Yanyin Canon II VS I/O Sogno

At $380, the Yanyin Canon II lands in a competitive mid-tier alongside sets like the AFUL Performer 8 and Mangird T2. It’s a hybrid (1DD + 4BA) with a tidy, well-behaved cable and minimal accessories. The shells are medium-large, a bit chunky, with glittered faceplates whose typography/alignment may irk design sticklers; comfort is generally fine at a desk but fit stability can be mediocre during movement or sleep. Two recessed dip switches (tool required) mainly tweak bass by about ~1 dB—best treated as a “both up” vs “both down” toggle rather than four distinct tunings.

Tonally, Canon II reads as neutral-leaning and relaxed: modest upper-mids, a touch dark up top yet still well extended, and a bass shelf that carries some mid-bass “stank” beyond pure sub-bass emphasis. The result is natural timbre with an overall dry presentation—bass has weight without lingering rumble. Technicalities are solid but not showy; imaging/separation is the weak link, skewing more cohesive than dissected, and sitting a bit behind what would be hoped for at this price.

Versus the AFUL Performer 8, Canon II is the warmer, fuller, slightly darker take with more bass presence, while P8 runs brighter/leaner and stages/separates better. If the brief is “neutral with extra bass body” and pleasing timbre, Canon II ticks the box; if headstage and pinpoint placement lead the priorities, P8 makes more sense. Final verdict: a solid 4/5, with tuning versatility and tonality as the draws, and imaging as the compromise.

Super* Review original ranking

I/O’s Sogno lands as a more Harman-esque, musical follow-up to the Vol with a punchy, dimensional bass that’s quick in attack and decay, slightly forward mids, and an upper end that can be nudged down with the right tips (stock tips run a touch brighter). Resolution is solid and the stage isn’t huge, but it never feels congested. The unboxing is class-leading for the $400 bracket: an all-resin shell with a beautiful faceplate, an interchangeable-termination cable, hard case with removable foam, pouch, and five full sets of tips. Fit is snug and lightweight, though the lower protrusion can cause minor irritation after ~4 hours.

For competitive gaming, tip choice is everything thanks to the “fish-mouth” nozzle. TW40 tips work well in Valorant, while third-party AZLA SednaEarfit ORIGIN tame the hot 2–4 kHz band in Apex and COD so gunfire doesn’t mask shuffles, climbs, and utility cues. With the ORIGIN tips, separation, verticality, and imaging lock in nicely; microdetail and depth read (front/back/over/under) still leave a little on the table, keeping Sogno at a strong B on the Wallhack-Certified tier list—on the cusp of B+ with perfect synergy. Footsteps and positional cues remain clear even while shooting, bass stays controlled, though aerial killstreaks in COD can sound a bit abrasive. Net: an excellent music-first IEM that crosses over well for ranked play if you roll the right tips.

Fresh Reviews original ranking

I/O Sogno aims for big “perceived value” at $400: a robust, watch-style carry case, an unusually rich ear-tip kit (multiple five styles neatly boxed, including foam and wide-bore variants), and a swappable-termination cable (3.5mm to 4.4mm) with tidy hardware and standard recessed 2-pin. The shell mirrors the Volare—medium-large with a longish nozzle—and the semi-custom shape sits securely enough but feels a bit wedge-like, not deeply locked behind the anti-tragus. Build and accessories are excellent for the price; comfort is fine, if a touch chunky.

Sonically it’s very Harman-compliant: a mostly sub-bass lift, leaner mids with forward vocals, and a treble that follows the target’s gentle roll-off. That tuning makes the Sogno sound dry and somewhat narrow/congested; cymbals and hi-hats lack shimmer (a slightly “plasticky” timbre), and staging isn’t especially open. Versus Volare, Sogno is less warm and less airy; versus Truthear Nova it hits a bit harder down low but remains similarly clinical; and value pressure comes from cheaper sets like the 7Hz Zero. In direct comparison, Moondrop × Crinacle Dusk (also below this price) feels miles ahead in technicalities and overall engagement. A solid, accessory-rich Harman option, but not quite the “dream” its name suggests—overall 3/5.

Super* Review original ranking