Intro
CVJ needs no introduction in the budget scene as they’ve churned out several budget oriented earphones and also a highly praised model among reviewers which is the CVJ Mirror. Although CSN has been released for quite some time already. Let us take a look if it is able to hold itself in such competitive space today.
CSN consist of 5BAs and a single DD. 2BAs for the mids,3 for the highs and a single DD for the lows.
Source
Foobar2k -> E1DA 9038G3 -> CVJ CSN
Cayin N3 Pro - CVJ CSN
Packaging
CSN’s packaging is fairly straightforward and no BS. A box containing the L and R IEM, silicone eartips, a brown colored cloth carrying case. Not complaining anything as the savings on the packaging is passed on in order for a better sounding IEM.
Comfort/Build
CSN is built from aviation class aluminum and mixed with magnesium according to their marketing material. It does feel a little hefty on hand and it gives a solid feeling. The unit does not look/feel cheap at all. Safe to say build quality definitely looks a little premium albeit the lack of any fancy design/paint on the unit itself.
Despite it being fully built from metal. It feels very comfortable in my ears. Using it for several hours straight without feeling any discomfort.
Sound
Tonality wise, I feel CSN is U shaped. The vocal does feel a little recessed but the overall balance is still there. Neutral and slightly bright to my ears. Timbre wise, I feel there’s a slight tinge of BA timbre. Just slightly. It’s okay overall.
Bass
Bass response of CSN is rather fast and clean. Doesn’t feel bloated or interfere with other spectrum of the frequency.
Basshead will want to stay away, rather this is a set of clean and depiction of accurate bass reproduction. Nothing is over emphasized here in the lower spectrum of the frequency. The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights opening sounded very clean. Bass response is clean,tight and punchy. Fired up Slipknot’s Duality to test the driver speed, the driver responded very well and was able to catch up with the drumming to not make everything else sounds muddy.
Mids
The mids of CSN are of good quality. Detailed presentation. Guitar plucking of Muddy Waters’s Big Leg Woman sounded very lively. Vocal presentation is not intimate but there is a tendency of it feeling recessed on some songs. X Japan’s Endless Rain in particular.
Treble
I would say this is the highlight of CSN. It is energetic, but thankfully it is not sibilant and it’s comfortable to listen to for long hours. Depending on the source you are pairing it with, it is advisable to pair it with neutral/warm source to prevent it from getting shouty.
Details are good and there are a lot of sparkles, but as mentioned earlier, CSN does have the tendency to sound a lil metallic and some perceive this as unnatural.
Soundstage/Imaging
Soundstage is average. Not huge nor feeling boxed in. Average. Channel transition from left to right is well perceived without feeling too boxed in or too wide.
In songs like Kitaro’s Matsuri, an adequate sense of instrument separation is perceived. Percussions and other instruments being played simultaneously can be identified and pinpointed easily.
Driveability
CSN can be driven by most DAP or even dongles. However, it does scale well with more power. Swapping in the stock cable with a balanced SPC cable, everything sounded more open and the bass is more controlled. Unfortunately, the recessed mids are still there.
Final Thoughts
It is very refreshing to see such tuning in the Chi-Fi market at this price point. Most of the IEM at this price point is leaning towards a certain signature preferred by the majority of people, warm and fun sounding. I might be wrong as I do not have the exact data, I for one is okay with clinical sounding or warm and fun sounding, depending on my mood during the session. So, are they worth the asking price of 55 USD at time of writing? Yes. Why? Such tuning is refreshing and the performance it offers is splendid, although the experience of unboxing is below average, but the sound performance of CSN says otherwise.
Will I recommend this? Yes. If you are able to look past the slight, just slightly BA timbre, then all is good, because everything else is just on point at this price point. I don’t have anything else to nitpick at such a price point.
*A big thanks for Janet from CVJ for sending this for me to review. Appreciate the opportunity given and the generosity. Despite being given the review unit, my opinion remains unbiased and honest.
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