Disclaimer
The CVJ Bidong I’m reviewing today was sent to me by Orange Audio Store, and I really appreciate that. However, I want to make it clear that this doesn’t affect my review in any way. The company and the retailer didn’t tell me what to write or when to write it, so everything you read here is entirely my honest opinion. Thanks to Orange Audio Store for the chance to try these out, and thank you for reading.
Introduction
The CVJ Bidong comes in at $189.99 (though it’s often discounted on AliExpress), and it’s aiming to make a mark in the competitive mid-range IEM market. At this price, there are already a ton of great options, so it’s tough for new releases to stand out. But the Bidong tries to do that with its unique design, a cool unboxing experience, and some fun extras. In this review, I’ll break down the unboxing, sound quality, technical performance, and whether it’s worth your money in such a crowded market.
Unboxing
Unboxing the CVJ Bidong was a very fun experience, especially with its Valentine’s Day inspired theme. The box itself is really eye catching, with illustrations of two anime lovers on one side and an elegant, envelope like design on the other. I also got a stand with the same anime couple, which is a nice touch on the desk.
When I opened the box I saw a stylish 3D gramophone design that adds a cool, old school vibe. And right beneath that I saw a sweet little message: “With every beat, a symphony plays, your laughter echoes, in vibrant arrays, in the boundless expanse of time, your love, is the eternal rhyme.” It definitely adds to the romantic feel of the whole package.
On the left side, there’s a small bouquet of roses that even has a smell, which was a pleasant surprise. The IEMs themselves are nestled in foam and have a full metal shell with the CVJ logo, and it was a bit strange to me that the logo is printed upside down for some reason. Despite that odd detail, they feel solid and well made.
accessories:
The box comes loaded with a silver and gold cable (though I wish it was a bit thicker). It’s modular, so you can swap out connectors for 4.4mm, 3.5mm, 2.5mm, and even a Type-C with a built in DAC chip, which is great for different devices. They even throw in a Type A to Type C adapter. Along with that, there’s a sturdy metal carrying case and three sets of ear tips (S, M, and L).
Overall, the unboxing was a really nice experience. CVJ put a lot of thought into the design and included some high quality accessories, which is nice for this price point.
Technical Specifications
- Driver Configuration: 1 Dynamic Driver + 6 Balanced Armature Drivers per Side.
- Crossover: a three-way electronic and physical crossover.
- Impedance: 28Ω±15%.
- Sensitivity: 112dB±3dB.
- Frequency Response Range: 10Hz-40kHz.
- Connector Type: 0.75mm 2-Pin.
- Cable: silver-plated wire with interchangeable plugs.
- Cable Length: 125 cm±5 cm.
- Included Plugs: 3.5mm, 4.4mm, 2.5mm, USB Type-C with built-in 31993 DAC chip, Type-A to Type-C adapter.
- Shell Material: CNC-machined aviation-grade aluminum alloy.
- Ear Tips: Three sets (S, M, and L).
- Carrying Case: A metal carrying case is included.
Driver Configuration:
The CVJ Bidong has a hybrid driver setup, which is designed to give you great sound quality. Each earpiece comes with a hybrid system: one dynamic driver (DD) made with a magnesium aluminum alloy for handling the bass, two balanced armature (BA) drivers for the mids, and four BA drivers for the highs. In theory, this mix of driver types should give a balanced and detailed sound across the whole frequency range, but a lot depends on how it’s tuned.
Crossover:
To make sure the sound is well integrated and balanced, the Bidong uses a three way crossover system. This system divides the audio into separate frequency ranges, with specific drivers to handle the bass, mids, and highs. There are also two damping filters and an acoustic conduit included to help reduce distortion and fine tune the sound, which should improve the overall audio quality.
Sound performance
Bass
Sub-bass:
The CVJ Bidong really impressed me with its sub-bass. It hits hard and adds a deep, satisfying low-end rumble that you can feel. Thanks to the dynamic driver, the sub-bass goes pretty deep and gives the overall sound a strong foundation. While the bass isn’t the fastest in terms of response, it’s definitely there in a big way.
Mid-bass:
When it comes to the mid bass, the Bidong does a very solid job. It’s punchy but still pretty controlled, which keeps the bass from overpowering everything else. Each bass note is clear and precise most of the time, which gives the music a clean and defined feel. The dynamic driver handles this range really well, adding both depth and energy to the sound.
Punchiness and Energy:
What stands out the most to me is how punchy and energetic the bass is. It gives the music a lot of life, especially in bass heavy genres like electronic music. There’s a satisfying thump and rumble that makes everything feel more dynamic. Occasionally, it can sound a bit muddy or lean into a V-shaped sound, but the bass still blends well with the rest of the frequencies.
Overall, I think the CVJ Bidong nails it when it comes to bass. Whether it’s the deep sub-bass or the punchy mid-bass, it delivers an exciting, rumbly low end that makes the music more fun. Even with some small issues in clarity here and there, the bass performance is a highlight for sure, especially if you’re into strong, impactful bass.
Mids
Lower Mids:
In the lower mids, the CVJ Bidong has a bit of a V shaped sound, which adds some warmth and richness to vocals and instruments. This gives the music a fuller feel, but sometimes it can get a little muddy, especially with lower male vocals. Still, the Bidong manages to keep the lower mids textured and well presented, fitting into the overall sound pretty nicely.
Upper Mids:
When it comes to the upper mids, the Bidong really shines. Vocals, especially female ones, come through with great clarity and detail. There’s an airy quality to the upper mids that makes instruments like violins and flutes sound crisp and well defined. Even though there’s some muddiness in the lower mids, the upper mids are balanced and engaging, adding sparkle and presence to the sound.
Handling Complexities:
The Bidong handles a wide range of music pretty well. It adapts to different genres and brings out the nuances in most tracks, although on some bass heavy songs, the sound can lean towards being V shaped, with a bit of bass bleed that makes things sound a little muddy. Despite that, the bass is still fairly fast, and the mids especially the upper mids remain detailed and clear. On really complex tracks that demand quick response, the Bidong might struggle a bit, but the balanced armature drivers do a great job of keeping the mids detailed and separated.
Overall, I find the CVJ Bidong’s mids to be a great mix of warmth and clarity. Whether I’m listening to acoustic melodies or energetic electronic music, the mids feel detailed and engaging, pulling me into the music with each note.
Highs
Treble Extension:
The CVJ Bidong really stands out in the high frequencies with its extended treble and airy sound. Thanks to the four balanced armature drivers dedicated to handling the treble, I noticed the highs come through with a lot of clarity and detail. The treble extends nicely, which helps capture the subtle details and nuances in the music.
Sparkle and brilliance:
One of the things I like most about the Bidong’s treble is the sparkle and brilliance it brings. Cymbals really shine, strings have a clear resonance, and percussion sounds dynamic and lively. However, the lower treble can be a bit elevated, which sometimes leads to a little harshness, especially on tracks with a lot of high-end detail.
Smoothness and cohesion:
Despite the energetic highs, the Bidong keeps everything cohesive and well blended with the other frequencies. There is a slight metallic like sound from the balanced armature drivers (often called BA timbre), but the transition from the mids to the highs is smooth without any sharp peaks or dips. This balance makes the overall sound less fatiguing, so I can listen for longer periods without feeling tired.
Overall, the CVJ Bidong delivers a great high frequency performance. With its extended treble and lively sparkle, the highs add clarity and excitement to the music. While the lower treble can get a bit harsh at times and the BA timbre is slightly noticeable, the highs are detailed and precise, making the listening experience engaging and enjoyable.
Technicalities
Soundstage and imaging:
The soundstage on the CVJ Bidong is decent but nothing massive. It gives a good sense of space with some depth and width, though it doesn’t feel particularly large or wide. Even so, the separation between instruments is pretty clear, and the imaging how sounds are placed within the soundstage is good enough to provide a fairly immersive experience.
Detail Retrieval:
One of the Bidong’s standout qualities is its ability to retrieve fine musical details with precision and clarity. From subtle nuances in vocal performances to delicate instrumental textures, the IEM excels at capturing the intricacies of the music, allowing you to discern even the smallest nuances with ease.
Layering:
The Bidong demonstrates nice layering, effectively separating and delineating individual elements within the music. Instruments are presented with distinct layers of depth, allowing for a fairly rich and immersive sound. In complex tracks, Bidong’s layering is good, and every part of the mix can be heard.
Overall Sound Performance
For me, the CVJ Bidong has a fun and engaging sound signature that strikes a good balance between musicality and technical performance. The hybrid driver setup delivers punchy bass that’s well controlled, and the slightly V shaped sound signature means the mids are a bit recessed, but the upper mids and treble are nicely enhanced. The treble extends well, adding sparkle and detail, though there’s a bit of brightness and a slight metallic edge (that BA timbre) in the lower treble.
While the soundstage and imaging aren’t mind-blowing, the Bidong makes up for it with its strong detail retrieval and nice layering. Overall, I think it’s a really enjoyable IEM, especially if you’re into electronic music, where that punchy bass and bright treble can really shine.
Can it compete in a crowded competition?
Competing in the market, the CVJ Bidong faces stiff competition from other IEMs renowned for their sound quality, such as the Myer Audio CK-D41 and Truthear Nova. While the Bidong offers exceptional detail retrieval and a captivating sound signature, its slightly V shaped tune may not match the presentation and balance of its competitors. However, where the Bidong truly shines is in its outstanding accessory package, impeccable build quality, and a very unique unboxing experience I’ve never seen before. With absolutely all of the modular connectors you can ask for (including a type C), a high quality stock cable, and a premium metal carrying case, the Bidongs value lies not only in the sound performance but also in the overall presentation, making it a truly special and very unique choice.
Comparing it to the Myer-Audio CKLVX CK-D41
timbre and sound signature:
When I compare the CVJ Bidong to the Myer Audio CK-D41, there are a few clear differences. Both sound great, but the CK-D41 has a more balanced sound overall and is more accurate across all frequencies. On the other hand, the Bidong leans a bit towards a V shaped sound, with boosted bass and treble, which makes it more energetic and “fun” to listen to if you enjoy a livelier sound.
Technicalities:
As for technical performance, both are good at picking up details, but the CK-D41 handles more complex music better. It has tighter bass and a more refined midrange. Plus, the soundstage and imaging are a bit more precise on the CK-D41 compared to the Bidong.
build and accessories:
When it comes to build quality and accessories, both are very solid, but the Bidong really stands out with its premium aluminum alloy shells, while the CK-D41 is made from resin with just the tips being metal. The Bidong also comes with a modular connectors, which makes it really versatile. And honestly, the unboxing experience of the Bidong is impressive and feels luxurious and special.
In the end, I would say that when choosing between the two, it depends on what’s important to you. If you want a balanced and accurate sound, the CK-D41 might be a better fit. But if you care about premium accessories, build quality, and a great unboxing experience, the CVJ Bidong has a lot to offer in my opinion.
Conclusions
The CVJ Bidong really impressed me in a few ways. It offers a great mix of style, performance, and unique features that help it stand out in a crowded IEM market. The premium build, “fun” sound signature, and the full set of accessories make it an enjoyable experience. While it doesn’t beat some competitors in every area, the Bidong makes up for it with its deep bass, clear details, and exciting highs. Plus, it’s different from the typical Harman tuned IEMs out there, which makes it feel more unique.
So whether as a treat for yourself or a thoughtful gift for a loved one, the CVJ Bidong offers an enticing combination of performance and aesthetics that is hard to resist not looking at.
Pros:
- Amazing unboxing experience.
- Great build quality.
- Modular cable with: 3.5, 2.5, 4.4, Type C, and Type A adapters.
- Strong and rumbly bass.
- Good detail retrieval.
- Fun sounding.
Cons:
- Sound signature may not be for everyone.
- A small BA timbre.
- Treble may get a bit shouty.
- The bass may get a bit muddy.
