IBASSO AM05 REVIEW
The Little IEM That Tossed Aside Giants!
It is probably safe to say, that iBASSO has been prolific in the development of headgear products—DAPs, amplifier modules, In-Ear-Monitors (IEMs), headphones, adapters/connectors, wires, and DAC dongles. And in doing so has made quite a reputation for itself delivering well engineered, beautifully designed, modular products, of good fidelity, and at very competitive pricing.
First an aside regarding our review of the iBASSO AM05 ($299). There were two well know IEMs in house for review, whose names and product designations most would know immediately. One had been ‘burned-in’ prior to its arrival, the other was, perhaps, without even a minute of use or it sounded as though that were the case. Their respective price points were $3,5000 and $1,700. And we were putting them through their paces to see if they would, indeed, end up on our website.
It would be weeks later when the iBASSO AM05 IEM would arrive for review and be put immediately to burn-in on our trusty iPAD with 24 hours of very diverse music, put on repeat, and streaming Qobuz. A few days in we did an asymmetrical, “price wise,” listening test to see how the AM05 would faire against the much more expensive IEMs.
These kinds of things just shouldn’t happen. But apparently they do. Against the $1,700 IEM, which shall go unnamed (see Modus Operandi) the AM05 tossed it aside, as was rumored an escaped Baboon from a Florida Zoo (late ‘90s?), after a hurricane, tossed aside a charging Rottweiler, with a simple flick of the hand. Said Baboon then went on its merry way entirely unruffled. The $3,500 IEM would, unfortunately, be tossed aside in the selfsame manner. The tossing aside proved an eyeopening experience for both the seasoned music lovers/audiophiles and the uninitiated.
When jaws were collectively lifted from the floor. Two explanations were put forth. Perhaps the units that we had received from two different manufacturers were somehow, well, “faulty/defective.” Or they were entirely anathema with our “Wheelhouse” of sound—very musical, highly transparent, wonderfully engaging. The odds, of course, favor the latter. Needless to say, the two rather pricey IEMs were sent back and not reviewed on our website. And this brings us to the review of the iBASSO AM05.
REFRAIN: Unlike most reviews, this review will be non-sequential, as it will start with how the headphones actually sound and not the process of physically “undressing” them and/or laying out their various parts, specifications, etc. Think of this review then, as a non-linear movie—Memento, Kill Bill, Arrival, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Terminator, etc—that, likewise, starts at the end and winds its way to the beginning.
The Sound
The AM05 was paired with the iBASSO DX220 AMP1 Mk II and w/AMP9, the CAYIN N6II A01/E01, the DragonFlys Cobalt and Red, and the Samsung S10. The review was conducted in balanced mode with the DX220 AMP1 Mk II and single-ended mode with the CAYIN N6II (no 2.5mm to 4.4mm adapter at the time) and all other devices.
The AM05 renders an extended, clear, sweet voicing with quite good resolution, tone and timbre. And it does this in a very musically engaging and transparent way. It should definitely be noted that in single-ended mode the AM05 is imbued with a dollop of warmth. In balanced mode with the DX220 AMP1 Mk II, as a direct result of the better THD+N and S/N and Crosstalk numbers, a much quieter background brought forth greater transparency, greater weight from top to bottom, and, interestingly enough, more texture and a wee bit more warmth and engagement as well.
The iBASSO AM05’s volumetric cube—its soundstage—has good width and reasonable depth more in the manner of an “oblong” staging. Positioning, layering, and separation are good and together they induce a sense of intimacy. As pointed out above the AM05 can embarrass some much higher priced IEMs, though they could well have been defective. Just saying. However, in balanced mode with the DX220 AMP1 Mk II the AM05’s soundstage widens, gains depth, and increased transparency which also highlights better microdynamics and a more convincing portrayal of the music in question.
Bass
The AM05’s bass in balanced mode on the DX220 AMP1 Mk II as it faces Massive Attacks’ Angel (MEZZANINE, Virgin) delivers a taunt, articulate, well resolved bass with good but not great low end extension and rumble. Not competitive with the best, but it is there, nonetheless. On Dave Holland’s track Spheres (Emerald Tears, ECM), which does not require a descent to the stygian depths of the Holy-Bass-Head-Grail, the AM05 handles itself very well. It is fast, wonderfully detailed, transparent, precise, and very articulate.
Midrange
Joan Shelly’s song Wild Indifference (Joan Shelley, No Quarter) plays and it is transparent and clear, the soundstage is spread wide and deep (balanced mode), and Shelly’s voice is immediate, clear, natural, and engaging. And at the one minute and forty-five second point, which I’ve noted in previous reviews, a tambourine sounds. However, depending upon the quality of the ‘headgear’ it is 1) buried in the mix and barely discernible 2) clearly discernible but within a rather tight in-head soundstage or 3) clearly discernible and somewhere out in the room via an expanded soundstage. In the case of the AM05 the tambourine is very clearly discernible and well into the room. It’s one of those things that will have you repeating this track to determine whether or not that “sound” is actually in the music. The AM05’s midrange is quite impressive, via its transparency, its musicality, its precision, and its ease.
Treble+
Vilda Frang’s Allegro Molto II (Veress String Trio/Bartók Piano Quintet, Alpha) plays and the combination iBASSO DX220 AMP1 Mk II as allied to the iBASSO AM05 is beautifully rendered! Each note, each sound is precisely and clearly articulated with good air and distinction of tone, timbre, texture, whether raps, plucks, drumming, bowing, etc. There is also good extension across this band and for an IEM at this price point, impressive indeed. Due to the sweetness and openness and that small dollop of warmth across the treble, harshness, shrillness, brightness are entirely absent (given our sources, of course).
The Wrappings and Accessories
The iBASSO AM05’s comes in a rectangular box that is protected by a white printed sleeve. The sleeve freed, the blue box within, opens much like a jewel box to expose a red lined interior (nice touch!), the AM05s embedded in foam, and their metal, discus-like carrying case, also embedded in foam, which holds the following contents minus the AM05s and the warranty card:
1 x detachable cable with MMCX connector and 2.5mm balanced headphone jack
1 x 2.5mm balanced to 3.5mm unbalanced adaptor
12 x pairs of silicone ear tips (1 pair came preinstalled)
2 x pairs of foam ear tips
It is a clean, minimalist affair, that is efficiently and nicely done and quite attractive.
Design—Look and Feel and Fit
The iBASSO AM05 IEMs are beautifully molded, with a richly colored faceplate (blue or green) and a transparent, acrylic body, that is evocative of a custom IEM, as pertains to both look and fit. They are easily affixed and very comfortable for long listening sessions. To achieve this iBASSO compiled information on the shape/contours of the ears of “over one hundred people” to fashion the AM05’s to fit, generally, each ear’s concha. Given the comfort over long listening sessions, I can say that they were, indeed, successful.
The AM05 utilize five (5) Knowles Balanced Armature (BA) drivers in a four-way crossover configuration, that uses thin film capacitors and employs four (4) tubes to vent the sound. iBASSO argues that:
“Audio-grade thin film capacitors can effectively suppress vibrations and electrical interference, reduce signal loss, achieve far lower distortion than ceramic capacitors, while allowing the AM05 sound to be delicate and transparent.”
The AM05’s cable, a MMCX type connector, is constructed of a “high-purity, silver-plated copper” and terminates with a 2.5mm balanced connector. The AM05’s cable also incorporates a chin slider.
The iBASSO AM05 is a beautifully constructed, eye-catching IEM, that weighs very little (6.6g), and fits as if it were custom designed for one’s ear. And, by the way, it looks quite good sitting in one’s ear. Or so say friends and family.
The Specifications
Driver Type: 5 Balanced Armature Drivers
Freq. Res.: 10Hz-40 kHz
Sensitivity: 115±2dB (@1kHz)
Impedance: 32 ohm
Pass. Noise reduction: -30dB
Rated power: 5mW
Distortion: <2%(at 1kHz/1mW)
Plug Size: 2.5mm gold-plated
Core length: 1.2m
Weight: 6.6g without cable
Drivability
The iBASSO AM05 have a relatively low impedance (32Ω -Ohms) and a high sensitivity (115dB).They are, as a result, easy to drive and they worked with numerous devices ranging from smartphones to computers to DAPs to desktop systems. The AM05 do, however, scale well with higher powered, more apt equipment. Though due to the high sensitivity of the AM05 source matching should definitely be considered.
Comparisons
FiiO FH5:
Both IEMs are beautifully constructed and well thought out designs and they are equivalently priced. While the AM05 brings greater transparency, speed, and a more extended, yet sweet top end, the FH5 ($299) brings impressive weight and rumble to the bass, a warmer, more engaging midrange, and a more natural overall tonality. Both are “ear friendly” in that they are very easy to place and will go for long periods without discomfort. Source pairing will, of course, be of tremendous importance.
iBASSO IT00:
The IT00 ($79) via its Dynamic Driver (DD) brings a wee bit more rumble and thump into the bass mix, but it does not bring the transparency, nor the speed, nor the broadness of soundstage, nor the black-quiet background of its AM05 sibling. Further, the AM05 brings far greater resolution to the treble region, which translates to brushes across drums being much better resolved, voices free from sibilance, harshness, etc. The IT00 while warmer across the midrange, brings a very engaging experience, the IT00 does not bring the kind of transparency/clarity or resolving power of its AM05 sibling. Nonetheless, the IT00 are quite good and at its price point, they represent an entry level must have, especially so for those just starting out (review coming soon).
Synergy
iBASSO DX220 AMP1 Mk II
The AM05 synergy with its kith/kin is quite remarkable. In balanced mode the soundstage is very wide with good depth and precise imaging and layering. While the pairing does supplement the AM05’s bass, its bass will still not rumble with the best. Transparency is remarkable, as is drive/pacing. The treble with this combination will be extended, beautifully resolved, sweet, and never fatiguing or harsh or sibilant. And the midrange may well win over music lovers and the “reference” oriented in that it will provide exceptional detail in a very musical and natural manner.
CAYIN N6II/A01
This combination, interestedly enough, avails great bass with noticeable rumble and like transparency to the DX220 AMP1/AM05 combination. There is greater warmth across the entire frequency spectrum with the CAYIN N6II which can render tracks more engaging but, perhaps, with a wee bit less detail than the DX220 AMP1/AM05 pairing. Vocals, for instance, are mesmerizing and contain a bit of that analog-like ease and smoothness. This pairing represents a great alliance between DAP and IEM. And the treble is beautifully rendered, transparent, and nicely extended.
AudioQuest DragonFly COBALT
The vocals with this combination are quite glorious. Who would have thought? But two $299 priced items—DAC/Pre and an IEM—could sound so wonderfully synergistic and beautiful. There’s this sound staging exercise wherein I use Joan Shelly’s Wild Indifference (Joan Shelley, No Quarter) to determine “who’s up for the task of projecting an in-the-room tambourine.” At the one minute and forty-five second point, a tambourine sounds and with this combination it is very clearly in the room and resolved right up there with the big boys! Yikes! And the bass? Once again Massive Attacks’ Angel (MEZZANINE, Virgin) plays and it hits home with both thump and drive. The combination tilts very nicely warm and is very engaging. It’s one Achilles heal is the lack of the last bit of treble extension. Most will never miss this. Small budget? Get these two pieces and you will, probably not turn back. Happy Trails!
Conclusion
The iBASSO AM05 ($299) brings a sweet, detailed, musicality to midrange and treble, while its bass may be just a hair’s width south of neutral and absent the sub-bass rumble, together its attributes facilitate a very engaging and detailed listen. That is has bested some very expensive IEMs can be evaluated in two ways 1) the other IEMs were poorly implemented/defective or 2) the AM05 is, indeed, a giant killer, perhaps, only across certain well-known brands (which shall go unnamed).
The AM05 is very well made, aesthetically quite beautiful, and provides for one of the most easy to place and most comfortable fits for an IEMs that we have ever reviewed. That said, the iBASSO AM05 will pair exceptionally well with like-priced items—DragonFly Cobalt, Red—or even much more expensive items—iBASSO DX220, CAYIN N6II. Suffice to say, that it scales very well and should be on one’s very short list and if you’re a newbie an even shorter list. Recommend!
MUSIC—Qobuz, TIDAL EXCLUSIVELY
Alexander Tharaud—Tharaud Plays Rachmaninoff
Omar Sosa—Ballads, Calma
Patricia Barber—Verse
Rickie Lee Jones—Pop Pop
Sade—Lovers Live
Sheku Kannah Mason—Inspiration
Tracey Chapman—Where You Live
Olafur Arnalds—Island Songs
Olafur Arnalds—The Chopin Project
Melody Gardot—My One and Only Thrill
Melody Gardot—My Worrisome Heart
Eiji Oue—Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances
Hilary Hahn—Tchaikovsky
Mechell Ndegeocello—Bitter
Jordi Savall—Tous les Matins du MondeMaxwell—Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite
Sarah Jarosh—Undercurrent
Igor Stravinsky—Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring)
Annie-Sophie Mutter—Mendelssohn, Brahms: Violin Concertos
London Grammar—If You Wait
Stevie Wonder—Innervisions
Miles Davis—Kind of Blue
Jóhann Jóhannsson—Orphée
Alexis Ffrench—Evolution
Dave Holland—Emerald Tears
Kremer, Trifonov, Dirvanauskaite—Preghiera/Rachmaninov Piano Trios
Joan Shelly—Joan Shelly
Magdalena Kožená—French Arias
Andy Bey—American Song
Erykah Badu—Baduism
Kronos Quartet—Kronos Caravan
Massive Attack—Mezzanine
ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT
Cayin N6ii/A01
Cayin N6ii/E01
Rosson Audio Design-RAD-0
iBASSO DX220-AMP1/MK II
iFi Pro iDSD
Meze Empyrean
OBravo EAMT-2C IEMs
Final Sonorous III
FiiO FH5
AudioQuest Cobalt
AudioQuest Red
AudioQuest Dragon Tail
Samsung S10
Apple X iPhone
THE COMPANY
IBASSO
paul@ibasso.com
distributor (U.S.)
Urban HiFi/Linear Tube Audio (LTA)
sales@urbanhifi.com