Disclaimer:
It’s been a while since Hifigo sent me something from Roseselsa. The Roseselsa Aurora Ultra is something extremely unexpected, especially for its configuration and price. A hybrid IEM with a topological diagram driver and a planar driver and a similar set of accessories at this price is not easy to understand how it is possible. You will understand as you continue with the review why I am so surprised.
However, the review will still be 100% honest and in no way biased.
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 Specifications & Features:
- Impedance: 30Ω±15%.
- Frequency Response Range: 20~20kHz.
- Sensitivity: 115dB.
- Driver Configuration: 10mm DD+6mm Dual-Magnetic Planar Driver.
- Weight: 3.0g±10% Each Earpiece.
- THD: ≤0.1%@1kHz.
- Termination Plug: 3.5mm.
- Connectors: 0.78mm 2-pin.
- RZ200m Dongle Price: $12.99
- Soundcocoon/SC Liquid Silicone Eartips Price: $15.99
- Plug Type: 3.5mm to Type C
- Chip: ALC5686 Decoder Chip
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): 124 dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): -95 dB
- PCM Sampling Rate: 32bits/384KHz
- Frequency Response Range: 20Hz – 20000Hz
- Dynamic Range: 113 dB
- Output Load: 3.0V – 5.5V
- Output Power: 22.5mW @ 32Ω
Packaging:
The Roseselsa Aurora Ultra box is very reminiscent of a TWS package but inside the accessories are truly amazing. The package is perfect for me and after the Dunu Kima 2, it is the second set that is recognized for the quantity and quality of the accessories.
Roseselsa managed to include in the package:
- RZ200m ALC Dongle
- Soundcocoon/SC Liquid Silicone Eartips 4 pairs
- SS20 Eartips 3 pairs
- A rigid case with a magnetic closure
- Good-quality cable covered in fabric
- Manual
It is hard to believe that all these accessories are included in a $40 IEM. The accessories alone, if purchased separately, exceed the price paid. The included eartips are similar to the EPZ liquid silicone ones, while the others are the Whizzer/Kbear SS20. They managed to include some fabulous eartips that are difficult to find on IEMs that have prices above $200. The hard case is a little less refined than the best cases but I would have expected that on an IEM of $100 or more. The cable and dongle are both excellent and allow you to enjoy high sound quality without having to do any further upgrades.
Design/Build quality:
The design is nothing special; we find a shape of the shells that reminds us of Moondrop or Tanchjim, which are very comfortable anyway. They are very compact; most of the shells are made of plastic material, and the faceplates are made of very fine aluminum. Overall, the quality of the shells, in my opinion, is not bad at all. The nozzle is all plastic with an oval shape like the one already seen on other Roseselsa. The driver is a DD with a topological diagram with an associated 6mm planar driver. On the front we have a ventilation hole, while on the back I don’t think there is one.
On the shells, some money was certainly saved but I don’t feel like criticizing the final result.
Comfort/Fit:
If the design is not convincing, its shapes have fully convinced me. Being very small and light, they are practically imperceptible in the ears. They are comfortable even after several hours; they do not create any heaviness. Light and very flexible cable despite the coating.
Initial sound impression:
Given the price of the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra, I honestly expected little in terms of sound performance but I had to change my mind. The quality of the double driver is not bad at all; the fusion was successful and the sound reminds me a lot of the Quietsea but with more details and more energy. The trebles are well balanced and fortunately never sibilant or sharp. The mids are pleasant and well balanced, with some points in favor of female voices. As for the bass, they go low only if the track calls for it; for the rest, it is a well-executed bass with a decent punch. The difference between the 2 tips is minimal but the silicone ones help slightly the sub-bass while the others help the stage.
Tips Rolling:
Included you have two excellent models but if by chance you want to experiment with other types, I definitely recommend the Divinus Velvet or the Dunu S&S, which are excellent even if the nozzle of the Aurora Ultra is short. The included eartips are truly of excellent quality.
They remind me of the EPZ M100 I tried a few months ago; the structure is similar and the material and consistency are very similar. In both cases the price is very similar except that in the Soundcocoon package you get an extra pair.
Equipment used for testing:
Device:
- OSX
- POCO M4 Pro
Software:
- Amazon music UHD 24bit 96kHz
DAC:
- EPZ TP35 (pretty analytical-balanced)
- Creative Soundblaster G8
- Fosi SK02
- Muse Hifi M4
- Fiio KA11
- Fiio KA17
- Fosi DS2
- Simgot DEW4X
- EPZ TP50
- Creative SoundBlaster X5
- Roseselsa RZ200m (pretty good performance)
Final sound impression:
After an initial uncertainty in what I heard, I took the usual 3/4 days to try to better understand these Roseselsa Aurora Ultra. I come from equally valid but much more expensive IEMs and in some way perhaps a bit of air and sparkle is missing between one note and another but I think it is a characteristic of Roseselsea or of the topological driver. In a certain way, it is a sound that I have already heard previously. However, everything is coherent and allows you to listen to different tracks with satisfaction.
The ALC5686 dongle included in the price is more than enough to enjoy the highest possible quality.
Treble
Sometimes I would like the treble to be more pushed but I soon realize that in some tracks the limit is very close. Maybe there is a little air missing between the highs but overall the details are really remarkable; maybe I should focus on the cost of this IEM more than on the rest. If I listen to my tracks with my ears and look at the price with my eyes, then honestly every lack actually vanishes. They made everything very smooth so as to prolong the listening.
Mids
As for the mids, the Roseselsea Aurora Ultra performs very well but with a special note for female voices. Instruments are easy to locate and position in the soundstage. The separation of the elements is well above average for the price. The tonality is natural but tends towards warm. The voices, along with the musical instruments, are in the front position in front of you.
Bass
The bass appears more forcefully only if the track calls for it. It is not the kind of bass that takes the place of other frequencies but always remains composed, fast, and resolute. A bass more of quality than quantity. Honestly, I would have preferred something extra because, as fast as it arrives, the bass goes away just as quickly.
Separation/Imaging/Soundstage:
I must say that the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra behaves very well. At first listening, it seemed to me like an intimate soundstage but by closing my eyes and increasing concentration, you can perceive the quantity of details and their directionality much better. At this point the soundstage takes shape and its development is a bit in all directions. The image is well defined, even if in a certain sense it seems to have a light smoothing filter. The separation of sounds is particularly accurate in any musical genre. Overall, the performance is very high for the cost.
Fast Comparison:
vs Simgot EW300
We could compare the two for the presence of a DAC/DSP included in the package. The reality is that they are two very different products. Needless to say, the performance of the EW300 is clearly superior. But the price is also decidedly higher, but its quality/price ratio also tends to be in favor of sound quality. If the Roseselsea Aurora Ultra is smoother, the EW300 is more energetic and more decisive, definitely closer to a V-shaped curve.
vs Dunu Kima 2
The two IEMs do not have much in common but their set of accessories makes you think. IEMs that cost even more than 200 USD come with very few pairs of eartips and we all know that their cost is very low. These 2 IEMs are the undisputed queens in terms of included accessories; the value of the same is absurd. In terms of sound and build quality, they are two excellent choices. In terms of sound, I have a slight preference for the Dunu but in terms of friendliness for the wallet, the Roseselsa is definitely the better choice.
Conclusion:
I still have many doubts about how they managed to make a similar product at this price but honestly, I am very satisfied and happy.
A 40 USD IEM complete with everything with quality accessories and quality sound. Will 2025 be a promising year? Who knows! This Roseselsea Aurora Ultra for the end of the year is like a firework in the darkness. I hope for more similar products in the future, even more expensive but with this attention to accessories. IEM manufacturers usually focus only on the graphic curve but accessories for a proper sound experience are essential.
Of course there are IEMs in the price range that have even more pronounced and defined personalities. At the moment I am trying the EPZ Q5 Pro and they fall roughly in the same price range. What I can notice is the poor quality of the original cable but at the same time an excellent sound quality with a more marked low frequency response and a more sparkling treble extension.
I hope IEM manufacturers will see how an IEM should be accessorized for the best experience. Maybe the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra is not the best IEM in terms of performance but the price and its accessories make the overall feedback more positive.Of course, there are IEMs in this price range with much more distinct and defined personalities. I am currently testing the EPZ Q5 Pro, and they are around the same price. What I observe is that the original cable is of poor quality, but the sound quality is outstanding, with a more defined bass frequency response and a more sparkly treble extension.
I hope IEM manufacturers understand how an IEM should be outfitted for the optimal experience. Maybe the Roseselsa Aurora Ultra is not the greatest IEM in terms of performance, but the price and accessories boost total satisfaction.
8/10
Pros:
- Nice build quality
- Nice stock cable
- Included ALC Dongle
- Nice comfort and fit
- Best stock Eartips ever
- Topological 10 mm DD + 6 mm planar
- Good and natural Bass + nice Sub-bass rumble
- Good details and no harshness
- Pretty good soundstage
- Price/quality ratio is unbelievable
- Extremely easy to drive
Cons:
- The performance of the planar is not at the top
- Oval nozzle
- Not for bassheads
- Not the most technical
