Simgot EN700 Pro: A really nice “budget” IEM.

Simgot EN700 Pro-A really nice “budget” IEM.

Having previously reviewed the Simgot EM5, and liked it, Simgot contacted me regarding the EN700 Pro. While it has been out a while, there are not a whole lot of reviews surrounding it, other than HeadPie’s excellent review. All that was asked was an honest review, and I would have it no other way, and with one of the more intriguing looks about it, I dug in.

The unit was played on my Shanling M1 for well over 100 hours, as this is my protocol. Again, many can pose what the critter sounds like new. But it will be new only once, so in my opinion most want to know what it will sound like hours down the road. Most items do not change much (if at all), but I do this, so you can make an informed purchase.

Suffice to say, that the EN700 Pro impressed me with its overall sound qualities. From a deep reaching bass (lacking a bit of control) to solid mids, to treble, which added to the overall quality; the EN700 Pro is a good critter. Well worth a look at this price point.

Unboxing:

In what I have come to appreciate as typical Simgot fashion, the box is fairly large (too marge in my mind), with the current iteration of what is inside embossed on the front. Specs are listed on the back. Sliding the cover off, you are met with a tasteful textured box of two pieces (a top and a bottom) with the Simgot logo (dragon) embossed into the front. Taking the cover off, you are met with the IEM’s nested into separate holes, with the pleather case below, with the cable inside. Below the IEM, are the instructions and the extra tips, color coded for ease of use (black, red). Red=right, but I switched to give the black/red color of the IEM a little kick. Two sets of three sizes of eartips finish the contents: Eartips 1 provide “powerful mid-high frequency” while Eartips 2 “enhance the bass.” I prefer more bass, so after trying ET1, I switched and those mid-size ET2 tips stayed on the rest of the trial. Tasteful, yes; but wasteful. I would prefer that the box be smaller. On a plus note, the included case (yes, yes, YES!!!) is tastefully done in brown pleather, with the familiar Salute to Art and Science saying on the back. I am happy a case was included, because it seems to be “optional” now with many brands.

Included:

Earphone,Ear-tips,Storage bag,Velcro,Manual,Global Warranty & VIP card,Brush

Specs:

• Model: EN700 PRO
• Wearing: Ear-hook
• Transducer unit: 10mm high magnetic composite moving-coil driver
• Diaphragm: Polymer composite titanium plated diaphragm
• Frequency response:15Hz –40kHz
• Sensitivity:≥101dB (at 1000Hz)
• Impedance:16Ω
• Distortion: <1% 101dB（20μpa）
• Channel imbalance: <1.5dB（at 1000Hz)
• Rated power: 10mW
• Cable: Hybrid 8 cores of single-crystal copper and silver-plated wires
• Craft: One piece CNC aluminum and stainless powder forming

 

Gear used/compared:

All prices in USD, unless noted otherwise
Kinera iDun (same price range, $139)
BGVP DMG ($139)

Thebit Opus #2
Macbook Pro/iFi xCAN
Shanling M5
Shanling M3s
Aune M1s

Songs used:

Too bloody many to list all, but you want songs, so there you go:

Coldplay-All I Can think About Is You
Coldplay-A Message
Coldplay-White Shadows
Dona Onete-Sonos de Adolescente
Los Lonely Boys- Heaven (en Espanol)
twenty one pilots-Trees
twenty one pilots-Car Radio
twenty one pilots-Heathens
Damian Marley-Everybody Wants To Be Somebody
Damian Marley-So A Child May Follow
Damian Marley-The Struggle Discontinues
Ziggy Marley-Lighthouse
Ziggy Marely-See Dem Fake Leaders
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado

The new twenty one pilots album, Trench

Fit-n-Finish:

Made from CNC Aluiminum, the overall fit and finish is good. Fitting for this price point, and with the “filter-look” on the back, you get a lower profile. Reinforced “eyelets” at the 2-in connectors give a functional reinforcement/look to the overall appeal. Extra plastic wrapped from that end provide a good memory bend, while being comfortable as well. No complaints here. Tightly wound two-wire dangle from there all the way to the cable splitter, which includes a nice cinch. Below that tightly wound four-wire cable proceeds to a reinforced 3.5mm straight jack. Thicker than others, it is a nicely done critter, which gives good support when you need to insert/take out the jack.

Tasteful is a word I used above and will use that as the overall appeal with the EN700 Pro. Nicely done.

How doeth it sound, eh?

Well, it sounds pretty decent. With a bit of rumble (through the xCAN on XBass+), the bass reaches good depth, but not as forceful as say the Campfire Audio Atlas (not much does…). Don’t expect depth to deepen as you go up the scale, either. That lack of depth continues. There isn’t any bleed from the bass into the mids either. Since I am not the best judge of treble as well, I will simply note (here) that the treble does not offend me when the volume increases, like some I have heard recently. I can discern a lack of clarity up top, which might “tame” the upper end a bit. So those who value treble clarity, might want to listen beforehand. It is still quite decent, but don’t go looking for crystal clear treble from the EN700 Pro. That said, I do not believe that is the forte of the Pro. No, it is meant for EDM, or Pop, or Rock. This would be a good choice for Classic Rock, or Hip Hop. There is a definite energy about its sound, just not the top end of that energy.

I especially enjoyed the synergy with the Aune M1s pairing. I really like the M1s to start with, and paired to the Pro, this was an eminently portable set up, which could work well against some more expensive offerings. With the clarity provided from the Aune, those minor miscreant misgivings in the upper end could be forgiven. You would be having such a good time, that you need not worry.

Currently paired through the Shanling M3s/iFi xCAN, I listen to another good option. With the XBass+ and 3D+ switches on, the missing depth of that rumble can clearly be heard now. And that warmer Shanling sound is somewhat tamed, making for very pleasant offering. Richness of sound replaces that lost offering from above, while a decently wide sound stage (enhanced yes by the 3D+ from the iFi) give a slight out of head experience.

I can find nothing of note, which really offends the palette with regard to the EN700 Pro. It is a competent offering at this price.

With adequate separation, and very good isolation, you will not be bothered on your commute, and that is essentially what most want…not to be bothered. Instrumentation is very good to go along with the separation. Add in good layering and you get the impression that there may be more up the sleeves of the Simgot engineers than they let on. Providing a well-rounded sound may be the best attribute of the EN700 Pro, but with that attitude necessary to keep up with EDM and Hip Hop. Versatile, would be an apt descriptor.

Comparisons:

Simgot EN700 Pro ($119-sale) vs Kinera iDun ($139):

The Kinera iDun is a favorite of mine as this price point. Packing a gorgeous wood finish, and supple cable, the sound had better match that look. Fortunately, it does. A bit clearer of sound, and with better detail retrieval (slightly) the iDun is quite a find at this price. It does fall behind the Simgot in the bass department, but it has an intoxicating sound, which is hard to beat here. If there had to be a description associated with each, it would be this: The EN700 Pro is the one you would take on your commute, because it has a certain energy to it, which fits commuting. The iDun is the one with which you would settle in for a winters evening of listening to your favorites, while the weather boils away outside. Did I mention that we are in the midst of Blizzard Bruce, right now?…

Simgot EN700 Pro ($119-sale) vs BGVP DMG ($139):

A current favorite on the scene, the DMG falls a bit behind the DM6 in the hype department and I think it is unwarranted. With changeable filters, the DMG brings affordability to the current fad (phase?) of IEM’s, which can use different filters. Personally, I cannot tell much difference here, but that is for obvious reasons. Younger, more acute ears may certainly hear a difference. As for the sound? The Simgot has better clarity and detail retrieval, to me. The DMG has a warmer sound, which can be changed by the filters (I used the bass filter), which can tailor to a more high-frequency sound if warranted, so that may be a wash. The DMG provides a richer sound as a result of that warm nature. If you prefer EDM, Hip Hop, Dance and that more bass, then the Simgot wins. If you favor rock, blues, mellow sounds and want a rich, warmer, full sound the DMG may be your flavor.

Le Grande Finale:

So, what does the Simgot offering present that others do not? Well, it has a fairly unique look, while also being understated with the right color combination. If one wants garish, look elsewhere. I must say that the one red, one black looks right and proper, and is understated. Not a bad way to work. Choose a different color and it may stand out more than some like.

The fit is also quite good and comfortable for the long haul. The cable is not stiff and add to the overall comfort by not being a burden (too heavy, too stiff…). And they provided a case. A nice one at that. I cannot tell you how much that pleases me. Many (MOST!!!) of the offerings of late don’t provide a case, which rather annoys me. It really does. Note to Chi-Fi manufacturers: PLEASE include a case!!! For, it is right and proper to do so.

If you are looking for a very competent mid-fi model that would count as affordable; like EDM, Dance, etc. then the EN700 Pro might fit the bill. It is a tasteful, decent offering from Simgot, which has much going for it.