This is the first impressions I had with Celest Gumiho sound. Tracks will be my usual first impression tracks. And the source is ipad Pro. Dx300 is reserved for its review. And I wanted to catch it off guard without burning in first.
Celest is the sub brand of Kinera known for mid to high tier iems. However considering that they perform well under $200 too Bd005pro and Idun Golden, this bold move was necessary after all. Using 1 planar + 1 BA could have proven bass anemic sound but let’s see.
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First I noticed soft tones of bass guitar and tiny drum hits separately. The clarinet is very vivid and sounding with tonalities. Timbre is neutral to bright but the background is black. Extensions are pretty detailed and fast. Presentation is forward. All are helping in 3d imaging.. Background of the jazz pub isn’t so lively. I consider it okay for this price segment. Those above the features of planar driver.
Feel Good INC has the bass and shimmering effects I seek. Albarn’s nasal vocal aren’t so grave sounding due to its planar nature. Soundstage isn’t that very wide. But hearing the acoustic guitar strings are priceless.
Sultans of Swing Alchemy Live is the best among the sub $50 genre. So loaded with energy and sharp 3riple layering of the crowd, band and stationary instruments behind. However it’s planar and BA config is preventing the body and slam factor so far. We aren’t talking on Hifiman Sundara or s12 here 🙂
Last Garrison of Enter Shikari is showing you what body means in planar tech. While the soundstage is so wide here – almost immersive – its great layering ability helps. The screamo style of the vocal is finding rich texture in the ending of his lines. And don’t forget the lively synth line beneath everything. You can monitor it to a lesser extent.
Anaesthesist of Enter Shikari is a mix of bodied screamo synth rock. Now the vocal is slightly recessed behind everything. But the synthesizer is here and ready whenever it join the mix.
Slipshod is a track of anger in his screamo style. The arguing guys aren’t sounding that spatial in the background. But energy is high as in all Enter Shikari tracks so far. And his lines are understandable even if you are not native English. This is showing a pretty good vocal separation factor in it.
Celest Gumiho First Impressions Conclusions
So ends my quick Celest Gumiho first impressions writeup. I kept my say despite the arguments but now I am believer of its claims. Dx300 and some other tracks to strech it further are reserved for the review. But it looks like a good buy either if you want to have a taste on planar sound or low in budget and want an outstanding sounding iem among the already crowded sub $50 market.
