dawn 4.4 ($49) and about fifty more dongle dacs which don’t exactly have omega output power but are way more than enough for the Yaksha. Again, this set is pretty darn sensitive. Having said all of that, if all you can purchase is the Celest Yaksha, and all that you have is a smartphone with a 3.5 single ended port then please don’t worry because the Yaksha can still have plenty of dynamics and still sound pretty darn good.
Sound Impressions
*Note: before I dive into the sound portion of this review, I want to first tell you that I did in fact burn-in the Yaksha for four full days. I do believe it helps quite a bit to do so with this set. Now, I don’t know if you have to go as long as I did, but I definitely noticed the upper mids calm down and this odd treble timbre issue (I’ll explain later) begin to get dialed in and actually sound very nice. Also, I listen mainly to flac or better files which are stored on my devices. My Android music player of choice is UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro) as well as the Hiby Music app.
What’s it sound like?
To my ears the Celest Yaksha is a very fun and very engaging set for the cost. Celest did a nice job with combining the drivers that they used to offer a somewhat unique sound with nice tonality and a fun spirit. That said, there are some subtle issues that I will try to explain in this review. So, I’ll leave it up to you on whether you feel the Yaksha meets your ideal preferences or not. I can tell you this; I will 100% tell you exactly what I hear, why I like this set, and if it is worth the cost of $139 from my perspective. You already know that I like this set as I am reviewing it. If I didn’t like it, you’d never hear about it from me. I write about what I enjoy folks. I put way too many hours into these reviews to spend on something that sucks. Lol. Anyways, the Yaksha is a very fun and very expressive sounding set. There’s nothing dull about the Yaksha. It has some boisterous dynamics and macro-dynamic energy, though that energy comes in a slightly softer veil. Meaning, it’s kind of on the smoother side, the softer side. It’s still got some very solid density, but it just doesn’t come across with laser precision or that hard concrete punch. Not all the time anyways. I’ll try to explain better as we move along.
Sweet-Toned
To me the Celest Yaksha specializes in being a sweet toned and festive set with a very nice musical flare to it. I’d definitely say the Yaksha is a musicality-first iem that doesn’t skimp out on the technical side of things either. The Yaksha is probably warm/neutral and if I were to label it as anything I’d say it has a slight V-shaped sound signature. I hear a nice bass emphasis (9-10 db shelf) to add some warmth to the sound, some nice note weight as well. However, you also have a decently emphasized upper-mid to treble region as well to counter that bass. Now, the midrange does have a slight recession, even though the mids come through with some decent clarity and presence. Still, there is an ever-so-slight recession in the region which pushes me to say a slight V-shaped signature. The Yaksha does portray a nice balancing act between the bass and the treble as the most dynamic portions of each region are pretty much equal to the ear. Also, the Yaksha carries some solid note weight as the bass has just enough lift to spill over onto the rest of the mix. Really, it just has a nice tonality to it.
Condensed Sound Between the 20’s
I like to add this abridged version of my thoughts in a condensed form which basically spells out my thoughts on the better parts of the Yaksha between the bass, the mids, and the treble. Obviously there’s always a lot more to say and in the next sections I explain some of the issues too, but this just gives you the gist of the sound from my perspective.
Bass/Mids/Treble
Listening to the Yaksha one thing is blatantly obvious, that is the bass emphasis. Now, it isn’t what I’d ever call… basshead… but it can bang folks! The sublevels reach deep, they’re penetrative, and they have solid note density. The mid bass has a full-bodied slam and robust feel to it. The bass doesn’t have the most textured sound in this region, but they are very fun and even pretty clean. The midrange is smooth throughout, slightly recessed, but also, they’re evocative, they’re very vivid with an almost ardent dynamic expression. Almost to the point that you’ll get some upper-mid glare (for those sensitive). Now, the treble has some brilliance, it has some pep, though it’s mostly non-offensive to my ears. Celest made sure to cap this region to not add too much brightness to the sound. However, I also hear nice crispness in the treble region also. Detail retrieval is about average I’d say. For the price point that is. Sound separation is pretty nice and Imaging is also pretty nice as well. I hear a stage with solid width, fairly expansive that way. Not the best depth but not what I’d call a 2D plane of sound either. All things considered Celest most certainly crafted a nice set out of the Yaksha. Having said that, there are definitely some issues to consider which I’ll point out further along in this review.
Bass Region
The low-end of the Celest Yaksha is one which has a very healthy dose of weight afforded to it. This is not a wimp’s bass. However, it isn’t boosted to the stars either. It’s simply a beefy style bass that comes across awesome for R&B, Rap, Hip-hop, EDM too. The Yaksha does bass guitar awesomely, kick drums sound booming, double bass is covered very well with this set too. If you like a bigger bass that doesn’t consume the rest of the mix in veil or cast its warmth so far that every bit of clarity is stolen, yet you also want the bigger slam or the meaty rumble… than I have a set for you. That said, the Yaksha’s bass region isn’t the most textured that I’ve ever heard, which I suppose is relative to the price point and nothing out of the ordinary. Still, it doesn’t always have that concrete hard note outline with that hard punch on attack. Perhaps a hint softer, less steely or rigid… at the surface. Under that slightly softer layer is a very dense, very full, and very bullish weight. I always say it’s like a hammer wrapped in a sock (don’t ask). Anyways, I’m not saying it’s pillowy, because it’s not. It’s a very nice bass with very nice clarity in the region. I happen to very much enjoy it. It’s got some decent dexterity; there’s a roundness to the bass region too. I’d say it’s probably one of the better aspects of this set.
Sub-Bass
The sub bass goes very deep with a very rumbly nature. It’s the kind of sub-bass that you can really feel folks. Again, not a wimp’s bass. Pick any track that has that low-droning bass, and the Yaksha will definitely reciprocate with some serious rumble of its own. In the same breath I also wouldn’t say that the sub-bass oversaturates the mix either. For instance, the sublevels do not intrude into the mid-bass to the point that they coagulate into a mishmash of bass blur. I suppose it just has some very nice control down low in respect to the emphasis. I’d also say that the sub-bass does have the brunt of the emphasis, though that is not entirely easy to discern. Also, some tracks may have me rethinking that last sentence. Nevertheless, the sub-bass is very satisfying for anyone who likes the payoff of a deep rumble. I hear a haptic and palpable sub-bass with some nice vibratory sensations as I listen to a track like “Got Your Back” by Washed Out. The bass guitar on “Arabella” by the Arctic Monkeys is very satisfying! I love how dirty and guttural the droning and gritty bassline sounds without masking the rest of the mix. It generally doesn’t create a murky environment (some tracks will make me a liar) either. However, if you are the type who doesn’t enjoy a beefier sublevel output then you may want to steer clear.
Mid-Bass
Now, the mid-bass is not quite as forceful as the sublevels, but I am in no way saying it isn’t substantial. Celest knows what they’re doing. Once again, the bass in general is not up to basshead levels, but the bass makes its presence felt at any moment that it’s called upon to do so. If a track features a healthy dose of bass slam, then guess what…so does the Yaksha. Now, this isn’t the quickest bass, and you do have some atmospheric decay and resonances. It isn’t a super tight, snappy, or quick reflex style bass. I’d actually say that transients are closer to natural for a dynamic driver. That said, I like that there is a separation between the mid & sublevels as I don’t find the bass to be a noted affair. There’s nothing wooly, no bloom, nothing muddy and for the most part the bass has a good macro-level note definition and clarity. It just sounds nice, it sounds fun, and it doesn’t sound even close to sloppy. In spite of that, there is a subtle layer of softness on attack. For instance, the kick drums which begin “Billie Jean” by Weezer come across forward, commanding, full-bodied, and resonant enough, but they also have just a subtle softness on attack. Again, not pillowy but also not rock hard. Still very satisfying bass and a fun bass too.
Downsides to the Bass Region
In my opinion the bass region is of solid enough quality to just listen and have a good time. It’s certainly emphasized, and it can come across with good air movement and muscle. However, there are a few things which may turn some folks away. First off, not everyone wants a boosted bass to begin with. I know plenty of people who really desire a bass that’s more streamlined, tight, snappy, and has that hard and fast punch. Some folks simply don’t want a bigger bass intruding on their midrange either. Which I totally understand by the way. I suppose that’s why you need to know what you’re getting. Granted, I don’t feel the Yaksha is either a slow bass, or an overly intrusive bass. It presents a more natural speed, it has some atmospheric qualities, and the bass bleeds just enough into the mids to add some warmth and weight. Many people absolutely love that little bit of bleed, but of course… there’s plenty who don’t. It’s all a matter of taste. This is why we do reviews. Anyways, I really don’t feel this last point is a con at all (again, a matter of taste), but the bass region does have a softer attack at times, and I wouldn’t say the Yaksha’s bass region is the most textured bass I’ve ever heard. Most certainly there’s more upside than anything and the Yaksha has a very fun and dynamic bass presence. It’s a good time folks.
Midrange
The midrange of the Celest Yaksha is slightly recessed. As expected with a V-shaped iem. Though it doesn’t come across as a hindrance, or as though the midrange is too pushed back, dull, or flat. There is still some solid presence in the region. Of course, once you hit the upper-mids there is quite a bit more energy and the sound are a bit closer to the listener. As far as tonality and timbre goes, I find the Yaksha to definitely come across colored, to a degree anyways. There’s surely some bass bleed adding some warmth to the mix as well as some upper-mid to treble energy providing some luminance at the 2nd half of the midrange. So, it isn’t completely natural sounding. Having said that, I really do like the tonality within the midrange. Nothing sounds reserved or non-energetic, nothing sounds thin, dry, flat, or abrasive either. It has a relatively nice tonality to it. I’d say the Yaksha’s midrange is 75% smooth along with just enough crispness and snap to help define some of those note edges within the region. Again, very nice energy (if you are into that), along with a nice semi-rich note body across the midrange. Thicker towards the lower-mids and ever-so-slightly thinner towards the upper-mids (still a nice note body). Probably not perfectly cohesive, but very fun, very exuberant, great macro-dynamic contrast and energy too. It’s simply a well-done V-shaped midrange folks.
Details?
Beyond that, I found that detail retrieval in this region is better than I may have anticipated. No doubt there is just enough levity to enhance resolution to a degree. I’m not saying it’s a detail monster or anything, and the sound is rendered smoother than anything else, but it isn’t without some finer details. Perhaps in heavy bass tracks you won’t have the same level of detail, but generally speaking the Yaksha doesn’t disappoint. Also, instrument separation is discernible as well as the mids do come across pretty clean with a nice transient response. The Yaksha generally doesn’t sound crammed or congested. Just to give you an idea of what to expect.
Lower-Midrange
The low-mids have some very nice authority coming across with some nicely weighted notes. Yes, there is a slight recession here but the fuller note body does help to bring some presence to the mix. Now, the low-mids are taken care of by the 10mm LCP driver and I find that this area isn’t quite as textured as the rest of the midrange. The low-mids are more defined by their smooth character, subtle warmth, and their ample note body than anything else. So don’t expect the same level of crisp refinement or defined note edges. In the same breath, male vocalists actually come across pretty nice to the ear. Well, considering there is a slight recession, and the sound isn’t as precise, pinpoint, or perfectly resolute. I like the smoothness, I like the oomph behind male voices, the body of a piano, the weight of an acoustic guitar plucks etc. Basically, for all the subtle downsides, this region definitely has plenty of upsides too. Males like Max McNown in “Better Me for You” sounds made for a set like this with his smooth, earthy, and slightly raspy voice. His vocals never sound abrasive and the inflections of his vocals have a more satiny quality. Then there’s voices like Nate Ruess from Fun. in the track “Carry On” who doesn’t need to sound pushed forward for presence. His voice is the presence. With the Yaksha he sounds highlighted against the rest of the mix. Of course, he is a bit higher in the register too. However, I find male vocalists to be perfectly fine on this set and any recession or warmth hasn’t seemed to affect the end result. At least for me.
Upper-Midrange
Now the upper-mids most certainly have quite a bit more lustrous energy. The upper-mids sound alive with that uplifted feel to them. In fact, for some they may be a bit too exuberant (I’ll explain in a moment). This region is certainly emphasized, especially the pinna gain which is tied with the bass region for the most emphasis of any region on the Yaksha. Mostly the sound is kept in relatively good control without causing much issue. However, there is some slight glare at times (for those sensitive, not me) and the upper-mids are probably not the most natural sounding (not entirely unnatural either). With that said, the upper-mids mostly have a very melodic and musical quality to them that isn’t hampered by bad timbre (some may disagree) and note weight is still on the richer side of the fence. I think they sound very nice. Female vocalists come through with solid prominence and are dead center in the sound field. Instruments have all the vibrance, the crisp snap, and all the fullness that they need to come through clear and resolute. The only real issues are simple tonality preferences which some may or may not have as well as some slight metallic timbre at times. I don’t hear any undue sibilance, there’s nothing too dry, weak sounding, and certainly nothing veiled. It’s a nice sounding V-shaped upper midrange with good tonality and some decent to good technicals.
Downsides to the Midrange
Okay, so to me the downsides of the midrange are mostly preferential ideals that some may or may not have concerning the tonality and timbre. For instance, the upper-mids can get a hair shouty in the right tracks. I say that but they also never bothered me. Maybe when I have the music cranked on one or two of the hundreds of tracks that I’ve listened to. So, this is basically speaking to those who know they are very sensitive to glare or shout. There is a slight recession in this region as well and so those who adore that mid-centric, mid-focused, or vocal-centric sound… may not enjoy the Yaksha’s tuning here. We should all expect this. Like I said, the Yaksha is a V-shaped iem and so you’ll have that boost upt top which can make the sound a hair too enthusiastic or rambunctious. Also, you’ll have the slight recession and so not all vocals and instrumentation is going to come across prominent against the rest of the mix. This is an energetic and fun sounding iem that isn’t trying to be the picture of midrange glory. It just isn’t. It wasn’t tuned for that folks. It’s tuned to make you move your feet. I’d say that Celest managed to nail that aspect of the Yaksha.
Treble Region
The treble region is one of adequate brilliance, adequate energy, adequate note thicknesses, adequate extension and it’s all composed in a manner that is not supposed to sound fatiguing. Having said that, I don’t think the treble lacks that uplifted luminance, but I could definitely use a hair more sparkle. A hair more well contoured treble bite. Having said that, this is also a $139 iem and Celest doesn’t have a top tier EST driver performing in this region either. So, expectations must stay in check. Anyways, this is a smoother treble which isn’t without some nice crispness, and it does have nice note definition too. It just lacks (“lacks” is a terrible word) that physical treble punch and possibly a bit more uplifted air to the treble. Again, not a big deal as most every set tuned with a safer treble within this price point “lacks” the same thing. Of course, there are some slight unnatural tinges of metallic tizz which I’ll talk on in a bit. However, I feel that the Yaksha’s treble region has way more upsides than anything else. Using the BA for the treble region and the micro-planar for the ultra-highs was a solid choice. We have seen micro-planars used more and more for this exact purpose and the result is usually a fairly good one. I could point to the recent QOA Mimosa as a direct example of that. The bonus is that you have a treble region with good dynamics, it’s far from boring or dull, there’s relatively no sibilance, it isn’t what I’d call bright or sharp, detail retrieval is actually quite nice, and note weight is actually pretty solid. It definitely doesn’t sound super dry or overly analytical.
Treble technical stuff
Once again, the treble region is able to uncover many of the subtle micro details and does so with some nice enough resolution. On top of that, note separation is clear and easy to hear. You don’t have that mishmash of treble sheen packing notes together like many cheaper sets. There’s usually a fine distinction between notes within the Yaksha’s treble. To a point anyways, let’s face it, there are certainly tracks which most any set at any price will do a terrible job of sounding distinct and separated. Again, expectations. However, I do like that Celest was able to take a treble region which isn’t over-emphasized or full of forced resolution and still being well able to have a nice technical replay. Look at some of the surrounding hybrid sets within the price point. There are not many hybrid sets “not” named Simgot SuperMix 4 that do it flat-out better. Don’t shoot me the SM4 is the only one which came to mind right now. Anyways, the Yaksha really isn’t bad in this regard and it’s nice to see. Also, extension isn’t bad by any stretch as it’s fairly easy to discern secondary harmonics of stuff like cymbals, hi-hats, violin, trumpet too (I have no others in my notes) and I’m sure other instruments will come across just fine. Perhaps the extension could be a little better, but I don’t feel it’s something I’d ever label as a “con”. Really, not bad at all with way more upsides than downsides.
Treble Tizz
All things considered the Yaksha has nothing to be ashamed of. Granted, this is in no way a treble head iem. I feel the treble on the Yaksha is a bit too toned-down for that. Despite that, I find the treble region to be quite nice, especially for those who are sensitive to certain areas of the treble mix. However, one other thing which needs to be talked about is the very faint metallic tinge on certain tracks which originate in the treble. It’s something that 10 tracks in a row won’t have but then you’ll hear one which does. Of course, I have to figure it out and so I did try out other sets which didn’t have that slight tizz at the crest of their notes. I’m assuming it’s an artifact of the micro-planar driver. One more note about that; I didn’t hear this nearly as bad after the burn-in period. Now, I almost never hear it. I said I was going to speak on that earlier and so I must do my due diligence for the reader. Let’s put it this way, I don’t feel it’s a true problem. So much so that you won’t see it in my “cons” list at the beginning of this review. Also, the micro-planar really does aid the sound quite a bit. Shoot, I’d almost say that the MP driver makes the treble as good as it is.
Downsides to the Treble Region
The largest issue (I would think) that some folks will have is that the treble region doesn’t have the airiest upper regions of the frequency. No doubt I could use a little more sparkle and just a touch more stage widening and note separating air and openness. I hate to say this because the Yaksha really is a nicely tuned set for a V-shaped tribrid. However, I know that many of you are very particular about your sound and so I hope I’m doing my part in explaining it. The only other real problem some folks may hear is the touches of BA or MP timbre which crests the outside edges of some notes. Almost like a metallic or electronic type of tizz (yes, I say “tizz” alot, and yes, it’s a made-up word) which usually rears its head in the treble region. Again, this almost completely went away after burn-in. Prior to going through that it was a little more prevalent. Beyond those minor infractions I find the treble to fit the overall tuning nicely. This is a treble region which has a nice enough technical performance while remaining musical, tuneful, and it doesn’t kill my ears in treble sharpness or harshness. You have some nice note contours while remaining smooth overall. No, you won’t hear amazing treble bite, or that hard dynamic treble punch, but you’ll definitely hear some crispness.
Technicalities
Soundstage
The overall soundstage of the Celest Yaksha is fairly wide and very full while the perceived depth is about average and height is about what I’d call average as well. If I were to label the Yaksha’s soundstage as anything I’d probably say it is above average for the price point. However, that is 100% conjecture formed from the many sets I’ve had in my ears. Basically, take that as a grain of salt. Well, like any soundstage opinion from any reviewer, anytime, and for any set… take those opinions for a grain of salt (this definitely includes yours truly). Honestly, I wouldn’t argue with anyone if they felt the stage was only average, and I wouldn’t argue if they felt the stage was wide and vast. We all perceive the sound differently. However, I do get a nice sense of width from the Yaksha. It doesn’t sound closed-in or congested at all. Celest did a nice job with this one folks.
Separation / Imaging
As far as instrument separation is concerned the Celest Yaksha does a reasonably nice job of creating distinct lines between notes. I wouldn’t say the gap between notes is spacious or anything though. You have to consider the fact that note weight is on the rich side which tends to close those gaps. I notice that separation is much better from the mid-mids through the treble. Once you get outside of the low/mid 10mm LCP DD it seems that note transparency gets a boost, resolution gets a boost, overall transient response seems to tighten a bit, and cleanliness seems to be better. I’d say it like this; for a musical V-shaped iem at $139, I find the separation of elements within the stage to be very good. That is, when compared to other musicality-first iems. Yet all in all I’d probably call the Yaksha about average. Which is not bad at all. Now, Imaging is quite good to my ears. I never had an issue placing elements of the stage, especially from left to right. You can definitely hear some layering of the sound field but the depth of field is not tremendous and so that may seem a hair limited. However, Imaging altogether is good on this set.
Detail Retrieval
I feel like I’ve covered this quite a bit in this review, but the Yaksha does a nice job at drawing the subtleties to the surface. The V-shaped tuning helps with a semi-boosted upper end of the spectrum. Having that does help to increase resolution to a degree. However, like I’ve said, the treble is not to the point that I’d call it forced resolution. It’s actually somewhat of a safer treble. That said, transients aren’t what I’d call slow, clarity is nice as well, especially in the mids to treble region and so I am able to hear some of the minute details within my music. Of course, in bass heavy tracks or heavily complicated tracks I don’t hear those details quite as well, which should be expected. At the end of the day the Yaksha does a pretty nice job on details.
Comparisons
Kiwi Ears Airoso ($129)
The Kiwi Ears Airoso (Airoso Review) was an easy choice to select as a comparison set for me. First off, it is easily one of the top five hybrid sets under $200. Truly a very nice set. Now, the Airoso is a 1+4 hybrid. That’s, one dynamic driver and four balanced armature drivers. Honestly, Kiwi Ears was and still is on a roll like no other popping out set after set and each one as good as the last. However, the Airoso are simply special folks. It really has a very complete tuning and is a wonderful all-rounder iem. That said, does it have what it takes to be considered above the Celest Yaksha?
Differences
To begin the Yaksha is a larger iem and so fit may be a concern for you. Though the Yaksha is lighter in actual weight. I do like the design much better in the Yaksha. Now, the Airoso is a nice looking iem, but it’s also teetering on boring looking. Still, the Airoso is all class. I do find the Airoso a hair comfier, which sort of surprised me because I found the Yaksha to be great in this regard. As far as the unboxing experience, I find that the Airoso is not even in the same league as the Celest Yaksha. The Yaksha comes with much better accessories, a far better cable, much better hard case, and all its tips are definitely better. So, no contest there as Celest absolutely outfitted the Yaksha to the nines! The Yaksha is about $10 more based on each set’s MSRP. Oddly enough, the Yaksha is a touch harder to drive and both sets certainly scale well with more juice. Though the Yaksha tightens up a hair more for it.
Sound Differences
To start the sound comparison, the Yaksha comes in with a warmer, richer, and smoother demeanor and is simply the more musically inclined set. The Airoso leans musical but also has plenty of analytical sides to its character. Like for one, the Airoso is definitely brighter, slightly better detailed, airier, a hair better resolution, and its transients are a touch tighter. However, the Yaksha is barely worse detail-wise, and the Yaksha is also much more musical, more engaging of a presentation. The Yaksha has better note weight, and the Yaksha carries a grander soundstage. However, please understand that these comparisons are not to establish which is better but rather to help explain the Yaksha.
Between the 20’s
The low-end of the Yaksha runs deeper, more rumbly, more full-bodied and less textured. The Airoso carries an ever-so-slightly tighter bass with ever-so-slightly better note definition and seems to speed along through complicated tracks a hair better. However, I like the Yaksha here because the bass region is so much more fulfilling and satisfying without losing its defined edge. Also, the Yaksha has better punch down low, more bullish and tactile. It’s simply more pronounced than the Airoso’s bass. Having said that, I do enjoy them both. Then the midrange comes through with much better note body on the Yaksha. It’s thicker with a more substantial feel to the midrange. The Airoso has the more open, airier, and slightly dryer midrange. I’d also say that the Airoso is a hair more prone to shout. Neither are what I’d call “fatiguing”. The treble of the Airoso is much brighter, more aired-out, better detailed, higher resolution, better extension too. That said, the Yaksha has almost zero offensive sharpness, it stays in very nice control and the treble of the Yaksha actually has better note body in this region. So, I suppose like anything it’s a matter of taste. Both sets are nice for their intended target and both sets represent some of the best sounding hybrids under $200. Again, the Yaksha has the wider and more grand feeling stage. However, the Airoso has better depth, and slightly better dimensionality of the stage.
Final thoughts on this comparison
Basically, pick your poison, or pick your preference. These two sound different in various ways from each other and it all stems from the drivers used and the treble region. The Airoso is simply much more emphasized across the treble and it carries over throughout the spectrum. Once again, the Yaksha is simply more musically gifted, it’s more fun, more engaging, and it’s definitely the set I would go with of the two. You may feel different. I could totally see why one would enjoy the Airoso more. Both are fine iems.
Simgot SuperMix 4 ($149)
The Simgot SuperMix 4 has been my go-to recommended set when asked about hybrids under $200. I just love it. I reviewed the SM4 (SM4 Review) over a year ago and I was singing its praises to all who would listen. What’s so special about the SM4 you ask? Well, for one it’s not just a tribrid… it’s a freaking quadbrid! Yeah, it’s crazy right, a quadbrid iem for under $150?! What’s more, it sounds awesome. Anyways, the SM4 actually has one dynamic driver, one balanced armature driver, one planar magnetic driver, and one piezoelectric driver. The skill to be able to cohesively tune four different driver types is next level folks. I suppose the question is whether the Yaksha can hang with a set like the SuperMix 4. Or maybe they are just really solid compliments of each other. Let’s check it out.
Differences
Looking at the actual build quality I’d say that both sets are built reasonably well but the Yaksha is seemingly the better built iem. I honestly don’t know how well I go along with that but both iems are built just fine. It’s just that the SM4 doesn’t “look” expensive or overly adorned in perfect build materials. Certainly not to the level of almost every other Simgot set. Truth is, they are both resin sets but the SM4 actually has an aluminum faceplate. As far as design I think that anyone on planet earth would obviously say that the Yaksha is the better-looking set. Folks, I love the minimalist and understated design of the SM4. I really do. However, the Yaksha is simply on another level. Most certainly the Yaksha comes with a much better unboxing. That’s cable, tips, and carrying case. Once again, both sets are four-driver sets but the SM4 is a little bit more costly at $149. Also, I definitely find that the SM4 is harder to drive. That set wants and yearns for power output.
Sound Differences
To begin, the SM4 is definitely more V-shaped to a slight degree with a brighter signature and a more pronounced treble region. The Yaksha comes across more bullish down low, denser. Of course, the SM4 is much crisper, much better defined, better note bite throughout, and better detailed, yet without coming across overly analytical. However, the Yaksha has that very clean warm sound with a more musical and melodic flare to it. Without question the Yaksha has the more rhythmically fluid sound which has the better note body, it’s denser in weight. I find both sets somewhat hover in the warm/neutral territory, but the Yaksha simply “leans” a hair warmer while the SM4 “leans” slightly closer to neutral. Honestly, I feel the Yaksha has closer to organic timbre while the SM4 can exhibit more of that odd electric piezo & planar timbre at times. Granted, that is few and far in between and I love the SM4’s take on my music, but the Yaksha does come across with better timbre. So, these are two different sets folks. I’m just going to tell you right now that both sets are very good for “what” they are. I wouldn’t call either set the “better sounding” set. It’ll all come down to your preferences, which makes this a classic “preference battle”.
Between the 20’s
No doubt the Yaksha has a much rumblier and more bulbous low-end with a stronger and more full-bodied punch. In the same breath, the SM4’s bass is better defined, more detailed, more snappy, tighter and more distinct in note delivery. The Yaksha has the more engaging low-end with a more atmospheric sound. The midrange of the SM4 is a hair more recessed in the low-mids while more forward towards the upper-mids and treble. The midrange of the Yaksha has better weight, much more melodious, more tuneful, and has just as much energy, but under a warmer atmosphere. Again, the SM4 has that amazing clean analytical and slightly thinner, but also very precise notes. Very well pronounced, very clean, almost transparent. Still, timbre definitely goes to the Yaksha for me. In the treble region the SuperMix 4 is clearly the winner folks. It has some of the best treble that money can buy under $250 (my opinion of course). It is abrasive in the best sense, has that awesome bite, the snap, the clean edginess. Just awesome treble punch, nice note body and treble density. The Yaksha is smoother, easier on the ears, much safer, less intense, yet it’s notes aren’t nearly as contoured in this region. Technically, the SM4 takes the win. It’s definitely better detailed as it’s tuned to be. Instrument separation is clearly better on the SM4 but both sets do imaging well. Though, the stage size sounds a hair wider in the Yaksha. So, I suppose it’s a bit of a back and forth between the two. Either way you look at it, both iems are very good at their particular style of tuning.
Final thoughts on this comparison
You already know what I’m going to say. You already know that I like them both quite a lot. Really, for me, it comes down to what I’m in the mood for. Both sets offer some of the best audio in their price point “per their particular style of tuning”. Again, these two sets really do compliment each other well.
Is it worth the asking price?
The big question, is the Celest Yaksha even worth the cost of $139, or is it overpriced? Let me just say this, folks, the Yaksha is a tribrid, four-driver iem with a solid tuning, it’s fun, it’s engaging, and it is (in my opinion) one of the better V-shaped and musicality-first type sets in its price point. So, naturally I would say that “yes”, the Yaksha is clearly priced well at $139. However, that’s not to say it is for you. We are all so very different and what I enjoy may not be what you enjoy. When I answer this question in every single review, I’m really answering for myself and for those who enjoy this type of tuning in respect to whatever set I’m featuring. I just couldn’t finish this review and all of a sudden say the Yaksha isn’t worth the cost… because it clearly is. However, I said in the beginning of this review that the most difficult downside of this set are the other iems that are priced around the Yaksha. Have you looked across the Audioverse of late? Um, it’s absolutely stacked! I almost don’t hear bad tunings anymore! Every brand… is… so… dialed… in! $130 sets today sound better than $500 sets of… not that long ago! I’ve been turning down less and less reviews of late because I simply like most of them anymore. Well, there’s been a handful that I won’t mention, but I digress. The point is that you (the consumer) really need to look across the hobby and make sure that there isn’t something priced a hair less which also may intrigue you. Friends, the Audioverse is stacked! However, as a standalone set, standalone question, by itself, as it is, is the Yaksha worth the $139 that Celest is asking? The answer is a very quick and decisive… absolutely!
The Why…
Because Celest never ceases to give far more than they seem to be getting back. Because the packaging, the unboxing, the accessories, that amazing cable, great tips, nice watertight case… it’s all above and beyond what we should expect. The unboxing is reminiscent of an iem that’s twice to three times its price. Look at the build as well. Nothing feels or looks cheap on this set folks. The Shells have a certain hardness to them, they don’t feel weak, nothing feels chinsy, and they are very lightweight. I know, I know, we see resin sets all the time. I’ve heard some of you say that and I wouldn’t argue. Resin sets can be found under $20 anymore. The difference is in the finish, the ergonomics, the seams, the weight distribution, and of course the design/aesthetic. Seriously folks, look at this set! It is really nice to look at. If going to the market with your iems “in ear” is your jam… then look no further… because the Yaksha will be eye-catching to just about everyone. What a nice design. Great job to whomever it was at Kinera/Celest who decided upon this design language. Also, Kudos to whomever it was that decided upon the Yaksha theme as well. Just a fine job. I realize that nobody purchases a set because of its theme, and that’s hardly a reason to buy anything. Still, the design, the packaging, the build, the theme is all part of the end result.
That sound
Having made all the above points, I of course think the real reason the Yaksha is worth the cost of $139 is because it actually sounds very nice. Nice as in; fun, non-offensive, smooth throughout, relatively clean, and very energetic in this warmish style that can be very alluring and unputdownable. As I’ve gone along with this review (which takes days) I’ve grown more and more in favor of the Yaksha’s bass region. Some tracks can be downright addicting. Especially for such a low-cost set. The grooviness of the low-end, that dense agility and ductility is quite nice. Sure, there are some downsides, but all things considered the bass is a big upside. Also, the mids are supposed to be recessed, pushed back, less engaging. Then why am I so engaged? The mids have a smoothness mixed with some sprinkling of crispness, they have nice macro-dynamic energy too. Sure, they can have a hair of shout at times, and the Yaksha isn’t the most natural sounding set, but instruments and vocals can sound very charming. A very musical sounding iem. Lastly, the treble is not what I’d ever call fatiguing. Celest gave the treble just enough emphasis and toned-down brilliance to counter the bass region with a nice dynamic balance. I hear nice detail retrieval, nice separation, and just enough edginess to bring some tactility to the treble. The stage is pretty wide, pretty tall and just vast enough to not feel or sound congested. Honestly, it’s just a nice set for the price. Celest made a nice set in the Yaksha folks.
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 Celest Yaksha ratings below, that would be $100-$150 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 “5-6” is roughly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $100-$150 is a very large sized scope of iems. So, It should be a nice surprise to see a rating above a “9.0”. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.
Aesthetic
–Build Quality: 8.7 Nice budget build.
–Look: 9.7 Dope minimalist design.
–Fit/Comfort: 9.0 Fit and comfort is flat-out great.
–Accessories: 9.9 Best unboxing per its class.
–Overall: 9.3🔥🔥
Sound Rating
–Timbre: 8.9 Natural-ish, nice timbre.
–Bass: 9.3 Heavy, deep, foundational bass.
–Midrange: 8.9 Clean, bodied, smooth, good energy.
–Treble: 8.6 Non-Offensive, smooth.
–Technicalities: 8.8 Good techs per the tuning.
–Musicality: 9.5 Musicality-first.
–Overall: 9.0🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
In my opinion, the Celest Yaksha is a set that you judge as a whole rather than its individual parts. Unfortunately, these ratings are covered in some super broad and individual categories. It’s really not the best way to rate anything and I should probably change it up or negate the ratings altogether. So, I had a multitude of iems within the $100 to $150 parameter that I set at the beginning of this section. I said that I’m rating the Yaksha against any set of any driver configuration from the price of $100 to $150. This one took a long-time folks. Also, the Yaksha did very solid. A “9.0” against the field of $100-$150 iems is very good. However, I still feel that it is much better than that and the score doesn’t reflect just how well the Yaksha replays music. Hence why I say that the Yaksha should not be judged the way I did here. Every now and again you’ll have a set like this which doesn’t rate through the roof, but “as a whole” sounds better than most in its price point. Especially against similarly tuned sets. If I would have narrowed down the rating against similarly tuned iems then the Yaksha would’ve pulled to the front fairly easily.
Explain Yourself!!
To be quite honest, there’s a few ratings which could use some explanation, and there’s a few which I feel could use some changes. The first is the “Timbre” rating. I really do feel that most folks would think I went a bit hard on the Yaksha here. The reason I went with an 8.9 is only because of the metallic/electric/tizzy timbre which occurs at times. Really, it’s much rarer than I’m letting on and so I think I went a hair low. During the rating I heard some treble tizz
Conclusion
To conclude my full review of the Celest Yaksha, I first have to thank the good people of HiFiGo and Celest Audio for providing the Yaksha for review. Both entities have been nothing but good to me and they’ve always been fair, they’ve never asked anything out of me other than my honesty and for that I say… Thank you. I also want to thank you, the reader, for clicking the link which brought you here. It means everything to us at Mobileaudiophile.com. We sincerely hope that any review that you click on are of some help to you.
Other Perspectives
Before I go, I just want to make sure to remind you to check out other thoughts concerning the Celest Yaksha. No two people are the same folks and it’s clear that not every reviewer is the same. What I enjoy the next guy may not. We see it all the time. So of course, it’d be beneficial to you to check out as many reviews as possible to best make sure that you are getting something that you will enjoy. With that all said, I think I’m done. So, take good care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!!
