Disclaimer:
Good morning, readers. Today I have in my hands the first over-ear headphones from Simgot. The Simgot EP5 is the first attempt to enter this product category by the brand (at least I have not found information about other headphones) and they have opted for a more gaming-oriented approach. I personally will analyze it from the point of view of music and movies. I am definitely curious to hear how they sound and what tuning they have chosen for this type of product.
I’m not an audiophile; I’m just a guy that likes to test out different IEMs, headphones, 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 Unit: 50mm Ultra-Magnetic Wideband Dynamic Driver
- Frequency Response Range: 15 Hz–50 kHz
- Effective Frequency Response: 20 Hz–20 kHz
- Diaphragm: Aluminum Foil + PEK + PU Multi-Layer Composite Diaphragm
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Sensitivity: 113 dB/Vrms (@1kHz)
- Cable Material: Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) Wire Core
- Cable Length: Approximately 1.5m
- Headphone Weight: Approximately 300g (excluding cable)
- Connector: Dual 3.5mm TRS
Packaging:
The packaging is bare-bones. The aesthetics of the packaging are classic Simgot but the packaging itself practically only contains the headphones. They almost built the box as if it were its travel case. Together with the headphones, we find only the cable and the usual manual and QC. Seeing the packaging, you might think of a cheap product; in fact for the asking price, we can consider it an entry-level product.
However, Simgot decided to send me the complete KIT of other accessories, that is, the kit including EP5 + GH22 + GEW1 (headphones + external microphone cable + USB sound card).
These accessories literally transform it into a complete gaming headset with a dedicated DAC and cable with a condenser microphone.
Design/Build Quality:
The Simgot EP5 is a headphone that surprises above all for its lightness; compared to the IEMs, Simgot is almost lighter (I’m joking but in relation to the size, it’s the truth). In over-ear headphones, lightness is also a positive aspect to guarantee several hours of listening without experiencing discomfort or pressure points. The Simgot EP5 has a predominance of plastic (ABS) in its materials. This factor does not affect the quality of the product since they have chosen a matte and rough plastic finish, thus guaranteeing the absence of scratches for a while. The thickness of the plastic seems right and quite resistant to me. The headband is made of metal and the adjustment band seems to be made of leather or eco-leather (it smells of leather).
The pavilions seem to be made of leather but I think it is another very soft and comfortable material. The design is very minimal but overall it is not bad; the back seems open-back but in reality it is only slightly breathable and the audio comes out very little. In fact, it is mentioned how they managed to enclose the benefits of a typical open-back soundstage with the full sound of closed backs. I will tell you that overall they surpass some Hifiman models in terms of overall quality. As for the rest of the accessories, they are all of decent quality except the DAC/dongle, which unfortunately has a very cheap feeling. What reinforces this feeling of mine is the volume wheel, which is really cheap. I think they could have tried to put something different to improve the appearance as well.
Fit & Comfort:
Their lightness immediately makes them the most comfortable I’ve tested so far. I don’t particularly like over-ears; I tend to sweat a lot and these, like all the others, heat up the auricle. We’re heading towards summer and so I think it’s right to take these aspects into account too. By now I’ve gotten used to IEMs a lot and their freshness compared to headphones is immediately noticeable.
The adjustment of the band is quick and easy. Being soft, flexible, and wide, it does not create discomfort.
Initial Sound Impressions:
As per my intuition, seeing the Simgot GEW1 Dongle, it does not require who knows what power to play correctly. Any dongle can power them perfectly. The Simgot GEW1, as also highlighted by the build quality, is not exactly the cleanest dongle I have ever heard and unless you need the gaming features, it is better to fall back on some other product. The sound performance of the Simgot GEW1 is not exciting but even in terms of audio quality it stops at 16bit 48kHz. Nowadays a 24bit would be the bare minimum. It certainly does not affect the quality of the same but nowadays all the musical tracks reach at least 24bit. As for the 7.1 functionality, the audio also needs to be surround type but it is not excellent.
The different audio modes are all dedicated to gaming and on the musical tracks they do not bring benefits. It is a sound card to buy for gaming. The Simgot EP5 has a sound effectively similar to a 2018 Harman but not totally the same, especially looking at the graphs around. There is a lot of emphasis on the low frequencies, especially compared to my various Hifiman and the Philips Fidelio X2HR. The others are almost devoid of sub-bass but here there is plenty of it. For modern genres they are absolutely suitable, even if in some cases the warmth and dark note of the headphones give such a shadow also on some tones in the mid frequencies. I don’t think it is absolutely the most resolute among the entry-level ones but certainly the most fun and comfortable.
Equipment used for the testing:
Device:
- Poco M4 Pro
- OSX
Software:
- Amazon music UHD 24-bit 96kHz
Dac:
- Simgot GEW1
- Simgot DEW4X (perfect pairing)
- Fosi DS2 (more juice)
- LessFox Da2 (polished sound)
I’m moving so I have limited equipment at the moment. I’ve gone back to a few dongles for this testing.
Then I look closely at the cable included and notice that it is like the one from Hifiman and I remember that somewhere I have the balanced cable. I throw away its original and mount the OpenHeart with a 4.4mm terminal. The bass has a notable boost. But mysteriously the response is not darker but rather more open and harmonious. The sub-bass seems almost double what it was before.
Final sound impressions:
Somehow the balanced cable seems to have also opened up the soundstage considerably. The original cable doesn’t seem bad and honestly, it seems even sufficient for a correct power supply to the drivers but the switch with the balancer was the most remarkable I’ve ever tried to date. Somehow the greater current has given superior dynamics to the driver, which in its current state returns greater bass but at the same time a more defined sound even in the highs. Overall, it seems to have more linearity and a less dark sound. Unfortunately, I haven’t tested it with the Fosi Audio K7, which is currently lost in some box ready for the imminent move. I think that even if initially I deluded myself that even a 3.5mm of the dongle would be enough, in reality something more is needed.
I would like to point out that the Simgot EP5 does not fully match the quality of the Simgot IEMs. We cannot speak of the same level. I do not believe they produce them themselves but I believe it is a product commissioned to an external company. It is an excellent alternative to the other entry-level in this price range that I have already mentioned.
The switch to a balanced cable and the Simgot DEW4X has given new life to the driver and has made me change a lot the evaluation that I would have given if I had not changed amplification. Even with the Fosi DS2, the combination is winning. There is greater control over the treble that is more present and defined. Even if the bass remains the protagonist now, the driver sounds harmonious and pleasant with its warm timbre.
Treble
Being used to the slightly fizzy treble of the brand’s IEMs, the Simgot EP5 seems to have a slightly dark soul. Paying attention to the treble, you can notice how their level is purposely kept under control. There are no extreme peaks; they are not sharp and do not cause any disturbance; in fact, you can turn up the volume without any problem. In terms of details, perhaps some planar driver can return a more crystalline sound with a greater contribution of macro and micro details. But I will tell you that what my ears hear is not bad. If I had the Fosi K7 at hand, I would certainly give it a few extra points on the treble.
Mids
The mids, in my opinion, suffer a bit from the lack of air in the treble and also suffer from the massive presence of the bass. They have a veiled and warm note that distinguishes them on every track. They are not unnatural but they lose a few points compared to the competitors. By adjusting the treble, I am sure that this aspect can be improved. Overall, it is a headphone with a warm and extremely relaxing timbre. Although I realize that sometimes the sound can seem not very vivid and be a bit dull without equalization.
Bass
On the bass they achieved an excellent result, with a predominance of sub-bass that is full-bodied. The quantity and quality make them suitable for modern musical genres. The type of bass makes you think of a closed-back headphone even if at first sight it seems to be open on the back I think the airflow is limited as the sound comes out just a little from the back of the headphone. Honestly, I don’t think I would consider the Simgot EP5 an open headphone but rather a closed headphone with good ventilation.
Soundstage & Imaging:
This feeling is reinforced when you get to evaluate it on the soundstage side. Honestly, it is not as wide or expansive as I would have expected but more intimate, like monitor headphones. Even in this case I believe that on the gaming side there are IEMs with greater potential for gaming. As for the image, it is quite clear but it could also be better. The layering is quite defined and it is not difficult to distinguish the different components of the musical tracks.
Fast Comparison:
The Hifiman HE400Se are still excellent if you consider the planar driver and the fact that they are open-back. In my opinion, the materials and finishes are not the best. Obviously, however, being open, they are not suitable for use in any situation and on the bass side they are a bit weak. They do have some bass, but they become powerful only by detaching the pavilions from the ears.
Vs Philips Fidelio X2HR
The Fidelio are very suitable for classical music; qualitatively they are slightly superior in terms of materials and solidity but really only slightly. They are two headphones that sound the exact opposite and are not exactly direct competitors, having a completely different target but based on the price, they are certainly comparable. In this case the choice depends a lot on how your playlist is composed.
Conclusion:
As a first attempt, I have to say that the Simgot EP5 is perhaps not perfect but at least at the same level as other products that are in this price range. Surely those who intend to find a headset that more closely resembles the Harman target are in the right place. Considering the overall quality of the product, Simgot has managed, in my opinion, to enter the entry-level market with reasonable success. The accessories, considering the small complete upgrade for the complete bundle, have a respectable quality overall. If you already have a valid sound card, you can safely skip the purchase of the GEW1, but given the cost, it is not bad to own it. The microphone kit, on the other hand, is very good, especially if you intend to play video games. I tested some audio recordings and at least on Mac, the audio seems clean and clear to me. I am more for listening to music so I tested mostly the performance on the musical side but for gaming there are IEMs with a soundstage and more accurate image to hear enemy footsteps coming from the right direction.
8.1/10
Pros:
- Build quality and materials looks good (ultra lightweight)
- ABS and Metal (Nice feeling)
- Harman 2018
- Sub-Bass Boost (Sub quality bass)
- Good separation and imaging
- Nice Soundstage (more on the intimate side)
- Improve based on sources (better amplification)
- 32 ohm, but better on balanced cable
Cons:
- Not the most accurate tonality (Mids)
- Slightly dark sound
- Better on other dongle
- No travel bag or case
