Aful Performer 8 VS Punch Audio Martilo
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Aful Performer 8 and Punch Audio Martilo use 1DD+7BA and 2DD+2BA+1Planar driver setups respectively. Aful Performer 8 costs $369 while Punch Audio Martilo costs $329. Aful Performer 8 is $40 more expensive. Punch Audio Martilo holds a slight 0.4-point edge in reviewer scores (7.1 vs 7.6). Punch Audio Martilo has significantly better bass with a 2.2-point edge, Punch Audio Martilo has significantly better dynamics with a 4-point edge and Punch Audio Martilo has slightly better soundstage with a 0.3-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Aful Performer 8 | Punch Audio Martilo |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 5.8 | 8 |
| Mids | 7 | 7 |
| Treble | 7 | 7 |
| Details | 6.8 | 7.6 |
| Soundstage | 7.3 | 7.5 |
| Imaging | 6 | 7.6 |
| Dynamics | 5 | 9 |
| Tonality | 6.6 | 7.5 |
| Technicalities | 7.2 | 7.2 |
Aful Performer 8 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7.1Generally Favorable
Punch Audio Martilo Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
7.6Strongly Favorable
Reviews Comparison
Aful Performer 8 reviewed by Z-Reviews
8
* score rescaled + normalized
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Punch Audio Martilo reviewed by Z-Reviews
7.2
* score rescaled + normalized
Youtube Video Summary
The Punch Audio Martilo shows up screaming BASSHEAD on the box, but the tuning is smarter than that. A hybrid stack—2×8 mm DD + 2×BA + 1 planar—delivers bass that hits when the track calls for it, then gets out of the way. The surprise is the huge soundstage: airy, wide, borderline cinematic, so pianos, crowds, and live recordings feel expansive rather than claustrophobic. Low 9 Ω impedance and easy efficiency keep the power demands chill, though a low-impedance cable is recommended.
Tip rolling matters. With thin-wall silicone (e.g., Dunu S&S) the stage opens up and balance feels right; foams and some wide-bore options can push treble into a slightly sharp zone on certain tracks. Tonality reads clean and natural—warm-adjacent without a blanket—so everyday music stays unbloated, while proper sub-bass test tracks pressurize with that “firm hand on the chest,” not a sledgehammer.
Build is solid: thick, comfy modular cable with swappable plugs, flashy red shells, and a comically oversized box for a modest accessory set (silicone + foams). Street price around $330 lands in the sweet spot—easily justifying $375 by ear. Think “poor man’s Mega 5 EST Bass Plus”: similarly satisfying slam and stage, with the pricier set showing a touch more upper-mid/treble refinement. Not just for bassheads—more like a full-range thrill ride that lets music breathe and hit when it should.
Z-Reviews Youtube Channel
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Aful Performer 8 reviewed by Jaytiss
7.8
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Punch Audio Martilo reviewed by Jaytiss
8.6
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Punch Audio Martilo steps in as a new-brand debut with a confident package: a hybrid array (planar + BAs + DDs), a metal nozzle, proper venting, and a recessed 2-pin socket set into a shell that sits securely thanks to an anti-tragus catch. The faceplate gives off AFUL Performer 7 vibes, the included cable is supple with clear R/L markings, and the textured carry case plus two tip sets round out a thoughtful accessory kit. Priced around $329—with occasional deep discounts during big Linsoul sales—build and accessories feel dialed in for the bracket.
Sonically, this is a bassy set that still behaves like an all-rounder. The bass shelf rises from roughly ~150 Hz, bringing weight and warmth without turning podcasts and vocals into mud; upper-mids are present yet controlled, minimizing shout, while mid-treble energy keeps things crisp. Female vocals avoid huskiness, note weight is satisfying, and the tuning strikes a balanced, fun profile that works across genres. On the graph it hugs a safe line, then sprinkles in extra low-end for flavor—bass-head friendly, but not a blunt instrument.
In A/Bs, it addresses the AFUL Explorer’s softness with more bass and mid presence, and compared to similarly priced Kiwi Ears Astral (the safer neutral pick), Martilo offers the spicier, more engaging option. Against “specialist” bass sets like Deuce or Quantum, Martilo feels cleaner in the mids, less abrupt in its slam, and more universally usable; versus warmer bass champs (e.g., Mega 5 Bass), it trades some warmth for clarity and refinement. This isn’t sterile “audiophile-neutral”—it’s audiophile-fun done with taste. Scoring reads like: bass (10/10), note weight (10/10), mids (9/10), with surprisingly solid highs, stage, and imaging for the money. Not flawless, but distinctive, well-tuned, and easy to recommend—especially for listeners who want real bass without sacrificing everyday versatility.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Aful Performer 8 reviewed by Jays Audio
7
Reviewer Score
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Punch Audio Martilo reviewed by Jays Audio
7.5
Reviewer Score
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Aful Performer 8 reviewed by Tim Tuned
6.5
Reviewer Score
Punch Audio Martilo reviewed by Tim Tuned
5.5
Reviewer Score
Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Aful Performer 8 reviewed by Gizaudio Axel
6.5
Reviewer Score
Punch Audio Martilo reviewed by Gizaudio Axel
2025-07-25
7.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Boom — time for bass. Punch Audio’s Martilo is a tribrid (2×8 mm DD + 2 BA + 1 micro planar) coming in around $330. The package is stacked: sturdy square case, extra filters, multiple tip sets, and a genuinely excellent modular 3.5/4.4 cable that lays flat, has no microphonics, and a firm chin slider. The shells are ergonomic with venting, metal nozzles with a proper lip, and a small nozzle diameter (5.9/5.0 mm) that helps seal; comfort and passive isolation are both strong.
Sonically, this is unapologetically bass-focused without being bass-only. Expect massive sub-bass depth and a punchy mid-bass, yet the low end stays tight, controlled, textured and doesn’t bleed. Mids retain clarity with non-shouty presence, while treble is crisp, smooth, non-fatiguing with decent extension (not ultra-airy). For a bass-heavy set, technical performance is solid: detail is good, and imaging/separation keep busy tracks coherent and energetic.
Against Hisenior’s Mega5EST Bass Plus, Martilo hits harder, feels more engaging, and offers better vocal clarity — and it steamrolls on value at the lower price. Compared with Xenns Tea Pro, the Tea Pro is a bass-lover all-rounder that spotlights vocals/instruments more; Martilo goes full bass-head with bigger rumble and impact. Ideal for listeners who crave deep slam but still want clarity, comfort, and great accessories; not for neutral/reference chasers. Final verdict: 4/5 — it truly punches above its price.
Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube ChannelAful Performer 8 reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.4
* score rescaled + normalized
Punch Audio Martilo reviewed by Head-Fi.org
8.5
* score rescaled + normalized
Aful Performer 8 (more reviews)
Aful Performer 8 reviewed by Super* Review
8*
* score rescaled + normalized
Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
Aful Performer 8 reviewed by Audionotions
7.5
Reviewer Score
Aful Performer 8 reviewed by
Fresh Reviews
6.5*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming
Score
Aful Performer 8 reviewed by Yifang
6.5
Reviewer Score
Aful Performer 8 reviewed by Shuwa-T
6.5
Reviewer Score
Aful Performer 8 reviewed by Nymz
5.9
Reviewer Score
Punch Audio Martilo (more reviews)
Punch Audio Martilo reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio
7.9
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Punch Audio Martilo hits the brief for bass-centric listeners. The tuning kicks up from ~200 Hz, driving a potent low end, then rides a flat porch through the mids with a gentle ear-gain that crests around 3 kHz before easing off. It mirrors the well-known Kiwi Ears collab curve but with a touch more upper-mids energy for cleaner, clearer vocals. At $279 with the card (and still competitive around $320), this set undercuts many rivals and, for libraries heavy on rock and hip-hop, feels purpose-built.
The hybrid stack—2DD + 2 BA (branded) with a planar on top—keeps the upper-mids sensible and lets the treble play from roughly 5 kHz+ without glare. Personal preference might lean to EST or a high-end BA super-tweeter, but here the planar’s implementation stays out of trouble by avoiding an overcooked 1–3/4 kHz shelf. Result: strong slam, stable mids, and treble that’s present yet subordinate to the preceding bands—focused on transparency rather than flash.
Beyond sound, the packaging and cable show real forethought—distinct from the usual cookie-cutter unboxings—and the overall execution reads like a brand finally dedicated to the low-end community. With more models in the pipeline (including a budget single DD and a planar+DD combo), Martilo arrives as a market shaker for bass lovers seeking muscle without muddying the mids. For the asking price, it’s an easy recommendation to audition—especially if the playlist is built on rhythm sections and big grooves.
Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking
Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube ChannelPunch Audio Martilo reviewed by Web Search
8
Reviewer Score
The Punch Audio Martilo delivers a powerful bass experience that dominates its signature, featuring a substantial 14dB sub-bass boost. This emphasis creates visceral, physical rumble, especially in electronic or hip-hop tracks, yet avoids overwhelming the lower mids due to a precise 200Hz crossover. While the dual dynamic drivers generate impressive slam and texture, a slight bloom can occasionally creep into the low-mids on very busy tracks, though it generally maintains better control than many bass-focused rivals.
Surprisingly, the midrange retains clarity and naturalness despite the bass foundation, handled competently by the Knowles balanced armatures. Vocals, both male and female, sound full-bodied and avoid the huskiness or recession common in bass-heavy tunings, while instruments like guitars retain decent texture. The planar magnetic driver contributes a smooth, non-fatiguing treble with adequate air and detail retrieval, though it doesn't quite reach the sparkle or ultimate extension of dedicated electrostatic tweeters.
Technical performance is solid for its price and tuning goal, offering a wide soundstage with good depth and effective layering, particularly impressive given the bass quantity. Imaging is precise enough for accurate placement of instruments. While the bass is the star, the overall presentation manages to avoid being a one-note experience, offering a fun yet reasonably balanced listen that works across more genres than typical basshead sets.
Aful Performer 8 Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+7BA
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: AFUL Top AFUL IEMs
Price (Msrp): $369
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Punch Audio Martilo Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+2BA+1Planar
Tuning Type: Basshead
Price (Msrp): $329
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Aful Performer 8 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Punch Audio Martilo User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
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Aful Performer 8 Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
6.9Gaming Grade
B+Punch Audio Martilo Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7Gaming Grade
A-Aful Performer 8 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- Expect a friendly tonal balance that could use polish but remains inviting. Great for casual listening, less so for purists.
Average Technical Grade
A-- The presentation feels orderly, balancing workable detail retrieval with acceptable imaging cues. It keeps momentum without smearing transients.
Punch Audio Martilo Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- You get a polished tonal profile that stays natural from bass through treble. Subtle tuning choices keep things engaging.
Average Technical Grade
A-- Technical chops are reliable, pairing tidy separation with a soundstage that stays conservative. Micro-detail is decent, though never spotlighted.
Aful Performer 8 User Reviews
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