Simgot EW300 Review
Intro
Hello, today I am reviewing one of the latest iems from the audio brand Simgot named the Simgot EW300. The EW300 is actually a $69 tribrid iem consisting of dynamic driver, 1 micro-planar driver, and 1 piezoelectric driver. Friends, I am utterly blown away at what Simgot is able to do in relation to cost. Seeing a tribrid at this price is fantastic. Basically, if this is what you get for $69 then how good is a Simgot flagship?! At any rate, the EW300 comes hot on the heels of some truly special iems and is actually the 3rd installment into the EW series iems for Simgot. Prior to the EW300 we saw the EW100 and EW200 tear through the budget audio scene and compete very well against the competition. I actually reviewed the EW200 (EW200 Review) and was more than impressed in every regard. From the build, design, to the awesome sound. Still one of my favorites under $50. Now, the EW300 comes in three variants, the Simgot EW300 X-HBB which is a collaboration effort between Bad Guy Good Audio (YouTube personality) and Simgot. Next is the Simgot EW300 DSP and then they also have the standard model which I have with me today and will begin reviewing shortly. It’s going to be very interesting.
Simgot
Folks, I’ve reviewed a number of Simgot Audio’s iems. The EW200 (EW200 Review), EA500 (EA500 Review), EA500LM (EA500LM Review), EM6L (EM6L Review), the EA1000 (EA1000 Review), the Simgot SuperMix 4 (SM4 Review) and I even reviewed one of their dongle dacs the Simgot Dew4x (Dew4x Review). Each product was a huge hit and each device I gave heaps of praise. Simgot simply has a way of bringing this “unrivaled elegance”. The name “Simgot” means “Simple Elegance” for crying out loud. Anyways, couple the gorgeous designs and robust builds with fantastic sound quality and you’ll end up with some of the best price-to-performance products that the audio world has to offer. In my opinion anyways. Truly a special brand that does not make many wrong moves. At least that I can tell. Simgot has a way of creating iems with this charming style of sophistication which borders on stoic to downright fancy and everything in between.
At $69 the Simgot EW300 is in some tough company. There are obviously some very nice sets packed within this range, which is great for the consumer, but much more difficult in the EW300 and Simgot. However, I don’t see any other tribrid iems going for that little. I am very interested to see just how well it stacks up. So, without further ado, the Simgot EW300 everyone…
Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:
Disclaimer:
I received the Simgot EW300 from Simgot as a review sample and in exchange I will conduct a full review and feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. I have not received any payment or any other form of compensation for this review. This set is a review sample iem. Simgot has not requested to pre-read any review and doesn’t have any control over “what” or “when” anything gets published to mobileaudiophile.com. All thoughts within this review are my own, though please take note that I will always have my own biases. This is impossible to get around. I try to be as objective as my subjective self can be, but this is an opinion piece folks. Thank you to Simgot and thanks for reading.
EW300 Pros
-Cost is ridiculously low ($69)
-Build Quality is great, all alloy
-Design is very unique (not for everyone)
-Tuning nozzles
-Cohesive across all three different drivers
-Great timbre for a tribrid costing $69
-Nice balance across the mix
-Bass extension, nice impact
-Non-Offensive sound
-Crisp over smooth midrange, clean, resolute, great for vocals
-Crisp treble, non-fatiguing, good extension up top
-Separation and imaging are both well done for $69
-Detail Retrieval
-Wide stage, nice height, decent depth
EW300 Cons
-Design will not be everyone’s favorite (X’s & ❤️’s)
-May be a bit too bassy for some folks
-Some piezo/planar timbre paired with brighter/colder sources
-For this price it’s hard to come up with cons
Gear used for testing
–Ifi Go Blu
–EPZ TP50
–Simgot Dew4x
–Aful SnowyNight
–Fiio Q15
–iBasso DX240 with Amp8 MK2
–Shanling M6 Ultra
Packaging / Accessories
Unboxing
The Simgot EW300 arrived at my house in a good-sized box with a very nicely designed front cover with large, imprinted X’s & ❤️’s. Pretty nice from my perspective. Open the box and you are met with the beautiful EW300 iems sitting pretty inside of some foam cut-outs. Also, inside the box you’ll find the Carrying case, the cable, six pieces of tuning foam, eight ring gaskets for the tuning nozzles, one extra tuning nozzle and three pairs of eartips. It’s quite a nice package for $69. In fact, it’s beyond nice having tuning foamies, extra gaskets and each is of good quality. Just a nice unboxing. I thought that the EW300 would have been much more costly.
Eartips
The eartips provided are nice in quality. You get three pairs (S, M, L) of white silicone eartips which are of very nice quality similar to KBear 07 tips. These tips have a semi-wide bore and do work nicely for the EW300’s. Now, I actually found that the best tips for me are not the included tips but instead I needed shallow fit wide-bore eartips. So, I wound up using actual KBear 07 large sized tips as the flange is just a bit firmer compared to the set in the packaging. Semi-wide tips work fantastic with this set. I also tried some shallow fit wide-bore tips as well, the Letshuoer blue wide-bores to be exact as well as Divinus Velvet wide-bore tips. However, I really enjoyed the KBear 07’s the best.
Carrying case
Simgot includes a nice and simple black faux leather case in the packaging as well. We’ve seen these cases from time to time. The included case is about large enough to fit the earphones, cable, and maybe a few sets of tips. It’s a smaller case but plenty large to protect your precious earphones. This case features a working zipper which I have to specify as “working” because so many of these cases the zipper barely operates. Anyways, it’s a nice inclusion if you need a case or just a place to store the extra nozzle, tips, and cable.
Cable
Now the included cable is a good and solid offering at this price. Nothing overly special but it looks very nice attached to the EW300’s. To be exact it’s a black/yellow braided 2-pin setup made of silver-plated oxygen free copper with 2-cores and ends in a 3.5 single ended jack. The braiding is nice to look at and the colors pop well paired with the EW300. I honestly don’t feel you need to swap cables as this one is perfectly fine. Now, for my situation I did need to change it up for my balanced sources. So, I went with a yellow/white Tripowin Nucool modular cable and primarily used the 4.4 balanced adapter. I went through roughly about 10 cables until I found one which meshed the best with the EW300. Again, I don’t feel it is a requirement to swap cables though if you mainly listen with balanced sources then you’ll obviously need to.
Tuning nozzles
Like many of Simgot’s iems, the EW300 comes with two sets of tuning nozzles. These nozzles simply screw on and off very easily without much effort. However, they are quite small so it’s probably best to have a good surface under you when changing them so that you don’t drop them and lose them. At any rate, the EW300 comes with a silver nozzle using a red gasket and a gold nozzle which uses a light purple gasket. Simgot says that the gold nozzle is actually marketed as a gaming nozzle, or something like that. It was in one of their promotionals. But really it supposedly represents a “Harman 2019” curve. I suppose it does to an extent, yet it is a slight variant of that. Now, the silver nozzle is the one I enjoy the most. It was tuned to Simgot’s own “Golden 2023” standard. This one closer represents what I enjoy.
Gold nozzle
Like I said, the gold nozzle is supposed to follow the “Harman 2019” curve. I guess it does to a slight degree yet with some pretty obvious deviations. I digress, the gold nozzle creates a nice sound, more laid back, slightly bassier, less crisp, less energy up top. It is a smoother sound altogether making probably the warmest and smoothest tuning of most any recent Simgot set. Between the two I found the gold nozzle as just a hair more laid back compared to the silver nozzle. Now if Simgot made a set strictly with the gold nozzle tuning and rendering of my music library I’d be perfectly happy and content. Truth be told, there are moments when I really enjoy this sound. However, the silver nozzle is just a bit more enjoyable for me.
Silver nozzle
Now, the silver nozzle is the one that I most enjoy. It is tuned after Simgot’s “Golden 2023” curve which is itself a deviation of Harman. However, between the two nozzles I like this one the most because it does have a slight bit more energy in the upper regions, less bassy by a small degree, more upper mid energy and hint more sparkle too. I found the treble has a hair more bite and the entire sound simply has more levity and air to it. For me the silver nozzle is definitely more engaging, energetic and more forward in the midrange making vocals very nice. I just like it better.
Build / Design / Internals / Fit
Build Quality
The build is exactly as one would expect from Simgot. It’s tops in class. Or at least it is up there. Let’s put it this way, I don’t know how much better you can get for $69.The EW300 is a very robust, strong, solidly built set made entirely of metal alloy with that slick mirror polish. It’s heavy, beefy in density and nothing weak or frail about it. It’s a paper weight that plays music… really well. Anyways, I notice two vents. One on the front cavity and one in the back. The nozzle is medium in length with a width of just over 6 mm. Pretty standard. The size and shape are identical to the Simgot EW200. So, if you have seen or spent time with that set then you know exactly what to expect. To be honest, it’s built very similarly to the EW200 in almost all ways. There are some ornamental differences but for the most part they are identical. It’s built like a tank folks and the EW300 is truly a durable and well-constructed iem.
Design
When I looked at the design for the first time I was taken aback because I was wondering what Simgot was thinking. The X and the Heart on the faceplates is a very bold move. Even for Simgot. How many DUDES want what correlates to “Love & kisses” on the face of their iems? But man did this look begin to grow on me. In fact, it grew on me so much that I’m wondering how many better designed iems are even in the price point. That’s quite a turn around. I went from “Geeze Simgot!” to “Geeze Simgot… Nice”. To be honest, it’s a sexy design. Elegant in a very minimalist and enthralling way, it’s simple. The fact that the entire iem has a mirror polish is ‘in-and-of-itself’ a very cool design. Now you add in these big X’s and Hearts and for some reason it just works. Every curve is beautiful on this set. The fat cavity before the nozzle, the odd curvature of the backside, shoot, even the recessed 2-pin is sexy. That all said, I know for a fact that many people will pass simply due to the design. So, it was a very BOLD choice on Simgot’s part. Very nice but also pretty risky.
Internals
Okay so this section is where we enter the weeds a little bit. Like I’ve said a bunch already, the Simgot EW300 is a tribrid iem. That means it has three different driver types. Now Simgot has made one like this recently in the Simgot SuperMix 4 (SM4 Review). Actually, the SM4 even had an extra driver making it a quadbrid. So, the EW300 comes equipped with one dynamic driver, one micro-planar, and one piezoelectric driver. The DD is a 10mm ceramic like diaphragm driver which covers both the bass as well as the midrange. I like that for cohesions’ sake. The planar, which is a 6mm micro-planar, and the piezoelectric driver both take on the treble frequencies. Simgot had amazing feedback from the SM4 which also utilized a micro-planar and piezo driver for its highs. It is obvious to me that these drivers are of a high quality. I hear no distortions, grain, fuzz or any real timbre oddities other than the usual characteristics of each driver type. Very good Simgot.
Fit / Isolation
The fit for me is perfect. I have absolutely no issues getting a good seal and the EW300 seats perfectly in my ears. They are also extremely comfortable. However, I am not you and so I can’t obviously say whether the EW300 is going to fit you or not. Basically, if you have the EW200 and it fits, then the EW300 should fit as well. The EW300 doesn’t take on some weird shape, there’s no8 rough edges or sharp corners. It’s simply comfortable for me. Now, I feel the actual isolation is perfectly fine, but also average. However, average is good. There isn’t a whole lot of sound leakage either, so those around you shouldn’t be complaining because of your loud music.
Drivability / Pairings
The Simgot EW300 is rated with an impedance of around 28 ohms and a sensitivity of 121db/vrms using the silver nozzle, and 119 db/vrms using the gold nozzle. What this means is that the EW300 is a pretty sensitive set and can be used with most any source devices. Even less powerful sources like my iPad using the 3.5 connection were plenty loud enough. Having said that, the EW300 will reward you for giving it some power. I feel it needs just a bit cleaner juice to open up that micro-planar and piezo driver. As far as tonality pairing, I generally liked sources that were closer to neutral or even warmer sets. I didn’t like colder sounding source devices as at times the planar/piezo drivers can come across a hint metallic on some tracks. Nothing egregious or too edgy, but slightly metallic, nonetheless.
Mobile Listening
When out and about I used my usual Ifi Go Blu with the 4.4 connection, and I was loving every minute of it. In fact, the EW300 creates a very nice synergy with it. Plenty of power on tap too. Of my dongle dacs I once again enjoy the EPZ TP50 as well as the Simgot Dew4x the most. Both devices run off of CS43198 dac chips and both have plenty of power to really open up the EW300. The source devices that I didn’t like all that much were the Shanling UA2, and the Fiio KA3. Both of those sources just gave me that electric metallic sounding edginess out of the treble that I didn’t like. Lesser expensive devices like the EPZ TP20 Pro and Moondrop Dawn 4.4 were also great options too.
More juice
This brings us to some slightly more powerful source devices. I liked them all. Really. I found the EW300 is not too insanely picky. Like I said, colder sources aren’t my favorite but everything else sounds great. From the neutral and very dynamic iBasso DX240, the ultra-resolving and equally neutral and dynamic Fiio Q15 and the warmer sounding Shanling M6 Ultra. Each has a different dac situation and each paired wonderfully with the EW300. Perhaps if I were to pick one of the three, I’d say the Fiio Q15 came across the best. But all were nice. What I found out was that the EW300 does like power. It doesn’t have to be some huge power source but giving this set around 100 mw at the least helps. I actually used medium gain on all my daps and that seemed to really let this set shine.
What should you use?
If I were you, I would pick up a semi-powerful dongle dac. Like I said, the EPZ TP20 Pro is a nice pairing, and it costs about $45-50. I’m sure you can find one even cheaper or find another dongle dac that is not too very expensive. I do feel that most source tonalities pair very well with the EW300. Enjoy.
Sound Impressions
Note: I just want to preface this entire sound portion of this review by stating that I did burn this set in for about five days. Being that the EW300 has a 6mm micro-planar a DD and as piezoelectric drivers I assumed this set needed some run-in. After burn-in I definitely found out that I was right. Other than that, all of my listening impressions came using the silver nozzle as I simply like it better. Also, I use flac or better files stored in my devices primarily using UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro).
EW300 quick sound report
I suppose I was expecting something closer to the EW200 but what I got was a slightly warmer, more cultivated & polished sound in my opinion. I still hear that DNA in the overall sound, just more refined. I’d say it has a warm/neutral tonal color. I’m a little on the fence about sound signature but I’d say it’s almost a W-shaped iem, maybe U-shaped too. It has a lifted bass shelf, and the midrange is nicely forward without going boxy, glaring, sibilant, or artificial sounding, while the treble isn’t too emphasized for its own good. It’s a nice tuning with a dynamically balanced and energetic sound and good levels of macro-dynamics. I find the EW300 to have a crisp sound with peppy transients and good note weight. More like lean-lush than heavy weighted, but each note has actual density. Certainly, an upgrade over the EW200 and possibly a fantastic side grade to the Simgot EA500LM with a few caveats to consider.
I am very impressed by this brand and what they’ve done once again using multiple different driver types. Each driver works in tandem with the others promoting each driver’s strong points. I should also state that the sound is very clean across the board with great clarity. Clean in a lean-lush and sculpted way with adequate musicality. Not in an analytical and dry way. Does that make sense? You have sculpted note outlines without the fuzz which so often adds almost a haze upon the crest of notes, at least on some sets. Not on the EW300. Is it perfect? Absolutely not, there are certainly issues with this set. However, is it good enough to be considered among some of the best under $100? There ya’ go, that’s the right question.
Condensed Sound Between the 20’s
Let’s do a quick rundown of the sound between the 20’s shall we. So, the bass has a strong emphasis with a deep extension and nice rumble along with a nice transient response which helps it to have a good and solid impact. Not so much that it takes over the whole spectrum, but enough to warm it up a bit. The midrange is crisp-over-smooth, effortlessly clean, with just enough snap and abrasive edge when needed. I hear very good details for such a tuning with good separation as the sound comes through open & airy. The treble doesn’t lack sparkle, but it also isn’t forced brightness. Just enough to add some luster to the spectrum. I hear good extension past 8k and good secondary harmonics, nothing egregiously splashy either. Again, detail retrieval is solid, Imaging is great outside of bass heavy tracks, and the soundstage is above average. Really a nicely crafted tuning. I am very impressed how Simgot is able to intelligibly and fluently combine these drivers with such cohesion. What a fun and very talented set this is!
Note: tthe graph below shows “Red” and “Pink”. The red represents the “Silver Nozzle” while the pink represent ts the “Gold Nozzle”.
Bass Region
One thing I loved about the EW200 was that tight and punchy bass. Well, the EW300 takes that punchy nature and scales it up a bit with a more impactful, well textured, fast and dense bass replay. The low-end has a tight decay for a bass shelf with roughly 10-11 db’s in emphasis. I hear a harder edge to bass notes rather than something pillowy or soft. The crest of each note is clean (depending on the track) for a larger bass and does so with good note definition. This is not the type of bass which sounds like a hammer wrapped in cotton. Note edges have a rigid and robust quality which gives the EW300 that energetic, deep, and droning vibrance. The sub-bass takes the brunt of the low-end emphasis with a forward and firm rendering of this region followed by a mid-bass with plenty of fullness and a meaty boom when called upon. The low-end does fall into the midrange a bit yet doesn’t steal the midrange clarity in the process. No veil, no warm haze and no mud. This set really does have a nice bass region folks. Perhaps some would like an even snappier bass but for the head bobbing quantity… I found this to be a very mature experience. Really a very nicely done bass.
Sub-bass
The sublevels of the bass carry a constrained, tense, forward, and haptic vibrance. It’s a moist sub-bass with a contained forcefulness. I hear good control with very nice speed & no extra hanging fat. No loose and lagging harmonics or resonances either on the EW300. Of course, the sub-bass is on the meaty side and so there’s definitely some tracks which bring on a hair too much fullness ultimately carrying over into the mid-bass. Some may not like this kind of bulbous solidity, but by-and-large I am loving what I’m hearing. It’s taut, unyielding, with a certain control to the sound and some good ole’ fortified haptic vibration. The sub-bass is extended very nicely into the lowest of lows yet without truly mudding up the mix. Now, after I’ve said all of this, I’d also like to declare that this is not a basshead iem. It’s not at those levels. This is a fun sub-bass which can get very guttural but won’t overtake any area of the mix unless the track specifically emphasizes that. This is a nice distinction. I should also say that there are other sets that can also do this. Not many, but some. This is not some new phenomenon. It’s simply a great character trait of a fine set.
Sub-bass cont…
Listening to “Tell Me What’s on Your Mind” by The Decemberists you’ll hear what I’m talking about. This track begins with a deep and rotund vibratory bass line and the EW300 takes this type of low-toned bullishness and reciprocates perfectly. Really a nice and deeply quaking bassline with the EW300 in my ears. Another track is “Better Together (Nightmares on wax mix)” by Jack Johnson. Friends, I love when the bass drops at around 45 seconds and again the EW300 shows off its ability to rumble with a juddering replay. I suppose the depth and low-toned rumble isn’t really the good thing here. I mean, any set can be tuned to run deep. What I enjoy is how that deep haptic shudder sounds controlled with an almost localized force. It’s a nice quality because not only is it big and meaty, but it also doesn’t cast its aftereffects on the rest of the mix. In fact, in both of those tracks the rest of the melody sounds perfectly separated. It’s just clean friends.
Mid-bass
The mid-bass is the type which does gain some heft from the sub-bass, but not to the point of rendering the mid-bass ill defined. I hear a nicely contoured mid-bass which doesn’t come across as though it’s one-noted to my ears. The mid-bass has some good slam with enough lift in this region to replay just about any genre really well. Not too much, never overbearing, not sloppy and not the type which creates a veil either. I hear an atmospheric mid-bass with solid timbre and tonality. More organic to my ears. Yet also the mid-bass doesn’t shy away from quicker bass passages. Of course there is a point where the speed of a track may be too much for the EW300’s to handle, but I haven’t really heard that yet. For the most part the mid-bass falls right into line and takes what the song is giving it. You could call it “mature fun” where there never seems to be a loss of control.
Mid-bass cont…
The mid-bass has enough fullness, and borrows from the sub-bass to really make bass guitars come across dirty and mean. “Groove” by Ray Wylie Hubbard is a track I always go to, and for good reason. This track shows me how controlled the note outline will be, how much brute strength and vigor a set has, along with how full it can sound. “California” by CMAT is another deep and full bass guitar that the EW300 replays very well with enough meat to sound satisfying but not enough to throw off the timbre. Kick drums also come across nicely as they have that pointed snap at attack. It’s a wet attack followed closely by that hollow and resonant boom in the track “Billie Jean” by Weezer. Just a fun sound that hits nicely.
Downsides of the Bass Region
Without question plenty of folks would rather that the bass region not be as lifted. However, I do feel it’s tastefully done. Not quite basshead with a 10db shelf, but definitely not bass-lite either. That said, I know plenty of hobbyists who much prefer an even more agile, swift, and concentrated bass that isn’t boosted as much. I’d also say that the EW300 could use a hint better note definition in the mid-bass as well. Still, panning out and looking at the EW300’s bass as a whole… I am impressed at how they were tuned.
Midrange
The mids on the EW300 seem to be in a very nice place within the sound field. Not too forward, yet not recessed either. The EW300 does a nice job of creating equal parts smooth and crisp which sound refined in comparison to the EW200. Really lovely for vocals of both male and female as the midrange carries solid timbre that doesn’t come across as artificial or too colored. It’s a natural timbre with just enough warmth against the neutrality. I would’ve thought there would be many more instances of metallic notes, or notes plagued by planar timbre, but I was clearly wrong. On some tracks those characteristics show up but they are few and far in between. The thing which I love hearing is the crispness of this midrange without going artificial. It’s a realistic crispness, some edginess. I believe the mids are crisp-over-smooth yet not without some smoothness if that makes sense. Detail retrieval is fantastic along with very nice clarity. I hear a unsullied midrange with a glossy and vibrant presence from borrowed energy from the treble region creating a very vivid sound. Micro-dynamics are evident as subtle volume shifts and subtleties within my music can be picked up nicely leading to solid micro-details, with a few caveats that I’ll talk about later. Macro-dynamics come through well from the uplift in the sound which makes for an exciting listening experience. I would call the midrange engaging with an immersive soundstage, great separation, great clarity, and solid timbre, all the while not lacking in musicality and tunefulness as some analytical sets can.
Lower-midrange
The low-mids do borrow some weight and warmth from the bass region and comes across a hair recessed. Having said that, I don’t feel that this “recession” is a knock against the tuning. Just an artifact of it. In my mind the low-end does the low-mids a favor by adding just enough note body and presence to where the recession isn’t even a problem. Males come through with good authority to their vocals. One example of this is in the track “Rome” by Dermot Kennedy. His voice is very gruff, edgy, and somewhat deep in pitch and the EW300 makes him sound awesome. This set gives his voice some dimension, a certain roundness, or a 3D quality which pronounces the inflections in his voice. It’s all in the tuning folks because if this set was any warmer or smoother than those inflections wouldn’t have nearly the presence. I would assume anyways. Another track is “Bluebird Singing” by John Vincent III. John’s voice is slightly more melodic, whimsical and smooth sounding yet also kind of zesty with an unpolluted or untainted and clear diction. Yes, there is some crispness, but it is never abrasive, but rather it’s glass-lined and clear. To put it in a much easier way, the EW300 bolsters every good quality of his voice. Men sound good on this set with a substantial and sturdy note body that’s authoritative and realistic, while at the same time they aren’t too full or too smooth to sound articulate and clean. Instruments follow this trajectory to-the-tee in this region.
Upper-Midrange
The upper midrange comes through more vivacious, more forward, but also less full sounding. Perhaps there is some glare on the right track but mostly this region behaves. Certainly not as bright as the EA500LM but even more detailed in my opinion. I hear clear separation of instruments with very nice imaging, nice layering, texture to notes, and obviously good clarity. Females come across shimmery with a moist and dense note body that also has plenty of vibrance. It’s a nice combo and one which makes for good vocals. Maybe not 100% authentic to life, but good. Usually, I like females with a bit more body to their voice, but I can’t help but enjoy what Simgot did here. For a technical set I really do like how emotional it can sound. Just a very nice mix of fine-lined details and density. Females like Lauren Daigle in the track “You Say” is a song that I wouldn’t have thought would sound nice with this set. However, the EW300 adds texture to her already husky sweet as voice with a wetted note delivery and intonation to her voice. The EW300 does well at mixing harmony, vibrance, and forwardness while also not skimping on actual note mass. Females sound very nice listening with the EW300, from my perspective anyways.
Downsides to the Midrange
To me the midrange is very well done for $69 and should make a great set for those who like a solid midrange performance. However, this hobby is so very subjective, and I’d be a fool to think that everyone will be down with this sound. Also, there are sets which specialize in the midrange and vocals which would be a better option for mid-centric lovers. Fans of that warm, thick, and truly emotional type sound are probably not going to fully enjoy how articulate and even analytical the EW300 can be. Yes, it has a musical flare, but it isn’t that milky rich type sound. There are also moments where the timbre isn’t perfectly spot-on. You’ll hear some edginess that may not agree with you. I happen to think that it sounds great but also, I love just about every sound signature that’s out there. The midrange borrows some luster from the treble region which does uplift the sound and so the midrange can be a hint bright or glaring on certain tracks. Certainly not to the degree as something like the Simgot EA500, but it is there from time to time, nonetheless. Also, you do get some planar style timbre from time to time. That metallic type of sound mixed with the liveliness of the piezo which honestly isn’t perfectly natural. It’s good for what it is but do keep that in mind.
It’s good friends…
Having said all of that, I think Simgot did a wonderful job making a detail rich sound that doesn’t really offend while keeping a fine-lined crispness that articulates every subtle modulation within the sound and every up & down volume shift very well. It’s tight in its transients, speedy, agile, and very ductile as the EW300 can keep up with even fast or more complicated tracks. I hear very nice texture and good layering for an immersive type listen. The kicker is that all of this articulation and energetic replay all comes in a crystal clear and warmer style sound. Just very engaging. It’s good friends.
Treble Region
This is a treble which doesn’t seek to offend. It is not a super bright treble region, but it doesn’t lack brilliance. There is definitely a balance going on here with the bass region. Again, we have another very well detailed playback with solid resolution, some good bite to treble notes with a crispy sound that adds some texture and crunch to my music. I wouldn’t call this a treble heads dream or anything but the planar and piezo team up to offer some solid note definition. Using the silver nozzle of course. So maybe not a treble heads’ dream, but it is for those who enjoy a good and sparkly treble that won’t fatigue most listeners.
Uplifts without going artificial
I also hear some very good extension past 10k with brighter harmonics in the upper air regions. Having this adds some air and openness to the overall sound but also adds some width to the stage along with some dimension to the sound. Having that air between instruments is vital for stuff like separation of instruments, detail retrieval etc. Very similar to the EW200 yet just more refined, crisper, more revealing too. I found the EW200 a bit brighter and loud in my ear where the EW300 dials that back but instead adds more talented drivers to create better note delivery. Cleaner, finer details, fine-lined precision over the smoother and brighter EW200. What I enjoy is the warmth lower in the spectrum which fluently transitions into this semi-brite treble region for a very cohesive overall delivery. I know I’ve said that a lot (the word cohesion) but I cannot help it. Folks this set is $69 and somehow Simgot absolutely nailed combining these three drivers with almost no odd timbre, weird peaks, scratchiness, grain, or any treble tizz. The treble is very good and one of the best in the price point if you are looking for something which can bring out the minutiae within your music while also impacting the rest of the mix in a positive way. This treble uplifts without going artificial or without it feeling like forced resolution.
Examples
Another thing that the EW300 treble has going for it is the speed with which it can maneuver around my music and even complicated tracks. The planar and priezo seem to be able to take any track with ease. Now, at times in some brighter and more congested songs you can get some mishmash of treble tizz. But that’s more an artifact of the recording. However, give the EW300 a good recording like Billy Strings track “Ice Bridges” and you’ll hear the EW300 resolve the lightning-fast banjo without breaking a sweat. Or the track “The Hardest Part” by Washed Out. This is another track with a ton of treble activity which really shows off the EW300’s ability to separate even in the face of a deep and bulbous bass. Everything is partitioned off and images so well on this song. The song “Magnetic Fields, Pt. 1” by Jean Michel Jarre is perhaps one of the best treble test tracks in planet earth for electronic treble, you can thank me later. Okay, I may have exaggerated a bit, but it’s nice. It comes with loads of treble hitting from every direction. Listen as the EW300 misses absolutely nothing. All electronic beats that come through crystal clear while other sets in the price point simply sound like a mishmash of colliding treble tizz. I’m telling you, each note is concise, direct in its purpose, well controlled and the timbre sounds nice to my ears.
Folks, I love what Simgot has done here. For $69 they crafted a treble experience that is very good, great clarity, crisp, with good bite to notes while also having actual note body. I’d say it comes close to that of the Supermix4 for about half the price.
Downsides to the Treble Region
Listing out some issues I’d first say that not everyone enjoys a crisp and even close to bright treble. There are many who are sensitive to that. Putting on the gold nozzle will help to an extent, but I just think that there will be those who won’t enjoy the output and emphasis in the EW300’s treble region. Those types who really love a warmer and darker treble will probably want to keep looking. Granted, I honestly don’t consider this a super bright treble. The EA500, EA500LM, EA1000, EW200 all had brighter treble displays than the EW300. Beyond that, I honestly don’t feel there is any other blatant faults with the EW300’s treble other than some moments of slightly edgy timbre. However, those moments also came from tracks which are inclined towards that edginess. So, take it for what you will but I am happy with the playback in this region. Very good Simgot!
Technicalities
Soundstage
As I listened, one of the first things I noticed was the expansive stage. I wouldn’t call it the best in the price point, but it’s well laid-out. I hear a wide stage which is helped by the extension going both ways. The deeper sub-bass and the airiness up top do help to stretch the stage in a psycho-acoustic manner. Height is also very full to my ears. Now, the sound field isn’t pushed back as an oval in front of me but instead it’s all around me. Intimate to a degree as in “close to the listener”, yet big in all directions. Also, depth plays a big role in this. I hear good layering of sounds as the front to back sound field has evident distance there. So, depth is pretty good too. All in all, I like the stage. It is immersive, mesmeric in its attempt at 3D-like imagery. Again, it may not be class leading but it’s a great quality to have.
Separation / Imaging
I’ve already spoken of the EW300’s ability to separate both instruments and vocals very well. Obviously in tracks that are simply too congested you may have a problem distinguishing good and distinct separation. But for the most part the EW300 is speedy enough, resolves well enough, is clear and clean enough, with a tight enough transient attack through decay which leads to good separation. Also, in ridiculously heavy bass jams you may have a bit of a masking issue but also, who is seeking out perfect technicalities on a super heavy bass track? The answer to that is… nobody. Imaging walks the same line as separation. Each instrument has its own placement, space, and each has some roundness to it. Much will depend on the track but by-and-large the EW300 performs well with imaging and layering.
Detail Retrieval
This is a highly technical set folks. It just is. Yes, it has some semblance of musicality (which I love) but for the most part you are looking at a very resolving sound. Detail retrieval is an obvious by-product of such a tuning. Not just the tuning either as the drivers used really help in this regard. Micro-details are easy to distinguish, again, fine lines, tight transients, agile and rapid note delivery, good separation, wider stage, and simply a non-veiled sound altogether really helps to bring out the subtleties.
Comparisons
Note: I just want to establish that I am not going to complete a super in-depth comparison. These will be quick and general overview of each set. I do this because I have a scheduled date for publishing, and I don’t want to o ershoot that. Also, my reviews are already too long, and comparisons can be anywhere for 800 words to 2000 words depending on how much explaining needs done. Also, this will not be a duel to the death. I don’t do that folks. You guys can establish for yourself which is better, and I will likely tell you what I prefer but I’m not doing this to crown any set. I do these comparisons only to help explain the iem I’m reviewing.
Simgot EW200 ($40)
I reviewed the Simgot EW200 (EW200 Review) some time last year and I was overjoyed at how special this iem was across the board. I instantly and secretively dubbed it the best iem under $50. It wasn’t even a tough decision. Now, the EW200 is a single DD iem with one 10 mm SCP diaphragm and one of the best builds under $100. Just gorgeous folks. It is a complete package of a tuning and one I was happy to review.
Differences
For one, both sets are made from the exact same mold. Meaning, size and shape are identical. However, the EW200 only has one dynamic driver compared to the EW300’s tribrid implementation. Both sets are made entirely of alloy, the same materials used. I’d probably say that the EW300 is the better-looking set but that is completely subjective as I could easily see someone liking the EW200 more. One extra little attribute that the EW300 has that the EW200 doesn’t have is tuning nozzles. I do think this is a very nice addition to any iem and I feel something akin to the gold nozzle of the EW300 would have helped the EW200 a lot for some folks (not me, I love that set). I think the EW300 comes with a better cable, and it comes with an actual carrying case whereas the EW200 comes only with a soft felt pouch.
Sound Differences
As far as sound differences, the two of these iems sound very similar in overall tonality other than the EW200 comes in a bit hotter, brighter, while also being a bit smoother overall up top. The bass of the EW300 digs deeper with a lower pitched drone along with a more impactful and harder hitting bass region. The midrange is more forward on the EW300 but less edgy and abrasive. It’s cleaner in the EW300, more detailed, better layering and a more spacious sound. The treble of the EW200 is brighter, less crisp and less treble bite. I find that Simgot took what the EW200 was and refined it in the treble region. You can really tell when you hear the resolve of the EW300 along with the density and body to its notes in comparison. Detail retrieval is better on the EW300, better separation, Imaging, layering, and the stage is vaster. All by small margins but small margins are what we are paying for.
Final thoughts on this comparison
I hate to write a comparison that is so one-sided. I spent a total of about an hour and fifteen minutes comparing in my most comfortable chair and in each category, it was the EW300 who came out in top for me. That said, this takes nothing away from what the EW200 is. For the price you’d be very hard pressed to find something that is flat-out-better. However, the EW300 is ane exact upgrade in all ways.
Note: The graph below only features the gold nozzle variant as I could not find a comparison graph using the silver nozzle, unfortunately.
Tanchjim 4U ($70)
What an awesome set. I haven’t reviewed this set as I bought it simply to enjoy. I’m sure I will at some point, but I have too much of a backlog at this point. Anyways, the 4U is a single dynamic driver earphone which consists of a dual chamber design and a 10 mm LCP diaphragm which can be adjusted by the circuit filter system with a screwdriver. Truly a special set and one that is going to be tough for the EW300.
Differences
First off, the 4U takes a more ergonomic shape (for me anyways) but they both seat very well in my ears. Both are made of all alloy. Also both sets can be adjusted with the EW300’s tuning nozzles and the 4U’s filter system on the underside of the Shells. Both are truly gorgeous, but I feel more folks would probably like the 4U’S frosted zinc alloy and Apple-esque design. I actually like the EW300 a bit more, but that’s me. Both are beautifully designed. So far, a tie. I do like the cable on both sets though the EW300 has a bit more fatness. The EW300 comes with a carrying case where the 4U does not.
Sound Differences
I find the EW300 to be a hair warmer (very slight margin), but also more resolving to a degree as well. Honestly, the 4U is an uncolored sound with a very linear approach against the dynamic presentation of the EW300. This is truly a preference battle. Both are very good at what they do, and I enjoy both sets greatly for different reasons. That said, macro-dynamics are bigger on the EW300 with better definition to the 4U’s more analog sound. The bass hits with more impact on the EW300, harder edges, more round notes, deeper in pitch while the 4U has a subtle softness to it, but both sets have decent definition. The midrange on both sets is very nice but the 4U is smoother overall. I find the EW300 has better clarity, more crispness, as well as better layering and separation of instruments. I’d say the 4U is more natural, organic sounding while the edginess of the piezo does come through in the EW300. Both sets have a certain air in their sound as well. They both are more open sounding and almost effervescent. The treble of the EW300 and 4U are both extremely clear, clean, precise, and extended. The 4U is a pinch brighter with a touch more brilliance but the EW300 has that bite and treble punch that the smoother 4U doesn’t have. I feel the EW300 has better detail retrieval, better instrument separation, layering is a touch better as well and the soundstage has a more 3D quality. However, both are outstanding at their prices.
Final thoughts on this comparison
I realize that this looked like another EW300 win, but I promise you I love them both. They both offer a different approach to sound. Neither is better. One does it one way and the other does it a different way. Both are easily worth the money. For me personally, I do prefer the Simgot EW300 a bit more. Maybe that is honeymoon phase? I don’t know. However, if you get a chance to own either of them I don’t think you can go wrong.
Note: once again the graph below shows the “Gold” nozzle for the EW300 rather than the “Silver” nozzle.
Simgot EA500LM ($90)
I’ve called the EA500LM the best iem under $100 for quite some time. I reviewed this set last year (EA500LM Review) and I still adore the sound. This is truly the battle that the EW300 is going to have a problem with. The EA500LM is a single dynamic driver earphone with one 2nd generation 10mm liquid magnesium dynamic driver which sits I side of a dual cavity. Folks, everything about this set screams premium quality and the price is very nice.
Differences
For one, both sets are roughly the same size even though the EW300 has three drivers packed in. Both are once again made of all alloy. Both are beautifully designed and both are stunning in the ear. However, for me the EA500LM is simply the better looking iem. That gun metal coloration with hints of browns and the simple logo is just too good. I think they are both very nice to look at but the EA500LM is a step up purely from a design standpoint. The EA500LM and the EW300 both come with the exact cable, exact tips, and the exact same carrying case. Both sets utilize tuning nozzles as well. Lastly, the EA500LM will run you about $20 more to own it and so you may have to have an internal discussion with yourself if that is worth it.
Sound Differences
To begin, the EW300 has a slightly warmer coloration to it while the EA500LM does have a neutral sound yet with w bright hue to it. I find the EA500LM and the EW300 both take a more natural approach though the EA500LM edges the EW300 out just a tad due to some slight planar timbre at times. The EA500LM is more cohesive simply due to the fact that it has only one driver instead of three DIFFERENT drivers like on the EW300. Now, the EW300 does have a better balance across the mix. The EW300 has more of a crisp sound while the EA500LM leans smoother while still providing some pointed crispness when needed.
Between the 20’s
The low-end of the EW300 has a deeper rumble, tighter, slams harder while the EA500LM does have the slightest bit of softness to its bass impact. Don’t get me wrong the EA500LM has an awesome bass, but the EW300 just edges it out in my opinion. Looking at the midrange the EA500LM sounds more natural, just as clean sounding but also smoother which does provide better vocals by a slight margin. Instruments sound a bit more authentic to life. However, the EW300 edges out the EA500LM in detail retrieval, instrument separation, but both show off layering of sounds very well. The EA500LM midrange sits a hair more forward as well. The treble of the EW300 has more of a concise edge to it while being crisper and with better note definition. However, the EA500LM has the more brilliant and bright sounding treble with slightly better treble extension. Both provide good air to the sound, and both have a speedy treble region. The EW300 has a planar and a piezo taking in the treble region and they simply provide better note distinction, better clarity too. Though you also get a hint of that odd timbre from time to time whereas the EA500LM is all natural. Perhaps a hair bright for some folks, but basically the timbre is wonderful. I feel detail retrieval is ever-so-slightly better on the EW300, transients come and go a pinch quicker, while the EA500LM is the more musical set, more melodic and has the more energetic and dynamic sound. The soundstage is big on both sets, and I find them both to have a 3D affect. Now, layering of sounds is good on both sets and the EW300 slightly edges out the EA500LM in instrument separation.
Final thoughts on this comparison
I love them both and couldn’t choose which I would say is the better buy. I really am divided. Which is saying a lot for the EW300! I feel the EA500LM is one of, if not thee best set money can buy under $100. You have your Artii R1’s of the world (Artti R1 Review) and a few others but it is a beast of a single DD. So, I guess what I’m saying is that the EW300 is right there with the best. It really is friends. The EA500LM is a bit smoother and more musical in nature whereas the EW300 leans a hint more analytically inclined. Both have touches of both qualities which is probably why I love them both so much.
Further comments: I told you these would be ridiculously generalized comparisons. Believe me I’d love to sit down and list out every track, what I heard and how I came to all conclusions. That would be a great joy for me. Maybe one day I’ll upload my notes. This set alone was 10.5 pages of notes. I give you the abridged version in all ways. The point is, I’m sorry these comparisons aren’t as in depth as I’d like. I really do have a word count I try to stay below.
Is it worth the asking price?
Absolutely the EW300 is worth the asking price! I can’t understand why Simgot chose to sell it so low. When I first got this set, I posted a 1st Impressions post on Facebook, and I had zero idea what the price would be. I must’ve gotten 20 messages (Facebook messenger) about what the price is, as though I knew it but was holding back… Lol. My answer was that I didn’t know but probably around $90 to $119. That was my best guess. Now, fast forward a week or two and I see that it’s being sold at… what!… $69!!? What?! Folks, I’m being 100% direct with you here. The Simgot EW300 is worth every penny. Yeah, I know, there’s a sea of iems in the price point. I know because I’ve reviewed most of the or I own them. Ya I’ve heard many of them and I feel the EW300 is probably one of the best buys for MY money. I don’t want to speak for you and everyone’s different. Shoot, you may hate the sound, the look, the everything. However, looking at this set from a purely subjectively objective perspective I am so extremely impressed by what Simgot has done. Give yourselves a pat on the back Simgot, you earned it.
The Why…
Because the build quality is very good. The all-alloy shells with a mirror polish makes for a beautiful design. It’s solidly built in a way that screams “premium” yet lands squarely in the budget category. The design may not be for everyone, but you cannot knock how simple and also elegant the look is. You have two working tuning nozzles, tuning foams as well to further dial in the sound and all accessories are if high quality. Also, we are talking about a tribrid iem for under $70! Who does that!? However, that sound is why we are here, and that sound is why the EW300 is worth the hype and worth the price. The bass digs deep, hits hard, well defined, clean, and it handles complicated tracks well. The mids are very nice for vocals while at the same time is very technical in nature. The treble is just bright enough, it has bite, it has body to notes, I hear good crispness and good extension too. A very nice mix of musicality and technicalities if you ask me. Great for detail retrieval, awesome separation, good layering, and a very good stage. Yes, it has subtle subjective gripes, but what doesn’t? Yes, it’s worth the asking price.
Ratings (0-10)
Note: all ratings are based upon my subjective judgment. These ratings are garnered against either similarly priced sets or with similar driver implementations or styles with the unique parameters of my choosing. In the case of the Simgot EW300 ratings below, that would be $40-$90 iems of any driver configuration. Please remember that “ratings” don’t tell the whole story. This leaves out nuance and a number of other qualities which make an iem what it is. A “5-6” is roughly average and please take into consideration the “lot” of iems these ratings are gathered against. $40-$90 US iems of any kind is a huge scope of sets, and it’s also extremely competitive. It should mean something to see a rating above a “9.0”, in my opinion. My ratings are never the same and each set of ratings tells a different story. Each time you read one of my ratings will be unique to that review. Basically, I create a Rating that makes sense to me.
Aesthetic
–Build Quality: 9.6 Built extremely well.
–Look: 9.2 Great design, not for everyone?
–Fit/Comfort: 9.6 Good for me, not for everyone though.
–Accessories: 8.9
–Overall: 9.3🔥🔥🔥
Sound Rating
–Timbre: 9.0 Organic for a $70 tribrid.
–Bass: 9.5 Great Bass!
–Midrange: 9.3 Controlled, engaging, clean, detailed.
–Treble: 9.8 Clean, brilliant, detailed, extended.
–Technicalities 9.7 Great technically across the board.
–Musicality: 8.9 Nicely Musical.
–Overall: 9.4🔥🔥🔥
Ratings Summary:
The ratings above have been conducted between the Simgot EW300 against any and all iems ranging between $40 and $90. If you didn’t know, that’s a huge swath of iems. Alot of those iems are absolute bangers! Obviously, the real fight for the EW300 is closer to that $80 to $90 mark where the iems get a lot better in my opinion. However, looking at the ratings it’s pretty clear that I feel the EW300 is one of the best you can buy in that range. During this ratings period, I had about 12 different iems in front of me. I do quick listens, quick notes, quick grades and so I beg you to take this for a grain of salt. I’ve said it a hundred times before that ratings don’t tell the whole story and are a bad way to assess any iem or audio device. They need updated every couple months and they show nothing of nuance. I do it because I’m supposed to. Anyways, there really isn’t much I’d change here. I could go a pojnt here or there but in reality, these ratings are pretty much locked in. I’m sure I’ll hear from a couple of you, but I’d like to dispel any if that now.
Explain Yourself!
The rating which will always be an issue is the “Bass” rating. I gave it a “9.5” for how clean, deep, speedy, and impactful it is while keeping such nice definition. I could see bassheads saying I’m full of it. Conversely, I could see those who enjoy a much less emphasized bass, even snappier, more lie a good BA bass not vibing with my rating. Another is the “Treble” rating. Yes, I gave this set a “9.8” rating against any treble of any set from $40 to $90. That is saying alot. There were a few which stood next to it but a 9.8 out of 10 is pretty darn good. Still, those who can’t stand an even semi-bright treble will obviously not agree with me. To be honest, I explain this stuff because we are all so different and because I was asked to do ratings. Always there will be some ratings which make zero sense to somebody. I just want to urge you to never give any weight to any rating system you ever see. Always a grain of salt. Too many variables, too much subjectivity, and way too many iems coming to market everyday for any ratings to make sense for any length of time. With the exception of Kilo-Buck sets.
Conclusion
To conclude my full written review of the Simgot EW300, I want to first thank the good people of Simgot for providing the Simgot EW300 in exchange for a full review and feature at Mobileaudiophile.com. I have had an absolute blast reviewing this set folks. It’s been a joy. I get so much gratification from writing my thoughts down and hoping they help you. That joy wouldn’t have been realized without Simgot. First off, they make the best earphones for their respective price points. They believe in their products and so they don’t ask to pre-read any of my reviews. They’ve never tried to offer money or asked me to skew my words. Never. Always on the up-and-up. I’m just very thankful to them and of course my subjectivity cannot hide my obvious fandom towards Simgot. I promise that these feelings don’t change my words, and I speak from the vantage point of a consumer. Also, I have to thank you for reading this review and clicking the link to get here. Mobileaudiophile.com thanks you too. Every click helps and every minute you spend here helps tremendously. We are trying to get better everyday and cannot do that without you. So, thank you.
Other perspectives
Now that you’ve read this review, I hope you will click some more links and check out other reviews of the Simgot EW300. This is such a subjective and personal hobby folks. No two people are exactly alike. We all have different tastes, different likes and dislikes, different gear, different music libraries, and we all haven’t been down the same journey through audio. So, I do hope you take the time to read other thoughts. There are so many amazing reviewers who also want to help and may make it easier for you to find where you want to spend your hard-earned money. With that, I’m done! I hope each of you are doing well and good. Take care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!
