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amazon Softears RSV reviews
Softears is a Chinese audio company founded in 2017, specializing in manufacturing high-end IEM models and has the goal of providing durable product quality, comfortable use over a long period, and a wide range. Balanced sound, “sounds real” with the music source through the slogan “Hear the Truth”. The company also has a close relationship with Moondrop – a very famous Chinese brand in the earphone community; that often shares common technologies and production lines. But in terms of marketing goals and conceptual design direction, the two companies have independent paths.
To create high-quality audio equipment, Softears launched Cerberus in the Chinese market – the company’s highest-priced headphone model and also Softears’ first product. After launching other models into the market and receiving many compliments from domestic customers, Softears began to promote its reputation to the world market around 2021. One of the famous products The brand name of the company at that time was RSV. With nearly 2 years of research, RSV was born to bring reference sound quality from its older brother RS10 to users and at a “lower” price.
Specifications:
- Driver configuration: 5 BA;
- Impedance: 8 Ω;
- Sensitivity: 125 dB/ Vrms @ 1kHz;
- THD: <1% @ 94 dB;
- Frequency response range: 5 Hz – 40 kHz;
- Plug type: 2-pin 0.78mm.
Accessories included with the product include:
- Softears headphone case;
- 2 mini drawstring pockets for headphones;
- 1 toothbrush with earwax hook for headphones;
- 1 headphone cleaning cloth;
- 3 pairs of earplugs sized S/ M/ L, small ear canals; 3 pairs of earplugs size S/M/L, large ear canal;
- 1 instruction manual;
- 1 4-core wire; Switch from 2-pin 0.78mm to 3.5mm TRS pin.
Design and level of completion:
With a 5 BA driver configuration, RSV has a relatively large appearance to ensure there is enough sound chamber for these drivers to operate as the company wishes. This design direction makes the product a bit larger than other headphone models on the market such as Moondrop Blessing 2, Unique Melody 3DT, etc.
RSV’s ear mold is made of medical-grade resin, similar to other resin headphone models, helping the product have a long life and durability and at the same time ensuring it does not harm the user’s health when using headphones for long periods. Not only that, the RSV is very carefully crafted and honed, without any gaps between the headphone surface and the ear mold. The outside of the headset has a pattern of carbon fiber and scattered pieces of gold leaf, under a layer of glossy paint to create a 3D effect, highlighting the luxury of the product.
RSV is equipped with a concave 0.78mm 2-pin port, increasing the durability of both the cord and the headset, compared to headset models with the port lying flat with the ear mold. With this port, users have countless choices of replacement wires for the product and different ways to combine them.
Wearing experience, and sound insulation level:
As a headphone model with a semi-ergonomic design, RSV helps users have a comfortable wearing experience, along with a fairly good level of sound insulation thanks to the product covering the ear. But the size of the RSV is quite large, so this headphone model will not be the best choice for some customers with small ear contortions, or who have used headphones with semi-ergonomic designs. different from Moondrop Blessing 2 but not easy to wear.
Sound quality
This product’s sound quality assessment article is based on:
Earplug type: silicone earplugs included with the product, size S.
Cord: cord included in the box (regular use); TRN T2.
Source: Qudelix 5K DAC/ AMP, Samsung Note 10+, laptop; audio file types MP3, FLAC (frequently used), WAV, DSF (DSD64, DSD128); YouTube.
With a sensitivity of 125dB/ Vrms @ 1kHz and an impedance of 8 Ω, Softears RSV can be paired with all devices that have an audio output source (sound quality will not be changed through sources with different impedances).
The chart showing the frequency range of the headphones is taken from crinacle.com data. Measured using a small, highly sensitive microphone and an IEC 60318-4 human ear canal simulator; can have a resonant peak frequency at 7kHz. Therefore, 7kHz onwards is not considered accurate measurement data.
Bass range:
Softears RSV is one of the rare earbuds in 2021 whose sound quality is partly fine-tuned based on the Harman standard response – a standard created to meet the needs of the majority of users, with A slight adjustment to create a difference for the product. In this range, especially in the sub-bass range, there is an increase of 6-7 dB to increase the excitement of music with a lot of bass. Compared to other headphone models that use BA drivers to reproduce bass, RSV is slightly better than its competitors in performing bass, and this factor is one of the most outstanding features of the product: The bass notes in the music are extended a bit longer to evoke the naturalness of the dynamic driver’s bass range reproduction, but the response speed is still relatively fast; Has perfect tension and doesn’t sound weak like regular BA drivers. The mid-bass range is very well controlled, with no encroachment into other frequency ranges. If we consider the minor disadvantages of RSV, we can mention the amount of detail reproduced in this sound range, but in the price range of less than $800, RSV has done its best to surpass many competitors in the same segment and bring impressive bass experience to users.
Mid-range:
The midrange range reproduced by RSV is very neutral and accurate, in terms of both quality and quantity. Thanks to the well-controlled bass range and not encroaching on other ranges, the low-mid range is expressed clearly, balanced, and with enough volume so that musical instruments such as pianos, nylon-string guitars, or male vocals can be heard clearly. Complete and detailed presentation in the vast majority of music. However, for users who want a headphone model that can reproduce a large, powerful low-mid range for the genres of EDM, jazz, rock, and modern pop or want to listen to a warm male singer’s voice, then RSV is not an approximate choice because of the intended goal of this product.
In the high-mid range, there is an increase of about 10 dB to compensate for the human ear and is increased very completely: without any resonant peak frequency, bringing the singer’s voice and instruments into the midrange range other voices (like the violin) stand out more from the music, while also ensuring that the instrument’s voice and timbre are accurately represented. Frictional consonants in vocals are limited, allowing users to listen to music at higher volumes without being jarring.
where can you get a Softears RSV online
Softears RSV RS5 IEM, 5BA in Ear Monitor, HiFi Earphone with Detachable 2 Pin Cable: Buy it now
Fanmusic Softears RSV RS5 Earphones 5BA IEM Reference Sound Five Series in-Ear Monitor Earbuds: Buy it now
Treble range:
As a headphone model focused on those who love reference sound quality, or neutral sound quality is the top requirement, but RSV still has several other characteristics that need attention. From about 6 kHz to 10 kHz, the volume is just enough to help treble instruments such as cymbals in the drum set be expressed relatively fully. The frequency range from 10 kHz and above is pulled relatively high, making the overall sound quality of the product pleasant but not boring. However, maybe due to the limitations of the type of driver used or the way RSV reproduces sound, the product’s sound detail is not impressive. The response speed in this range is not fast, so the notes that are pressed are reproduced soft and gentle, but also lack the accuracy of the sound. Therefore, the sound quality of string instruments such as iron-string guitars and violins lacks clarity and naturalness, and at the same time affects the technical sound quality of the product.
Soundstage, sound imaging
In-ear headphones often do not have a wide soundstage due to the limitations of the way they operate, and RSV is no exception. However, the RSV still has enough depth and breadth to make most music sound airy. This headphone model can separate layers and present instrument positions relatively clearly for songs that do not have too much sound information, partly due to the way the product reproduces the treble range.
Summary
Advantage
Full accessories; Simple but no less luxurious design; good level of finishing; Impressive level of sound insulation.
The reproduced bass range is tight and deep, without the phenomenon of encroaching on other ranges; Showing the naturalness of the bass range despite using the BA driver.
The midrange is extremely neutral, sounds clear and clean; Limiting fricative consonants in singing; and is suitable for the vast majority of users.
The treble is gentle, showing relatively full detail.
The soundstage is wide in depth and width for an earbud model.
Defect
The headphone body and tube are quite large, which can be uncomfortable for some users with small ear contortions.
The details of the bass range are not too prominent.
Can sound a bit dry for users who want a lot of mid-bass – low-mid sound quality.
The extension of the frequency range can be further improved to increase the fidelity and vividness of the overall sound quality (eg iron-string guitar, violin…)
It is not possible to accurately reproduce the location of sounds in information-rich music tracks.