Aroma Audio Fei Wan - A Brighter Summit

4⭐️

+ Insanely clean, balanced, and resolving

+ Might just be the best bass quality I've ever heard

+ Very clear and well balanced midrange

+ Airy, sparkly, and extended treble 

+ TOTL level technicalities 

+ Fit and comfort

- Treble will be too bright and energetic for some

- Vocals could be pushed forward more

- Lackluster accessories for the price 

- Would prefer it leaned harder towards musicality and warmth

- Colors and design are not my favorite

- 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 loaned to me by a friend for a review period. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to @enigmafotos for this opportunity!

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Letshuoer DT03 

●Dunu DTC480

●BLON V1

●iFi xDSD Gryphon 

Source:

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

Introduction:

Established in 2015, Aroma Audio is an IEM manufacturer based out of Hong Kong. They are prominent players in the high-end market with well renowned models such as the Jewel and Thunder. The Fei Wan is one of their most popular and well-known offerings and it has a hybrid configuration of two dynamic and ten balanced armature drivers. The Fei Wan comes with a hefty price tag of $4,688, making it the highest-priced piece of gear I've personally reviewed to date. Let's break down this very expensive IEM and see what kind of sound quality that amount of money can buy.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The Fei Wan has a somewhat unique unboxing experience. As the two flaps on the front of the box are opened, the contents rise up to greet you. The display inside the box is fairly simple, as the only things visible are the case, containing the IEMs and cable, and a golden Fei Wan pin. The shells are made of yellow resin with a gold-flake inlaid faceplate. The resin is very clear, and the components are easily visualized inside the shells. I really like the bright yellow/gold faceplate design, but I don't think the purple logo and lettering match very well or stand out enough. I would also like to see the shells in a more neutral smoky grey or clear, so the faceplate could pop more. The shells feature a flat 2-pin connection and they are on the large side but very lightweight. The nozzle is well-shaped and contoured, which fits my ear well. The insertion depth is perhaps slightly above average, but there is no lip to help tips stay in place. The nozzle is somewhat large and measures 6.4 mm. The stock cable is Aroma's own nylon-sheathed, silver-plated, oxygen-free copper "Sparkle" cable. I think it is a very lackluster inclusion for the price of this IEM. It is thin, tends to tangle easily, and does not feel premium. It definitely does not seem like it should be included with an IEM costing $4700, or any set under $500 for that matter. The puck-style case has quite a unique color and pattern, but it does feel a little flimsy in hand. I am unsure what stock tips are included since I did not receive any with this loan. I utilized an unnamed pair I have in my collection with a narrow bore to help tame the treble a bit. The accessory package is rounded out by a gold Fei Wan pin and some marketing inserts detailing the build and drivers. Overall, I was hoping for far better-quality accessories, especially considering the cost.

Sound impressions:

I would describe the Fei Wan's overall tuning as a bright and energetic V-shape, with deep-reaching bass and well-extended treble. The note weight is great—not thin or too thick. Surprisingly, this set is very easy to drive from just a dongle and smartphone; I could not even max out the volume without damaging my hearing. There is a reason this set is highly regarded as a technical monster—the detail retrieval is quite possibly the best I have heard to date. The soundstage is not the widest or deepest, but it is full, spherical, and utilized well, with no dead spaces. The timbre is mostly natural, but it can also come across as very "hi-fi," which has a tendency to sound a little less organic to me. The imaging is fantastic, not only from left to right, but also around the head and at various distances. The dynamics are very impressive, and the tuning holds up well at any volume level. I usually listen to my music fairly loudly, but with this set I prefer a lower volume, and I don't feel like I'm missing anything. The Fei Wan is very well-separated and might be the most resolving set I've heard to date. I can see why this set holds great appeal to those seeking some of the best technicalities money can buy.

I opted to use my pure copper Hakugei Healer cable over the stock, mixed-metal Sparkle cable. It may not be an aesthetically pleasing match, but sonically, the copper adds a bit of warmth that I prefer. For my source, I chose the Dunu DTC480, fed through the iFi xDSD Gryphon. The DAC helped tame some treble brightness and smooth out a few peaky spots, while the Gryphon added ample power. A tube amplifier might also be a good pairing, but I haven't personally tested one.

●Lows - The Fei Wan's bass quality is absolutely fantastic and truly top-of-the-line. Sure, it doesn't have the most quantity or the biggest rumble, but there is plenty of presence, and it is well-positioned to balance the treble. It's slightly more mid-bass focused, but the sub-bass is no slouch, and the extension is great. The texture is one of the best and most accurate I have ever experienced. The bass just sounds "right," and there is nothing at all I can pinpoint that sounds less than stellar. The attack is quick, with just the right amount of impact and slam. The bass has a clean-sounding rumble and a decay that doesn't linger and cuts off at just the right time. It's well-separated with no bleed into the midrange. It comes out to play when called for but otherwise stays in its lane and is a great complement to the overall tuning. If I'm being honest, I would welcome a decent boost in the low end, but that could just be my personal penchant for bass. As it stands, it's simply one of, if not the best, bass presentations in terms of balance, resolution, and texture, with just the right amount of rumble and reverberation.

●Mids - While the midrange is very clean and clear, it can sound a bit cold. I prefer a certain degree of warmth that helps me connect to vocals, and the Fei Wan tends to veer more toward the clinical side. The midrange presents fairly forward, but it still strikes a great balance with the other frequencies, although it takes a bit of a backseat to the treble. Vocals are recessed just a bit beyond what I like; I prefer them to present more forward and prominently in the mix. Male artists are slightly recessed compared to females, which do cut through the mix a bit more. The vocal tonality and timbre are realistic, but there is also a bit of that overproduced or "hi-fi" quality that tends to sound a little less natural to my ear. Instruments, though, do not suffer the same effect and tend to sound more organic. The lower midrange is well-balanced, and cello and lower brass instruments are well-represented. Overall, the midrange is clean, well-balanced, and cohesive, but I feel that it performs better for instruments than for vocals, which could benefit from a touch of warmth.

●Highs - Trebleheads, this is the tuning for you. It's crisp, bright, energetic, and very well-extended. It can be fatiguing for me, but those who are not treble-sensitive are likely to love it. There isn't any real sibilance, per se, but the notes do have a distinct edge unlike any other set I've heard. "S" and "sh" notes are a little piercing but not overly harsh. Cymbals, hi-hats, and snares have a good pop and sound precise without coming across splashy or overly harsh. Initially, I found the Fei Wan to be too treble-focused and bright, but after some burn-in, I was able to enjoy what it is capable of in the higher frequencies. It can still be somewhat fatiguing for me, but it's hard to argue with the quality of everything here. I would suggest that those who are treble-sensitive or prefer a dark and warm tuning steer clear of this one. It has an insane amount of air, sparkle, and detail, with great separation and truly could be a treblehead's dream.

Comparisons: Credit to tgx78 for the graph.

●Penon Impact ($2,500) - Both of these sets have hybrid configurations, but the Fei Wan utilizes 2 DDs and 10 BAs, while the Penon has 10 BAs and 4 ESTs. I must admit that both sets have somewhat disappointing accessories for the price. Neither offers a cable that feels very premium, and the cases are just okay. I did not receive any tips with the Fei Wan, so I cannot draw any conclusions on that front. While I personally do not love either shell design, I think the Impact is probably the better-looking one for me. The Fei Wan has a flashier faceplate, but the yellow shell and purple accents throw me off. The Impact looks a little more reserved in comparison, but its gold faceplate is still quite fetching. Both sets' shells and nozzles are on the larger side, but the Fei Wan has a better fit and is more comfortable for me. I have had issues with EST drivers sounding too bright, but surprisingly, the Impact is less bright than the Fei Wan. Both have somewhat V-shaped tunings, but the Impact takes a smoother, more mellow approach, while the Fei Wan is energetic with better extension on both ends. The Impact's bass is a bit disappointing, as it has some typical characteristics of BA bass. The Fei Wan's bass quality is among the best I've heard, and it has a decent quantity as well. The DDs provide better extension, rumble, reverberation, texture, and resolution. The midrange is where the Impact wins some points for me. Vocals are warmer, smoother, and have more heart and soul. The Fei Wan's vocals are a bit recessed in comparison, but it does have a cleaner overall presentation, especially in the lower midrange. The treble area is where the tunings deviate the most. The Fei Wan is much brighter, with more sparkle, air, and extension. It's overall the more energetic set, but this is especially apparent in the highs. The Impact's treble is darker and rolled off, with a smoother and overall more enjoyable presentation for my taste. When it comes to technical performance, the Fei Wan wins handily in detail retrieval, separation, and resolution. However, I prefer the Impact's more natural and organic timbre. As for dynamics, soundstage, and imaging, both sets perform very well. This is a tough matchup for me. While the Impact is smoother, more musical, and more aligned with my tuning preferences, I simply cannot overlook the Fei Wan's bass performance and technicalities. Sure, it is quite a bit brighter than I prefer, but it's hard to argue with one of the most insanely capable IEMs I've ever heard.

My pick: Fei Wan

●Empire Ears Triton ($1800) - Unfortunately, there's no graph for this one yet. Here we have the tribrid configuration of the Triton (1 DD, 2 BA, 2 BCD) versus the hybrid Fei Wan (2 DD, 10 BA). The quality of the accessories is better on the Triton due to the fantastic case(s) and cable. The Fei Wan offers a fit that is more comfortable for me. The Triton's tuning is more musical and much more heavily bass-oriented, whereas the Fei Wan sounds more balanced and technically proficient. The Triton's bass is quite elevated but not overbearing. It sounds more engaging and enveloping, with a unique stage, better sub-bass extension, and superior rumble and reverberation. Fei Wan's bass is quicker, more tactile, and more resolving, with superior balance across the frequency response. It can reach low when needed, though not to the same degree as the Triton. Lower midrange instruments have more presence and better separation on the Fei Wan. The Triton's bass slightly infringes on this area, but it is not egregious. The upper midrange is more forward and accentuated on the Fei Wan, but the Triton is also strong in this area. For a purely enjoyable vocal experience, the Fei Wan has a slight advantage due to a more natural timbre and a smoother, more emotionally charged presentation. In comparison, the vocals on the Triton are just a bit recessed and lack some heart and soul, but are still very enjoyable. The higher frequencies are where these two sets deviate the most. The Triton has a very smooth and laid-back treble presentation with just enough sparkle and extension for my preferences, but some may find it too tame or dark. The Fei Wan, on the other hand, can be quite bright, with great extension, air, and a little harshness to my ears. Overall, the Triton has a more unique tuning and is the more fun and musical choice, whereas the Fei Wan is well-balanced, energetic, and takes the cake in just about every technical category. In my opinion, the X factors here are the Triton's bolder bass response and the enveloping quality of its soundstage. These trump the Fei Wan's superior technicalities, balance, and treble extension, which can be bright and fatiguing. The fact that the Triton is less than half the price of the Fei Wan makes this decision a little easier, too, if cost is a limiting factor.

In conclusion:

My initial impressions of the Fei Wan were impressive but not very favorable. However, after a fair amount of brain burn-in and source/cable/tip rolling, I opened up more to what the Fei Wan is all about. It's definitely not my preferred tuning, with more focus on the treble, but it is without a doubt one of the best-performing sets I've had the pleasure of hearing. It has an absolutely top-notch resolving nature, incredible bass resolution and texture, a nicely balanced midrange, and an energetic treble emphasis and extension. Seriously, the bass performance alone raises this set a star or two—it's immaculate. The Fei Wan sounds best for me with classical and orchestral arrangements due to the technical precision and instrument tonality and timbre. For my usual pop, rock, and singer-songwriter tracks, it just sounds too clinical and cold. It leans too hard toward the clinical side and lacks some of the warmth, emotion, and musicality that I love. I feel that it sometimes forces me to dissect the music, picking out every detail and nuance, instead of just enjoying and listening to the track as a whole. Don't get me wrong, it does so many things fantastically from a technical sense, but when it comes to creating an emotional connection with my music, it falls a bit flat. I am also quite underwhelmed by the included accessories, especially the cable, which, in my opinion, is something more befitting a $500 mid-fi set. Now, I can't recommend this set enough to those who want some of the best bass performance, resolution, separation, and treble energy and extension that money can buy. It's easy to see the appeal the Fei Wan holds, but at the end of the day, it just doesn't play back my music in a way that I enjoy. I much prefer something like the AME Mousa, which is on the different end of the summit-fi spectrum. One is very bassy, warm, and musical, while the other is a bit cold and clinical, treble-forward, and extremely technically capable. We all have different tastes, and mine just happen to align more with the Mousa's sense of musicality. So, if you want your music to sound the absolute best it can from a technical standpoint, and you are not averse to brightness, the Fei Wan would be the way to go. But if you are more like me and prefer a certain degree of musicality and emotion without sacrificing much in the way of technical capabilities, the Mousa could be your summit instead.