ARTTI T10 - PLANAR IEM

[Soandso]

My apologies for suggesting a different "price point" headphone amp "might" improve musicality for a planar magnetic iem by extrapolating from full size planar magnetic headphones. In retrospect I think my academic postulations veered into being argumentative and any of that tone is regrettable on my part.

 

[Soandso]

On the subject of improving the sound when using a cell phone as the music source here is something I read that might interest others.

One tactic is to disable (turn off) in the phone settings "Normalize Volume". This allows the recordings' inherent dynamic range to come through. However while listening and a new song comes on from a different CD/album recording sometimes that new song will come through at lower or higher volume. [I find old recorded songs are more prone to come on louder.] Since I use a portable headphone amplifier with a volume control feature that makes it easy to re-adjust any song's volume without fussing with the phone's volume controls.

Then too the information I read stated that by additionally switching the cell phone to "Airplane Mode" this also improves sound quality. The impact is not about dynamic range, but rather signal fidelity. This makes some phone circuitry dormant eliminating their electronic operational emanations which might otherwise be "noise" to the musical signal.

 

[OK1]

I have no words to truly describe the value of the ARTTI T10. Had one more eureka moment. Music that one has listened to for many years, on other headphones, and speakers, and then I hear them on the T10, and it is such a huge shock, I am hearing things I have never heard before. Music coming alive on these IEM's like never before, if the music is very well recorded, and mixed/mastered.

Norah Jones. Album - Come away with me. Incredible, this is music I have heard so many times, on all manner of headphones and speakers, including the celebrated AKG K702. THis is one of my reference tracks. I finally got round to listening to it on the T10, and it is so clear so smooth, yet so detailed, with an incredible sound stage, back to front depth (layering), and so natural and non fatiguing. Even more proof that if it sounds harsh, or sibilant, that is not coming from the IEM, its a feature of the recording. It's on the T10 that I have heard this album in a whole new light, sounding so much more detailed than my equalised/room corrected studio speakers.

I've come to a conclusion, this is an amazing IEM, best set of transducers I have ever heard (and that includes speakers and headphones). Everything is presented with such 3D liveliness, compared to everything else, I have listened through. Listening to this album, just took this IEM to a whole new level, in my estimation. Like the IEM was made for Norah Jones. Unbelievable life like 3D, with everything in its own space, clarity for days. Now I fully understand - why this won the Grammy. It is such a good album, but it needed the T10 to show me exactly how good the album is. I was almost tempted to consider adding the Hidizs MP143, but no more. The T10 is phenomenal, especially when paired with exceptional music/audio.

 

[TheronB]

I have no words to truly describe the value of the ARTTI T10. Had one more eureka moment. Music that one has listened to for many years, on other headphones, and speakers, and then I hear them on the T10, and it is such a huge shock, I am hearing things I have never heard before. Music coming alive on these IEM's like never before, if the music is very well recorded, and mixed/mastered.

Norah Jones. Album - Come away with me. Incredible, this is music I have heard so many times, on all manner of headphones and speakers, including the celebrated AKG K702. THis is one of my reference tracks. I finally got round to listening to it on the T10, and it is so clear so smooth, yet so detailed, with an incredible sound stage, back to front depth (layering), and so natural and non fatiguing. Even more proof that if it sounds harsh, or sibilant, that is not coming from the IEM, its a feature of the recording. It's on the T10 that I have heard this album in a whole new light, sounding so much more detailed than my equalised/room corrected studio speakers.

I've come to a conclusion, this is an amazing IEM, best set of transducers I have ever heard (and that includes speakers and headphones). Everything is presented with such 3D liveliness, compared to everything else, I have listened through. Listening to this album, just took this IEM to a whole new level, in my estimation. Like the IEM was made for Norah Jones. Unbelievable life like 3D, with everything in its own space, clarity for days. Now I fully understand - why this won the Grammy. It is such a good album, but it needed the T10 to show me exactly how good the album is. I was almost tempted to consider adding the Hidizs MP143, but no more. The T10 is phenomenal, especially when paired with exceptional music/audio.

Great to hear. Was debating between these and the MP145 and just pulled the trigger on AliExpress. Glad I saved the money.

PS - which version of the Norah Jones album are you listening to? I have the SACD and the HDTracks version.

 

[OK1]

Great to hear. Was debating between these and the MP145 and just pulled the trigger on AliExpress. Glad I saved the money.

PS - which version of the Norah Jones album are you listening to? I have the SACD and the HDTracks version.

The version on Spotify, the "free" Spotify, on computers, which I know has had some lossy compression applied. So not as good as CD quality, and definitely NOT as good as any of the versions you have.

 

[OK1]

If one reads any of the IEM reviews by AmirM, on ASR, its usual for him to suggest some EQ, to improve the outcome. After about two weeks listening to the T10, I took off the EQ which I had applied, and it still sounds OK, but definitely some EQ would enhance the presentation, and tailor it to one's own preferences.

Overall the default sound is a bit anaemic in the mids, tending to a V-Shaped sound, with a bass emphasis. I use the default EQ, in Reaper, my DAW, so I do not know how it will translate in settings to other EQ's and unfortunately it does not have a single view that allows me copy all the settings and list them here. The compromise is - I'll share the graphs.

I use two EQ instances of this equaliser, in series.

1st EQ is what I call "corrective" - to :

1. Flatten a bit any peaks a bit, based on measurements that I can find on squig.link. So it does not sound too discontinuous in the treble
2. Boost the upper high frequencies above 12Khz a bit - this is not unique to the T10, most IEM's tend to need this.
3. Boost the upper bass/lower mids round about 500hz, to add some body

Here's the graph of the corrective EQ

Then I have a 2nd instance of EQ, to tilt the response away from the emphatic bass, so I get a little bit of clarity. This is a broad based tilt with a high shelf and a low shelf, nothing else, wit more emphasis on cutting the bass -1.5 dB, than lifting the treble +0.5dB. Here it is.

Thought it important to caveat any opinions I have expressed earlier, by providing the exact details of how I listen to the Artti T10's. Definitely always with these EQ's enabled, in the audio path. Nothing drastic, most of the EQ's (all parametric) are within +/- 1.5dB. Cumulatively, they do add up to a shaping that I obviously enjoy more than the stock sound. I will add, compared to other IEM's, EQ shaping on the T10's produces more of an impact. I can hear the difference with more ease, between EQ enabled and EQ disabled. Definitely works better with EQ.

Maybe when I have some time, I'll explore any potential that could be gained by using AutoEQ.app to generate correction EQ., and compare with my own "manual" correction.

 

[OK1]

If one reads any of the IEM reviews by AmirM, on ASR, its usual for him to suggest some EQ, to improve the outcome. After about two weeks listening to the T10, I took off the EQ which I had applied, and it still sounds OK, but definitely some EQ would enhance the presentation, and tailor it to one's own preferences.

Overall the default sound is a bit anaemic in the mids, tending to a V-Shaped sound, with a bass emphasis. I use the default EQ, in Reaper, my DAW, so I do not know how it will translate in settings to other EQ's and unfortunately it does not have a single view that allows me copy all the settings and list them here. The compromise is - I'll share the graphs.

I use two EQ instances of this equaliser, in series.

1st EQ is what I call "corrective" - to :

1. Flatten a bit any peaks a bit, based on measurements that I can find on squig.link. So it does not sound too discontinuous in the treble
2. Boost the upper high frequencies above 12Khz a bit - this is not unique to the T10, most IEM's tend to need this.
3. Boost the upper bass/lower mids round about 500hz, to add some body

Here's the graph of the corrective EQ
View attachment 384209


Then I have a 2nd instance of EQ, to tilt the response away from the emphatic bass, so I get a little bit of clarity. This is a broad based tilt with a high shelf and a low shelf, nothing else, wit more emphasis on cutting the bass -1.5 dB, than lifting the treble +0.5dB. Here it is.

View attachment 384208

Thought it important to caveat any opinions I have expressed earlier, by providing the exact details of how I listen to the Artti T10's. Definitely always with these EQ's enabled, in the audio path. Nothing drastic, most of the EQ's (all parametric) are within +/- 1.5dB. Cumulatively, they do add up to a shaping that I obviously enjoy more than the stock sound. I will add, compared to other IEM's, EQ shaping on the T10's produces more of an impact. I can hear the difference with more ease, between EQ enabled and EQ disabled. Definitely works better with EQ.

Maybe when I have some time, I'll explore any potential that could be gained by using AutoEQ.app to generate correction EQ., and compare with my own "manual" correction.

Moved back from the KZ ZVX ear tips to the largest of the white with black nozzle grip ear tips, which came with the Artti T10, which gives an even better fit. This does take out some of the bass I was experiencing with the "borrowed" ear tips. The soreness I had experienced with initial use of the T10, in the outer ear and behind one ear, has healed, which was what enabled me use the even larger tips. To go still brighter, there are wide bore eartips which came with the T10, but I feel these take away too much bass.

The sonic signature is now less of a V shape, and therefore flatter. Not as euphonic as the bass enhanced sound I had with the borrowed ZVX ear tips, and somewhat flat and boring, but I think more accurate and natural and balanced. Have taken off the tilt EQ layer I had added to soften the bass, as this is no longer needed. The main change is I no longer think the T10 is bassy, definitely not light in bass, but no longer bassy.

Key conclusion - worth investing time/effort or money, in obtaining the best fitting ear tips. Compared with the KZ ZVX, the T10 remains richer, more dynamic, better resolving, 3D, more like being there in person, and just more real, and switching back to the T10 sounds like a veil has been removed, and frequency extends in both directions, bassier and more vivid - sounding closer to the subject. Beyond music, the greatest benefit has been listening to videos on Youtube, or WhatsApp, sounding oh so natural and balanced with the change to the ear tips. a bit more boring with music, no longer as hyped, but I prefer neutral, and loving this revised presentation.

 

[herr.jemine]

try SpinFit W1

 

[Jimbob54]

Got a pair of these this morning.

As I hoped, with a cable with the ear stiffeners removed, these can be worn upside down quite nicely. Azla Xelastec Large tips for me.

First listen- too hot. Dialled down 1-3 and 4-8 khz a bit (I prefer Crinacle 2020 ear gain vs Harman)

Now just right. No power worries - 9dB left on a UK voltage hobbled Apple dongle and its plenty loud enough on most tracks so far.

Prefer the Mp145 stock tuning and overall presentation but thats 3x the price and these are an easier wear during the working day etc. £50 delivered from Aliexpress. Cant argue.

 

[OK1]

Got a pair of these this morning.

As I hoped, with a cable with the ear stiffeners removed, these can be worn upside down quite nicely. Azla Xelastec Large tips for me.

First listen- too hot. Dialled down 1-3 and 4-8 khz a bit (I prefer Crinacle 2020 ear gain vs Harman)

Now just right. No power worries - 9dB left on a UK voltage hobbled Apple dongle and its plenty loud enough on most tracks so far.

Prefer the Mp145 stock tuning and overall presentation but thats 3x the price and these are an easier wear during the working day etc. £50 delivered from Aliexpress. Cant argue.

Congratulations. I really think they've hit a sweet spot, where the price (on AliExpress) and sonic quality represent good value for money, and a no regrets introduction to the "clarity" and resolution of planar magnetics, without having to spend too much. It has helped me curb the temptation, to buy more IEMs and FOMO.

I have the US version of the Apple dongle, which is OK. After a bit of research, I realised that the TempoTec Sonata BHD, is exactly the same as the TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro reviewed on ASR by AmirM, with only two key differences -

1. The BHD without the Pro omits MQA, which I never use and most likely do NOT want to use, anyway.

2. The other difference is the BHD without the Pro has fewer steps in the volume adjustment via the Increase/Decrease Volume buttons on the DAC. But this is not an issue, cos I adjust volume on the playback device, similar to what one would do with an Apple dongle.

I mention the TempoTec Sonata BHD, cos it really moved sonics a notch ahead of the Apple dongle(whose sonics for the US and Europe versions are identical - with only power being limited in the Europe version), and this improvement is audible. Was fortunate to snag the BHD for less than £30 total cost, from Ali Express. Definitely value for money for a DAC with both balanced and single ended headphone outputs, with top of the class audio quality, rivaling and exceeding many desktop DACs, with even more power (much more), than the Apple dongle (US or Europe versions). I got this so I can have the confidence to use either IEMs or Over the Ear Headphones, as well as balanced outs, in a portable, minimal size format, which does not take up desk space.

But the BHD or the BHD Pro does not have a microphone input, which is the only reason I use the Apple dongle, for conversations.

 

[Ste_S]

I've found the Fiio/Jade Audio JA11 dongle provides plenty of amplification for the T10; I'm listening at half volume most of the time. Pretty happy with the stock tuning on the T10, so have not felt the need to fiddle with EQ on the JA11.

 

[Bob from Florida]

Just ordered a pair of these from Amazon. They had a 30% off coupon- $56.99 before tax with free shipping. Interested to see how these compare to Zero 2’s.

Amazon.com

 

[OK1]

I've found the Fiio/Jade Audio JA11 dongle provides plenty of amplification for the T10; I'm listening at half volume most of the time. Pretty happy with the stock tuning on the T10, so have not felt the need to fiddle with EQ on the JA11.

Yeah the stock tuning of the T10 is definitely pretty good. Only reason to EQ, is for personal taste. Which of the ear tips are you using with the T10?

 

[Ste_S]

Yeah the stock tuning of the T10 is definitely pretty good. Only reason to EQ, is for personal taste. Which of the ear tips are you using with the T10?

I'm using Spinfit CP100 XL, I have a giant head and ears, and they're one of the few tips that are large enough to give a seal. The tips that come with the T10 are pretty close though, certainly better than the fit I get on the stock tips with someting like the 7hz Zero 2.

 

[OK1]

I'm using Spinfit CP100 XL, I have a giant head and ears, and they're one of the few tips that are large enough to give a seal. The tips that come with the T10 are pretty close though, certainly better than the fit I get on the stock tips with someting like the 7hz Zero 2.

I would agree, the largest stock tips that I've been using on KZ/CCA products have not provided the best fit, too small. I'm also on with a larger head than the average. The largest of each of the two sets of stock tips that come with the T10, have fitted me best.

Its amazing how eartips can change the frequency response. The stock wide bores (all white silicone tips) reduce the bass, with very clear mids and highs., while the stock normal bores (white with black interior silicon tips) boost the bass a bit and reduce the mids and high.. I prefer the stock normal bores, cos the entire frequency spectrum seems better connected, more cohesive - but I do miss the enhanced clarity in the wide bores. Wish I could get the best of both!! Our endless pursuit for perfection. The mids and highs of the wide bores are something special, with the T10's, that's the clearest I've heard so far, on the IEMs I own.

Noticed that the stock normal bores, also have a longer length than the wide bores, which may be also responsible for their higher attenuation of the mids and highs, i.e narrower bore with a longer length, responsible for absorbing more of the mids and highs.

Also looks like there is some acclimatisation which occurs with any listening device, one gets used to a specific profile.

 

[Corvuscorone]

I also went through a large selection of different tips and made a little eq for the Artti T10. With the suitable tips, I couldn't really decide if they sounded better with or without eq. Then a little later I bought the NiceHCK F1 Pro and with suitable tips they didn't need eq at all. Their sound is almost ideal for me. If I describe the differences between the F1 Pro and the T10, the first sounds quite neutral and accurate and the latter sounds fun and bassy. The T10 seems to require more power from the amplifier. I use the JCally AP 20 dongle with balanced output for both. Both sound quite good also with 3.5 mm output from the iBasso DC03 pro and the DC05 dongles. In terms of sound quality, the latter dongle fits best with the T10. When I connect one of them to the combination of the Sabaj A20h and the A20d, they start to sing really wonderfully. They like high current, but with this combination the lowest or middle gain mode is more than enough.

 

[OK1]

I also went through a large selection of different tips and made a little eq for the Artti T10. With the suitable tips, I couldn't really decide if they sounded better with or without eq. Then a little later I bought the NiceHCK F1 Pro and with suitable tips they didn't need eq at all. Their sound is almost ideal for me. If I describe the differences between the F1 Pro and the T10, the first sounds quite neutral and accurate and the latter sounds fun and bassy. The T10 seems to require more power from the amplifier. I use the JCally AP 20 dongle with balanced output for both. Both sound quite good also with 3.5 mm output from the iBasso DC03 pro and the DC05 dongles. In terms of sound quality, the latter dongle fits best with the T10. When I connect one of them to the combination of the Sabaj A20h and the A20d, they start to sing really wonderfully. They like high current, but with this combination the lowest or middle gain mode is more than enough.

Your observation is most relevant to me, cos I also own a Sabaj A20h (which I have not used yet, cos I felt the TempoTec Sonata BHD - based on the calculation of its matching with the T10, was more than enough - on the balanced output). The Sabaj A20h was purchased for a future when I will have added a desktop DAC, or can use this with a prosumer or professional audio interface. Look forward to hearing the T10 on the Sabaj A20h some day.

The JCally AP20 is an interesting dongle - all three connector types, wow.! From what I have researched, the NiceHCK F1 Pro, T10, and about 4 or 5 other planar magnetics, use the same driver, but each of the IEMs is tuned uniquely.

 

[Jimbob54]

Your observation is most relevant to me, cos I also own a Sabaj A20h (which I have not used yet, cos I felt the TempoTec Sonata BHD - based on the calculation of its matching with the T10, was more than enough - on the balanced output). The Sabaj A20h was purchased for a future when I will have added a desktop DAC, or can use this with a prosumer or professional audio interface. Look forward to hearing the T10 on the Sabaj A20h some day.

The JCally AP20 is an interesting dongle - all three connector types, wow.! From what I have researched, the NiceHCK F1 Pro, T10, and about 4 or 5 other planar magnetics, use the same driver, but each of the IEMs is tuned uniquely.

If you want to sample the a20 now just connect it to the 3.5mm of the sonata.

 

[Corvuscorone]

Your observation is most relevant to me, cos I also own a Sabaj A20h (which I have not used yet, cos I felt the TempoTec Sonata BHD - based on the calculation of its matching with the T10, was more than enough - on the balanced output). The Sabaj A20h was purchased for a future when I will have added a desktop DAC, or can use this with a prosumer or professional audio interface. Look forward to hearing the T10 on the Sabaj A20h some day.

The JCally AP20 is an interesting dongle - all three connector types, wow.! From what I have researched, the NiceHCK F1 Pro, T10, and about 4 or 5 other planar magnetics, use the same driver, but each of the IEMs is tuned uniquely.

For me, the most important thing about the AP20 is the battery inside it. It can be used either with its own battery, in which case it does not consume the phone's power, or if the battery runs out, also with the phone's battery.

 

[OK1]

If you want to sample the a20 now just connect it to the 3.5mm of the sonata.

I'm reconfiguring a workstation (PC Windows computer), which will become the core of my home/bedroom music/audio studio, over the next week, and I'll be able to run balanced outputs from some of my audio interfaces, into balanced inputs on the A20h, and monitor the outputs via balanced cables to the T10. That will be an interesting comparison.

I'm a 99% sedentary/home/computer based listener.

TempoTec Sonata BHD -> T10 vs Audio Interface -> A20h -> T10.