AFUL Explorer

If you have ever talked about IEMs with me, you would likely notice two points: (1) I have a soft spot for the IEM manufacturer AFUL, and (2) I constantly refresh the news to wait for the release of the mythical AFUL flagship IEM - Cantor. So, needless to say, I was a bit disappointed when latest release from AFUL was not Cantor, but a 3-driver hybrid IEM named Explorer. Is it a distraction when the Cantor is getting ready for the limelight or another tour de force like the Magic One last year? Let’s read on to find out, my friends.

Forewords​

• What I look for in an IEM is immersion. I want to feel the orchestra around my head, track individual instruments, and hear all of their textures and details. I’m not picky about tonality, as long as it is not make the orchestra, violin, cellos, and pianos sound wrong.
• I rate IEMs within with a consistent scale from 1 (Poor) to 3 (Good) to 5 (Outstanding). An overall ranking of 3/5 or above is considered positive.
• Ranking list and measurement database are on my IEM review blog.
• Terms used in my reviews are consistent with the glossary by Headphonesty
• This review is based on a review sample from Hifigo (Thank you!). I have no affiliation with or financial interest in Hifigo and AFUL.
• The unit retails for $119 at the time this review was published. Unaffiliated links: Aliexpress, HiFiGo, Amazon US, Amazon JP

General Information​

The AFUL Explorer is a 3-driver hybrid IEM featuring a blend of two balanced armature (BA) drivers and one 8mm dynamic driver (DD). The BA drivers are responsible for mid and high frequencies, while the DD handles the bass. The Explorer employs a sophisticated 3-way electronic and acoustic crossover design, referred to by AFUL as the “RLC Network Frequency Division.” This system divides the incoming electrical signal among the three drivers, each of which directs sound through its own independent sound tube. These BA drivers are custom-designed, making their debut in AFUL’s previous model, the Magic One. The sound tubes themselves are 3D printed, incorporating intricate coils and curves to precisely manage air volume within the tubes. This design aids in sound dampening and utilizes Helmholtz resonance to fine-tune the frequency response of the drivers. Overall, the AFUL Explorer integrates several intriguing technologies. Do they translate to superior sound quality? We will see.

Non-sound Aspects​

Packaging and accessories: The packaging of the AFUL Explorer is unassuming and compact. Within the box, the earpieces and accessories are securely nestled in custom-cut foam. A small, round carrying case is provided, along with six sets of generic silicone ear tips. The included IEM cable features a 2-wire design and terminates with a 4.4mm jack, though a 3.5mm version is also available. One notable downside of the cable is the aggressive ear hooks, which can become uncomfortable after prolonged use.



Earpieces design: The earpieces are crafted using 3D printing technology from a lightweight plastic material, polished to a smooth and shiny finish. Their design mimics the shape of Custom IEMs (CIEM), offering a stable fit. These earpieces are notably smaller than typical CIEM-shaped IEMs, enhancing their comfort and fit. The 2-pin connector on the earpieces sits flush, maintaining a sleek profile. A vent hole at the bottom of the IEM helps release pressure from the dynamic driver, while the narrow, moderately long nozzles are consistent with previous AFUL designs.



Fit, comfort, and isolation: Thanks to their small, lightweight construction and narrower nozzles, the AFUL Explorer earpieces provide a very comfortable fit. Noise isolation is commendable, making these IEMs suitable for use on public transportation or in noisy environments.



Ear tips recommendation: For optimal fit, ear tips that allow for a deeper insertion are recommended, ensuring the earpieces rest securely against the concha of the ears. Personally, I find Tri Clarion ear tips to be an excellent choice.

Sonic Performance​

Testing setup:

• Sources: iBasso DX300, Luxury & Precision W4, FiiO K7, HiBy R3II
• Cable: Stock cable with 4.4mm termination
• Ear tips: Tri Clarion medium

Timbre, tonality, and tonal balance: Figure shows the frequency response of AFUL Explorer against the Harman in-ear target. Measurements were done with an IEC-711-compliant coupler and might only be compared with other measurements from this same coupler. Above 8kHz, the measurement might not be correct. Visit my graph database for more comparisons.



It is helpful to think of an IEM as a filter that highlights or subdues different parts of the incoming audio signal. This effect can be measured objectively by the squiggly lines above, called Frequency Response (FR) graphs, which measure how loud an IEM is at different frequencies from 20Hz (bass) to 20kHz (upper treble). Subjectivity is how your ears and brain interpret the effect of that filter on your music and decide whether it is “enjoyable.” There are some “rules of thumb” when it comes to tonality, but most interesting IEMs usually bend the rules masterfully.

The sound signature of the AFUL Explorer belongs to the rare breed known as “L-shaped.” This signature is characterized by a pronounced bass response, a neutral-warm midrange, and an evenly extended treble that reaches far into the upper treble region. Bass instruments, such as double basses, lower strings of cellos, and trombones, are distinctly highlighted whenever they appear in the mix. Fortunately, this emphasis does not overpower the rest of the mix or create a “muffled” sensation.



For instance, when listening to Bach’s violin sonatas and partitas performed by Kavakos, the violin’s natural timbre is preserved with perhaps a touch more richness than usual, without any sense of unnaturalness. Similarly, in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed by Janine Jansen, the string instruments sound natural while the cellos and basses provide a prominent low-pitch rumble that anchors the performance with a sense of power. On the track “ABC (feat. Sophia Black)” from Polyphia’s album “Remember That You Will Die,” the bass slam is significant, yet the vocals remain clear and separated from the chaotic background instruments.

The treble loudness varies between tracks, with cymbals and hats usually in line with or behind the midrange instruments, resulting in a smooth and detailed treble that avoids being piercing or harsh. However, my only complaint about the tonality of the AFUL Explorer is that the upper midrange feels a few decibels too subdued, leading to a lack of “shine” and edge in female vocals and brass instruments, particularly around the 3kHz and 4kHz regions. Despite this, AFUL has done an excellent job with the L-shaped sound signature of the Explorer, creating a pleasant and natural tonality that works well with a variety of music genres while offering a fresh presentation compared to other IEMs that converge toward a Harman-like tonality. Overall, I rate the tonality of the Explorer as great (4/5).

Bass and perceived dynamic:

The AFUL Explorer’s bass performance can be evaluated through three distinct aspects: the articulation of transients, the weight of the transients, and the texture of the bass note itself. In terms of weight and transient response, the Explorer excels, providing a powerful and physical impact that is particularly evident in tracks like “Playing God” by Polyphia, where each bass drop is accompanied by a satisfying sense of air being pushed against the eardrum. Additionally, the texture of the bass is noteworthy, allowing me to discern the detailed rumble of double basses in orchestral pieces and the intricate low-pitch lines of bass guitars.



While the Explorer’s articulation of transients is acceptable, I personally still prefer even sharper attack and more pronounced bass slams. This could potentially be improved with added energy around the 5kHz region. Overall, the bass performance of the AFUL Explorer stands out, making it a key highlight of this IEM, earning a commendable rating of 4/5 (great).

Resolution: To me, “resolution” can be broken down into three components: (1) Sharpness, incisiveness, or “definition” of note attacks (see the figure above). (2) The separation of instruments and vocals, especially when they overlap on the soundstage. (3) The texture and details in the decay side of the notes. The first two give music clarity and make it easy to track individual elements of a mix. The last provides music details and nuances.



At a first listen, the AFUL Explorer might seem less incisive and articulate than it truly is due to its tonal balance. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that note attacks remain well-defined, without being overly smoothed or rounded off. The attack edges of the notes are present, albeit less emphasized. The separation is commendable, although not without flaws. For instance, in more chaotic tracks such as those by Polyphia, it becomes challenging to distinguish and follow individual elements within the mix. This observation of “commendable, although not without flaws” extends to the details and textures of the musical notes in the midrange produced by the Explorer.



One area where Explorer impresses me was the resolution of the treble. When focusing on cymbals and hi-hats in Polyphia tracks, I can discern subtle details in the decay of cymbal hits, rather than just a high-pitched splashy noise. In direct comparison to my benchmark IEMs, the AFUL Explorer matches the resolution of the Moondrop Blessing 2, which I consider my standard for a “Good” rating of 3/5. Consequently, I rate the resolution of the AFUL Explorer as 3/5 (Good).

Stereo imaging and soundstage: Stereo imaging or “soundstage” is a psychoacoustic illusion that different recording elements appear at various locations inside and around your head. Your brain creates based on the cues in the recording, which are enhanced or diminushed by your IEMs, your DAC, and your amplifier. In rare cases, with some specific songs, some IEMs can trick you into thinking that the sound comes from the environment (a.k.a., “holographic”)



The soundstage of the AFUL Explorer is somewhat confined, with the “sphere of sound” primarily located within my head. Yet, this presentation offers a sense of three-dimensionality. Beyond the typical left-to-right placement of instruments, I can discern a clear sense of near-to-far positioning. Occasionally, instruments and vocals seem to float higher in the stage, almost as if they are above me.



Typically, the bass lines are positioned closer, while the midrange is set further back. Adjusting the volume also affects the perceived distance of the soundstage; at lower volumes, the bass feels more immediate and central whilst the midrange sits further back reminding me of listening to my near-field speakers, while at higher volumes, the midrange becomes more prominent, with the bass pushed forward all the way to the back of my head. Overall, I would rate the soundstage and imaging performance of the AFUL Explorer as good (3/5), with the depth and layering it achieves compensating for the otherwise compressed stage.

Multimedia usage:

When it comes to FPS gaming with the AFUL Explorer, I find the experience quite immersive. The soundstage presents itself in a spherical manner, allowing me to gauge the direction and distance of various in-game sounds fairly accurately. However, I do notice that the positioning could be a bit sharper.



As for multimedia usage, particularly movies and video games, the bass of the AFUL Explorer adds a layer of depth and atmosphere to the audio. It enriches the sound, making cinematic experiences more engaging and interactive.

Pairing​

AFUL Explorer is a rather easy-to-drive IEM. It delivers a decent performance straight out of the Apple dongle. However, its true potential begins to unfold when paired with slightly more capable sources, such as micro digital audio players like the HiBy R3II. Here, the stage of the AFUL Explorer can extend marginally, offering a slightly enhanced listening experience. For those seeking an even further improvement in sound quality, transitioning to high-end DAPs with stronger amplifiers or integrating it into a desktop setup could yield more noticeable enhancements.

Comparisons​

In comparing the AFUL Explorer against AFUL’s entire lineup, I found distinct differences in tonality, bass quality, soundstage, and resolution.



When pitted against the AFUL Performer 5, the Explorer offers a smoother, L-shaped tuning compared to the Performer 5’s V-shaped signature. Explorer boasts better bass quality while maintaining a compressed yet more interesting soundstage with improved depth and layering. However, Performer 5 edges out slightly in resolution and note articulation.



Against the AFUL Performer 8, the Explorer stands out with its more balanced tonality, contrasting the Performer 8’s honky midrange and edgier treble. While Performer 8 excels in resolution, Explorer’s bass quality surpasses it. Despite Performer 8’s technical prowess, Explorer presents a viable alternative with its overall tonal balance.



Finally, compared to the AFUL Magic One, the Explorer delivers a thicker, denser sound with significantly more bass. While Magic One offers a more open soundstage and superior midrange, Explorer’s bass prowess remains unmatched.

Conclusions​

The AFUL Explorer offers a rare “L-shaped” sound signature characterized by pronounced bass, neutral-warm midrange, and extended treble. Its bass performance excels in weight, transient response, and texture, providing a powerful impact while maintaining detailed rumble. Although the upper midrange feels slightly subdued, AFUL has crafted a pleasant and natural tonality that complements a wide range of music styles. The soundstage, though somewhat confined, exhibits depth and layering, compensating for its compressed nature. Overall, Explorer is another compelling entry and the first basshead in AFUL’s line up.

What I like about this IEM:

• BASS
• Stereo imaging, particularly depth and layering
• Well implemented L-shaped sound signature
• Fit and comfort
• Price

What could be improved:

• The stock cable has too aggressive ear hooks
• A few dB extra around 3-5kHz could improve the articulation and dynamic

Absolute Sonic Quality Rating: 3.5/5 - Very Good

Bias Score: 4/5 - I like this IEM



Updated: June 1, 2024

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank HIFIGO for providing this review unit.

The AFUL Explorer can be gotten here: https://hifigo.com/products/aful-explorer (no affiliate links).




SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver configuration: 1 x 8 mm bio-cellulose diaphragm dynamic driver + 2 x self-developed balanced armature drivers
• Frequency response: 10 Hz - 30 kHz
• Impedance: 26 Ω
• Sensitivity: 108 dB/mW
• Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; copper silver-plated cable; 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm termination available
• Tested at: $119.99 USD

ACCESSORIES

Other than the IEM, these are included:

- 3 pairs of wide-bore silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- 3 pairs of narrow-bore silicone eartips (S/M/L)
- Cable
- Carrying case

For a $100ish USD set, the accessories are decent enough. A modular cable or even a selection of foam tips or other silicone type variants would have been appreciated, but this array of inclusions is definitely serviceable for this price-bracket.




We have 2 variants of silicone tips, the white wide-bore ones boost a bit of treble and soundstaging, whereas the blue narrow-bore ones increase bass with some slight staging compression.




We have a stock 2-pin copper silver-plated cable, which AFUL markets to be individually hand-braided. Indeed, this is one of the better stock cables I've encountered in my audio journey - it is supple with zero microphonics or tangling. There's a chin cinch for added grip, and one can opt between a 3.5 mm (single-ended) or 4.4 mm (balanced) cable when placing an order.




Last but not least, there is a round clam-shell zipper case, which is semi-rigid. The internals are lined with webbing and a velvety material for cushioning the contents.

The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock white silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.


BUILD/COMFORT



The Explorer's housing features a blue and black cosmic motif. The shells are fashioned from 3D-printed resin, and the earpieces are lightweight and ergonomic, incorporating a small bean-shaped profile. There's a conch protrusion for stabilization during usage, and I did not encounter any discomfort despite using it for longer listening sessions.



Despite being vented, isolation is above average, and I did not encounter any driver flex on my pair.


INTERNALS

The Explorer is a 3 driver hybrid, comprised of a 1 x 8 mm bio-cellulose diaphragm dynamic driver, plus 2 x self-developed balanced armature drivers.

Like other AFUL products - you can read about the MagicOne for example - this IEM incorporates some innovative tech.

Firstly, we have a special 3D-printed acoustic tube with a deliberately-designed resonator, which elongates the rest of the tubing and enhances bass. This is no gimmick, and as we will read below, this micro-resonator system provides quite a copious amount of sub-bass on this set, more so than what a conventional acoustic tubing can provide.



AFUL has also installed a high-damping air pressure system, which relieves ear canal pressure, in addition to boosting bass presence. Also, we have a multi-layered electronic crossover plus RLC network frequency division crossover utilized in this IEM.


DRIVABILITY

I tested the Explorer with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA11 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone

This IEM is easily driven, and amplification is not truly required.


SOUND & TECHNICALITIES


Graph of the AFUL Explorer via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.

Tonally, the Explorer can be described as neutral with a sub-bass boost. This is quite distinctive, compared to the dime-a-dozen Harmanish releases we see every week.

The Explorer is a sub-bass focused set, with the aforementioned bass tubing conferring deep sub-bass extension, with sufficient rumble. This is not a basshead IEM by any means though, but the mid-bass is punchy and speedy, with no mid-bass bleed. Texturing is very solid.

The Explorer's lower midrange is clear and transparent, with no mid-bass encroachment. With a mere 4 dB ear gain, the upper midrange is sedate and pulled back, so we do not encounter shouty vocals - the anti-pinna gain gang would be very pleased here!

The treble is smooth and non-fatiguing, with no sibilance noted. Even though it is not steroid-boosted in the treble - which is a common party trick that CHIFI tuners use to garner "fake" resolution - the Explorer is not lacking in resolution. Note edges are somewhat blunted to remove fatigue. Verily, this is one of those rare IEMs that can be pushed up higher in the volume without getting ice-picks in the ear - as per the Fletcher Munson curve.

In technicalities, as detailed above, the Explorer has a fine grasp of micro-detailing and resolution despite not packing a high-strung treble. Imaging is accurate and instrument separation is excellent, even on tracks with competing complex instrumentation. One area that could be improved, would be the soundstage - while width is above average - height and depth are bang average.

The AFUL Explorer has a tinge of BA timbre in the upper frequencies when acoustic instruments come out to play, but this is not the worst offender here.


COMPARISONS

The AFUL Explorer will be compared against other $100ish USD hybrids. Single DDs, multi-BAs, and planars are left out as the different driver types have their pros and cons.




Simgot EM6L

The EM6L is a harmanish hybrid, with less sub-bass but more upper mids than the Explorer. Indeed, this IEM's upper midrange may be somewhat sharp for those who are sensitive to pinna-gain.

The EM6L has a wider soundstage, but has weaker imaging, micro-detailing and instrument separation. The EM6L has a more metallic timbre.


Penon Fan 2 (on the regular 50% off coupon it is a $100 ish set)

The Fan 2 is a warm neutral set, with less bass presence than the Explorer. However, the Fan 2 has a thicker note weight in the lower mids, with better timbral accuracy.

In terms of technicalities, other than soundstage, the Fan 2 loses in other departments such as imaging, instrument separation and micro-detailing. Bass is also not as textured on the Fan 2.

Of note, the Fan 2 has super long nozzles, which may potentially pose a fitting issue for some consumers. The Explorer, in contrast, is very well fitting.


CONCLUSIONS



In a sea of Harmanish releases, the AFUL Explorer espouses a unique neutral with sub-bass boost tonality, which is quite balanced for a myriad of music genres.

Bass is the highlight - with a cleverly designed micro-resonator furnishing great sub-bass extension. Fast and clean literally describes the bass quality on offer - we hear punchiness and solid texturing with zero bleed - though it has to be said, the Explorer is not a basshead IEM in terms of sheer quantity.

This IEM's midrange is clean, with no piercing upper midrange; pinna-gain detractors will definitely approve of this! Treble is smooth yet retaining good resolution, which is admittedly a very difficult balance to obtain. The Explorer is one of those rare IEMs that allows users to jack up the volume without the eardrums getting pierced by a massive peak in the upper frequencies, so this will be a good option for those that like to blast their music.

In non-tangible assets, the Explorer is decently accessorized, with comfortable fit, above average isolation and easy drivability, making it a suitable everyday carry (EDC). Some nitpicks would be a soundstage on the intimate side and a small whiff of BA timbre for acoustic instrumentation.

By and large, at the low $100 bracket, the AFUL Explorer stands out for the multiple benefits - tuning, technicalities, externals etc - it brings to the table, with few cons. And all this is with a non-Harman inclined frequency response, so it isn't something we see - or rather, hear - every day. For folks who are keen to upgrade from the budget segment, the Explorer would certainly be a great recommendation.

This can be bought here:

AFUL Explorer
Aliexpress：
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007061750218.html
HiFiGo:
https://hifigo.com/products/aful-explorer
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5BBK52C/aful+explorer/
Amazon JP:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0D5BCTRMQ/aful+explorer/

This is a sample sent to me from Hifigo. I’m going to try to be as honest as I can, but I do want my biases to come out.

Let me share what music that I listen to:

Song Choice: Tidal list here:
I listen to a wide variety of music. I pick the songs because of various reasons. But I picture myself locked away like Andy Dufresne from Shawshank blasting music and shut off from the world. It’s a blissful image.
The Marriage of Figaro -The opera song from Shawshank Redemption, terrible recording but fun and gets me in the mood to listen to music.
O mio Babino caro -This is a modern less operatic version but a song with great female vocals.
Video Rigoletto - “La donna e mobile” Sung by one of the three Tenors, great song for high-performing male vocals. Pavarotti is the greatest classic singer maybe ever. Fight me!
Iron man - The sound at the beginning is hard to make sound great, great drums, and cymbals, and if done right it feels like an old-school band.
I Will Survive (1981 recording, I like her voice, and the old vocals, the drums, and various natural instruments really make this a favorite for me.
There is a light That never goes out - Smiths ( A classic, I just love it. It’s mellow, and I can tell a lot of the tuning if this song is done right.)
Jump (I like how the sound effects are in this!)
Star Child Someone recommended this song to me, and I like how funky it sounds and has nice vocals and a mix of music and things going on.
Dicke Titten Ramstein The beginning is amazing and the bass hits hard. Great song. I love rock and metal. The German language fascinates me
Master of Puppets: Very fast song. Helps me determine if the driver can keep up.


This is a newer version of my 10 favorite songs that also work for audiofile music.

This is a copy of a bunch of good audiofile music. Some are on my favorites, but all are great to test headphone tracks. (70+)

This is my favorite overall music. 300+ songs (needs to be edited a bit)




Bass (20-60 Sub Bass, 60-250 Hz Mid Bass)

The details of the bass is strong and everything sounds right on it. The bass seems well-controlled and fun. The bass is the one of the better basses I’ve heard in the budget space. Very enjoyable. Good sub and mid bass, clean, and is just a delight overall.

Midrange (250 HZ to 800 HZ Low Mids, 600-200 Hz Mids, 2000-5000Hz Upper Mids)

The midrange of this set is fair. I was concerned about it seeing the graph, but in ear and with critical listening I think it’s very good. The Lower mids are very fair and clean, while the upper mids are a little bit lacking and low, it works for this approach as the air is very nice and the bass is exceptional.




Treble (5000- 10000 Trebble/Highs, 10000 ++ HZ Upper Trebble & Air)

The 5-6k region which is still fairly accurate on a 711 coupler is clean, and very clean at that. I really like this iem in that 5-6k region and helps my sense of enjoyment.

The treble isn’t as smooth as other sets, but the increased bass, and the decreased 5-6 region makes this extremely competitive vs other sets from the brand.



The treble is a good part of this set and this iem has great detail and sparkle for me. It has incredible details that come across in the treble. Looking at the frequency response I would think it would sound neutral or boring without the 3k spike, but I enjoyed it. All the music that I listen to sounds great and I feel that it has a wide beautiful soundstage.

Gaming

Gaming is great on this iem, it’s cozy and has a world class feeling of fit to me. Details sparkle for me, but the treble and space aren’t much better than the Hexa, it is fairly similar and on about the same level. It has a beautiful open and clean sound. The stage isn’t too wide, but just right. Detail retrieval during fights is immaculate, and the imaging vertically and horizontally is fantastic. It has great imaging and a good sense of where I am.

Gaming is somewhat of a meme for ranking, but if a friend wanted a cozy iem to game with good bass and treble. This could be an easy win.

Shell -
The shell is pretty, it fits great and I find it an exceptional fit. It’s small and light. It feels pretty great in ear.


Case- The case is perfect, and I love it. It feels great in hand.


Cable- The cable comes in 3.5 or 4.4. This is a fantastic cable and is pretty much the same texture and feeling of the 400 dollar Elysian Pilgrim.


Tip Selection - The tip selection is fair, and I have no issues with it, but I do see how others might.


Comparisons:





VS Aful 5

Similiar tonality in someways. It is much better than the P5 for me. But has some similarities and it is an option that gets you pretty close to the tonality of this iem. Personally I think the Aful 5 is a great set, but the Explorer is an improvement to my preferences.. If you can’t and only have money for a cheaper set, the Aful Performer 5 is my recommendation at the cheaper price point. I think the

Vs Chopin

A great set, but has issues. This gives you what I think is a better case, cable, and better fit at 80 dollars cheaper. I feel Chopin is a bit overpriced despite being a good set. The mids can come across a bit thin, but if you are a female vocal lover, the Chopin is a nice set. Different tunes, different values, and different user needs. But if I personally think the Explorer would be my recommendation over the Chopin due to price, and sonical qualities being about the same.


Vs P8

More dynamic bass, but P8 is still relevant as it has a lot of details. The tuning is very strong. I think most people given the same price would prefere the Explorer over the P8, not knowing the price.

Vs P5
This is a hard one. Part of me wants to say the P5 is now irrelevant, but I think if you have the P5 maybe you can pass on the Explorer. Yet, part of me likes the Explorer more. I think the Aful 5 is more u shaped, while the Explorer is more of a tactful L shape, to which I don’t find many sets like this save the expensive Jupitier, but that set is nice, yet super expensive.

Vs Magic one
Is more U shaped and it is a presentation that I feel was very hot in 2023 like Supernova, like Monarck mk3, and is a nice tune, but is a bit bright to many ears. I like it, as I think it achieves this tuning at a very good price. For an iem at its price I think it does a lot of great things, and I love it. But is it correct to what I want, no. It’s more of a flex as a company and display that they can do something different. The Explorer is definitely something different, to my ears and preference better.


VS EM6L
Less bright to my ears, better fit, easier to cable swap. To me it’s a better iem. Sonically at least on the same level. But comfort, packaging, and overall presentation of the shell is much better to the Aful to me. Again Simgot em6l is a good recommendation, but the fit for me isn’t there, the cable for me isn’t great, and the all metal shell is bothersome for me personally. To me this gets the recommendation for it.

Vs Pula PA02 and CKLVX

In my opinion these have a nice flat sound signature, but aren’t as nice fitting, and a little boring without the right tonality in the bass. This has this just amazing package and is less money. I see no reason to recommend the Pula PA02 or CKLVX at this time, but if you own these sets I wouldn’t sell them to get he Explorer either. They are still highly relevant and good.



Vs Nova
Nova has great bass as well, but lacks the upper details. Fit is better. Better technicalities. I think the cable is better overall, which adds to comfort. Easier to cable swap as my Nova broke and is on life support. I think the Explorer will last longer and has better air and is a better presentation.

VS Hydro

Smaller, different sound profile, also enjoyable. More neutral and better sense of air in the Explorer. The Hydro is more of a better Dusk, not even close to my ears and cheaper, the Explorer is more of a cheap Jupitier tuning, but it isn’t on the same level as the Jupitier, and if you have the cash the Jupitier is the better set by far. Both are solid values, and I would recommend both. Personally I’d give the Edge to the Explorer, but that won’t take away from my clear recommendation of the Hydro as well. You could get two good iems for the cost of many single iems, and for certain users and cases that is better. The detail in the upper air in Hydro might be better, and the customization of the bass is an increased value. Yet long term comfort, or sleeping in is a concern for the Hydro. Ethically it’s hard for me to recommend KZ/CCA but I also love a comeback kid, both chinese companies but with different values and presentations. KZ shoots a lot of products into the market, Aful doesn’t.

VS Celetee Rentless

I like the lower mids and air of the Explorer better. Relentless is a fun set, with great upper air and you will hear more details but might be exceedingly bright for many. I’m excited to hear more impressions of the Relentless, but I think it achieves a fun V-shaped tuning. I sent mine to a friend who is also a reviewer overseas so I may not have in on hand for direct comparisons. Yet as the Aful product is more comfortable shell, I think they get the edge with a cheaper by 50 dollars. But the sound signatures are so different, I could see your preferences going either way for sure.

The Relentless to me was and still is a cautious if you love V sets to try, but the Exlorer is to me and my preferences would get recommendation a go ahead and blind by set. To which I don’t give many to as most sets have caveats. This set only caveats is the price, but to me 120 isn’t that much, yet for others it is a lot of money, so that is very much a case by case scenario to what you are comfortable paying. Yet, I would recommend to buy from a retailer that takes returns or a demo first if you can. For normal people who don’t own multiple sets, this could easily be end game.



Graph:


Sound - Final Impressions

This is a very good budget option. Obviously our opinions are always different, but with many iems I would give hesitant recommendations or weary recommendations. I feel this iem is a solid pick with the few caveats that I’ve mentioned. It has a nice price, and good value proposition.

Recommended EQ: I use Peace APO to EQ on the PC. This EQ is done to my preference. I recently set up a preference curve on My Squig. So for at least iems, I can use my own graphs now. Please feel free to use the measurements as you want.. Jaytiss.squig.link
Overall this is an amazing iem that could easily be a game for most. The goal for me with an iem is to have an that doesn’t need EQ. This iem, does sound better to me with this eq, more neutral and less colored. This iem has very little to eq, save some in the upper trebble, the rest is incredibly close to my target, weirdly so. This iem does’t need EQ, but I could see people wanting some EQ with it.



Preamp: -3.9 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 20 Hz Gain 0.8 dB Q 0.900
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 42 Hz Gain 0.9 dB Q 1.500
Filter 3: ON PK Fc 93 Hz Gain -0.7 dB Q 2.000
Filter 4: ON PK Fc 220 Hz Gain -1.4 dB Q 1.200
Filter 5: ON PK Fc 1300 Hz Gain -1.4 dB Q 1.900
Filter 6: ON PK Fc 2500 Hz Gain 3.6 dB Q 2.000
Filter 7: ON PK Fc 4000 Hz Gain 3.3 dB Q 2.000
Filter 8: ON PK Fc 5100 Hz Gain -2.4 dB Q 2.000
Filter 9: ON PK Fc 15000 Hz Gain 2.9 dB Q 1.900
Filter 10: OFF PK Fc 0 Hz Gain 0.0 dB Q 0.000



Gifting/who is it for: I think this is a nice hifi iem to gift to someone, it’s just a nice package that it well fitting and fits good. It’s a handsome shell, good looking cable, that is easily swappable. The case is nice. It’s just a lovely set, and product. I have almost no issues with it and absolutely love it, especially at it’s price.


Pairing: I used a Quidelix 5k for mobile, my dongle Dac iBasso DC04 for my laptop, and my JDS lab Atom 2 with a SMSL 6d-s for my Desktop PC. I also tried the iem briefly on the Apple dongle as well. This iem had no issues being driven. Typically I only find overears to really have a hard time being driven and maybe some planar iems. (I personally am not a huge mmcx or planar fan.)


Conclusion
So a few things. I love this set, and maybe am biased as I love the fit of the shells, and the brand overall. But this is a great iem to my ears especially for the mainstream tuning. It’s a lot easier to say a 120 dollar set is worth your time than other sets. This has improved bass and other features. You milage may vary and there are a lot of other sets coming up that are interesting, and I get that. But for a value product, this is extremely impressive to me, and is one of my favorite sets. It checks pretty much every box that I could think with bass, low 5-6k, nice cable, case, comfortable, and best of all, the most affordable Aful yet, and debatably the best. Again their other products aren’t bad, but this provides a unique tuning and value that to me is easy to recommend as an iem reviewer.

They just pulled a Simgot, where their newer product is debatably much better than their older products. I don’t just give this a full recommendation, I give this the highest recommendation that I can. It’s a darn near perfect set, and I fully love it. I love it when companies do stuff like this, and I applaud them for listening to feedback. Better case, cable, and sound to my ears.

If I went to a show and tried a ton of iems and someone said this was 120, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. This is the excitement that I want to share with you guys. Not that this is the best iem ever, but just a nice value product that I fully enjoy.