CanJam SoCal 2025

Here it is! One of my most anticipated weekends of the year. I've been counting down the weeks since last year's CanJam, and I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all the hard-working people that help put this show together. From the Head-fi crew to the vendors and volunteers, this weekend of audio mecca would not be possible without you. I made it a point this year to focus a little less on the gear and a little more on the personal connections, so let me shout out some of the people that helped make this year's CanJam even better than the last.

First off, I want to give a big thank you to Leo from @MusicTeck and the whole kind and knowledgeable MT crew. I always spend way too long at this table in particular because they bring so many awesome things to check out. Thanks to @Andrew DiMarcangelo from Bloom for the goodie bags and giveaways. The Bloom Room remained one of the most populated throughout the day and was always packed every time I walked by. It was really awesome getting the chance to meet the man, the myth, the legend himself, Lee, over at the Mysticraft table. And right next to him was Ben @Gavin C4 at the Hercules Audio table. I think both of these companies definitely have bright futures ahead of them. Thanks to the kind fellas over at the @iFi audio who walked me through some of their latest and greatest gear and helped me procure a new GO blu Air for review. It's always a pleasure visiting with Kevin at the @DUNU-Topsound table and a big thanks to the @Fosi Audio crew for their enthusiasm and for bringing along the highly anticipated AFUL Dawn-X. It was also nice to see @SuperChonk again who's always very welcoming over at the DITA table. I even saw Crinacle walking around a few times, though I failed to make it over to the Crinear table and missed out on hearing both the Daybreak and Monolith. Lastly, a big thanks to James over at Linsoul for talking shop with me and walking me through some of Ziigaat's latest offerings.

Of course I was psyched to meet up with my boys @EnigmaFotos, @MakeItWain, @Jaytiss, @AudioAmigoReviews, @theintention, @apagumila, and @musingclouds. It was great to finally meet four of these guys in person after talking so much over the last year. I even got to meet the famous lady #1 of the Council of Ladies, Mrs. Audio Amigo herself (BTW Omar, don't forget to take out the cardboard boxes more often). I can't forget about my fellow Disco Threader @FreeWheelinAudioLuv2. We didn't get to chat long as we were both deep in the trenches at the MT table, and I wasn't about to take any of his precious eartime during his first CanJam experience. I also had a brief meet and greet with @TylersEclectic, a great YouTube reviewer everyone should check out. He was even featured in one of @MRHiFiReviews videos from the showroom floor on Saturday. Speaking of YouTube, I also got to meet a man who needs little introduction, @MRSallee and also DucBloke who gave me the 411 on some of the really neat PEQ stuff he's doing with his new Hidizs collab of the Turris MK12 (which I unfortunately ran out of time and didn't get a chance to hear). It's always a pleasure when I can connect with my fellow San Diegan @DenverFi and we can pick each other's brains about show impressions. Lastly, it was great to meet all of the super nice and welcoming WC peeps including @goldwerger, @Hiker816, @Rolu, @bigbeans, @HiFiHawaii808, and many more I'm surely forgetting.

Unfortunately, I was only able to attend one day this year and didn't get to check off everything on my to-do list. Here are the things I didn't get a chance to demo, so I apologize if anyone was hoping for impressions of the following: Crinnear Daybreak and Monolith, DUNU Vulkan 2, Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite 2 (the guys at the booth didn't actually know anything about this one or if it even existed, so it's still a complete mystery), Letshuoer EJ10 (wasn't at the show), Mysticraft Myth, Noble Audio Van Gogh, Nostalgia Audio Pendragon, Softears RSV MkII, Symphonium Giant, Thieaudio Monarch MkIV, Volk Audio Etoile, and Xenns Top Pro and Tea Pro. Also, in my excitement, I missed a few product pictures, so I apologize ahead of time. Without further ado, here are my impressions from CanJam SoCal 2025.

AME

● Igris (~1800)

Info on this one is limited so far, but I do know it's a 1DD, 4BA, 2 planar tribrid with a Viking-inspired faceplate and paired with an Eletech cable. The tuning is vocal-forward and very smooth. The sub-bass reaches deep and rumbles really nicely, but it's still more complimentary without overshadowing the mids, which are the star of the show. The mid-bass has great impact and is very well-behaved—not mushy or bloomy at all. The decay is a bit on the quicker side, which does help the overall resolution. Having a heavy bass and mid-focused tuning means the treble takes more of a backseat, although that's honestly my preference. Still, I wouldn't mind a bit more sparkle and detail up top. Overall, I really like this one, and I think it makes for a nice choice when you want a bass-heavy session and some relaxation. The air being reduced also helps it sound a bit more intimate, but the lack of treble energy will definitely be apparent for treble aficionados. It might be a little more of a niche tuning, but it's still super enjoyable, relaxing, and impressive. This bassier IEM is now my second favorite of their entire lineup behind my beloved Mousa.

AFUL

● Dawn X ($1300)

The legendary AFUL we have been waiting for with bated breath was finally within my grasp, and I must say it lived up to my expectations. It's not really tuned quite like I had imagined it would be, though it's all the better for it. This one has a quadbrid configuration consisting of 1DD, 1BCD, 8BA, and 4EST. How does it sound? Warm. Romantic vocals. Impressive soundstage. Immersive. If you were hoping for a 5+2 with better bass or a Cantor with more musicality, you might be disappointed as it's neither of those things. For me, it's much more emotionally driven and musical than anything AFUL has offered so far but still retaining really nice technicalities that never upstage feeling I get from the music. It takes a little piece of past products and combines it into something greater than the sum of its parts. The bass is better balanced than 5+2 and bigger and deeper than Explorer. The midrange has some of the same smoothness like the MagicOne yet with higher detail and more emotionally charged. The highs are clean and airy like the Cantor yet not nearly as incisive. To cut to the chase, even after a short demo period, the Dawn-X has moved straight to the top of my AFUL list, and it's not close.

Alpha and Omega

● Fulgrim ($6900)

Here's the latest A&O's newest flagship. This one has a tribrid configuration consisting of 1DD, 6BA, 6EST. First off, this one has a crazy big nozzle which will rule it out for many from the get-go. The shells are robust but not too heavy, and they have an awesome design on the faceplate. The fit is actually comfortable for me, but I have huge ears. The stock cable is an Astral Acoustics Aura cable made of pure silver. With this cable, the Fulgrim sounds very clean and detailed, but also a bit incisive and sharp. The low-end is sub-bass oriented and reaches very low with a great rumble. It has an energetic midrange with very clean vocal timbre and impressive detail. The treble is a little hot for me, but it has very nice texture and air. I'm not a huge cable believer, but my impressions did change when I put on the Astral Acoustics Luna SPC cable. The bass got a slight bump, and everything above 5kHz was taken down just a notch, which fits my taste so much better. It's still very crisp in the top end but with a slightly dialed-back level of energy that allows the midrange to come through a bit more. It's also technically impressive, obviously, with some of the best layering and timbre I've heard, but also the slight musical undertone helps to keep it from being too clinical-sounding. Overall, I'm really impressed with the Fulgrim, though the nozzle size itself will rule it out for anyone with small ears.

Artpical

● Lucifer ($500)

This one utilizes a single 10mm DD, and it's definitely a demonic-looking piece of art with quite the unique aesthetic. The shape is also different, and the fit is a little less than ideal thanks to the shell shape and nozzle angle, though they did kind of settle into a sweet spot after a few minutes. The bass is just north of neutral. It's more sub-bass oriented with a nice deep extension, decent rumble, and a slightly shorter decay. The mid-bass is punchy and clean with good impact. In the midrange, I think the vocals are the real focus of this set. They are very forward yet not shouty. They also have a little soulfulness and nice timbre, though males are slightly recessed compared to females. The treble has a touch of sparkle, but it's not the most extended or airy. Cymbals are well-behaved, and snares too have a nice crispness to them, but it still won't be for those looking for an exciting treble response. Overall it's a nice dynamic tuning but not fatiguing. The sound may be a bit too in your face for some out there, but I was really digging the fun and full sound. Thanks to Jason for capturing this candid pic of me. By the serious look on my face, this must have been when the Lucifer was revealing its darkest secrets.

BGVP

● Astrum ($700)

At the suggestion, nay demand, of @theintention, I had to try this one before the show was over. Unfortunately, at this point, it was late, so I didn't have much time. My quick and dirty impressions are as follows: Well-balanced with no one frequency really taking the spotlight (well, the mids maybe do a bit). Bass is nice, full, and punchy. Mids are sweet and smooth with great detail. Treble is sparkly but not overbearing. Soundstage has good depth, but width could be better. Overall, I think it's a nicely balanced all-rounder that won't break the bank, and it's easily the best BGVP IEM I've heard to date. I'd love the opportunity to spend more time with this one to break it down further.

Campfire Audio

● Alien Brain ($999)

Okay, so I haven't been quiet about my distaste for the design on this one, but I will admit that it looks better (and smaller) in person. It utilizes a 1DD, 4BA hybrid configuration. Sound-wise, I find it bassy yet inoffensive, fun but not super resolving or revealing, and the treble plays it safe, at least as far as the air and extension go. I'd say bass and mids are the main focus here. The low end is full and plush, but maybe a little overdone on the mid-bass. It has a nice, thick rumble and good reverberation with a slower decay. The mids are emotive and smooth. Not the best clarity, but that's not always what I'm looking for. The treble definitely takes a backseat here. There's a toned-down pop and snap for snares, and cymbals are present and well-behaved, never splashy or offensive. It also has a deep, immersive, and enveloping soundstage, though it's not the widest. Overall, I'd say this is a fun set to sit back and listen to music without getting tied up in the minutiae of details and clarity. It would make a good bass-oriented all-rounder for relaxing and listening to music in the background while working.

● Relay ($229)

This is Campfire's first dongle DAC/amp. The build feels solid with a nice weight, but it's not too heavy. I like the window on the back that shows off the AKM SEQ 4493 DAC chip. The CFA logo on the front lights up when in use and it blinks when cycling through the 6 digital filter options. I'm not sure I could hear a difference in the filters, but that could have something to do with the listening environment. As far as sound signature goes, I find it to be on the more musical side with a smooth effect. It lifts the sub-bass a bit while slightly tuning down the upper mids and highs. There's still nice detail, yet definitely musicality-focused first and foremost. For the price, I'd expect a little more features or something special to set it apart from the plethora of dongles that are already on the market.

DITA

● Prelude ($160)

What can I say about this one that hasn't been said by many a reviewer already? This single DD IEM has a very cool design, and the CNCed aluminum shell feels light yet sturdy. This was another one I hit very late in the day, so I just have some very brief impressions. The first thing that stuck out is the crisp, energetic treble. It might be a touch too much for what I prefer, and it's a little thin in note weight, but not overly fatiguing. The tuning reminded me of a cleaner-sounding and maybe a little thinner Juzear Defiant, and looking at the graph, I know why. They measure quite closely outside of their treble. I'd say if you like the Defiant but want a step up in both overall technical performance and a bit tighter and more energetic tuning, then the Prelude is an easy recommendation.

DUNU

● ITO ($200)

This collab features a 2DD, 2BA hybrid configuration. First impressions? Not quite what I was expecting. It's very V-shaped with a sub-bass focus, an upper mids/lower treble emphasis, and rolled-off treble. It's actually much more sub-bass oriented than I thought it might be. The big and bold low end has lots of rumble, but it comes at the expense of mid-bass impact and punch. I'd be very interested in doing a direct matchup against the Punch Audio Martilo since they graph so closely outside of the treble. Going off memory, the ITO does have a more exciting treble but a worse overall balance and less extension and air. Working off that assumption, I'd guess the ITO to be a bit more niche than the Martillo, which I recently reviewed and really liked. Ultimately, I'd say the ITO is definitely a basshead style tuning, but since I already prefer the Martilo, it takes this one out of the running for me.

● DN-142 (Price not final. Was told between $200-300)

Like the name implies, it features a 1DD, 4BA, 2 planar tribrid configuration with a similar shell shape to the DaVinci. I neglected to take any pics of this one; it looks identical to the 242 but with an icy blue faceplate. My first impression is that this one is a more musical and intimate style of tuning. The soundstage is a little small, which adds to the intimate feeling but is also a bit claustrophobic. It has a nice, thick note weight that I like, though I know some won't. The bass is north of neutral but well-behaved with a nice, clean texture. It does sound slightly sluggish, though, and not the most resolving. Vocals come through clearly and have a nice emotive quality to them. Treble is relaxed and rolled off but still has a touch of sparkle to keep cymbals and snares from fading completely into the background. These are great when you want to sit back and enjoy the music without picking it apart. They really grew on me the more I listened, but they won't be for those looking for a ton of detail, a big soundstage, or frankly, a well-balanced sound.

● DN-242 (Price not final. Was told between $300-400)

To no surprise, this one utilizes a 2DD, 4BA, 2 planar tribrid configuration and also has a similar shell to the DaVinci. I was told this is actually DUNU's own take on the DaVinci's tuning. The 242 brings back some of the excitement and energy that the 142 left on the DUNU cutting room floor, but it also loses some of the intimacy and emotive nature of its younger sibling. I think the 242 will be the more widely preferred tuning of the two. The midbass is fairly punchy. Subbass has decent extension and a nice reverberation combined with a slightly slower decay that I prefer. I think the low end is pretty well balanced. Vocals are forward but not by a whole lot and great for both male and female artists. The treble is better extended, airier, and more energetic than the 142, but it's far from bright. I'd say it's actually a little on the tamer side, actually. The soundstage is a bit on the flat side. Overall, I find it very musical and enjoyable, but still with plenty of microdetails for the rumored price. Since the price and configuration are so close to my beloved DaVinci, I brought it along for an AB comparison. They sound quite close, but the DaVinci is the more energetic and "fun" of the two, while the 242 has better-behaved bass that those that didn't like the DaVinci's low-end response will likely prefer. The DaVinci also has a noticeably deeper soundstage. Overall, I still prefer the DaVinci, but the 242 is probably the more polite and better technical performer of the two, while the DaVinci has more of that immersive factor and energy that really commands attention.

● DK3001BD Limited Collab ($?)

Well, I was quite disappointed to find out that this is not a retune at all but just a collab with a new EA cable pairing. I'm not much of a cable believer, but I did test this one against my own set and personally didn't hear any differences.

Fosi Audio

● IM4 ($99)

This is Fosi Audio's first ever IEM. It's a single 10mm beryllium-coated single DD with a CNCed metal shell and semi-open-back design on the faceplate. It has an energetic V-shaped tuning with a focus on the sub-bass and a very emphatic upper midrange and lower treble. Bass has a nice, clean rumble and reverberation. It sounds slightly untextured, though, and a bit loose, for lack of a better term. Midrange is really the focus of the tuning, but upper mids can get a bit shouty for me, especially with female artists. It might have a touch of that female-poison-style tuning. The lower treble can be quite incisive and sharp, especially with snares and cymbals, and can be a touch splashy and metallic. Upper treble does roll off well, which I like. Air might be lacking just a tad. Decent sparkle, though. It has an impressive soundstage depth for the price, though vocals are focused a little closer to the ear. Honestly, it's not really my cup of tea. It's a little too energetic and out of balance for what I like, but for $100, I'm not sure there's a better performer with this style of tuning in the current market.

Hercules Audio

● Noah ($380)

This one has a 1DD, 3BA hybrid configuration. I've seen and heard a ton of hype online, so I was really excited to try it. It has an impressive soundstage. It's not the most detailed, but not lacking either. The note weight is on the thicker side, which I enjoy. The dynamics and separation are great. Bass is just north of neutral for me, though not by much. Good, clean mid-bass attack. Sub-bass extension could be a little better. Resolving and clean texture without sounding clinical. Mids are the focal point. Great instrument separation and timbre. Forward vocals and well balanced between male and female. Lower mids have plenty of weight and are well represented. The one area that I'm not crazy about is the treble. It's definitely not too bright or harsh, but certain notes fall a bit flat and somewhat blunted. Cymbal crashes sound slightly veiled, and snares don't quite pop enough. Actually, the overall balance is just a touch off for me. The bass is lovely, and I wouldn't touch it, even though I generally prefer a bit more quantity. If I could, I'd pull the mids back just a little and give the treble a touch more energy to really showcase what it can do. Overall, it's still very enjoyable, and for $400, it punches above its weight. Honestly, treble-sensitive people will be thrilled with this one, but I myself didn't quite make the love connection I was hoping for.

● Moses ($4200)

This is Hercules Audio's flagship, which utilizes a 1DD, 4BA, 4EST. It has titanium shells that feel robust but not too heavy. For the company's first-ever product, they seem to have really impressed many people. I didn't get to listen very long, but I'll agree with some people calling the Noah a baby Moses, although I think the latter has a better overall balance along with much better technical performance, of course. The midrange is slightly recessed in comparison, and the bass hits harder and lower. Unfortunately, the veiled nature of the treble remains, though not quite as bad. While both are still enjoyable, I'm just not sure it's a sound signature that really hits home for me.

Letshuoer

● S12 Ultra ($?)

I was told that this will be the final iteration in the S12 line, and the internal acoustic chamber is machined a little differently this time around. The shell is much lighter in weight than the 2024 edition, and the dark copper/brown finish is less prone to scratches. To my ear, the Ultra is a slightly smoother and more musical take on the S12 2024. It takes the edge off, but I think that's a double-edged sword. Vocals are less incisive on the Ultra and have less of that planar zinginess, but it also has a lower overall energy level and is slightly less exciting and detailed in the top end. Ultimately, I'd guess that the Ultra's tuning lies somewhere between the 2024 and the S08, though much closer to the former than the latter. I imagine this slightly toned-down version would be a welcome sound for many out there, myself included. For my preferences, the Ultra is more enjoyable, but the 2024 is more special. After a brief AB comparison, I dare say the Ultra may usurp the 2024 as my favorite planar IEM, but only time and more testing will tell.

Mysticraft

● HEX ($9000)

The HEX needs little introduction. It's the new darling of the summit-fi class and it comes with an eye-watering price. The HEX utilizes 6 different types of drivers, hence the name, and there are 13 drivers in total including 1DD, 2BCD, 5BA, 2 planar, 2EST, and 1 Piezo electric driver. After trying the HEX for myself, let me just say, I get it now. It's probably the most impressive bass I've heard all day. Big and thick yet super resolving. It also has a great, deep-reaching rumble and plenty of punch along with an effortless texture, and the decay lingers just enough but never overstays its welcome. Not only does the treble scream "tuned by Lee" but also the midrange. There's a sense of clarity in vocals and instruments alike, yet without the inherent thinness that I found in the Anni 23. The treble has a sense of openness and air without fatigue. There's maybe just a slight touch of incisiveness on some notes at higher volumes, but it's rare. The overall sound is highly detailed but doesn't shove it in your face. Supremely rich and natural timbre and a super enveloping and immersive soundstage with pinpoint imaging. Layering is also really impressive, and transients are naturally smooth. I absolutely get the hype for the Hex. It's a special set like nothing I've heard, and it's damn near transformative. Listening to the HEX is like hearing a siren's song; if you're exposed to the intoxicating sound too long, you'll be doomed to sink deeper and deeper into the abyss of the HEX's charms. This one is by far the best tuning from Lee I've ever heard and has to be his magnum opus.

Unique Melody

●Pentara ($?)

This one has a 13-driver quadrid configuration with 2DD, 3BCD, 4BA, and 4EST. It's also a collaborative effort with MusicTeck and comes with a switch to toggle between two tunings: one from UM and one from MT. The metal shells are quite heavy but have great build quality, and I really appreciate that the switches can be operated by hand without a special tool. I didn't get a ton of time with the Pentara, but I'll break my impressions up into two sections.

MusicTeck tuning - This version sounds mostly neutral or slightly W-shaped to my ears. The sub-bass is slightly boosted, mids are forward and clear, and treble has a touch of energy without overdoing it. The mids are the thing that stick out most to me. They are quite prominent but not too shouty. A touch incisive in the treble at times but not sibilant. Really impressive soundstage and detail. Overall, this tuning is more exciting and brighter. Not really my thing, but definitely not bad either.

Unique Melody tuning - This version kind of mellows out the mids a bit, which makes it much better for me. Everything sounds more balanced and a bit more relaxed, though some will definitely prefer the more energetic MT tuning. Bass is a little less boisterous. Again, vocals are more relaxed in comparison, but I wouldn't say they are too relaxed in general. Treble has no incisiveness anymore but still preserves some of the crisper details. It's much better for treble-sensitive listeners. Overall, I much prefer the slightly mellowed-out UM tuning, but some might find it to be a touch boring.

Yu9 Audio

● Que ($400)

There's been a lot of hype around this more budget-friendly single DD. My first impression is that it's bassier than I imagined and not nearly as bright as I feared. I'd say it's slightly more laid-back than it is energetic and dynamic, but it does strike a good balance between the two. The bass is punchy, and the sub-bass rumble is very satisfying but not overbearing. The lower mids are a little recessed for me. The upper mids fare better, especially female vocals, which are forward but never shouty. The treble is impressively detailed and surprisingly not sharp or fatiguing. There can be the occasional incisiveness on certain vocal notes, but it's definitely bearable. I expected maybe a thinner note weight and an overall brighter tuning, but it has a rich and full sound and a bass that is much more of a factor than I would have guessed. It also has a sense of clarity that helps to set it apart. Overall, I found the sound really enjoyable, and it manages to subvert some of my expectations of what's possible in the sub-$500 price range. That being said, the overall balance is just a touch off for me. I'd take the bass down a smidgen and bring up the lower midrange to better fit my taste.

Ziigaat

At this point it was late in the day and I didn't have a time of time left so both of these impressions are a little quick and dirty.

● Horizon ($?)

This one is a tribrid featuring 1DD, 2BA, 2 planar. The sub-bass focused low end is a little higher than what I consider neutral. The upper midrange is forward yet has a bit of thinner note weight. Overall it's a pretty mid-focused tuning and the treble suffers for it, especially the air. I'd say the overall balance is less than ideal. It just sounds a bit funky, but there's always a fan of niche tunings out there somewhere. James actually showed me the Horizon's FR graph on his phone after I demoed it, and it made a lot more sense why it sounds off to me.

● Luna ($380)

This 6 BA set already has plenty of reviews and impressions up on Head-fi, so there won't be any surprises here. The bass is really impressive for an all BA set. It's punchy with decent extension, a good rumble, and not an overly fast decay. The bass is nicely balanced with a smooth midrange response and slightly emphasized treble that can be a touch incisive at times but not too hot. It has great dynamics too and might be worth the hype from my very limited personal experience. Definitely a strong contender for the best Ziigaat I've heard to date, but I'd love the opportunity to spend more time with it and do a full review.

So there you have it. That concludes all my notes from this year's CanJam experience. As I finish writing and editing my thoughts on the day, I find myself reflecting on what I enjoyed the most, not only from this year's show but from my entire 2+ years in the hobby. Of course, trying new gear and the sense of discovery that comes with it are always a highlight, even if most things I've come to love are way out of my price range. But as the impressions of the gear already start to fade, what I look back on most fondly are the personal connections and memories made. Now, I'm sure I would still be able to enjoy the audiophile world if it was only about the gear, but what makes any hobby truly special and is most fulfilling for me is sharing my thoughts, opinions, and overall enthusiasm with others. Who knows, maybe the real CanJam is the friends we make along the way (even better if they have a HEX to share). So, if you'll bear with me, I'd like to conclude this piece by issuing a challenge to anyone on the fence about attending a future CanJam, local meet-up, or similar con: take the time, make the effort, or simply step out of your comfort zone, and I promise you won't regret it.