Aful Explorer VS Tanchjim NORA

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Aful Explorer and Tanchjim NORA use 1DD+2BA and 1DD driver setups respectively. Aful Explorer costs $120 while Tanchjim NORA costs $110. Aful Explorer is $10 more expensive. Aful Explorer holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (7.1 vs 6.6).

Insights

Metric Aful Explorer Tanchjim NORA
Bass 6.5 6.6
Mids 6.2 6.6
Treble 6.8 6.6
Details 6.5 6.6
Soundstage 7 6.6
Imaging 6.5 6.6
Dynamics 7 6.6
Tonality 7 8
Technicalities 6.6 6.5

Aful Explorer Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Gizaudio Axel Shuwa-T Jays Audio
Jaytiss Audionotions
Z-Reviews Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

7.1

Generally Favorable


Tanchjim NORA Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Z-Reviews
IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

6.6

Cautiously Favorable


Reviews Comparison

Tanchjim NORA reviewed by Z-Reviews

2025-09-04
Z-Reviews 6.2 * score normalized

Tanchjim NORA lands as a monitor-tuned set: a single dynamic with dual magnets aimed at mixing/mastering, not Friday-night fun. The presentation is flat, neutral, low-energy—the “plain hamburger” of IEMs—delivering the track as-is without sauce, sparkle, or party tricks. Expect honesty over hype: music quality and recording flaws show up immediately.

It’s very sensitive, revealing amp hiss on noisier chains yet taking power without complaint; bass stays dead flat and the treble avoids harshness while refusing to sweeten anything. This is a homework IEM: great for students or engineers who need a budget reference to judge balance, timbre, and mix decisions rather than to vibe out. Pleasure listening isn’t the brief; accuracy is.

Build is neat: a tiny, see-through shell with a glass back, a big nozzle for the size, and an interchangeable-termination cable (balanced or single-ended) that’ll puzzle some studio folks but proves handy. Fit can be quirky—small body/large nozzle means tip rolling, with even SS tips included for smaller ears. At around $120, it’s a respectable, purpose-built tool: boring by design, and the right kind of boring when the job is to tell the truth.


Z-Reviews original ranking

Z-Reviews Youtube Channel

Aful Explorer (more reviews)

Aful Explorer reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score normalized
Relaxed upper mid-range. Vocals sound a little bit more forward than instruments. Smooth treble performance.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Aful Explorer reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 7.6 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
The mids still upset me, but it sounds magical.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: C+ Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Soundstage: A

Aful Explorer reviewed by Audionotions

Audionotions 7 Reviewer Score
Relaxed and fun. Easy to listen to. A bit darker than my preferrd signature but I enjoyed this quite a bit. Loaner

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

Aful Explorer reviewed by Smirk Audio

Smirk Audio 6.8 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

Bass: A- Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: A- Details: B+ Imaging: B+

Aful Explorer reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 6.5 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
Perfect for rock and metal. Smooth, relaxing tuning, great bass with good slam, rich mid-range, safe treble. Upper mids may be too relaxed for some, treble is a bit dark.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Aful Explorer reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 6.4 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

Bass: B Mids: B+ Treble: B+ Soundstage: B+ Details: B+ Imaging: B+

Aful Explorer reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 6 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
B+ Tech
High volume set, very immersive, scales great with no sharpness, wide staging, enough detail/extension, good bass, just crank it up and enjoy the music.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Tanchjim NORA (more reviews)

Tanchjim NORA reviewed by IEMRanking AI

2025-09-04
IEMRanking AI 7 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
B+ Tech

Tanchjim NORA aims for a monitor-leaning, balanced presentation using a single dynamic driver (1DD) built on the brand’s fifth-gen DMT5 dual-magnetic, dual-cavity architecture. Official materials describe it as their first “HiFi monitoring” tuning with a balanced sound profile, and it launches at $109.99.

Tonally, NORA reads as neutral/monitoring with a tidy low end, even mids, and clean but non-piercing treble—bass is described as smooth with decent texture and good coherency into the mids, while micro-detail is fair for the price. Separation and layering are competent, giving a clear sense of placement without exaggerating stage width.

It’s easy to drive—rated at 16 Ω with high sensitivity—so phones and basic dongles are plenty, though a clean source helps it keep that “monitor” clarity. The trade-off is that while treble is well-behaved and non-fatiguing, ultimate air and micro-nuance trail some pricier single-DD peers.


Aful Explorer User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Tanchjim NORA User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!

Aful Explorer Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.7

Gaming Grade

B+

Tanchjim NORA Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

Aful Explorer Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A-
  • Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.

Average Technical Grade

B+
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Bass B+
Good bass foundation with decent impact. Maintains acceptable control while providing satisfying thump in most tracks.
Mids B
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble B+
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A-
Excellent spatial presentation - wide, deep and tall. Precise instrument placement with clear separation in all dimensions.
Details B+
Good resolution with clear articulation of nuances. Reveals recording nuances and maintains clarity in complex passages.
Imaging B+
Good imaging with precise instrument placement. Clear localization within the soundstage including front/back positioning.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance.

Tanchjim NORA Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

B+
  • Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations.

Aful Explorer User Reviews

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Tanchjim NORA User Reviews

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