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GeekWold GK20 Review: Turquoise Tribrid

Kindlefirehditaly

Disclaimer:

I am grateful to Siyuan from GeekWold for sending me the GeekWold GK20 review sample!

This is my first IEM from this brand; they focus a lot on multi-driver IEMs with very aggressive prices compared to the market, so there was a lot of curiosity coming from me.

In this review, I will try to compare them with the Kinera Phoenixcall, as they are similar.

Nonetheless, the review will remain impartial and entirely truthful.

I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs and DACs and spends a lot of time listening to music.

So I’m not going to use super-technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.

Tech Specs:

2DD + 2Piezo
Crossover
Shell spec
Graph
Cable

Packaging:

The GeekWold GK20 package has compact dimensions, is well made, and has sufficient attention to detail. Inside, we find accessories such as:

Front Box
Back Box
Opening
Turquoise color
First look
close look
Gk20 + Accessories
Cable + Tips
Tips

I must say that the accessories do not stand out for their quality. The case is more than excellent; only the logo is missing on it, but to keep the cost down, it’s fine as is. The tips are numerous, but they don’t do the IEM justice.

Wide and narrow
6 sets
Wide bore
Narrow bore
Shape similar to SS20
Pretty standard shape
Wide Macro
Narrow Macro
Cable
4.4mm with brand
Detail
Macro
Silver look
Strain
0.78mm pins

The darker ones, having a very narrow hole, compress the sound, while the others are slightly better but still not good enough. I would have seen a nice set of Nicehck 07 tips included.

The cable is simple, just the right thickness to be light, and has good overall quality; personally, I wouldn’t replace it.

Design/Build quality:

The GeekWold GK20 has a very finished look; the construction seems solid, and the 3D printing is good. The faceplate looks like a crystalline sea that varies from the ambient light; its beauty reflects the light in different shades (it makes more sense in photos with artificial light). The shape of its shell is strongly contoured but does not cause any positioning problems (more on that later). Unfortunately, without a design with a transparent shell, you cannot peek inside unless you open it like a walnut.

I took photos in artificial and natural light conditions; where I live, there is often fog and very little sun in the cold months. Since the colors change a lot based on the light I decided to keep all the photos and divide them into a couple of galleries. I hope you enjoy them!

They managed to put many drivers inside:

Really fancy faceplates
Front & back
Front & side
Like Gems
Really shiny
Venting
Quite thick
Venting (and red wiring?)
Fingerprints on black
Nozzle
Grill
Shape/ thickness
Faceplates in the shade
Really nice shell

Externally, we can see a classic-type nozzle. I would have thought of a nozzle where the tubing could be clearly seen. On the shell, we see at least two holes for internal ventilation. There are no driver flex or internal pressure issues.

As you can see from the photos, they retain fingerprints a lot. I tried to clean them before taking the photos but as soon as I touched them, they went back to how they were before.

Comfort/Fit:

Right
Left

The dimensions of the Geekwold GK20 are quite important in terms of thickness; in fact, they protrude from the ear, and if you plan to use them while you are lying on your side in bed, they are obviously not suitable. In terms of shape, however, I find them shaped very well. Since they can be a little tiring due to the bright highs, positioning is essential. The included tips didn’t excite me, but I recommend tips that help the low frequencies emerge (I’ll deal with the topic later). I did sessions for up to 3 hours in a row, and I didn’t feel any pain or discomfort.

Initial sound impression:

From the first listen, I was positively surprised by the level of detail and brilliance. But the low end was very attenuated and covered, so I decided to do some burn-in. There are those who believe it is of absolutely no use, but I believe that if the headphones have never been used, the driver is stiffer than it should be, especially if they are cold.

In any case, a surprising first listen.

Tips rolling:

During the 11/11 period, I took advantage of the opportunity to get several discounted tips on both Aliexpress and Hifigo. I chose both “expensive” and “cheap” models.

For the GK20, you need a tip that improves the low range, as they are already bright enough.

Dunu S&S: I didn’t find them particularly suitable for the set, as they don’t particularly help the low range. I personally won’t use them, but I would need them in size L.

Divinus Velvet: These fit universally on every IEM! They are 100% suitable for perfect positioning and very good sealing. They help the bass stand out, but they are not too noticeable.

Kbear / Nicehck 07: Among the cheapest, they remain my favorites. They are not suitable for all IEMs on the market but the GK20 should definitely include them in the package. The bass improves and isolation is very good.

Tri Clarion: Honestly, they are made to emphasize the high frequencies; avoid them for this set.

Whizzer SS20: Holy sh*t! Bingo! Wide-bored tips do the magic! The most comfortable ever. You struggle to hear them, but they are the only ones that maintain the low frequencies by slightly opening the stage.

Final sound impression:

Equipment used for testing above

Device:

Software:

DAC:

After waiting about 30–40 hours of burn-in, I don’t know if it actually helped or if it’s just my brain, but the low frequencies are slightly more present.

These impressions that I am about to write were obtained using the Whizzer SS20 tips. In terms of genres, I used a very varied mix. I started with R&B, then jazz, pop, deep house, and dance.

With the GeekWold GK20, an excellent level of detail immediately stands out; the general representation is very good; it has a brilliant signature with a warm base that occasionally leaks through. I must say that the presence of multiple drivers makes itself felt, as it behaves very well. On some tracks, the high range gets a little hot at high volumes, but I think it’s perfect for treble-heads. I would have liked a tighter bass.

It’s not a harsh set, but some might definitely not like it. If you are sensitive, the upper mid and high frequencies are a bit spicy; be careful! The tuning obtained focuses on detail.

Treble

The high frequencies are well pushed by the balanced armatures and piezoelectric drivers. They are quite bright and full of detail, but perhaps a touch more air would have given it that extra touch; however, the bass region should also have been revised to counterbalance. High-pitched voices and musical instruments such as cymbals have the necessary sparkles without being offensive.

Mids

The midrange is certainly not too far behind the rest. In reality, I think they come immediately after the high frequencies, so they are practically in the foreground. The tonality of the voices is only slightly colder; the same goes for the instruments. Perhaps the brightness of the highs tends to make it seem colder than it should, but overall, the bass counterbalances the situation. Only a little depth is missing in the male voices. The female voices are definitely better, as they are lively and sinuous. Excellent representation.

Bass

The low frequencies are hidden behind the rest. Personally, I would have given an extra push, especially on the sub-bass, which is a little too delicate. Overall, the bass has excellent quality, and if the track requires it, you can appreciate its qualities. In songs where the bass (understood as a string instrument) is present, the representation of the sound is good, but the perception of the vibrating string is light. It is definitely not suitable for bass-heads. However, it will certainly be me gradually getting used to it but the bass improves over time and if you connect some dual Cirrus logic or DAC with a warm signature, you will find the correct balance.

Separation/Imaging/Soundstage:

The GeekWold GK20 has a very clear image, and in my opinion, it is even superior to more famous brands. The separation is very good, so I think the internal structure is well made, as it is difficult to hear overlapping sounds. The soundstage is not excessively wide; I would say average. Only some instruments can be heard a little beyond the ear. I think you can define it as a naturally shaped soundstage. In terms of representation, I would say better than Phoenixcall.

Comparison:

vs Hidizs MS3

The Hidizs MS3 has a slightly higher price (actually on sale at 99 USD) and higher overall build quality. The high range is much more pushed and further suitable for treble-heads. In comparison, the GeekWold GK20 is a very quiet set! The bass, on the other hand, has a slightly greater impact; the same goes for the sub-bass. On the image and soundstage sides, perhaps the MS3 stands out slightly. 

The GK20 would certainly come out on top after a long listening session. Compared to the MS3, it’s a decidedly warm set!

vs Hidizs MS5

I absolutely realize that this is an over-budget comparison but I still decided to see if the difference in the final result was audible. Putting tuning aside momentarily, imaging seems to be more accurate on the GeekWold GK20, at least as long as you don’t keep the volume low. The MS5 is sometimes overloaded with micro-details and when the volume is turned up, the highs become too hot (depending on the track). The basses have a completely different body; their presence is much more marked and the quality is excellent. On the MS5, I notice greater depth in the voices and instruments and a wider and more defined soundstage. They are two different products, and the difference is noticeable even if it is not that exaggerated.

vs Kinera Celest Phoenixcall

The Kinera Celest Phoenixcall is loved and hated but from my point of view, even if the graphics seen online are not the best, the result is excellent. Among the other sets, it is the most relaxed, the one that would certainly cause less trouble for the most sensitive.

They are even less punchy on the high frequencies; however, the tuning and tonality seem slightly more coherent on the GK20. The Phoenixcall bass is more present and closer to my personal taste. All in all, they are two very relaxed sets compared to the Hidizs sets.

Conclusion:

I thank Siyuan of GeekWold again for the opportunity to test one of their models. As my first experience with this brand, I can say that there are people with experience behind it.

My opinion at the end of the review is that this company is truly aiming for high quality at low prices. I find the tuning extremely pleasant, although I would have hoped for something more on the low frequencies, which, however, seem to improve as the hours of listening go by (it’s probably my brain).

The included accessories could be improved, especially from the point of view of the tips, which are extremely important. I stopped on the Whizzer SS20 tips, which help the soundstage and also the low frequencies a little.

The GeekWold GK20 sounds good, with an overall very defined but warm representation compared to other hybrids in my possession.

The ones they vaguely resemble the most are the Phoenixcall but in terms of detail and tuning, in my opinion, we have something more. I think it’s an excellent result to be proud of.

Now I’m extremely curious to try the GK10S, which, in the 50 USD budget, seems really interesting.

Geekwold is raising the bar and I’m sure it will become more and more famous in the IEM field.

8.5/10

Pros: 

Cons: 

Where to buy:

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