Softears Studio 4 - Keep 'em in the Studio

 3.5⭐️

+ Neutral tuning that does nothing "wrong"

+ Quick bass with decent punch and impact

+ Vocals and instruments given room to shine

+ Well balanced treble with the right amount of air

+ Layering, separation, and imaging

- Not a particularly engaging tuning

- Lacks that something special

- Somewhat narrow soundstage 

- Lackluster accessories and unboxing for the price

- Price to performance 

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 for review by a friend. I receive no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A big thank you to Jaytiss for the opportunity!

Gear used: 

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Softears S01 

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Letshuoer DT03 

●Dunu DTC480

●BLON V1

●Snowsky Retro Nano 

●iFi GO link Max 

Source:

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

Introduction: 

Softears is an IEM manufacturer based in China, probably more known for its expensive offerings like the Turii, RSV, Twilight, and flagship Enigma. They recently released their newest mid-fi IEM, the Volume S, which I reviewed and found to be quite excellent. This review will focus on another of their products released back in the spring of 2023, the Studio 4. It has a four-balanced armature driver configuration, is specifically designed and developed for studio recording, mixing, and stage monitoring, and has a price tag of $449. Let's break down this more neutrally tuned Softears IEM and see how it performs.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The packaging and unboxing experience are somewhat underwhelming for the price. It is very simple, and the accessories are fairly minimal. It does make sense that there aren't many extraneous accessories, considering these are marketed more for stage and studio work; but coming from the hobby side of things, where accessories are a bigger focus, it feels disappointing. The shells are about average in size, made of solid resin, and have decent build quality. They usually come in a black colorway, but this unit I have for testing features a custom clear shell with a sparkly blue faceplate. The left IEM features the model name, Studio 4, and the right, the company name, Softears. The fit is mostly comfortable for me, but I did experience some pressure buildup at times due to the lack of ventilation. The shells utilize a recessed 2-pin connection, and the insertion depth is about average. The nozzle width measures 5.9 mm at the widest point, but there is no lip to help tips stay in place. The stock cable is made of oxygen-free copper and only comes in a 3.5 mm termination. It's not very soft or supple, feels a bit cheap in hand, and has some memory issues. For $450, I'd expect a much nicer cable. I preferred to use my Trusted Audio 50 cable along with the stock cable. Only three pairs of tips in one style are included in the box. I tried them, but ultimately chose to use my Penon Liqueurs for a better fit and seal. The plastic Pelican-style case is sturdy, well-built, and offers good protection. It's a bit large and wouldn't be my first choice; however, it's a decent inclusion for traveling. The remaining accessories include a Velcro cable tie, cleaning cloth, cleaning tool, 1.5-meter extension cable, and a 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter.

Sound impressions:

The Studio 4 has a mostly neutral overall tuning with a slightly bright tilt. The note weight is just a hair on the thin side, but it is not too bad. This set is easy to drive and can get to loud volumes with a simple dongle. There is plenty of detail retrieval, but it is not overly clinical, though it lacks a sense of musicality and engagement for me. The soundstage has a good balance of width and depth and a certain fullness, but it is not very spacious or extensive. The timbre is mostly fine, but there can be slight unnaturalness to notes at times. It is a bit hard to describe; almost like there is a sheen or filter applied, but it is barely noticeable. The imaging has great accuracy left to right but could use improvement in terms of distance. The dynamics are decent, and the tuning holds up well enough at very low volumes. The separation and layering are also impressive.

For my source, I prefer the HiBy FC4. It helps bring out a little more fullness, note weight, and a certain excitement factor, and it also helps draw out the Studio 4's inherent musicality.

●Lows - The bass is more mid-bass focused than sub-bass. In typical BA bass fashion, the extension, rumble, and reverberation are somewhat lacking, though the speed is quick, which helps with double bass kicks and complicated bass lines. To my surprise, the decay is not too fast, like some BA sets, and it does linger a bit, which helps it have a more natural presentation. The texture could use some work, as it is a touch muddy, but not too bad. The resolution is commendable, but not quite what I'd expect for the price. Fortunately, the bass and midrange are well separated, and there's no bleed. The impact is a bit on the tamer side and it won't slam with much authority, but it does have a decent thump when tracks call for it. While I think the bass is well implemented and tuned for the neutrality the Studio 4 aims for, it still falls victim to some common tropes of BA bass. To its credit, it does have a certain fullness and body, and it is also pretty adaptive and responds well to each track. I find it to be fairly enjoyable, but ultimately it cannot quite mimic the presentation of a well-tuned dynamic driver that I prefer.

●Mids - Balance and neutrality are the key factors of the Studio 4's tuning, which means the midrange isn't particularly exciting or accentuated. Vocals are not recessed per se, but they definitely don't present forward enough for my usual preference. However, this also means they are never shouty or too in your face, and I think the overall balance this set is going for is accomplished well here. Vocals are clear and have a touch of warmth which is very enjoyable. Unfortunately, they can present a bit closer to the ear, making them sound somewhat unnatural when compared to the instrumentation around them. Speaking of instruments, they generally have a quite natural timbre and tonality, which makes this an enjoyable set for acoustic and orchestral arrangements. The lower midrange instruments could use a little more weight and representation, though. As a lover of vocals, the midrange falls a bit flat for me. A quick EQ of about 5 dB to the 4 kHz range brings them forward and makes for a more enjoyable listen for me. But alas, that affects the overall neutrality, which is really what the Studio 4 is aiming for.

●Highs - The treble is a bit of a conundrum for me. On one hand, it sounds a bit rolled off and muted, with less extension and air than I would expect from a truly neutral tuning. On the other, it offers a fair amount of sparkle and energy, which is still within the boundaries of neutral to my ear. Unfortunately, that energy tends to interact more with notes on sibilant-prone tracks, causing me some issues. It can also get slightly thin at times, especially with airier vocals. To its credit, cymbals, hi-hats, snares, and claps are all fairly well-behaved. They have a crispness and slight edge without sounding unnatural or metallic. Overall, I think either providing a bit more energy along with ample air and extension or keeping it tame throughout the entire upper frequencies would make for a more cohesive presentation and help provide a clearer tuning philosophy.

Comparisons: Credit to Super Reviews for the graphs. 

●Ziigaat Estrella ($300) - This matchup pits the Studio 4's all BA configuration against a 2DD, 4BA hybrid. The Estrella has a slightly better unboxing experience, but the overall accessories are about the same. I prefer the Ziigaat's case to the Studio 4's, but the latter has a slightly better stock cable. The Estrella's shell is slightly larger, but the Studio 4 offers a slightly deeper insertion, though the nozzle is smooth and lacks a lip. Both sport a resin shell, and the Studio 4 is a bit smaller, but both offer a comfortable fit and seal for me. I personally prefer the Estrella's faceplate design. The Estrella is quite V-shaped, with a bigger bass shelf and a slightly brighter treble response, whereas the Studio 4 is much more neutrally tuned. The bass may be where these two differ most. The Estrella's double DD driver configuration offers much more sub-bass extension and rumble and is overall more satisfying for me as a semi-basshead. It is also more resolving and more impactful, with a good amount of slam and authority in the mid-bass. The Studio 4's neutral bass is more evenly balanced, though, and it has cleaner transients from bass to mids. In the midrange, the Estrella puts more emphasis on vocals, bringing them forward, which better matches my preferences. The Studio 4 has a flatter and more balanced midrange, which is great for instrument presentation but can also come across as a bit boring. The treble of these two actually sounds closer in ear than the graph would indicate. The Estrella definitely has better air and extension, but it is not quite as bright as it seems due to the large bass shelf that mostly helps to counter the brightness. The Studio 4 still has a certain edge and crispness in the treble that is easily discerned due to its flatter frequency response. As a treble-sensitive listener, both sets give me a few issues on certain notes and with certain tracks, but the Estrella is more incisive and has a bit more thinness. As for technicalities, the Estrella performs well for its price and offers a more expansive and fuller soundstage, better imaging, dynamics, and slightly better detail retrieval. However, the Studio 4 is simply better in instrument timbre and tonal accuracy, which is one of its strongest attributes. In conclusion, I must say these tunings are quite different, but both have their merits. However, I'd be lying if I said I didn't prefer the Estrella for just about every genre in my library except for orchestral music, which is where the Studio 4 really shines. Ultimately, the decision is fairly easy for me, as I find the Estrella to be a better all-rounder with a generally more fun, engaging, and enjoyable tuning.

My pick: Estrella

●Softears Volume S ($319) - These two have the same number of drivers, but the Studio 4 features an all-BA configuration. The Volume S offers a better unboxing experience and much more premium accessories, in my opinion. The leather case and modular cable are great, but the pelican-style case of the Studio 4 is more secure, which makes it better for travel. The Studio 4 features a solid resin build, which I like, but I prefer the aesthetics of the Volume S a bit more. The shell size of the Studio 4 is a bit smaller, but the Volume S fits me better. The tunings of these two are not vastly different. The Volume S has a U-shaped response with more bass emphasis, whereas the Studio 4 adheres to a more balanced and somewhat neutral tuning. The bass on the Volume S is just way better for my preferences. It's warm, inviting, and enveloping, while the Studio 4 is more geared towards speed and accuracy. I wouldn't necessarily call the Studio 4 bass light, but it sticks pretty close to neutral and won't put out more bass than the track calls for. The frequency responses of these two are basically identical from 300 Hz to around 5 kHz; however, vocals are a bit clearer and more forward on the Studio 4 due to the lower bass quantity. The treble also sounds a touch brighter, with more air and sparkle, but it is not harsh or sibilant. Technically, the Volume S offers a bigger and fuller soundstage, a slightly more natural timbre, and better dynamics. The Studio 4 is a bit more detailed, with better separation and balance across all frequencies. Both are enjoyable sets, but for different reasons. I feel the Studio 4 would be a great choice for those who like the midrange and treble of the Volume S but want a tamer, less colored bass. For me, the Studio 4 comes across as a bit boring, and I prefer the bassier and more colored tuning of the Volume S.

My pick: Volume S

●Letshuoer Mystic 8 ($989) - This might seem like an unfair comparison based on price, but both sets have an all-BA configuration, and they graph remarkably similarly. It's no surprise that the Mystic 8 offers a better unboxing experience and better overall accessories, although some may prefer the Pelican-style case of the Studio 4. As for build quality, the Mystic 8's metal shell is a bit heavier and more sturdy, while the Studio 4 is made of a lighter-weight resin. Both are very similar in shape and size, but the Studio 4 has a longer nozzle which also lacks a lip for tips. Their designs are quite different, although the Studio 4's normal black colorway would be closer to the Mystic 8. I personally prefer the Mystic 8's very unique aesthetic, but the Studio 4 is less polarizing. Both have very neutral tunings, but the Mystic 8 offers better extension on both ends and a certain engagement factor lacking in the Studio 4. From a purely quantitative point of view, both sets have a similar amount of bass, but the Mystic 8 is more balanced and even-kiltered with better resolution and texture. The low end of the Studio 4 cannot quite dig as low in the sub-bass, and it also has a bit more mid-bass presence with a slightly softer impact. In the midrange, the Mystic 8 presents a cleaner, more natural, and more organic quality to vocals and instruments. The vocals on the Studio 4 do not quite have the same natural timbre and maturity and are also a bit more accentuated, moving them away from truly neutral tuning. In the treble, the Mystic 8 continues its effortless neutrality and balance, while the Studio 4 sounds a bit rolled off and incomplete in comparison. The Mystic 8 sweeps the board in technicalities, but its biggest margin of victory is in the soundstage and the sense of depth and space around notes. The Studio 4 can sound almost claustrophobic during A/B comparisons. Overall, I find the Mystic 8 to be simultaneously more neutral yet more engaging and musical than the Studio 4. It performs better in almost every notable category and has a sense of depth, naturalness, and maturity that the Studio 4 simply cannot match.

My pick: Mystic 8

In conclusion:

The Studio 4 is not a bad set by any means, but neither is it a particularly great one. The tuning aims for neutrality and balance, and I feel it accomplishes this well, but I would like to see a little more engagement. My biggest complaints are some typical BA bass characteristics, a somewhat narrow soundstage, and an uneven treble response. The tamer bass is understandable given the neutral tuning, but the sub-bass extension, rumble, reverberation, texture, and resolution could be improved. I can't find much to complain about in the midrange as vocals are clear and have just a touch of warmth, which I enjoy. I would welcome them being brought a little more forward, and the lower midrange instruments could benefit from a little more weight, but that's being critical. The somewhat uneven treble does throw me off, though, and I wish it were more consistent. What I like about this set is that the neutral tuning remains pretty accurate for each individual track, so it could be a good choice for mixing or gaming. It also performs very strongly with instrumental and orchestral music and might warrant consideration if those are your main genres. If I could tweak the Studio 4 to better suit my preferences, I'd extend the soundstage, add more sub-bass extension and a bit more mid-bass for extra warmth, and accentuate the upper midrange to bring vocals more forward. Now, obviously, these changes would move the tuning away from neutrality, which is really the whole appeal of this set. Ultimately, the Studio 4 doesn't really do anything "wrong," but neither does it excel in any specific area. I think it is a bit overpriced and underperforms for $450, and there are much better value options available on the market today, at least for my preferences. I enjoyed my time with this set, and it has its strengths, but I am not sure I would choose it over some of the others I own. The Studio 4 is kind of like sitting in pajamas on a Sunday morning, channel surfing—comfortable, but not really engaging. I am happy to listen to it, but switching to other sets feels like stepping out of the house and taking a breath of fresh air.