FATfrequency Maestro Mini - Small in Size but not in Sound

4.5⭐️

+ Fun, dynamic V-shaped tuning

+ Deep subwoofer-like bass could be a basshead's dream

+ Vocals are clear and well defined even with the big bass

+ Rolled off treble that keeps up without being sibilant

+ Small shell provides great fit and comfort

- Niche tuning, not an all-rounder 

- Recessed lower mids

- Not the most technically proficient 

- Price could be more competitive 

- Stock cable

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This set was provided for a trial period through the Watercooler tour. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A big thank you to FATfreq for the provided unit and to @Rockwell75 for coordinating the tours.

Gear used: 

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Letshuoer DT03 

Source:

●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction:

FATfrequency, or FATfreq for short, is an iem manufacturer based out of Singapore. Founded in 2020, the company boasts that all of its products are tuned and built by hand. The FATfreq name has become synonymous with powerful bass among those familiar with the brand. The Maestro line is arguably the company's most popular, with three current models to choose from: the Grand Maestro, Maestro SE, Maestro, and Maestro Mini. The Mini is a hybrid iem featuring a combination of dynamic and balanced armature drivers and is available for $479 through FATfreq's website. Let's break down both the Mini and SE models and see how they sound.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

For the duration of the tour, I had both the Maestro SE and Maestro Mini, so I will draw comparisons between the two throughout the review.

Since this is a tour unit, I cannot comment on the unboxing experience as it did not include all of the stock packaging or accessories. The kit that I received included both the Maestro SE and Mini iems, the Mini's stock cable, the SE's optional upgrade blue silver cable, and the stock carrying case. The Minis are aptly named as they are quite small and compact, especially when compared to the SEs, which are much larger. The shells are made of solid black resin with blue faceplates featuring "FATfreq" on one side and their logo on the other in gold. It's a fairly simple design but still just eye-catching enough to stand out. The Mini utilizes a flat two pin connection, which makes cable swapping a breeze. They have a semi-custom shape with a shorter nozzle length and a slightly below average insertion depth. I sometimes have fit issues with smaller iems, but this one in particular is quite comfortable. There were no stock ear tips included, but I found my trusty Penon Liqueurs provided the best fit and seal. There is a small lip on the nozzle to help tips stay in place, and I found no issues with wearing them for extended periods. The Pelican-style case is quite large and not very pocketable, but it's also very sturdy and offers great protection. The stock cable that's included with the Mini is downright terrible, and its inclusion with a $450+ product is actually insulting. It's just a cable, so how bad can it be, right? I am talking KZ stock $20 iem quality here. If you know, you know. It is super thin, tangles easily, and feels so incredibly cheap that I would rather receive no cable at all and spend an extra $20 on a Xhins or ivipQ cable from AliExpress. I don't understand how FATfreq could think this cable is worthy of any iem over $20. They also sell it separately on their website for $45, which makes it even worse.

FR graph courtesy of Gizaudio.

Impressions and comparison to Maestro SE:

Among the sources I own, I found the Mini to pair best with the HiBy FC4.

Looking at the graphs, the bass measurements of both the SE and Mini are very similar up until about 500 Hz. The SE then has a steeper rise in the pinna gain region, a noticeable dip at around 6 kHz, and then continues on to have greater treble extension. The Mini has a slower rise from the lower midrange to a peak at 4 kHz, followed by a more rolled-off treble response. This makes sense considering the SE utilizes EST drivers for the highs. Of course, the graph can't tell the whole story, so let's compare their technicalities. Although the bass quantities are similar, the quality on the SE is noticeably better. It's more defined and resolving with better texture and less bloat. The midrange is less recessed and stands out more from the prominent bass on the SE. The treble is where the tunings deviate the most. The Mini's treble is more polite with less extension and no sibilance to speak of. The SE, with its EST drivers, exhibits much better extension and treble detail, but it's also spicier, more fatiguing, and can sometimes become sibilant or harsh. The SE is slightly harder to drive with just a simple dongle. The Mini can get quite loud, while the SE can only reach a medium to high level of loudness. It's not a huge difference, but it is something to note. The soundstage of the Mini is not as wide as the SE, but it still has good width and depth and never sounds congested. The Mini's capabilities compete well in the sub-$500 bracket, but when compared to the SE, the latter simply exhibits better technicalities across the board. The soundstage is wider and deeper, and there is better detail retrieval, dynamics, and separation. Honestly, this is to be expected, given the price difference, although the note weight of the SE is a bit thinner than I had hoped for, and the Mini has a more "full" sound than the SE. I also feel that the timbre is a bit off, too. It can present as somewhat artificial, thin, and dry and has a metallic sheen or tinniness on certain tracks. The Mini actually beats out its much more expensive older brother here. Although I wouldn't characterize the Mini as "warm," it does exhibit much more warmth than the SE and has a much more natural and organic timbre in comparison.   

●Lows - The Mini is a sub-bass focused set, but the mid-bass is no slouch either. The bass response is the closest to a subwoofer I've ever heard in an IEM so far. It's just such a fun, rumbly experience, but it's definitely not just a gimmick. The bass has both great quantity and quality. Sure, it's not the cleanest presentation I've heard, but for the price, I'm very impressed with the execution. The extension can go very low and exhibits a nice deep rumble. It has great weight and texture but also never sounds bloated or completely overpowering. The impact and slam are decent with a fairly quick attack. My one minor complaint is that the decay can be a touch slow and sometimes overstays its welcome. It can also sound a tad unkempt or messy in some tracks, but for the most part, it's just big and fun. In "Cry" by Benson Boone, when the kick drums come in at 0:30, they sound so full and enveloping. It's almost impossible not to start bobbing your head to the beat. They continue to have great impact throughout the track without encroaching on his wonderful vocals.

●Mids -By virtue of the V-shaped tuning, the midrange is recessed, but it's actually not as bad as I would imagine just looking at the graph. The pinna gain rise is slower here on the mini than the SE, and it's my preferred style to keep the upper mids from becoming too energetic too fast. Vocals still have a lot of good presence and are well represented, but it's not necessarily a "vocal forward" tuning. The lower mids are mostly devoid of bass bleed, but being more recessed means losing some life and detail from instruments and male vocals. It's most noticeable with certain genres and tracks where the mids are integral to sounding correct. On "Separate Ways" by Journey, the keys and guitars get recessed behind the percussion and synthesizer, and it comes across somewhat deflated, like some of the life of the midrange was sucked out. The Mini definitely won't please midrange enthusiasts, but the powerful V-shaped tuning would give that away already.

●Highs - The treble on the Mini is very well done. My fear with any V-shaped tuning is that the highs will be too accentuated in an attempt to combat the big bass shelf, leading to a thin, harsh, and sibilant treble response. Those woes were quickly alleviated upon my first listen. The treble is crisp and clean with no troublesome areas to my ears. Snares, cymbals, claps, etc., are all clearly heard and detailed without harshness. The highs do just enough to make their presence felt without overdoing it. The intro to "Given Up" by Linkin Park is full of jingling keys and claps that can come across as harsh and coarse on some brighter sets. However, on the Mini, they sound really nice and clear without being fatiguing or bothersome. The treble might be a bit blunted and too polite for some, but I personally love how it helps to balance out the bass without stealing its thunder. Though I wouldn't characterize it as a "warm" set, the Mini does sound warmer compared to the SE, but the latter does have much better extension and air. Those looking for that EST type of sparkle will likely enjoy the SE better, but for sensitive people like myself, the Mini hits just right.

In conclusion:

The FATfreq Maestro Mini is certainly small, but don't let its size deceive you. This little thing puts out big sound! The Maestro series is renowned for its exceptional bass response, but it offers much more beyond its subwoofer-like capabilities. The intense V-shaped tuning showcases great energy in the upper mids and treble to balance that big bass shelf. The Mini offers a fantastically fun and dynamic presentation that's capable of elevating your music to a head-bobbing level. While the Maestro SE is technically the "superior" iem, I much prefer the presentation of the Mini. I will admit the SE has better technicalities, including detail retrieval, soundstage, separation, and imaging. Its bass is cleaner, the midrange more pronounced, and the treble is more extended. However, the Mini's rolled-off treble, fuller note weight, and more natural timbre win out for me. The fact that it's less than a quarter of the price of the SE doesn't hurt either. In closing, if you want an unapologetically V-shaped tuning with big, boisterous, subwoofer-like bass and a treble that does well to keep up without any sibilance, then look no further than the Maestro Mini. Now, $479 is certainly not inexpensive for any iem, but I do think they have a decent price-to-performance ratio. Although if they were closer to $300, they would be an absolute no-brainer recommendation. Obviously, this type of tuning won't be suitable or preferred for every genre, but I was surprised by its performance across my library. The Mini sounds really great with R&B, chillhop, dance, pop, EDM, and even some indie, singer-songwriter, and country music. FATfreq has a cult favorite on its hands, and after hearing them for myself, I understand their appeal and may need to grab a pair for myself.