Aful Performer 5 VS SoftEars Studio 2

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

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Aful Performer 5 and SoftEars Studio 2 use 1DD+4BA and 2BA driver setups respectively. Aful Performer 5 costs $220 while SoftEars Studio 2 costs $170. Aful Performer 5 is $50 more expensive. Aful Performer 5 holds a decisive 2-point edge in reviewer scores (6.4 vs 4.4). Aful Performer 5 has significantly better bass with a 3.1-point edge, Aful Performer 5 has significantly better mids with a 3.9-point edge, Aful Performer 5 has significantly better treble with a 1.3-point edge, Aful Performer 5 has significantly better dynamics with a 3-point edge, Aful Performer 5 has significantly better soundstage with a 1.5-point edge, Aful Performer 5 has significantly better details with a 2.8-point edge and Aful Performer 5 has significantly better imaging with a 1.3-point edge.

Insights

Metric Aful Performer 5 SoftEars Studio 2
Bass 6.1 3
Mids 6.4 2.5
Treble 5.8 4.5
Details 5.8 3
Soundstage 6.5 5
Imaging 5.3 4
Dynamics 6 3
Tonality 6.4 4.8
Technicalities 6.1 4.9

Aful Performer 5 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Fresh Reviews Nymz Precogvision
Tim Tuned Gizaudio Axel Shuwa-T Jays Audio
Jaytiss
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

6.4

Mixed to Positive

SoftEars Studio 2 Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision
Jaytiss
Jays Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

4.4

Unfavorable

Reviews Comparison

Aful Performer 5 reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 7.3 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
C+ Tech
Still a king.

Jaytiss original ranking

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

SoftEars Studio 2 reviewed by Jaytiss

Jaytiss 4 Reviewer Score
C- Tuning
C+ Tech
Sound underwater.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: E+ Treble: C+ Dynamics: D Soundstage: C+
YouTube video thumbnail

Aful Performer 5 reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 6 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A- Tech
Fun slight v-shape tuning with forward vocals with slight excitement in the treble. Separation takes a hit as a result, and treble is a bit uneven.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

SoftEars Studio 2 reviewed by Jays Audio

Jays Audio 6 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
B+ Tech
HIGH VOLUME SET (at least 75dbs+). Warm, comfy, vintage-like sound with great immersion. Vocals are somehow still clear at higher volume and not overly dark. Not very good tech to $$ value wise, but very unique sounding. Would not recommend for mid to lower volume listening as it'll sound too dark, congested, and "low-res". Needs scaling.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Aful Performer 5 reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 5.1 Reviewer Score
C+ Tuning
C+ Tech
Inoffensive other than being a bit too gritty and clacky in the treble.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: C+ Mids: B Treble: C+ Dynamics: C+ Details: C+ Imaging: C+

SoftEars Studio 2 reviewed by Precogvision

Precogvision 3.2 Reviewer Score
D Tuning
D Tech
Plasticky and lo-res. Upper-midrange sounds scooped out which contributes to large imaging but nothing else commendable about this.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: D Mids: D Treble: C- Dynamics: D Details: D Imaging: C-

Aful Performer 5 (more reviews)

Aful Performer 5 reviewed by Super* Review

Super* Review 8* * score normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Aful Performer 5 reviewed by Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 6.5 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Balanced tuning with fantastic treble extension imaging could be better

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: A+

Aful Performer 5 reviewed by Gizaudio Axel

Gizaudio Axel 6.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
B+ Tech
check links for more info:

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel

Aful Performer 5 reviewed by Shuwa-T

Shuwa-T 6.4 Reviewer Score
B Tuning
B+ Tech
Comment: Neutral-warm with zero cut-backs on technical performance. Price defining.. Tonal balance, technical performance at price bracket Subbass slightly sluggish on crowded tracks, more laid back in vocal presentation. Staging is questionable.

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

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

Aful Performer 5 reviewed by Fresh Reviews

Fresh Reviews 5.5* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
Can sometimes reach B

Fresh Reviews original ranking

Fresh Reviews Youtube Channel
YouTube video thumbnail

Aful Performer 5 reviewed by Nymz

Nymz 5.2 Reviewer Score
B- Tuning
C Tech
Great tonal balance and resolving power at the cost of intimate stage. Missing the last touch of refinement on timbre and coherency, but a solid rec nonetheless.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

Bass: B Mids: B Treble: C+ Details: B- Imaging: C-

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Aful Performer 5 User Review Score

Average User Scores

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SoftEars Studio 2 User Review Score

Average User Scores

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Aful Performer 5 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

6.2

Gaming Grade

B

SoftEars Studio 2 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

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

Gaming Score

4.9

Gaming Grade

C

Aful Performer 5 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

B
  • 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-
Decent treble with acceptable extension and detail. Can sound slightly unrefined but avoids being harsh or sibilant.
Dynamics B
Good dynamic expression with solid impact. Handles volume contrasts well while maintaining good transient snap.
Soundstage B+
Good soundstage with proper width and depth. Instruments have clear positioning with reasonable front/back placement.
Details B-
Decent detail retrieval. Handles most textures adequately though micro-details and ambient cues could be more pronounced.
Imaging C+
Decent positional accuracy. Good left/right placement with acceptable center image, though depth positioning is approximate.
Gaming B
Decent spatial awareness for fundamental positioning. Creates satisfying atmosphere in story-driven games while handling basic directional cues.

SoftEars Studio 2 Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

C
  • Significantly flawed tuning. Noticeable frequency imbalances and unnatural timbre distract from music. Lacks versatility across recordings.

Average Technical Grade

C
  • Limited resolution; finer nuances are masked. Soundstage feels narrow, and complex passages cause muddiness. Transitions lack finesse.
Bass D
Bass is light and underwhelming. While some faint rumble exists, it lacks punch and authority in any meaningful way.
Mids D-
Midrange is thin and hollow with noticeable gaps. Instruments lack body and vocals sound distant and weak.
Treble C
Average treble performance - present but lacking refinement. Some graininess or splashiness affects clarity.
Dynamics D
Noticeably compressed dynamics. Musical expression suffers with weak transients and poor contrast between quiet and loud sections.
Soundstage C+
Decent spatial presentation with noticeable width. Some depth perception but height dimension remains underdeveloped.
Details D
Modest detail presentation with significant loss of texture. Nuances are masked and complex passages become congested.
Imaging C-
Average imaging - reasonable localization but lacks specificity. Instruments have general positions but lack pinpoint accuracy.
Gaming C
Minimal environmental definition provides only general audio cues. Suitable for games where positioning isn't critical.

Aful Performer 5 User Reviews

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SoftEars Studio 2 User Reviews

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