Sound Rhyme SP01 - Triple Threat

 4⭐️

+ Three interchangeable nozzles with distinctly different tunings

+ Quality metal shells that are lightweight

+ Good bass quantity with each nozzle

+ Can actually see myself using and enjoying all three tunings

+ Decent accessories

+ Price to performance

- Not for the bass shy

- The design might be hit or miss (it's a miss for me)

- The shape and fit is a little odd, not the most comfortable for me

- Just OK technicalities for the price

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 product was provided to me by Sound Rhyme in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Product link for those interested:

https://penonaudio.com/Sound-Rhyme-SP01.html

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Dunu DTC480

●Letshuoer DT03 

●BLON V1 

Source:

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

Introduction:

Sound Rhyme is a Chinese IEM manufacturer that is often associated with Penon, although it is its own brand. They have had some success with various models and offer many options ranging from the more cost-efficient SR5 at $149 all the way to their $1799 flagship, the Prado. One of their latest releases is the SP01, which features a single 10mm dynamic driver and three interchangeable tuning nozzles. It is available in blue or red options, with a choice of a 3.5 or 4.4 mm cable. It currently retails for $89.90 through Penon Audio's site as well as other worldwide retailers. The budget tier is absolutely saturated with great choices, and it seems like the options are growing every day. Let's see how the new SP01 stacks up against the competition.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The SP01 is one of the better-accessorized IEMs in its price range. The unboxing isn't anything fancy, and the black box is quite understated, but the total inclusions are great for the price. The package includes the IEMs themselves, three sets of tuning nozzles with a metal holder, a case, the stock cable, two tip holders containing a total of six pairs of tips, a branded microfiber cloth, and a cleaning tool. The shells are made of CNC-machined aluminum, featuring a raised faceplate design in either blue or red colorways and a flat 2-pin connection. They are fairly lightweight and feel sturdy enough, but to me, they do not feel very premium, and the build quality could be better. Keen eyes might recognize the shell shape and design, as it is eerily similar to the iBasso IT05. The nozzle measures 5.9mm at its widest point, and the length and insertion depth are about average. I would personally prefer a bit of a deeper fit with a wider nozzle as I had a bit of trouble maintaining a good seal. The interchangeable nozzles themselves are very interesting as each set has a different diameter. The “Warm” nozzles are the narrowest, and the "Clear" and “Balanced” nozzles are wider and appear to be the same width, but the latter seems to have an additional filter inside. The 7N crystal copper silver-plated cable is well-braided, pliable, and has a decent weight to it. It's a good-quality cable in this price bracket and much better than other stock cables I've received. The included tips are pretty good too. There are two different styles: the clear tips are softer and have a slightly narrower bore, while the gray ones are firmer with a wider bore. As far as the case goes, I'm not a huge fan of the puck style, but this one is similar to others I've received lately. It has a rubbery coating that helps better protect the contents, which I do appreciate.

Sound impressions:

When an IEM has multiple tunings, I usually find the one I prefer and stick to writing the entire review based on that option. However, in this case, the three nozzles of the SP01 each offer a distinct tuning flavor, and I strongly feel that each has its own merits. I'm going to do a short breakdown of all three, as I think all three have their merits. But first, I'll go over some of the things that remain the same regardless of the nozzle used. The SP01 is easy to drive with just a simple dongle. It can get loud without needing amplification. The detail retrieval is good, but I wouldn't consider it a strong suit. It's not overly analytical, but it's still decent for the budget tier. Subtleties in tracks like guitar picks can be heard well, though overall it leans more musical than analytical. The soundstage is about average. It's not huge, but neither is it claustrophobic. Although it does sound a bit flat and lacks some depth. The timbre does sound mostly natural with the exception being a slight metallic tinge to things like cymbal crashes on some tracks. The imaging is fairly accurate, and the separation is good, with nothing sounding overly congested. However, it is not the best to be found in this price range and cannot hold a candle to something like the technical powerhouse that is the Simgot EA500LM. Overall, the technical aspects of the SP01 are adequate but nothing is standout or exceptional. Now on to the tuning nozzles.

●Warm - This nozzle is aptly named as it's definitely the warmest of the three options. It has more of an L-shaped tuning with a thicker, more syrupy note weight and a rolled off treble response. In an effort to control the amount of warmth, I paired this nozzle with the wider Tri Clarion tips. It has good sub-bass extension and rumble, but it's a bit more mid-bass focused with a decent amount of impact and slam. There is a little bleed into the lower midrange, but it's not too bad. The bass isn't the cleanest, and the texture can sound a bit wet or muddy at times, but the separation is good, with double kick drums clearly heard. The bass's speed and decay are average, and the overall presentation is mostly enjoyable while avoiding sounding bloated. The midrange has good presence, and vocals are clear while maybe just a hair recessed, with both male and female artists being on the same level. Vocals never come across as shouty or overly emphasized. Instruments actually come through a bit more than vocals on some tracks, with guitars, piano, strings, and horns taking the spotlight a bit. So essentially, this nozzle does not have a vocal forward tuning. The treble here is the tamest of the three tunings, and it will definitely be lacking for those seeking high-end energy. The extension rolls off, and it does lack air, which can make many genres sound somewhat blunted and incomplete. It never sounds bright or sibilant, but there's still enough treble presence for my personal taste. Cymbals, claps, hi-hats, and snares all sound a bit muted, which could be a good thing for treble-sensitive listeners. Overall, I really like this nozzle. This is the kind of tuning I could listen to all day. It's great for laid-back sessions but not necessarily a good all-rounder. It is probably too warm for some as it lacks treble presence and air. I really enjoyed this tuning with chill-hop, classical, instrumental, and acoustic music. The "Warm" nozzle is a great option to better enjoy some of the more sibilant-prone tracks in my library.

●Clear - This is definitely the brightest nozzle of the trio, and the overall tuning is more V-shaped, with elevated bass and upper mids/treble. The note weight leans a bit thin, and some tracks can get a little harsh and sibilant if the synergy isn't right. I paired this nozzle with narrow-bore tips and the Hiby FC4 to add a bit of warmth and help control the treble peaks. The bass still has good overall rumble and reverberation but a bit less midbass compared to the "Warm" nozzle. The low end has slightly better resolution and texture, but it lacks impact and authority compared to other nozzles. The bass speed is fairly quick with an average decay, and the good news is there's little to no bass bleed this time around, with better separation between the bass and midrange. The upper midrange is more forward on this nozzle, with the lower midrange slightly recessed. Vocals are not shouty but are more at the forefront and less laid-back compared to the "Warm" nozzle. The timbre is good, and vocals and instruments sound mostly natural with maybe just a hint of a metallic tinge every now and then. The Clear nozzle is a lot more energetic and fun with a more "in-your-face" treble response. The upper-end extension is much better than the "Warm" nozzle and even a noticeable improvement over the "Balanced." But with the extra treble energy comes a little harshness and sibilance, especially with "s" sounds. Cymbals can sound a bit splashy on certain tracks, and snares can have a bit too much pop. This nozzle also becomes fatiguing at higher volumes over a short period. While this may be the weakest-tuning nozzle for me personally, I think it will hold the widest appeal for most consumers. That's not to say I still don't enjoy the Clear nozzle, and I really like having the option of dialing up the treble and energy for a bit more fun when I'm in the mood. I just have to avoid more sibilant prone tracks to get the most enjoyment out of the tuning. 

●Balanced - This nozzle is more U-shaped in nature. I chose to pair this nozzle with my favorite Penon Liqueur tips for the best fit, seal, and comfort. It sounds less peaky and more controlled in the treble than the "Clear" but also retains some of the warmth and mid-bass boost of the "Warm" nozzle. The note weight is neither too thick nor too thin, falling somewhere between the other two nozzles. The bass is still elevated here, including a decent sub-bass extension and rumble, but now the upper mids/treble are better balanced to my ears. There's more overall bass quantity than the "Clear" nozzle but less than the "Warm." The impact and slam are adequate, but the texture can be just a little muddy on some tracks. The speed and decay, to my ear, didn't change between the other nozzles, and it's the same result here as well. The lower midrange is free from bass bleed, but this range is not as prominent as with the "Warm" nozzle, and lower midrange instruments are not as well represented. The timbre of instruments and vocals is the most natural and organic of the three to my ears. The upper mids are boosted slightly, which leads to vocals being well separated and holding their own in the mix; they are neither laid-back nor shouty. The treble has no sibilance or harshness and is perfectly aligned between the other two nozzles, having good presence and sparkle, but it does lack some of the air found in the "Clear" nozzle. Cymbals, hi-hats, snares, and claps retain their crispness while still being inoffensive. The first tuning may be too warm, and the second tuning is a little too bright, but the third tuning is just right. Goldilocks, eat your heart out! The "Balanced" nozzle gets most things right for me and is the closest to my preference. The U-shaped frequency response is the best all-rounder of the three for my music library, which mostly consists of singer-songwriter, rock, pop, R&B, soft rock/pop, and alternative.

Comparison to Elysian Pilgrim:

I recently reviewed the Elysian Acoustic Labs Pilgrim and included a comparison to the SP01 (balanced nozzle) in that review. I will add that comparison here as well.

The Pilgrim is a hybrid consisting of one DD and three BAs, while the SP01 utilizes a single dynamic driver. I used the "Balanced" nozzle on the SP01 and, to my ears, the tuning is quite similar to that of the Pilgrim. Both are well-balanced between the three frequency bands and have a sort of neutrality that makes comparison easier. The build quality is similar as both have all-metal shells, but the SP01 is lighter in weight and smaller in size. The soundstage is wider on the Pilgrim, but the lack of depth and dynamics makes the SP01 sound more interesting. The Pilgrim has better separation and detail retrieval, but not by a huge margin. The tonality is slightly more colored on the SP01, but it's still mostly neutral and has a bit more life and vigor, which helps it sound less boring. The sub-bass extends deeper on the Pilgrim, and it has a slightly better rumble, but honestly, both are missing some mid-bass impact, and neither are very bassy IEMs in general. The midrange is more forward and clear on the Pilgrim, but the timbre is more natural on the SP01. The treble extension and air are better on the Pilgrim but also slightly brighter overall with a bit more energy. Now, I doubt many people would A/B these and not think that the Pilgrim is the "better" IEM, but for the price, I believe the SP01 has much more to offer. It currently retails for $89, while the Pilgrim comes in at $400. Does that mean the Pilgrim is four times better? Definitely not. Diminishing returns in audio are very real, and in today's market, they kick in at increasingly lower prices. I think the SP01 can come fairly close to the Pilgrim, but it also sounds a bit more lively and fun even with the balanced nozzle. That's not taking into account the fact that there are two more tuning options packed in that add more variety than the Pilgrim can offer.

In conclusion:

The Sound Rhyme SP01 sure has a lot to offer! I find it hard to believe that someone would not find one of the three distinct tuning nozzles to their liking. The "Warm" nozzle is quite warm indeed, even for me, who usually prefers that type of tuning. The "Clear" nozzle is airy, sparkly, and detailed but might be a bit bright for some, including myself. The "Balanced" nozzle takes the best of the other two options, presenting a nice U-shaped sound signature. Often, when an IEM offers multiple tuning options, be it through switches, nozzles, or other means, I find the one tuning that suits me best and rarely use the others. With the SP01, I can see the merits of each nozzle and actually use all three. Unfortunately, this set's biggest weakness lies in its technicalities. It won't impress those who are accustomed to the refinement, resolution, and capabilities that more capable drivers bring to the table. However, it does well to compete within its price bracket, even if it does not punch above its weight. One note to consider is that while each nozzle offers a different frequency response, they all retain a boosted bass that may not appeal to everyone, especially those seeking a more neutral tuning. The quality of the bass could also be better, but it's not a dealbreaker for me, especially at this price point. For a first-time buyer, the SP01 is certainly high on my list of recommendations and worth considering. Even seasoned users are likely to be impressed by what has been accomplished here for under $100. Sound Rhyme has added another very solid product to its resume, and this ride is well worth the price of admission.