Simgot EA500LM - Bright, Technical, and Shiny

 3⭐️

+ Technicalities in a league of their own at this price

+ Imaging and separation

+ Great build quality

+ Tuning nozzles

- Bright, fatiguing

- Lean note weight

- Nozzles don't offer enough of a difference

- Lackluster accessories

- Mirror finish prone to fingerprints and scratches 

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended 

☆☆☆ - Sound for thee, not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was purchased by me and all opinions are my own.

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

Source:

Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

Simgot has had quite a few releases in the past year: EW200, EM6L, EA1000, EA500 and now EA500LM. Most of them have been well received. I have not heard the original EA500 so can't say how the LM model builds on its predecessor. The 3 tuning nozzles is what sold me on wanting to try the newest release by Simgot. Let's see how they sound. 

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The 500LM sports an all metal shell construction. The weight strikes a perfect balance for me. Fit was not an issue at all, however, I would have liked more than just the 3 pairs of included tips. The stock cable is pretty lackluster for the price. It feels and looks cheap compared to the iems themselves. I would expect this cable to accompany the EW200 which is half the price.

Sound impressions:

Let's start by saying the 500LM is a brightly tuned set. The note weight is pretty lean. I would have prefered it to be slightly thicker. There are 3 tuning nozzles so it should offer 3 distinct tuning options. I would describe them as follows: 

●Gold - smoothest presentation of the 3

●Silver/red - very close to gold nozzle with a little more treble sharpness

●Silver/black - sharpest treble and most extension

I'm disappointed that the nozzles don't vary more in their tuning. To my surprise I prefer the silver/black nozzle even though I would consider myself treble sensitive. It has the sharpest treble presentation with the best extension but without sibilance. I found it to be the most balanced. The vocals have the best presentation of the 3 which is probably why I prefer this nozzle. The gold nozzle is the least bright but I couldn't tell much difference between them and the silver/red. Tuning aside, the 500LM's biggest selling point is its technicalities. The imaging, instrument separation, and overall amount of detail at this price point is insane. I would say the soundstage is above average and instruments are well placed. 

●Lows - The bass quality and quantity are very good. There is plenty of sub and mid bass to please most. I would say there's more sub bass but not by much. It has a quick attack and decay and it stays nice and tight with no bleed. The notes are a bit leaner than I prefer.

●Mid - The mids on all 3 nozzles are generally recessed compared to the bass and treble. Vocals are recessed a bit too much for my liking on the gold and silver/red nozzles. They aren't necessarily veiled but they get a bit smothered and take a back seat. With the silver/black nozzle, vocals came forward a bit more and I didn't detect any shoutiness. 

●Highs - If you like a bright and crisp treble you will find it here in spades. The 500LM will please most trebleheads. The air and extension is really nice. Plenty of shimmer and sparkle with very little sibilance to be found. For me personally this tuning can get fatiguing fast so it isn't my preference but I can see the appeal for someone looking for detail above all else. 

●Balanced:

The 500LM are very easily driven so using a balanced connection is definitely not required. When hooked up to my Hiby FC4, the details seem to get a little sharper and notes seem to get a little more weight. The treble isn't quite as fatiguing and the sub bass digs deeper. I prefered the balanced connection over the simpler 3.5mm due to these changes. The entire spectrum seems to warm up a bit which is my preference. Of course that could be the FC4 injecting it's own flavor into the 500LM.

In conclusion:

Trebleheads rejoice! If you value a resolving iem with great instrument separation, the 500LM is what you're looking for. For under $100, I didnt think I would ever find something this technically savvy. I was hearing every detail in my music, even those I didn't know were there. It's a technical marvel but it's not necessarily my personal tuning preference. I do enjoy my time with the 500LM but overall I prefer warm and musical over bright and technical. There is absolutely great value here and I recommend this set to anyone who wants a technically correct sound and a very technical set.