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Simgot EA500LM Review: Pietro’s Take

Simgot EA500LM

Disclaimer:

Good morning, readers! I finally had time to review the Simgot EA500LM. I confirm that all Simgot products follow a certain tuning style that I really like. Their tuners know their own! Musically full of energy, they stand out from the crowd and they honestly seem to be one better than the other. There isn’t an IEM of theirs that I haven’t liked so far. I have yet to review the Simgot EA1000, which will be the next review to be published.

What I like about Simgot is that they take great care of the aesthetics of the product, starting from the packaging, passing through the aesthetics of the product without forgetting the sound, and giving very good tuning. If you are sensitive to trebles, these may be too much for you.

I thank Simgot for sending me this sample so I could review it.

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:

Packaging:

The Simgot EA500LM box is mystical, especially at certain angles, with the sun’s rays dazzling you with rainbow reflections.

A package capable of attracting anyone’s attention. Opening the package, we immediately find the Simgot EA500LM as beautiful as two jewels. Inside, we find 2 boxes with the accessories inside:

The cable is identical to that found in the Simgot EM6L; it is not particularly attractive, but it is a good stock cable that is flexible and lightweight. The tips are the “07” type, which often works well with all IEMs and is the best you can find already included in the package. The hard case is similar to the one seen on the EM6L, but a little anonymous; it is not a big deal, but I would have added a nice Simgot logo.

Design/Build Quality:

For my personal preferences, these fully represent my aesthetic taste. Maybe they are too minimal but the metal shell with mirror finish is absolutely fantastic. We have the possibility to choose 3 different nozzles (a choice that I prefer compared to the switches that I hate), the faceplates are simple with the Simgot and LM logo, and on the inside we find two ventilation holes.

The nozzles are quite large so they might bother some of you. Like various chrome products, obviously dirt but above all, skin sebum sticks to the surfaces. I note that unlike some recent IEMs such as the Kefine Delci, the shell of the Simgot EA500LM is probably obtained from a fusion and is therefore heavier. I hope in the future they will also arrive with a model with a shell machined from solid aluminium using CNC machining.

Initial sound impression:

At first listen, I wasn’t particularly surprised due to the stock tips, which, despite being good for most of the IEMs on the market, this time didn’t get along with my ears. After changing tips, I immediately appreciated what I was listening to. I would have liked to make a comparison with the EA500, but from what I saw graphically, I believe that the EA500LM is a revisitation with more bass, sub-bass, and treble.

Everything remains very balanced, in my opinion, and even if it winks at the V-shape at times, it resembles more of a W-shape. You immediately notice how Simgot always has a certain sound signature on its products. I can feel that they are all from the same brand. The Simgot EA500LM has somehow merged the treble of the EW200 (further improving it) with the rest of the older EA500, where they have added more bass. The overall mix immediately seemed rich in detail, with a precise image but a quite intimate soundstage. IEMs are also suitable for gaming but currently the best in this area remains the EM6L. I think I’ll look for a balanced cable to match it.

Comfort & Fit:

In terms of comfort, the shell is the ideal shape. The only drawback could be their weight; if you have a unique ear shape, this could cause pressure points. Typically, with the right eartips, you can solve these issues.

Tips Rolling?

TRI Clarion

I believe it is one of the IEMs most sensitive to tip rolling, thanks to its stocks, which are not particularly suitable. I absolutely recommend you try the Whizzer/Kbear SS20 tips or the Tri Clarion, as they are the cheapest to try. If you want to try something more expensive, I recommend the Divinus Velvet or the DUNU S&S. For the Dunu, in particular, they may not suit you well on all IEMs.

Final sound impression:

Equipment used for testing the above

Device:

Software:

DAC:

I waited some time as usual; in the meantime, I performed a burn-in for a few days and also waited for my mind to adapt. The second-generation dynamic driver mounted has a lithium-magnesium dome and a flexible suspension. As far as I’m concerned, I won’t go into detail because I would have to disassemble a driver to verify the information but the dome seems to be made of white material and can be glimpsed by removing the nozzle. I have no doubts about the quality of the driver.

It should have the same technology as the driver mounted on the EA1000 (the dome material is different) and I believe it is also the only one in my possession with a similar composition of the dome.

Regarding the timbre, I consider it natural, even if perhaps it has a slightly colder touch than I personally like but it still has a slightly warm note. I think it might not appeal to everyone because it takes away a bit of body warmth from the mids, which could be heard as slightly cold.

In any case, it follows a V-shape curve and through the nozzles, you can have variations based on your tastes and various tolerances.

Honestly, it has a very clear and detailed tuning and the mids don’t appear to be so recessed that calling it V-shape tuning is a bit misleading.

It gets along very well with POP, EDM, house, and R&B music, in my opinion, but if you like to have a more decisive bass presence, there are certainly other IEMs that are even more suitable.

Nozzle:

Gold Red:

In my opinion, this is the best nozzle. Everything remains balanced and appears to be in harmony. Furthermore, it is the tuning as Simgot conceptualized it, whereas the others are variations. This nozzle was used the majority of the time while reviewing. The voices, in particular, appear to have a strong presence here.

Silver Red:

This nozzle brings the tuning closer to the Harman target; it actually doesn’t add warmth to the sound. The highs are almost unchanged, just slightly more bright/sibilant but by relatively little. I seem to have missed some bass body and detail However, this is also the spiciest one. Already with the gold nozzle, there are somewhat borderline traces so completely removing the nozzle sponge makes some problems stand out even more. There is a minimal difference from the stock gold nozzle.

Silver Black:

Although it looks like the gold-colored one, at first glance I might think that the sponge inside has a different density. From what I feel, it should be a lower density; in fact, the bass loses a bit of body but gains in resolution. Honestly, it’s not bad but I prefer the gold one as it’s more balanced and a little less bright.

Nozzles help a lot and are especially useful instead of switches. Because I do not like changing them frequently, I choose the most balanced option. I am not sure why the two with red gaskets look so similar, whereas the silver/black one reduces bass and increases treble. When it comes to nozzles, the possibilities for modding are obviously limitless. Without a doubt, I would have preferred more variation between some nozzles.

360 Overview

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.

I think in terms of tuning, they probably listened to the feedback on the EA500 and improved that aspect. Their basses are very composed and present but only if required by the track. Personally, everything is particularly clean and pleasant, especially due to the precise separation they have. Maybe they are too present for some and too few for others but in my opinion, they have found an excellent balance.

Mids

The midrange part has the voices that dominate it. Female voices are silky, vivid, and rich in detail. The best nozzle to maintain the best balance is absolutely the gold-colored one. With the one without sponge, there is no difference at all. The other nozzle with the sponge instead dampens a little too much for my tastes. Personally, the part that I consider slightly cold is the mids, which, with a slightly warmer touch, would have been decidedly more enjoyable. 

I think I read that someone had a metallic experience regarding the mids but I think it’s just a sensation due to the brilliance of the tuning together with a slight resonance of the material. I can assure you that the mids are represented in a fabulous way and the musical instruments are very faithful to reality.

Treble

I think the trebles of the EW200 are much more elevated but in terms of detail and precision, I think the Simgot EA500LM returns more detail without adding peaks that could be noticeable. In my opinion, we are at the limit beyond which I personally would consider them as such, some very complex tracks are already at the limit with the gold nozzle. If the Simgot EW200 is already too much for you, these will not be suitable for you. Even if they seem more fluid, if you raise the volume beyond the safe limit, you will certainly have the opportunity to experience some sibilance or treble situations that become very lively. The presence of air is excellent.

Thanks To Gizaudio

Soundstage and Imaging:

I would have expected the Soundstage to be wider due to that really large ventilation hole compared to what you usually see, but despite being more intimate, the ultra-detailed, bright but above all, precise image is excellent, as is the layering. This also makes them particularly suitable for gaming, which, however, does not take full advantage of them. I must say that the sound seems to me to develop in height and depth rather than in width. The effect is at times holographic, given how clearly the image is placed in front of you. I tried it in a few games on PS4 and I had no problems locating enemies through the sounds of footsteps.

Overall, it keeps everything as natural as an audiophile would like; in fact, they are the closest thing I can think of to what one of them would want.

Comparison:

They are in a segment where both single-DD and hybrid IEMs can be found. There are so many products in this price range but there are some IEMs with a lower price that come into play.

vs Simgot EM6L

It is not a single DD so the performances are slightly different but I would also recommend this IEM for gaming. As excellent as the Simgot EA500LM is, it does not achieve the separation and soundstage of the EM6L. Honestly, the EM6Ls are full of energy and take you in and immerse you completely in the music. They have a different approach that engages you more easily. However, I must say that the shell of the EM6L is slightly less premium and resistant than the Simgot EA500LM.

vs Whizzer HE10

Whizzer He10

If you’re looking for something harmless on the treble side, this is for you. Despite having very hot tuning, it manages to restore a lot of details and a more accentuated bass region. The bass is very present but all in all, it blends together in an impeccable manner. The slightly warm mids give depth to the voices, which honestly don’t even sound too recessed. Excellent highs that are inoffensive but still rich in details with a good presence of air. I don’t think I have a review here on MBA but I’ll give you the link to the one I did. In my opinion, it is a hidden gem that has never had much success. It remains one of my favorites, together with the HE01, which is often found at super discounts.

vs Kefine Delci

The Kefine Delci are the new monsters in the sub 100 territory. Making a direct comparison with the Simgot EA500LM is difficult, as one is for Bassheads and the other is not. What I can tell you is that if you like a lot of bass, this IEM is for you. Furthermore, it has an ultra-light CNC machined shell with a very good driver capable of maintaining details and good sound despite the bass. They are a must-have set and are also extremely competitively priced. How could I prefer one over the other? Honestly, personal taste comes into play here. The Delci has a fun approach, while the EA500LM has a more serious profile oriented towards more audiophile listening. If we add the price factor, it is obvious that Delci is the winner in terms of quality/price ratio.

vs Simgot EW200

It is the Simgot that comes closest to what the EA500LM are. Obviously, they can’t compete but if you’re short on money, the Ew200 is still a great alternative. If you want something even better, the EPZ Q5 has a slightly warmer tone and a wider soundstage. Even technically, I would consider them slightly superior but they have a rather obnoxious and delicate MMCX connector.

Despite their similarities, I find them to be slightly warmer, with a bass that appears to be the same quantity but has a less heavy/beefy and slightly slower impact.

I would like to say that the EA500LM can be considered an upgrade of the already excellent EW200. Although double the price in this case does not mean double the sound quality.

Conclusion:

Unfortunately, I was unable to test the EA500, but based on the graphs, the EA500LM is a variant developed in response to user feedback. Personally, I find them to be IEMs with a high quality/price ratio, especially under 100 dollars.  They have a purely audiophile nature where quality comes first; there is a slight note of fun but they are purely serious.  I cannot hide a certain similarity with the EW200, which, despite costing half the price, still manages to compete in the same race.  The real monsters are IEMs like the Ew200, EPZ Q5, and now also the Kefine Delci, which, despite their price, stand up to IEMs that cost twice as much.  The Simgot EA500LM is undoubtedly better since the definition and details are a step higher but not by much.

Aside from rock, I think it works well with a variety of genres, particularly those from the 2000s. I am quite young, and I admit that I mostly listen to modern and electronic music, even though I experiment with every musical genre without any real preferences. As far as I am concerned, it is a tuning that works well with a variety of genres.

What I have noticed is that it requires a good dongle to express itself properly. If you have a slightly warm one, I think this combination is ideal, but it also works well with the SIMGOT DEW4X, which is slightly neutral. Another thing to consider are the tips; clearly, this is an IEM that is heavily influenced by tip rolling.

If your budget is limited but you want Simgot’s sound signature, the EW200 could be a great alternative to the EA500LM. Obviously, you will sacrifice some macro and micro details, resulting in a lower resolution but still above average.

Considering the cost-benefit factor, I see myself having to give a slightly lower rating to the Simgot EA500LM, this is because the wow effect is superior to the EW200 which are truly fantastic in that price range.

9.1/10

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Where to buy? (non-affiliate links)

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