The Ear SPA-High End by Ear Acoustic landed on my desk as part of the AG Turkey tour. I didn’t know what to expect at first, but once I plugged it in and started listening, the tuning and presentation quickly started to reveal themselves. This is not your usual analytical reference set—it leans into musicality, and that was clear from the first track.
Sound Impressions
General Tonality & Timbre
Right away, the musicality is noticeable—especially with wide-bore tips. The overall tuning leans towards a V-shape. This gives it a lively, dynamic edge, but also means that some midrange detail gets slightly pushed back. Timbre feels organic and natural in many cases but leans toward a darker coloration, especially in more acoustic or live-recorded tracks.
Bass
Bass is where the SPA-High End instantly grabs your attention. It comes in with authority—impactful, deep, and weighty without ever crossing into boominess. There’s a clear sense of control, yet the low end isn’t clinical; it has just the right amount of warmth and body to make electronic tracks and cinematic pieces feel alive. In We Can Make the World Stop, the sub-bass rumbles are surprisingly well articulated, adding a sense of scale and physicality that I didn’t expect from this tuning. The kick drums land with satisfying pressure, and you can feel a slight sense of air displacement—almost like a mini vacuum pulling the listener inward during bass-heavy moments. However, the bass decay isn’t lightning fast. It leans on the smoother, lingering side, which gives a sense of fullness but might slightly round off transients in fast, complex bass passages.
Midrange
The midrange is where things get more nuanced—and where the SPA-High End shows both its charm and its limitations. Due to the mild V-shaped tuning, the lower mids are somewhat recessed. Male vocals, especially those with gritty or chesty tones, tend to sit behind the instrumentation. In Whiskey In The Jar, Hetfield’s voice feels slightly pulled back, making the track’s energy come more from the guitars and percussion than the vocal line. That said, upper mids are notably more forward. Acoustic guitars, violins, and brighter percussive elements have a natural presence and clarity that draws you in. The overall tonality here isn’t analytical; it leans toward an expressive, engaging sound. However, when multiple instruments stack up—like in busy rock or live recordings—the center image can get crowded. Separation isn’t razor-sharp, and instead of a layered presentation, you get more of a blended, energetic wall of sound. Depending on the track, this can either feel immersive or slightly overwhelming.
Treble
Treble is smooth and polite, offering a fatigue-free listening experience even during long sessions. The rise in the lower treble helps bring some life to cymbals and string textures, but the upper treble rolls off gently after 5kHz. This tuning choice avoids harshness or sibilance but at the cost of sparkle and air. As a result, instruments like hi-hats, shakers, or high-pitched strings don’t have the shimmer or extension that more neutral or bright sets might deliver. In traditional or acoustic music—particularly where instruments like the yaylı tambur or subtle metallic percussion are key—the softness up top means some of that delicate texture gets lost. There’s a clear intention here to keep things smooth and organic, but listeners who crave micro-detail and a spacious high-end might find the treble somewhat reserved.
Pros
- Musical and engaging tuning that brings energy and warmth
- Punchy and full-bodied bass, especially with wide-bore eartips
- Wide soundstage that gives a spacious, immersive feel
- Organic timbre, particularly with acoustic instruments
- Scales well with better sources like the Questyle M18i
- Comfortable fit and non-fatiguing treble tuning for long sessions
Cons
- Recessed mids, especially male vocals can sound a bit distant
- Treble roll-off above 5kHz limits sparkle and air
- Slightly slow decays, which affect bass tightness
- Instrument separation could be better in busy tracks
- Some traditional instruments (like yaylı tambur) lack presence even with powerful sources
Conclusion of Ear Acoustic SPA-High End Review
The Ear Acoustic SPA-High End aims for an emotional, musical presentation—and largely succeeds. If you prefer energy and warmth over flatness and surgical detail, this could be a strong contender. It won’t please fans of extreme detail or perfectly flat responses, but for relaxed, fun, and engaging listening, it brings a lot to the table—especially paired with a capable source like the M18i. A nice brother of the master Silver Angel Limited Edition.