Punch Audio Martilo - Hammer Time

4.5⭐️

+ Boosted bass that's full-bodied, punchy, and just plain fun!

+ Smooth and engaging midrange with a touch of warmth

+ Well-balanced treble with a smooth roll-off

+ Solid accessory package

+ Bass-boosted tuning works really great with some unexpected genres, but...

- It's not quite the bassy all-rounder I was hoping for

- Underrepresented lower midrange 

- Pinna gain could come earlier to add more vocal clarity

- Technical performance could be better

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 Linsoul in exchange for my impartial and honest review. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gear used: 

●Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

●HiBy R3 II

●Various DAC/amps

Source:

●Listening was done using Amazon Music HD/Ultra HD and local FLAC files. 

Introduction:

Punch Audio is a new Chinese-based IEM manufacturer that seems to have come out of nowhere. Its first and only release so far is the new Martilo, which, when spelled with two L's, translates to "hammer" in Spanish. For argument's sake, let's just assume the name is a misspelling. The Martilo features a tribrid configuration consisting of two dynamic, two balanced armature, and one planar drivers. It's currently priced at $329 and is available for purchase from Linsoul as well as other worldwide retailers. Let's see if this "hammer" packs a punch and how it compares to a few others in today's market.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

The Martilo comes packaged in a nicely designed, eye-catching box featuring some pretty shots of the faceplates. The shells are made of black resin with a crimson red faceplate design that kind of resembles cells. The pattern has a similar style to AFUL's Performer 5+2, but the lines are less linear, which doesn't quite catch my eye the same way as the P5+2. The company name "Punch Audio" is printed in stylized lettering near the nozzle, which is something you don't often see. The shell size is maybe slightly larger than average, and the fit is decently comfortable for my ears. It also features a straighter nozzle angle with a slightly above-average insertion depth. The metal nozzle measures 5.8mm at the widest point, which should fit nicely for most, even those with smaller ears. There's a single vent on each shell located behind the flat 2-pin connection to help with pressure relief. The black stock cable is modular with both 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations. It's easy to switch terminations, but there's no locking mechanism to keep it in place. I typically prefer thicker cables, and the Martilo's is decently hefty, but it has somewhat of a loose weave, which I don't really like. It also feels a little rubbery and can tangle sometimes, but overall it's a fine cable. There are six total pairs of tips, including three silicone and three foam. I really don't use foam tips, but some may like them, and having three pairs is a decent inclusion. As far as the silicone tips go, they didn't really work very well for me, so I opted to use the Final Type E for a better fit and seal. There is also a branded zipper case included in the box. This case is a little larger than I prefer and feels slightly cheap, but it does offer plenty of room for accessories, including extra tips and a dongle DAC. The last thing to mention is a set of four stick on filters for the nozzles. Overall, I find the build quality and accessories to be perfectly acceptable for the price, although a nicer cable and case would be preferable.

Sound impressions:

I find that the Martilo's tuning lies somewhere between a U- and L-shaped sound signature. The bass is quite elevated, which makes it lean more L-shaped, but the upper midrange still retains a decent presence, and the treble has a mild roll-off, which represents more of a U-shaped tuning. I would personally consider it a basshead set since the bass is indeed boosted above the other frequencies, though I also find that it's still relatively well-balanced for a bass-first tuning. The note weight is about average, but it does tend to be a little thinner than my usual preference. This set is easy to drive and can get to high volumes with just a simple dongle. The detail retrieval is good but nothing extraordinary for this price bracket. Regarding the soundstage, the depth is really nice, but the width could be better. It doesn't sound claustrophobic, but it does come across as a bit smaller or somewhat boxed in. Still it manages to have a decent sense of space and utilizes it to its full potential. The timbre is surprisingly natural-sounding despite the boosted bass, and the imaging is another strong point in the way it showcases accuracy both left to right and with distance. The dynamics could be better, though, as most of the dynamism is held within the bass itself, leaving the mids and treble presentation a little less exciting than I would like. Those two parts do come to life a bit more at higher volumes, but so does the bass, which doesn't really help the balance. The separation and layering are both decent, and the Martilo performs admirably in complex tracks. Overall, the technicalities are pretty good, but the tuning itself leans more musical, so there isn't a high level of detail and resolution here for those that value the technical performance above all else.

The Martilo is fairly source-sensitive, and finding the right synergy can be a worthy endeavor. The iFi GO link Max helps with the dynamics and accentuates vocals a bit more, but it also makes the treble sound a little thinner, which I don't like. The BLON V1 pushes vocals forward a little, which hits the sweet spot for me as far as the midrange presentation, but it also has a more relaxed presentation that I feel undercuts the Martilo's engagement factor. It's still a decent pairing for a slightly more relaxed listening session, but I also like the ddHiFi TC44Pro Eye 3 too. It adds a nice sense of soundstage depth and a touch more mid-bass impact, while still preserving the bass-first nature of the tuning.

●Lows - The bass definitely makes its presence known early and often, but it doesn't come across as overbearing or one-noted. It's a little more sub-bass focused but still has a good mid-bass presence too. It's punchy, full-figured, visceral, and has a great mix of sub-bass extension and mid-bass punch that I've not come across at this price tier before. The decay lags just a hair, but that's how I prefer my bass and I happen to think it sounds quite natural. It's also well separated from the midrange and I don't hear any bleed. The texture does tend to be a touch on the wet side though, and even though it has good attack, the impact isn't quite as forceful as I would expect and it can sound a little pillowy at times. Maybe the most impressive thing about the bass is how big and full it sounds without really impeding or intruding upon the other frequencies. I actually found that it pairs fantastically with tracks that aren't inherently bassy to begin with. For example, in "The Way I Am" by Norah Jones, the Martilo's bass-boosted tuning definitely brings more attention to the low end, but it doesn't overshadow the intoxicating vocal performance. In spite of my small nitpicks, I do think the bass performance punches above its weight when it comes to the overall presentation, and the fullness and rumble are one of my favorite aspects of the tuning.

●Mids - Man, the more I listen to the Martilo, the more frustrated I am by the midrange response. Not because it's bad—far from it, in fact. It's because, taken by itself, the midrange can compete with many of my favorite sets, but when combined with the Martilo's large bass presence, the mids are somewhat relegated to a secondary role. Still, they do a really great job of embracing their fate and giving it their all, even knowing they were never destined to be the star of the show. Fortunately, this relegation really only occurs with bass-heavy music like pop and dance, and the midrange fares much better with more laid-back genres like soft rock and folk. Vocals are really enjoyable, even more so when the bass allows them to take more of the spotlight. Both male and female artists have a smooth, engaging, and emotive presentation with an added touch of warmth that I really love. Vocals also have somewhat of a bouncy quality and are lighter on their feet than the heavier-sounding bass, which can help them come through more clearly. They are positioned a bit closer to the head, though, which I'm not crazy about, but the intimate nature of it can be nice too. Instruments in the midrange have a very accurate tonality, a natural timbre, and are slightly more forward than vocals. Pianos have a certain crispness to them, and striking the keys sounds exactly how I would expect it to. The lower midrange is left a little underrepresented, but the added note weight is great for lower-register instruments. Overall, the midrange gives me a lot to love, and I do appreciate that Punch Audio did not overcook the mids in an attempt to break through the large bass shelf. But I'm simultaneously frustrated because I wish vocals would play a bigger role in the balance of the tuning, though this can be mostly remedied with some simple EQ, which I will touch on later.

●Highs - When it comes to the Martilo's treble, I have very little to complain about. In fact, I find it to be perfectly pleasant without any glaring issues. Like the midrange, the treble also takes a backseat to the large bass, but in this case, I think it works quite well. The fullness of the low end really helps to keep treble brightness in check. That's not to say the tuning sounds dark or is devoid of treble, though. The Martilo still has a certain degree of sparkle, a crisp texture, and enough air to keep it from sounding flat, but there is no sibilance or any harshness to speak of. Some vocal notes can be a touch incisive, but cymbals, snares, and claps are perfunctory, well-punctuated, and clean-sounding. The extension might roll off a little early for devout trebleheads, and there may be a noticeable lack of energy and air for some, but for me, the Martilo gets the treble balance right. Let's be honest, the bass is the star here, and like the midrange, the treble takes its role as second (maybe even third) fiddle quite seriously. I think it performs its supporting role more than admirably, and the overall balance is all the better for it.

Comparisons: Credit to Audio Amigo for the graphs. 

● DUNU DK3001BD with 50 ohm impedance adapter ($500) - This matchup features two tribrid models with somewhat similar configurations: the 1DD, 4BA, and 4 microplanars of the Brain Dance versus the 2DD, 2BA, and 1 planar of the Martilo. The accessories of the BD are simply much better than those of the Martilo. Not only does it have both a more premium cable and case, it also comes with more tip options as well. As for the build quality, the shells of the BD feel a bit sturdier and slightly heavier. Both sets are close in size, but the Martilo has a more contoured shell shape that fits a little more comfortably for me. Design-wise, these two are quite different, and although both are appealing, the BD's cyberpunk aesthetic is really unique and eye-catching. Normally the BD wouldn't make a great comparison to the Martilo, but I've been a big proponent of pairing the BD with an impedance adapter from my initial review, and I think it really helps transform it into a great bassy all-rounder. As you can see on the graph, when utilizing the adapter, these two definitely have a similar tuning philosophy, though the BD has a colder and more clinical presentation while the Martilo is warmer and more relaxed. Both of these sets have very similar bass quantities, but the real difference is in the technical performance, where the BD has a cleaner texture, shorter decay, and better resolution. It's also more sub-bass focused with better extension and rumble, whereas the Martilo is a little better balanced between mid- and sub-bass, and it has a fullness that the BD lacks. The Martilo has a more forceful attack and bigger impact, though it tends to be a little pillowy at times. In the midrange, the Martilo does push vocals a bit more forward, which I like, but the BD has superior midrange balance, vocal tonality, and a nice, clean presentation that plays better with the boosted bass. Essentially, the bass and midrange of the Martilo can sound like each is vying for my attention, but on the BD, they have more of a symbiotic relationship, and both areas are better able to showcase what they're capable of. The treble of these two sets actually sounds much different than they graph. On paper, the Martilo should be a little brighter, but the BD has a distinct crispness and edge to it that I sometimes shy away from, but in this case, it works quite well. The Martilo's treble has a decent balance and extension, and is a little less incisive, but I think the BD's bass shelf benefits from a slightly more energetic treble. When it comes to the technical performance, it's no surprise that the BD kind of runs away with the win here, although the Martilo manages to hold its own in imaging and timbre. This matchup really comes down to the overall balance and technical performance. Sure, the BD is about $200 more than the Martilo, and diminishing returns exist, but in this case, you really kind of do get what you pay for. The Brain Dance simply outperforms the Martilo in basically every discernible category, as well as having a superior tonality and better overall balance. The Martilo might be the choice for those that value bass fullness, warmth, and somewhat of a more relaxed sound signature, but for me, the Brain Dance is simply on another level.

My pick: DK3001BD 

● Tansio Mirai Armor ($290) - Here we have two tribrids with nearly identical driver configurations. Both utilize 2DD and 2BA, but the Armor has a single EST driver for the highs while the Martilo uses a planar driver. The Armor has three tuning switches, and for this comparison, I utilized the DDU configuration. When it comes to accessories, the Armor includes more tip options, a slightly nicer case, and I prefer its tighter-weaved and more premium-feeling cable, although the Martilo's is modular, so I'll give it some credit too. The build qualities are fairly comparable, with both being made of resin, though the Martilo has a metal nozzle and is just slightly larger in size. The Martilo also has a better-contoured shell that offers a better fit for me, but the Armor is not uncomfortable either. Design-wise, these two are pretty different. The Martilo has a classic combination of black-colored shells with a patterned faceplate, and the crimson red is quite nice. However, the Armor's combination of semi-translucent shell with the gold-flaked faceplate looks much better in person than pictures led me to believe. As for the sound signature, the Martilo has a U-shaped, almost L-shaped tuning with a large bass shelf, upper midrange emphasis, and a slowly rolled-off treble. The Armor in the DDU setting graphs very similarly in the bass, but due to the earlier pinna gain rise and more rolled-off treble, I'd say it has more of a U-shaped tuning. The bass may measure very closely, but it behaves a little differently on each set. The Armor has a more natural-sounding decay—not too fast or too slow—and the sub-bass rumble is a little more pronounced with a cleaner texture. The Martilo, though, comes across fuller and has a slightly bigger impact. In the midrange, the Armor's tuning actually addresses one of the things I find a bit lacking in the Martilo. Vocals present more forward in the mix and are also positioned further from the head, although they are missing that touch of warmth that I really enjoy about the Martilo's vocals. The same can be said about instruments too, with the Armor having a more energetic presentation, especially with upper midrange strings and woodwinds. The Armor may measure with less treble, but it actually comes across much more sparkly and energetic. It has a certain crispness and ethereal quality that I associate with EST drivers, which tend to sound much brighter for me than they graph. In contrast, the Martilo's fuller bass really helps to tame the treble energy, and it also has more of a zingy cleanliness that I attribute to planar drivers. Both can be a touch incisive, but I personally prefer the Martilo's top end due to the superior balance and smoother presentation. As for the technical performance, the Martilo has better soundstage depth, a more natural timbre, more note weight, and better layering, while the Armor has a wider soundstage and better detail retrieval, dynamics, and separation. For me, this matchup ultimately comes down to the bass presentation, overall tonality, and dynamics. Both have a large bass shelf, and the Armor is obviously the more versatile choice due to the inclusion of tuning switches, but what the Martilo lacks in versatility, it makes up for in bass fullness and musicality. The Armor is more exciting and engaging, especially in the top end, but the Martilo's combination of warmth, note weight, and a more relaxed presentation helps push it over the edge.

My pick: Martilo

● FATfrequency Deuce ($240) - This matchup pits the dual DD setup of the Deuce against the 2DD, 2BA, 1 planar tribrid configuration of the Martilo. Unfortunately, I only have the IEMs of the Deuce, so I can't compare the accessories. As for the build quality, both sets have very similar resin shells, but the Deuce is a little smaller and has a bigger nozzle, while the Martilo sports a metal nozzle and a slightly deeper insertion, which fits me better. The Deuce has some well-documented QC issues involving the 2-pin housing, which I won't dive into here; suffice it to say the Martilo feels more sturdy, and I encountered no issues with its build quality. From a design standpoint, I personally think the red shells of the Martilo are much more appealing than the somewhat underwhelming design of the Deuce. Both of these sets have a bass-first style of tuning, but the Deuce has a tighter mid-bass tuck and a bit more emphasis on the upper midrange, leading to more of a V-shaped signature. The Martilo's frequency response, on the other hand, is a little smoother and more U-shaped, and both sets exhibit some peaks at different points along the treble. The bass is where the most obvious difference in tuning lies, due to the Deuce's more sub-bass-focused low end and tucked mid-bass. While the Deuce's bass digs a little deeper and has a cleaner texture and resolution, the Martilo has added fullness, more impact, and a better balance between sub- and mid-bass. The midrange of the Deuce is nicely separated from the bass thanks to the aforementioned mid-bass tuck, and it has a clean and clear presentation. The Martilo, though, has an added sense of warmth that permeates the midrange, which is quite nice. Vocals on the Deuce are definitely more forward and cleaner-sounding, but the Martilo is smoother and more emotive. The Martilo also lends more weight to the lower midrange, which helps with instrument representation. When it comes to the treble, the Martilo comes across a little more energetic and has better air and extension, which makes sense looking at the graph. However, the Deuce actually has a bit more sparkle, and some notes can be incisive, which leads to some occasional harshness. As for the technical performance, the Deuce has a slightly wider soundstage as well as better separation, detail retrieval, and dynamics. The Martilo has more depth in the soundstage, more note weight, and better layering, timbre, and imaging. For me, this matchup comes down to the bass and midrange presentation. The Deuce is more sub-bass focused, and the mid-bass dip ensures that the midrange remains open and unhindered by any bleed. The Martilo, though, has more mid-bass presence, a sense of warmth, and smoother, more emotive vocals, which makes it more enjoyable for me. That's not to say the Deuce isn't still a good choice for bass enthusiasts, and I would actually argue that it's the better all-rounder between the two; however, my penchant for emotive vocals and a better-balanced bass response wins out over the cleaner-sounding Deuce.

My pick: Martilo

● Truthear Zero Red with 50 ohm impedance adapter ($60) - Here's another comparison with a dual DD set, but, like with the Brain Dance, I'm again utilizing an impedance adapter to boost the bass levels to better match the Martilo. One thing to note about the included graph is that the exact impedance level is not noted, so use this as a cursory guide at best. With a 50-ohm adapter, the bass would likely measure higher than the attached graph indicates, so keep that in mind. The accessory package of the Martilo is much nicer than the cheaper Red, which should come as no surprise. The Martilo has a thicker and more premium-feeling modular cable, as well as a true carrying case compared to Truthear's softer pouch-style carrying solution. The Red does include one extra pair of tips, though. As for the build quality, both are made of resin, but the Red feels cheaper in comparison, and the Martilo also has a metal nozzle. The Martilo's shell is better contoured and offers a more comfortable fit for me, although the Red is fine too as long as the larger nozzle size isn't a concern. When it comes to the design, I really like the color and design of both, but I might slightly favor the Red a little more. Regarding the overall sound signature, with the impedance adapter added to the Red, both sets have a pretty close response outside of the treble, where the Red exhibits much less energy in the upper treble, making it the more relaxed sounding of the two. The bass of the Martilo not only has more fullness and a deeper reaching sub-bass extension but is also more resolving and has a cleaner texture, too. The Red, though, like the Deuce, has more of a mid-bass tuck, which ensures the midrange stays free of any bleed, and it also offers a harder-hitting impact. In the midrange, these two graph very similarly, though the Red has a slightly more linear pinna gain and less upper midrange emphasis, which translates to a smoother and more laid-back vocal presentation. Both sets have a touch of warmth in the mids, but the Martilo a bit more so. Its vocals are also more engaging and emotive, which is my preference. The treble is probably where the biggest difference in tuning can be heard. The Martilo has a slower roll-off, which translates to a better balance in the treble. This means it's the more sparkly and brighter of the two, though I wouldn't characterize either as bright. The Red's treble has more peaks and valleys, which doesn't help the balance. Sometimes things like cymbal crashes come across recessed, while claps and snares can be a bit too forward. Not only that, the level of treble is simply too low in comparison to the large bass shelf from the added impedance, though, to be fair, the Red was not designed with such large amounts of bass from its inception like the Martilo. As for the technical performance, the Martilo is better in most categories, although the Red competes well in imaging and has slightly better separation. This matchup comes down to technical performance, frequency balance, and overall presentation. The fact that the Red's bass level can be customized through the use of an impedance adapter is really neat, but there's a diminishing return, and after about 30 ohms, I'm not sure the overall tuning holds up that well. Sure, the added bass can be fun, but it feels a little gimmicky when pushed to the same level as the Martilo. I will say it does have quite a relaxed tonality that I really enjoy, even if the balance of the treble leaves something to be desired. Unlike the Red, the Martilo was tuned from the ground up to handle such a large bass shelf, and you can really hear that in its performance and when taking the tuning as a whole into account. Now that's not to say I don't like the Red; in fact, I still find it to be one of the best budget offerings in the market today. But in a head-to-head battle, the Martilo's bass fullness, superior balance, technical proficiency, and engagement factor make it the clear winner here, though the margin of victory is not as wide as the price would have you believe.

My pick: Martilo

In conclusion:

The Punch Audio Martilo is a bit of a strange one for me. Admittedly, it took my ears a bit of a burn-in period to adjust to the Martilo's bass-first style of tuning, but once acclimated, music hits a little differently. The bass is full and powerful, the midrange has a definitive smoothness and accuracy, and the treble has just the right amount of sparkle, air, and extension to stay present without detracting from the balance. When taken as individual pieces, I really enjoy the bass, mids, and treble, but unfortunately, I think the tuning as a whole doesn't quite add up to be more than the sum of its parts. It's also not quite the bassy all-rounder I was hoping it would be. It works decently enough for those genres you'd expect, like pop, EDM, trance, and house music, but I think where it really excels is with genres where the bass isn't already inherently boosted, including soft rock/pop, folk, singer-songwriter, and acoustic. The Martilo has a way of enhancing the bass of these genres while maintaining a decent balance among the other frequencies. EQ is one thing I don't often talk about, since I'm not personally a big proponent of it. That being said, I took some time to see if I could dial in the tuning a bit more to my taste, and I can confirm that the Martilo takes to EQ very well. A slight 1-2 decibel boost at 1 and 2 kHz does wonders for lifting the vocals, but on the flip side, the bass loses a bit of its prominence. Alternatively, lowering the sub-bass by 2-3 decibels helps reduce the authority of the low end while allowing the midrange and vocals to shine, retaining their smooth and somewhat relaxed tonality. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the Martilo's default tuning, but some very simple EQ offers more variety and makes this an even more enjoyable set. In conclusion, if you're looking for a fun, bassy set that packs a punch (pun definitely intended), the Martilo has a hammering bass attack that should please most bassheads out there. I think it's a really solid mid-fi release from a new player in the portable audio market, and I look forward to what Punch Audio has in store next.