Introduction
The Simgot EW100P is a new entry into the ultra-budget in-ear monitor (IEM) segment, priced at an affordable $19.99. Featuring a 10mm dual LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) dynamic driver, the EW100P promises to deliver smooth and balanced sound in a comfortable and portable package. In this review, I will provide a detailed evaluation of the EW100P’s design, comfort, sound quality, and technical performance across different genres. Read on to find out if these budget IEMs can punch above their weight class and deliver high value!
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. I have not received any form of compensation or incentive to endorse or promote any specific product mentioned in this review. Please note that the individual ratings provided for each product are given in the context of the product’s price.
Simgot EW100P
Specifications
- Sound unit: 10mm high-performance dual-cavity dynamic unit
- Diaphragm: LCP diaphragm
- Unit impedance:320+10%(@1kHz)
- Sensitivity:122dB/Vrms (@1kHz)
- Distortion:THD<1%(@1kHz)
- Frequency response range: 5Hz–45kHz
- Effective frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz
- Connector:0.78mm 2-pin
- Wire specifications: woven silver foil shielding copper wire
Individual ratings
The bass has good impact and mid-bass warmth but lacks tightness, texture, and sub-bass extension.
The midrange tone is smooth and organic but lacks presence, clarity, and detail.
The treble is non-fatiguing but lacks extension, air, and sparkle.
The soundstage is expansive, with good width and depth. Imaging is decent as well.
The definition of sonic elements is good, but the micro-details are smoothed over.
Dynamics and speed are average and in line with budget IEMs.
Resolution is middling and aimed more at cohesion than high levels of detail.
The build quality is decent, but the plastics feel a bit lightweight.
Comfort levels are excellent thanks to the ergonomic and lightweight design.
Overall Rating
Bottom Line
At just $20, the EW100P punches above its weight in terms of audio quality and musicality. Despite average technical performance, it delivers a pleasing Harman-esque sound with almost unbeatable value. While it doesn't excel in any area, the well-balanced tuning and great comfort make it easy to recommend to budget-conscious buyers and casual listeners.
Pros
- Excellent comfort and ergonomics
- Non-fatiguing treble
- Balanced Harman-ish tuning
- great value for money.
Cons
- cheap plastic build
- Mediocre detail and technicalities
- lacks dynamics and bass texture.
- Average soundstage and imaging
- Rolled-off treble
Gaming Performance
The EW100P's strengths at its price make it a good choice for gaming and media consumption. The large soundstage expands the sonic image, helping to convey a sense of space. Directional audio cues are easy to pinpoint in games, aided by the good imaging. The relaxed treble helps avoid harsher sound effects grating on your ears during longer gaming sessions, too. While more expensive audiophile IEMs do offer tighter bass and better detail for a competitive edge.
Music Genres
Suitable
- The laid-back, smooth sound signature of the EW100P makes it best suited for vocal-centric music genres that don't require a lot of treble extension or sparkle. Pop and R&B tracks really benefit from the bumped-up upper mids, bringing out the intimacy in female vocals. The modest bass boost adds just enough warmth to complement male vocalists as well.
- Acoustic music also pairs well with the EW100P, where the focus is on the singer's raw vocal delivery rather than instrumentation. The natural midrange tone and rolled-off treble make vocals sound front and center. Similarly, jazz fans will appreciate the rich vocal presentation on jazz standards and ballads.
Not Suitable
- However, the EW100P does fall short on genres that rely on treble detail and dynamism. Rock, metal, and EDM, which emphasize sparkling cymbals, crisp guitars, synthesizers, and booming sub-bass, don't get the energy they need. The slower transient response also impacts intricate, fast-paced instrumentation.
Equalization Tips
- To help compensate for the EW100P's veiled treble and muddy bass, try adding a 2-3dB boost around 5-8kHz to bring out more air and micro-detail. This will add some needed shimmer without making the treble too sharp. Reducing the mid-bass hump by 2 dB around 250 Hz can tighten up the bloat as well.
- Take care not to overdo EQ'ing and cause sibilance in the vocals or a thin bass response. A wide Q factor is recommended for smooth adjustments versus dramatic spikes. Also, avoid boosting beyond 8 kHz too much to prevent any harshness from the modest drivers. Start with small increments of 1-2 dB each time to fine-tune the desired signature.
1. Packaging
- EW100P earphones
- Detachable Cable
- Silicone ear tips (S/M/L)
- Manual
2. Design And Build Quality
The EW100P sports a sleek and minimalist design, with a predominantly black plastic construction and a circular aluminum alloy faceplate. The overall build quality is decent for the price, though the plastic used feels a bit lightweight and hollow when tapped. The faceplates have a nice brushed metal finish and seamlessly blend into the earpieces, providing some aesthetic flair.
Aesthetics aside, the EW100P's diminutive size makes them sit very flush in the ear. Venting on the inner side of the housings helps relieve pressure buildup. The angled nozzles provide a proper fit, though some may find the short length to be an issue. The detachable cable uses 2-pin connectors and seems sufficiently sturdy. Strain reliefs could have been more robust, but they are passable. In summary, build quality is in line with expectations at this price bracket.
3. Comfort
Thanks to the small size and ergonomic shape, comfort levels are excellent. The lightweight earpieces practically disappear in your ears during use. I was able to wear them for hours without any fatigue or irritation. Noise isolation is about average due to the vented design. The included silicone tips provide a decent seal though aftermarket tips can boost passive isolation slightly. Those looking for an unobtrusive and comfortable pair of IEMs will be quite satisfied with the EW100P.
4. Sound Quality Of The Simgot EW100P
I. Tonality
The EW100P adheres to a warm and smooth U-shaped sound signature, with a slight mid-bass bump and relaxed upper mids and treble. Overall tonality leans towards the warmer side but is quite non-fatiguing.
II. Frequency Response Graph Of The Simgot EW100P
III. Bass Response
The EW100P's low end provides a mild bass boost focused on the mid-bass, while sub-bass extension is moderate. Bass guitars and drums have sufficient slam and impact. However, the bloominess and slower decay sap definition and texture. Sub-bass rumble is present but rolls off early and lacks that visceral sub-30Hz depth. Overall bass quantity is adequate for most tracks and genres, barring bass-heavy EDM. Bassheads should look elsewhere for a more impactful low end.
IV. Midrange Performance
A relaxed presentation defines the EW100P's midrange, with the lower mids bumped up for warmth while the upper mids slope downward to avoid harshness. Vocals have good density and avoid sounding thin, but lack bite and edge to really grab your attention. Clarity is decent, though micro-detail retrieval is smoothed over. On brighter tracks, the relaxed upper mids help avoid fatiguing spikes. While not as lively and vivid as some competitors, the smooth midrange response has its own charm.
V. Treble Response
Treble extension and brightness are politely restrained on the EW100P. Lower treble is bumped up slightly, lending vocals and lead instruments welcome sparkle, but upper treble rolls off early, robbing the sound of airiness and micro-detail. The smooth treble complements the laidback midrange well in terms of cohesion but fails to deliver ample air and sparkle. Audiophiles who enjoy a bright, lively treble should look at other options.
5. Technicalities Of The Simgot EW100P
I. Soundstage And Imaging
The EW100P delivers an above-average soundstage for its price, sounding more expansive than typical budget IEMs. The presentation extends nicely outside your head, with good width and modest depth. Imaging is decent as well, with instruments and vocals achieving acceptable separation. While detail retrieval is just average, the large soundstage grants various sonic elements sufficient space to prevent congestion. The out-of-the-head stage makes these great for gaming and movies as well.
II. Instrument Separation And Detail Retrieval
Thanks to the spacious soundstage, the instrumentation does not sound overly congested. Instruments have clearly defined positions across the stage, rather than sounding blobby. However, separation falls short of segment leaders, and the smooth tonality glosses over texture and micro-details. The EW100P renders tracks cleanly on the whole without being analytical. Audiophiles who desire surgical separation and high levels of detail should consider pricier options.
III. Dynamics And Speed
Being a budget single-DD IEM, dynamic range and speed performance are just average. The EW100P puts up a decent showing in these aspects for its price, but understandably falls short of multi-driver sets. The sound leans more towards warmth and musicality than technical prowess. Bass decay is on the slower side, and dynamic variance in tracks is politely compressed. Still, at this price point, the dynamics and speed are very acceptable.
IV. Resolution
With a single LCP DD at the helm, resolution levels are middling. The EW100P does not aim to wow listeners with hyper-details and analysis. The smoothed treble and warm tonality result in a forgiving presentation that favors cohesion over scrutiny. The definition of sonic elements is good on the whole, but expect a smooth and organic rather than highly resolute sonic image. Again, performance is decent relative to similarly priced competitors.
6. Comparisons
Simgot EW100P VS Moondrop Chu
Compared to the similarly priced Moondrop Chu, the EW100P has less sub-bass extension but more mid-bass impact. The Chu sounds brighter, with more energetic upper mids and crispier treble. Soundstage sounds wider on the EW100P but micro-detail retrieval is better on the Chu. In terms of technical performance, the Chu wins out slightly.
Simgot EW100P VS Tin HiFi T2 Plus
Against the Tin HiFi T2 Plus, the EW100P delivers warmer, thicker vocals while the T2 Plus has more upper midrange presence. Treble extension is better on the T2 Plus. Soundstage sounds broader on the EW100P while separation is superior on the T2 Plus. Overall the T2 Plus has a brighter, more analytical signature while the EW100P is warmer and smoother.
Dive deeper with more comparisons.
7. FAQs
Q. Who Should Buy The Simgot EW100P?
The Simgot EW100P makes a great entry-level audiophile IEM for vocal-centric music lovers on a tight budget. Its non-fatiguing tuning and excellent comfort also make it suitable for everyday use. However, those wanting higher fidelity, detail, and dynamics should look at pricier options.
Q. Is the Simgot EW100P suitable for treble sensitive listeners?
Yes, the smooth treble is ideal for treble-sensitive ears.
Q. Does the Simgot EW100P need an amp?
No, the low 32 ohm impedance and high 122 dB sensitivity allow the EW100P to be easily driven by smartphones and portable players.
8. Conclusion
Considering its ultra-budget price tag of just $20, the Simgot EW100P delivers a surprisingly balanced and cohesive sound that punches above its weight class. The smooth, laid-back tuning emphasizes vocal clarity and musicality over technical brilliance, but that's perfectly acceptable at this extremely affordable level.
For casual listeners looking for an easy listening experience, the EW100P fits the bill with its non-fatiguing treble and mid-focused signature. The excellent comfort and ergonomics also allow for long, fatigue-free listening sessions. The vocal-oriented tuning makes it very well-suited for pop, R&B, jazz, and acoustic genres where the focus is on the singer rather than instrumentation.
More discerning audiophiles will notice the sacrifices in detail retrieval, soundstage, and dynamics compared to pricier IEMs. But at twenty dollars, some compromises are expected. Considering its ultra-low cost, the EW100P provides almost unbeatable value as a first step into the world of entry-level audiophile sound.
While it doesn't particularly excel in any one area, the EW100P avoids any major flaws that detract from overall musical enjoyment. If you're on a tight budget but want decently balanced sound with some audiophile sensibilities, the smooth, easy-listening EW100P should fit your needs nicely. It hits well above its ultra-affordable price point as a great entry-level IEM.
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User Ratings
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