Disclaimer:
Good morning, Readers! Today we will go over the Simgot EA1000 Fermat. I eventually made it to the top after starting with the EM6L, EW200, and EA500LM.
Even though it’s not exactly a single driver, I feel like comparing it to other similar IEMs. Simgot wanted to add a passive radiator to the EA1000 in order to achieve the desired result, but because it is passive, it cannot be considered a driver.
If you are sensitive to sparkling and slightly spicy highs, these are not for you, just like the EW200 and EA500LM.
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. I fall into the audio enthusiast category.
So I’m not going to use super-technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.
Tech Specs:
- Driver: Second generation DMDC 10mm dual-magnet & dual-cavity dynamic driver + 6mm PR
- Diaphragm: Purple-gold dome diaphragm
- Impedance: 16Ω±15%(@1kHz)
- Sensitivity: 127dB/Vrms Frequency response range: 10Hz–50kHz
- Effective frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz
- Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Cable material: high-purity silver-Plated OFC Litz Structure
- Price: 260 USD more or less
Packaging:
The packaging of the Simgot EA1000 Fermat represents a clear improvement, and considering its price, it seems correct that it stands out for class. Aesthetically less mystical but with a tribute to the mathematician named Pierre de Fermat, I don’t think there is a particular correlation; simply, the result obtained by the EA1000 is the result of precise calculations.
Once the package is opened, we find the tribute to Fermat, and underneath the IEMs are the following accessories:
- Hard case
- Nozzle with base
- Nozzle o-rings
- 6 pairs of tips
- Litz cable
- Manual and QC
Obviously, the packaging is richer and reflects the price at which the product is positioned quite well. The hard case is finally not anonymous but has the Simgot logo above and a phrase below. The tips are the standard 07; I am not sure why they included two identical sets, but the cable is noticeably better than the one used on previous models. The nozzles arrive on an aluminum base rather than in a plastic bag, and I noticed a small error in the writing engraved on the base, which reads “Salu” rather than “Salute”. I could not tell whether it was a problem with the machine or an error in the file. I do not think it is anything serious, but I would prefer not to see control issues on a similar product.
Design/Build Quality:
The Simgot EA1000 Fermat is the closest thing to a jewel; the aesthetics, and especially the materials and color choices, evoke jewelry. This choice may not appeal to everyone, but I do not see any issues, and I do not believe I am losing masculinity by wearing the Simgot EA1000.
In terms of shapes, we are more or less the same as those seen with the EA500LM, quite natural shapes that shouldn’t cause problems of any kind. In the internal opening, we have 3 ventilation holes, one of which is really large. On the outside, the faces appear to be made of glass, which is aesthetically very elegant with a rose gold or copper-colored edge. What I can notice is that the shells are not exactly very light; I think they are obtained from a metal fusion and then CNC machining.
The Kefine Delci, on the other hand, have a machined aluminum shell and are much lighter, undoubtedly with a higher quality shell. I hope to see a Simgot with a similar shell in the future. As for the ventilation holes, I can venture that the small ones are for the DD while the larger one is for the passive radiator, assuming that it is truly an opening and not just something aesthetic.
Initial sound impression:
What I noticed as soon as I put on the Simgot EA1000 was the tuning, which corresponds exactly to what I expected, but what is surprising is the timbre, which has a devastating naturalness. I don’t know if there are IEMs with a more correct tone but this really seems to me very close to what something natural should be. The driver, despite the same technology as the EA500LM, has a totally different material dome, which should be more rigid. I can tell you that it has a very high resolution and the transitions are lightning fast.
Harman tuning follows and using the nozzles, you can try more variations even if a couple are very similar to each other. The mids, on the other hand, could be a bit shouty at times, but fortunately, 98% of the time, this is kept under control. The medium is vivid and detailed with a very high resolution. What is surprising is the timbre of the voices, which is extremely pleasant and natural (they also have the right thickness). Then there is the instrumental part, where guitars and cymbals are extremely real thanks to the vibrations that have. The treble could be high for those sensitive to high frequencies, but the reality is that they are extremely crisp and smooth and make their representation rich in macro- and micro-details with a large presence of air; they have that touch of crystalline and transparent.
Tips Rolling?
Depending on what nozzle and source are used, you may want to slightly adjust the sound with different tips. It is needless to say that the BGVP 07 tips are excellent but you can certainly try models with higher quality too.
I currently tried the TRI Clarion, which has excellent comfort but made me slightly lose something in the low range.
The Kbear SS20, on the other hand, has an excellent balance between Stage and the other frequencies, but it appears that I have lost something in the bass. In this case, I switched to the gold-colored nozzle, and everything seems to be great again.
I decided to try the KZ Starlines, and to my surprise, they provide incredible comfort while slightly reducing the sharpness of the high frequencies, giving the body a lower range. Surprisingly, they appear to be very good, but I seem to have lost some definition.
Honestly, using tips like Starline on a similar product doesn’t make sense so I continued with the tests.
I thought the Dunu S&S were not comfortable on this model; I had to change my mind but I think they give a bit of a concert hall effect. I don’t particularly like them.
The Divinus Velvet, on the other hand, has excellent comfort but I usually use it where I need to reduce the pressure in the ear canal and in the case of the Simgot EA1000, there are no important pressures to eliminate. Reduces low frequencies a bit.
The BGVP 08, on the other hand, surprisingly resembles the KZ starlines; the shape varies very little but what they have in common most is the structure that surrounds the nozzle. I have come to the conclusion that, compared to wide bore tips, narrow bore tips are slightly more suitable. However, you sacrifice a bit of soundstage so as a final balance, the SS20 tips are the ones I decided to use for the review.
Comfort & Fit:
For comfort, I feel like recycling the same thing I wrote for the EA500LM:
“As far as comfort is concerned, the shell has the right shape. The only sore point could be their weight; if, by chance, you have a particular shape of the ear, it could create pressure points. Usually, with the right tips, you can solve these problems.”
Nozzle:
Gold White:
On the EA500LM, I was certain that this was the best nozzle; on the EA1000, the question is slightly different. As you can see from the photos, the silver nozzle with the red o-ring appears to be the most free of them all. The gold one has a fabric filter with a hole in the middle. I believe it affects both treble and bass, while also slightly smoothing up midrange perception. My main concern is that limiting the freedom of sound output so drastically will compress the stage slightly. I was wrong because, in reality, after thinking about it, this is the nozzle, which has a central part completely free of filters. The sound has a greater sense of harmony and balance, as well as being more holographic.
Silver Red:
It suppresses the holographic image a bit, but in reality, the nozzles are also made of different materials; the gold one is like brass, which could also oxidize, while the other does not. In my opinion, the material also has little influence. The positioning of the various sounds with the gold nozzle seems much more precise to me.
Silver black:
I wonder if this nozzle really makes sense, as I feel very little difference from the silver red. Despite the presence of the foam, there are very few changes to the trebles, which are slightly more docile (they would need a higher density) and the sub-bass, which seems slightly fuller.
Final sound impression:
Equipment used for testing the above
Device:
- iMac
- Redmi Note 7 (MIUI-Based)
- Poco M4 Pro
Software:
- Amazon Music UHD 24bit 96kHz
- Spotify
DAC:
- Moondrop Dawn Pro (Similar to KA11 but more bright)
- Simgot DEW4X (Great combo)
- EPZ TP50 (Great Combo X2)
- iBasso DC04 Pro (greatest CS43131)
- Hidizs S9 Pro Plus (Better mids)
- Fiio Ka11 (Sounds perfectly)
- Fiio KA17 (Same as KA11)
- Fosi SK02 (maybe too bright)
- Muse Hifi M4 (bright but tolerable)
I didn’t notice any differences after burning it for a few hours. They sound great right out of the box.
As previously said, I continued the review with the Kbear SS20 tips. Certainly, the driver, although similar to that of the EA500LM, has a totally different dome. In addition to that, there is the configuration of the single driver combined with the passive driver. Reading among the specifications, the larger ventilation hole corresponds to the passive driver, and the internal driver has a closed cavity that communicates with this passive driver, which has an external vent.
In fact, this “driver,” which is more of a membrane, resonates alongside the main driver, aiding in frequency response, particularly in the low range. It is difficult to demonstrate how and if it has an impact, so I will refrain from going into detail and relying on assumptions. What I can say is that the bass reverb has a distinct definition that I did not experience on the Letshuoers DZ4.
Simgot’s sound timbre is undeniably distinctive. In fact, I could describe them exactly like the EA500LM, though the driver is far more refined in his presentation of every detail.
The tonality in the midrange is slightly more coherent than that of the EA500LM, and I do not notice the slightly cold touch to the voices. The highs, on the other hand, are much more detailed, but they also have a lot of separation and airiness.
Bass
In terms of bass, we are absolutely not at basshead level but the quality is extremely good. There is a clean bass and a slight emphasis on the sub-bass without deviating from the naturalness of the tuning. The bass is precise, fast, and rich in texture, just the way I like it. Compared to the EA500LM, the quantity seems very similar to me but the quality is slightly different, probably the rumble has more thickness due to the passive radiato. It seems to have more control.
No track will emphasize bass or sub-bass rumble beyond the “natural” threshold.
Mids
It’s been a while since I heard such interesting mids; even though they should be recessed, I hear them at the forefront with the other frequencies. A lot of upper-midrange energy might be a little warm for some of you but I assure you that if you have no problems, you will be rewarded with super silky and luxurious female voices. On the lean, you could have used a touch of extra warmth but honestly, you just need to have the headphones with something similar to the Hidizs S9 Pro Plus.
As far as musical instruments are concerned, extension and separation help the instruments maintain their naturalness. The male voices are slightly less pleasant and are also less forward than the female ones. It could simply be because of my preferences!
Treble
With airy and open high frequencies, the amount of detail that overwhelms you, leads you to believe that there are other drivers at work, but the reality is that the tuning and driver have worked wonders. Air and sparkles can be appreciated track by track, but if you are particularly sensitive, they may bother you. Despite this, compared to the EA500LM, I noticed fewer tracks that were too hot or harsh. A treble extension that does not make me miss anything from the songs.
Because it is brighter than other IEMs, it is obviously more difficult to achieve high sound pressures (the Hidizs MP145 are more tolerable at high volume), but if you plan to push, you should consider switching to foam tips.
Soundstage and Imaging:
In my opinion, the Simgot EA1000 soundstage is superior to the EA500LM (not exaggerated but there is a certain concert hall effect in certain tracks), but what makes the biggest difference is the precision of the image, in which each sound seems to have a fixed and precise track that reaches your eardrum without crossing any other sound. You will notice that each instrument and the voices are totally separate. The layering is also excellent.
Comparison:
The price of the Simgot EA1000 Fermat becomes spicy, we are no longer in the territory considered economical but more in a medium/high price based on who is reading the review. If we consider the prices of audio products, it is not an astronomical sum. In this price range, planar drivers also come into play.
Some people prefer the Simgot EA500LM over the Simgot EA1000, so who am I to tell you which one to buy? Yes, I am nobody! As far as I’m concerned, the resolution is on another level, the difference is certainly more marked than the EW200 and the EA500LM. There is a difference but the tuning and sound signature are the same so unless you are so attentive to detail, you can easily stop at these. Furthermore, if you don’t have both, you can’t say which one is better. Are you ready to shell out 400 USD?
vs Hidizs MP145
The Hidizs MP145 were a huge success, and I do not believe there has ever been a more popular planar IEM. In terms of detail and high frequency extension, the EA1000 outperforms them. The Hidizs MP145 have decidedly warmer tuning and a much more present bass; they can be pushed to higher volumes without issue, and you will not be flooded with too spicy highs. The soundstage, on the other hand, is one of the largest ever, and the planars excel in this area. Both are constructed with high quality materials. It is undoubtedly more appealing to the majority of people. The shell is very large and is not comfortable for everyone.
Conclusion:
I have no doubts that the Simgot EA1000 Fermat are excellent IEMs. I am aware that these are IEMs that a newcomer to the hobby would be unlikely to purchase, but I am confident that many in the audio industry will appreciate them. The target users are those who enjoy high fidelity; recording must be as close to reproduction as possible, and in this case, I believe there is nothing to improve, at least in terms of sound quality.
In terms of personal preferences, I would have preferred more bass presence. However, the Simgot tuners know what they are doing in terms of sound, and an audio enthusiast like me has no right to criticize their work. In addition to the sound, they got the aesthetics right; it is very elegant and solid, and the accessories are adequate, but I would use two different types of tips in future.
If the brilliance does not knock you out, you will be rewarded with an IEM that takes you through track after track, providing details, sparkles, and resolution of a completely different kind.
9.4/10
Pros:
- Shell quality and aesthetic
- Quality packaging
- 0.78 LITZ Cable
- Bright Harman, Natural energetic
- High resolution and speedy driver
- Clear and luscious voices, sparkly treble
- Bass and sub-bass are pretty natural
- Great imagining
- Wider soundstage compared to the EA500LM
- Really easy to drive (doesn’t need anything powerful)
Cons:
- Tips need to be upgraded
- Treble could be borderline for treble sensitive
- The nozzles don’t change the tuning much
- Fingerprints magnet
- Not for Bassheads