7th Acoustics Supernova VS Softears RSV MK II

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Hand-built in Indonesia with customizable abalone faceplates, Supernova feels like a boutique step up in value: a handsome, slightly medium-large shell, stable fit, strong isolation, and a tasteful, beefy copper cable. The only nit: a smooth nozzle with no tip notch means soft tips can slip. Overall execution—build, comfort, and the personal order-to-chat experience—delivers a “next level” vibe uncommon around $750.

Tonally, this is a clean, body-intact neutral with a touch of sub-bass lift and a tasteful push in the lower treble. Midrange is the star—full, natural, and richly timbred without the hollow lower-mid dip of leaner targets. Treble is well-extended, linear, and textured, giving transients snap without tipping into sibilance. Technicals impress: tight bass attack, clear separation, precise imaging, and strong micro-contrast that keeps dense mixes like The Cure’s “Disintegration” organized and alive. Caveats are mild: listeners sensitive to lower-treble energy should note its presence, and the low end—while punchy—still reads as BA bass with less sub-bass “flutter” than a dynamic driver.

Against peers, Supernova blends the fuller midrange charm of Moondrop Blessing 2 with the technical grace of Moondrop S8, yet sounds more natural than either. Symphonium Meteor offers bigger bass and a lush stage but trails in separation and mid texture; S8 feels smoother with even stronger 3D imaging but less body. Taken together, Supernova’s tuning, texture, and boutique fit/finish make a compelling all-rounder—and an easy five-star recommendation, especially for those who value lifelike mids and crisp, controlled sparkle over maximal slam.

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Softears RSV MK II brings back the all-BA ethos at $700 with five armatures and a promise of “re-engineered BA bass.” Build and accessories feel premium (sleek shells, plush case), while the cable choice is quirky—4.4 mm only with a 3.5 mm pigtail. Fit is outstandingly secure and custom-like but on the larger side with a longer nozzle, so comfort depends on ear size. Softears’ Ultra Clear tips work well; the new metal-ring variant adds little beyond novelty.

On the graph, bass looks like gigabass, yet in ear it settles into a warm, weighty foundation without steamrolling the mids. The midrange follows a “new-meta neutral” tilt—fuller than Harman with forward upper-mids—while treble lands clean and sparkly without fatigue. Imaging is tidy rather than cavernous; separation and delineation are convincing, with the top end executed better than the bottom. BA bass here is among the more physical and satisfying of its kind, though tactility can be track-dependent and turn a bit tubby on very bass-heavy mixes.

Against peers, Symphonium Meteor sounds warmer and more “special” but less all-round; DUNU SA6 MK2 is more colored with janglier treble and the least convincing bass; 7th Acoustics Supernova trades warmth for vivid, bright-tilted imaging; Softears Studio 4 is lighter on bass and airier; and the old Moondrop S8 stays the lively, vocal-centric counterpoint. Net take: a supremely competent, character-light all-rounder that favors bass weight over panoramic staging. Verdict: 4/5 stars—a welcome throwback done right, and notably cheaper than the original RSV launch price.

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Custom-built shells and faceplates make Supernova feel special from the start, and the ergonomics seal the deal: a light, durable shell, super comfortable fit and a supple, well-textured stock cable. The tonality stays open, clean and free of sibilance, with imaging that snaps into place both horizontally and vertically. Detail retrieval in busy scenes is immaculate, making it superb for long gaming sessions—not to farm K/D ratios, but to elevate the overall experience as in-game micro-details sparkle. Tip rolling works well (SpinFit, Divinus, Latex H70), though the included tips are decent; the clamshell case is nice, if a bit annoying to twist shut.

Versus peers, Supernova shows almost perfect tuning with exceedingly strong technicals and a touch of juicy, lush timbre. Against Night Oblivion Butastur, the overall tone and bass texture on Supernova are a hair better, while Butastur gets you 95–98% of the way for less and shines for classical and pop. Compared with Monarch Mk III, the FR curves are scarily close (within a couple dB), yet Supernova’s treble refinement and stage feel a tad more convincing, even if Monarch brings different technical strengths. Net takeaway: a holographic, genre-agnostic performer that’s easy to recommend; the only real caveat is the long wait time to get one, and the bass could use a touch more authority.

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Supernova’s calling card is its treble: extended, butter-smooth, and startlingly even. No peaks, no weird dips, no BA glare—just airy shimmer with spot-on decay that stays stable at any volume. It rivals the best under $1K and even brushes the Symphonium Helios (OG) for finesse, yet remains less bright and more relaxed. Despite being all-BA, there’s no BA timbre. Dynamics feel controlled rather than fiery—big chorus swings (think “Run Away With Me”) are rendered cohesively without harshness, trading adrenaline for refinement.

The low end is clean, tight, and well-separated—not a sub-bass sledgehammer. Sets with DDs like Hype 2, EJ07M, or Monarch dig deeper and rumble harder, but Supernova’s bass gives body without smearing. Vocals sit mid-forward but not shouty, a hair warm from mid-bass/1.5k lift; extension around ~3k could use a touch more presence for extra “head voice,” yet the overall presentation remains natural and unfatiguing and scales beautifully with volume. Versus Moondrop S8, Supernova trades a bit of the S8’s clinical separation for fuller mid-bass weight and more textured, even treble; the S8 keeps a leaner, clearer stage and more vocal gain.

Comparisons sharpen its profile: against EJ07 (OG/KL), EJ07 offers darker tonality and stronger sub-bass immersion, while Supernova is airier and smoother up top. ThieAudio Monarch series: Mk1 has snappier vocal clarity, Mk3 hits harder with bass texture/slam, but Supernova wins on treble quality and macro-smoothness. Neon Pro can feel more engaging at mid volumes with firmer low-end and crisper imaging, whereas Supernova shines when cranked, remaining composed and immersive. Net take: an “endgame”-leaning, balanced all-rounder for those wanting refinement over fireworks—genre-agnostic, not a treble-head blaster or bass cannon, and short on “special sauce” theatrics, yet consistently excellent where it counts. Availability is the real enemy; production scarcity makes it hard to snag.

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Softears RSV MK2 shifts from the OG’s vocal-centric tilt into a bass-forward all-rounder. The sub-bass and mid-bass hit with real slam and weight, giving drums and bass guitars a satisfying, dynamic punch. Upper mids (3–6 kHz) are tamed to avoid shout, while a gentle 1–2 kHz rise keeps vocals open and natural—slightly less pushed than the original but still clear. Treble is smooth with decent air; not super sparkly and there’s no EST “sauce,” but it stays clean and non-fatiguing.

As a package, MK2’s standout is the low-end texture—thunderous yet controlled—making it one of the more engaging bassy sets under four figures. Technical performance is solid for the tier, though some rivals at lower prices bring more raw detail and EST extension. Build and accessories get a tasteful, modern refresh. For best balance, the stock tips work well; bass-boosting or treble-opening tips can shift it toward a more V-shape at the expense of overall smoothness.

On genre fit, MK2 shines with hip-hop, pop, EDM, and R&B, where its punch and warmth bring rhythms to life; for orchestral or leaner acoustic picks, the bass can edge forward depending on the mix. It scales to mid–high volumes nicely (around the 70–80 dB zone) without turning sharp. Compared with the OG RSV—now likely affected by a silent retune in recent units—the MK2 is the safer buy: less shout, more authority down low, and a broader all-rounder appeal. Recommended, especially if found below full MSRP, for listeners craving tasteful bass with natural mids and relaxed, smooth treble.

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7th Acoustic Supernova brings a 6BA setup at around $850, dressed in pretty shells but a bit bulgy for the fit. Packaging quirks and micro-print gripes aside, the included Versus Audio cable (permanent 4.4) looks flashy and feels premium. Tip rolling from Dunu SS to Render shifts the presentation, but the core signature stays smooth to a fault—vocals sit a touch further back, treble hints at a lift then fades with different tips, and only the occasional techno track shows bass that carries well. It’s the kind of tuning that’s impeccably polite yet tip-dependent and rarely grabs attention.

Across sources—from a warmer Alpha Pro chain to other amps—the Supernova keeps a straight face: competent, clean, and ultimately boring for the price. Against known yardsticks (neutral “glass-of-water” sets, bass-heavy options, or value champs like Kiwi’s Astrals), the Supernova doesn’t carve a clear identity; it’s smooth without the thrill. Final takeaway: lovely looks, nice cable, but the sound feels meh at this tier—barely meeting the bar where musical moments should pop. On the value meter, the cable helps, the tuning doesn’t; there’s been better—and for less.