Intro
Audiosense is no stranger in the Chi-Fi scene. The T800 which is praised by many reviewers garnered a lot of positive feedback. This model that i’m going to review today is not a new model, it was released last year. I’ve had the AQ0, although the driver config is different compared to DT200, i kinda like the tuning of Audiosense, so let’s see. DT200 is using two Knowles BA, one for handling the high, another one for the mid and low.
Specifications
Packaging
The unboxing experience is not not mind blowing or anything spectacular, but it came with a pelican like storage case, which is a plus point, two different types of silicon tips, and the cable and IEM itself. The storage case is what I like the most as it’s fairly big and you get plenty of space for other items as well.
Build/Comfort
Build quality wise, they are average i would say. They’ve got a nice faceplate and they do pay attention to details. Comfort wise, they are really top notch. Even after a few hours of listening session, no discomfort can be felt at all. With the right eartips, the noise isolation is very good, even at low volume, I can barely hear my surroundings, providing a noise cancellation kind of experience.
Source
Cayin N3 Pro (Tube - Ultra Linear) -> DT200 with Kotori Silicon Cable (With Audiosense S400 Tips)
Foobar2k -> E1DA 9038G3 -> DT200 with Kotori Silicon Cable (With Audiosense S400 Tips)
Sound
The overall presentation is smooth and organic. Very pleasant to listen to. I find it very smooth and there is nothing harsh coming from DT200. It is just smooth and very hard not to like it. (Personally speaking, your mileage might vary). As you can see above where i pointed out i am doing this review in non stock form,i’m sure you’re curious in how it sounds in stock? Well, in stock form, it is quite good, i will be brief
Bass is fast and tight, punchy and have good note weight
Vocal is slightly pushed back, just slightly compared to when it’s paired with Kotori’s cable
Treble and detail retrieval is average (better with Kotori’s cable but still nowhere near critical listening’s level)
Bass
As expected from a pure BA setup, bass extension is not DT200’s strong point. However, it does provide enough quantity for you to enjoy the music. The bass produced is fast, clean, controlled and tight. You can hear the sub bass, but definitely not the rumble that you’re used to produced by DD driver. Basshead will want to stay away. The bass reproduction is good enough for me.
Mids
Very smooth. Very very very smooth. I have to say it several times because it is by far the smoothest mid-range I've ever heard. There are some other pure BA setup where the mids are shouty at times. Billie Eilish’s vocal presentation literally gave me goosebumps when i'm listening to her new album via DT200. It is smooth and sounds very organic and not harsh at all. Switching to another track to try listening to male vocals, Born This Way cover by Orville Peck, the rendition is as stunning as female’s vocal. Very enjoyable. To me, this kind of vocal rendition is to die for.
Treble
Natural and nothing harsh. Buttery smooth. I do hope that the treble can be extended for a little bit, then it will give some air and sparkles on the top end, which I think will be very good if this can be achieved. As of now, it lacked some air and sparkles, hence this is what we perceive as being smooth, and there is nothing wrong or bad with that, its personal preference after all. For me, I like it with a little more air and sparkles.
Soundstage/Imaging
Soundstage is average in terms of width, however the depth and height are above average.
Imaging wise, instruments can be heard clearly where they’re coming from, on certain busy tracks, it can sound a little congested due to its soundstage’s width.
Driveability
DT200 is very easy to power, they can be driven straight off a smartphone and achieve listenable volume, however it does scale with better source of course. Amping is not required to get the best out of it.
Final Thoughts
Personally, I really liked DT200’s sound signature, i don’t get the wow factor when i first listen to them, but they kinda grow on me. The more I listen to them, the more I grow to like them. They’re just smooth and i find that they’re fairly neutral with a little, just a little bass boost. Not to mention the timbre is also very natural and I can't hear the metallic kind of timbre which can be heard on some pure BA setup.
It is not analytical, it is not fun, but to me, it does have that audiophile kind of tuning and it is very suitable for when you just want to pick it up and listen to music for as long as you want.
I listen to a wide range of genres except for EDM and Kpop, and DT200 is holding up pretty well.
Highly recommended for anyone who’s looking for a smooth listening session. Definitely not for bassheads.
*Bought this at subsidized price from Audiosense’s Shopee Store in Malaysia. Do check out their official store and follow them for any upcoming new release or promotion. Once again, a big thanks to Elaine for the opportunity.
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