California Audio Technology Apollo IEM

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by purr1n, Oct 1, 2020.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    This is a new IEM about to be released. Stay tuned for details. @netforce: feel free to chime in on details.

    DSC00272.JPG

    The Apollo is a hybrid DD + 2 BA IEM. I don't know if the world has changed much, but typically hybrid IEMs that use two or more different types of drivers have always had integration issues. Note even Sony with their flagship IEM could pull this off, and I quote @Kunlun:

    That said, play a cello concerto (one instrument, full range) and listen to the emperor have no clothes as Yo-Yo Ma ends up sounding like he is playing a trio of slightly different instruments in a test that a much cheaper single driver iem passes easily. I think I'll leave it at that.
    Where I will start is that I do expect the band members, or the drivers in this case, to play as a band and not as individuals. I don't expect the timbres of the different drivers to sound the same, as this is impossible, even with multi-way speakers. However, I do expect that the frequency ranges where the drivers overlap and hand the signal off, to sound cohesive and as seamless as possible. This is just one of my pet peeves, whether it comes to multi-driver speakers or IEMs (sometimes I wonder if folks outside of SBAF notice such things concerning overall cohesiveness.) The good news is that California Audio Technology or CAT, manages to pull this off with their Apollo hybrid IEM. The driver integration is on-par with another hybrid IEM that pulls it off decently, the Campfire Audio Solaris. That's two IEMs in my book (there may very well be more today, but I have not gotten my ears on them yet).

    One thing I wanted to get out of the way is that unlike most other IEMs, the wires hang down. These IEMs are not intended to be used like most other IEMs were the wire exits up top, and around the back of the ear, with a shaped tube or guide. I did try it the other way, but the design of the shell prevents this from fitting to the concha properly. For this market, more upscale IEMs I would assume, the consumer fitment with the wirings dangling down, feels a bit off.

    DSC00271.JPG

    As we can see above, CAT has taken an conservative approach with the Apollo to fitment by having the nozzle exit from a smaller cylindrical structure on top of the body instead of directly from the body. This will probably guarantee fit for more people, but it also leads to a somewhat of a Lt. Uhura earpiece effect where the body sticks quite a bit from the ears. As such, and with the nozzle not being particularly long, a deep insertion is not possible. (As an aside, I don't think a deep insertion is optimal for this IEM).

    The best way I got these to fit is with larger size tips and a shallow insertion. I opted for the fancy Acoustune Azla Sedna Earfit tips (in Acoustune case) which @rhythmdevils sent me. The silicone is a bit stiffer and less prone to deformation than most other tips. This allows the use of a larger tip that fills the outside of my concha that is secure and without leaks. I keep the fit somewhat loose with these and they are good helping the IEM stay put.

    DSC00784.JPG
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2020
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    With the above insertion, tonally the Apollo reminds me of a Ara with deep insertion and DD bass. The mid and high treble are just a bit pulled back more, at the expense of some shimmer. However, this also makes pairing with amplification easier. I dislike BA timbre in general and have gone to some lengths to mitigate this with appropriate sources (Sony ZX2, xDuo with OPA627, etc.). If the Ara can be splashy with some sources, then the Apollo can have some edge which I don't mind (maybe this can be attributed to small 5kHz peak in the FR below).

    The physicality of the DD for the lows is immense, greater than that of the DD in the CFA Solaris (OG or 2020) hybrid. The CFA approach has always been different though, opting for a "faster" sounding DD. CAT stays with the traditional DD sound, slower than BA, but with a lot more physicality. Somehow, they've still managed to pull off the lows to highs transition well.

    The frequency response measurements below downplay the physicality and the presence of the bass. It could be that since I'm using a simple tube instead of an IEC coupler, the bass measurement is lower than it should be.

    CAT Apollo IEM
    Frequency Response
    Tube+UMM6 (compensated)
    upload_2020-10-1_11-24-12.png
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2020
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    CAT Apollo IEM
    Distortion L channel
    upload_2020-10-1_11-33-7.png

    CAT Apollo IEM
    Distortion R channel
    upload_2020-10-1_11-33-46.png
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    CAT Apollo IEM
    Impedance Curve
    upload_2020-10-1_11-38-27.png

    As far as IEMs are concerned, the impedance curve is even, smooth, and within a narrow range. We shouldn't have to worry too much from higher impedance sources of up to several ohms. The impedance is at its highest in the lows around 33-ohms. It dips at 5kHz at 17-ohms. Generally, a higher Z out source will result is a more laid-back sound, but we'd really have to go very high output impedance.
     
    Last edited: Oct 8, 2020
  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    As far as technicalities such as clarity and layering and detail, the something like the TOTL Ara does these things a bit better with its microscopic approach where we can hear into the separate mixes of a pop recording. It's a difficult ask in terms of clarity because the Ara with its xoverless design is quite revolutionary in that it's head and shoulders above almost anything else. However, the Apollo isn't far behind. It could be that the difference is tonal - the Apollo is more muted in the top octave. The Apollo DD lows are not as congested as the FD01, another well respected DD IEM on SBAF. The mids are not as veiled as UERM (darn I wish UE didn't get rid of this for the yucky UERR).

    The Apollo's soundstage is merely "good", but nothing to get excited about in terms of layering of the UERM, Ara, etc. Finally, Apollo doesn't quite have the bling (it's obvious from the photos). I could care less about bling, but I know some of you IEMs guys do. I think the "problem" is that we are kind of use to some level of bling these days. Hey, at least it's more attractive than the Drop Plus IEM with that raised plate on the faceplate! And the CAT logo is engraved on the Apollo faceplate.

    Without knowing the price, all this is difficult to gauge and put into perspective. However, it's my understanding that the Apollo will be priced appropriately. From a sonics point of view, the Apollo certainly delivers. I'd put these in my travel bag.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2020
  7. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    So what about the MSRP? I'll be curious to hear the loaner when the smart folks hear it first. I'm not the biggest fan of wired-down IEMs, so we'll see....
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2020
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Yeah, I'm not either. This is CAT's first entry ever into IEMs? I am not sure. They could still be learning the market. The sound is high-end, no doubt about that at all. But the wires down thing (instead of over and around the ear) has typically been the domain of lower-end under $300 IEMs.

    I have to pause and do a double-take before I put them on.
     
  9. M3NTAL

    M3NTAL Friend

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    Do you happen to have any theories as to what is going on around 200hz? I'd be curious if you think it is just driver / "ear" interaction or something physical in the ear monitors "system" (enclosure, driver, crossover, etc.)

    This thing looks quite unique and my interest is piqued. The worn down thing really makes a statement. In my head... I think "what we wanted to achieve needed this"

    Look forward to getting my ears penetrated.
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Measurement rig deal wrt to IEMs. Rarely 4th order. Usually 3rd, sometimes 2nd. Kind of like how Tyll had two spikes all the time in this distortion measurements. Just ignore it.
     
  11. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Interesting! Looking forward to hearing them. Not so excited about them falling out of my head all the time though.
     
  12. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    It might not be so bad. I worried about that when i got a CFA Atlas a couple years ago but it wasn't a problem. If the IEMs aren't that heavy and you can get a good seal they should stay in just fine.
     
  13. netforce

    netforce MOT: Headphones.com

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    Hey guys, thanks Marv for the measurements and info. CAT reached out to us for some help in spreading out their new IEM since we planned to do CanJam SoCal with them in June to show it off. And with no events on the docket anytime soon we decided to get the ball rolling.

    Price is going to be $699 for them. Let me know if there are any question I can help answer or ask them. Don't know if they want me to share this too much, but they have China exclusive Lamborghini edition which had some fun packaging details. I will try to grab some of those pics after work.
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2020
  14. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    These and Focal Radiance ftw!
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I expected a bit higher. $700 is a great price. These are sort of a meaner and meatier Solaris lite, not far behind. Not as laid-back as OG Solaris and not as bright as Solaris 2020.
     
  16. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    @What about the wires @purr1n?
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    As someone else pointed out, the CFA Atlas have downward hanging wires too - and I have used them. I was able to get a good fit with the tips without fear of stuff falling off. Not ideal, but I could live with them. The biggest issue is getting use to putting them on from the front since I'm so used to the other way around.

    The cables do feel nice. They are similar to the HFM rubber cables (I don't know if HFM still uses these), but x10 better because they don't feel icky like the HFMs have more form to them - they don't feel like handling jellyfish if you know what I mean.
     
  18. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    interesting. I don’t find the og Solaris laid back except for the midrange. Treble has nice presence. But there’s a million factors here- fit tips etc.

    can’t wait to hear the Apollo they sound intriguing.
     
  19. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    California Audio Technology Apollo

    Fit wise, the housings are pretty strange- like a blacked out, multi-faceted kidney bean. Most definitely meant to be worn down. I tried reversing channels and flipping to wear over the ear but no dice. The raised cylindrical shape on the inside, and nozzle angles, really fights against an over ear fit but works fine wearing it down; and I can’t stand to wear IEMs down, oh well.

    The stock cable is garbage. It’s thin without having any of the upsides of a thin cable like pliability, flexibility and reduced memory effect. This cable is kinky and tangly; it has a sticky memory and refuses to lay flat. It’s pretty ugly too; I’m guessing its gotta be some Plastics1 abomination. It’s mmcx, so its an easy and cheap fix with the plethora of nice looking Chinese made cables on Amazon or Aliexpress.

    When I first put the Apollo into my ears, I immediately thought of the Dunu DK-2001. (A V shaped signature that keeps a clear and slightly warm midrange without being lean through the vocals. Fun, prodigious bass and very sparkly lower treble without much top octave air.) So I went and dug the Dunu out… Well there are some similarities- both have big bass compared to my preference, but I discovered that the Apollo is definitely much less V than the 2001. It doesn’t have as much sub rumble and as much lower treble presence. It’s definitely tamer compared to that signature. So much for that initial thought.

    Apollo bass is elevated though. When compared to my production run FDX1, the Apollo bass is noticeably more prodigious across the spectrum. It hits harder, it rumbles louder and spreads a more warmth. Based on thoughts of FDX1 bass from some here (and others elsewhere), it seems there might be some unit variation in the FDX1. The old FD01 and pre-production units definitely had a bit of bass haze and warmth that is completely missing in my production version I purchased at the end of the first drop. My FDX1 is leaner and tighter sounding, which is partially a by product of less bass overall. At any rate, the Apollo bass, while bigger and grander, isn’t soft or hazy either. It’s dynamic and bold, if a bit of a guilty pleasure; and it reveals textures really well.

    Moving into the lower midrange, the differences in the Dunu signature and Apollo become more apparent. The Apollo has weightier, richer male vocals with more lower midrange reinforcement. The 2001’s V shape becomes more apparent. Male vocals sound thinner on the 2001 as well as the FDX1. The Apollo also brings those vocals closer to the listener for a more intimate performance. The FDX1 sound more aloof in comparison. On female vocals, the Apollo has plenty of upper midrange energy, thought it also adds some extra heft. They sound a little more transparent and natural on the 2001 and FDX1, providing more space to breathe. Apollo rock guitars have the bite and crunch I crave but also add some heft and richness.

    For my ears, I’m getting a fairly narrow lower treble peak around 7.5k. I get some accentuated sibilance at times. I think this lower treble peak, combined with the bigger bass is what triggered the original thoughts of the 2001, however it’s obvious now the Apollo has a good bit less treble energy overall. While the Apollo isn’t bright and lacks air, the narrow treble peak can jump out on some songs with accentuated but narrow brightness. This is my biggest criticism. The peak makes treble sound a bit plasticky in timbre and just not very natural. Whereas the FDX1 treble, while masked somewhat by the upper mid to lower treble transition around 4 to 5k, is much more natural sounding.

    If the FDX1 has an average stage, the Apollo sound a good bit bigger. While not all that wide, it sounds much taller and noticeably deeper. It’s not competing with something from the upper tier of, say, Campfire Audio but it definitely sounds bigger than average. While there is a sense of larger space, it doesn’t layer or image within that space as well the top tier offerings.

    The Apollo is a very fun iem and I definitely enjoyed dat bass. It can really rock out with my classic hard rock and metal playlists, as well as jamming with some electronic beats. The Apollo reminds me of a vintage classic American muscle car- Built for raw power and speed, but lacks finesse around the corners and skimps on the amenities inside.
     
  20. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    I never heard of California Audio Technology (“CAT”) before. When I visited their website, it appeared their target the higher end OAFAS market. I’m soooo not in their target audience, which is why I never heard of them. Out of no where they are introducing an IEM for $699. Interesting I must say….. When did CAT obtain the knowledge of making IEMs? I have no idea on that, but I’m curious on its sound….


    Gear List at time of Impressions/Review:

    Thinkpad X260 via Roon or Foobar2000-UPnP > Schiit Eitr > Massdrop x Airist R-2R DAC (RDAC) > Zampotech SW51+

    Roon or UPnP > PI2AES [Coax Output] or Pioneer DV-79AVi DVD Player (CD Transport) [Toslink Output] > Schiit Bifrost 2 > DNA Starlett

    Drop x JVC HA-FDX1 + Sony IER-M9 + Moondrop Starfield


    Packaging and Design:

    The Apollo comes in a nice professional designed box, which hold stuff (duh). Back of the box is standard language that “CAT engineers designed a proprietary enclosure that perfect positions and optimizes two balanced armature drivers and one dynamic driver.” Mostly standard this product is great language. At least the box shows the full specifications of the Apollo. However, I noticed on the back of the box that the Apollo is Manufactured and Distributed by NI Connect LLC. When Google-Fu NI Connect LLC, it’s a company based in Shenzhen, China (my shock here is less than 0.1%) that appears to make audio products. My hairy fat gut is telling me that CAT most likely ask NI Connect to make an IEM based on their specifications since they don’t know too much about IEMs, or they saw an IEM design from NI Connect that they liked and did a licensing agreement with them. Dunno….I don’t know anything about this stuff since that’s not my line of business. When you open up the box you will get the standard “About CAT” script that talks about what they do, including talking about having their systems in recording studios, outdoor venues, mega-yachts, and private aircraft. Sounds like I can’t play with the big Cali bois.

    The accessories included with the Apollo is the standard IEM affair. Carrying case in hard pleather case is good enough (inside of it are small pockets to hold some stuff). Tips are standard silicone that isn’t worth talking about, but it gets the job done. The included stock cable with a volume control….yeah it’s a pile of shit. I didn’t want to say it too hard at first, but I agree with @shotgunshane about it. Worse, the stock cable has microphonics up the ass near the volume control section. Apollo cost $699 and the stock cable is junk, gross. It is also thin and I feel the cable near the 3.5mm connector could break at any moment. Very disappointed that you don’t even get a decent cable for the price.

    The design of the Apollo after being bias against hanging down IEMs that cost $$$ is…..not bad! You can’t put the cable over your ear, the design of the Apollo will not allow you to do that. However, it does feel secure and unless something/one tugs it, it won’t fall out of your ears. However, for the price the cables shouldn’t be downward hanging. I wish the design allows for both downward hanging or over-ears, since for this price range the majority of IEMs are almost all over-ears. I still think it is odd the Apollo is only a downward hanging IEM design that $699. Most of us think that only cheaper IEMs do the downward hanging cable design due to cost limitations. Shells appears to be covered with something, but hard tell what it is. It doesn’t feel cheap that’s all. On the bright side, it has a logo of CAT of an actual shadow Cat drawing, meow you guys!


    Southstage and Depth:

    Soundstage I think maybe it is slightly bigger than the HA-FDX1? I don’t think it is big increase or anything like that. I did notice a little more dept increase than over the HA-FDX1, but it isn’t worth sweating over it. It’s still an IEM at the end of the day.


    Sound:

    Ewwwwwwwwwwww…..

    Now before I go on why I don’t like the Apollo at all, I want to point out three things:

    • The Hybrid DD/BA drivers do integrate quite well.

    • Apollo might be a good fit for those who really really hate any focus on treble.

    • I hate the turning, which is why I said Ewwwwwwwww...
    So let me start off with what I think is the biggest flaw of the Apollo: the treble. I think it is not lively at all to borderline point of being wimpy, and also it just sounds pretty flat with minor detail retrieval. I can’t enjoy listening to Television – Marqueen Moon since it sounds so boring to listen to. It doesn’t get me going at all. There’s I guess a minor peak in the lower treble, which can be annoying on sibilance that also reflects on Marqueen Moon. It just doesn’t sound right if I have to be honest. The much cheaper HA-FDX1 does a better job IMO on treble than what the Apollo can do. You like air, more engaging highs, and have a fetish for sharpness? You are going to hate the Apollo a lot. It doesn’t matter what I do to it, the treble just underwhelms me while puzzling me at the same time. I was actually laughing really hard when putting on the Apollo for the first time and hearing its treble because I thought I was listening to a poorly dubbed Type I cassette tape. IEM market is very competitive and there’s other choices that I feel can surpass the Apollo on how it handles treble. If you are a treble whore, it appears that the Moondrop Blessings 2 might be a better fit that is also a hybrid IEM design for about $350 less than the Apollo (I know @shotgunshane won’t say no to this fact).

    Midrange is better thankfully, honestly this is the only part that I liked on the Apollo. It has the right balance of not being too laid back and too forward. From “Wacko Jacko’s” Dangerous to Grace Jones – Nightclubbing vocals don’t sound weird to me. Yes, depending on the song there could be a minor upper mid energy, but it isn’t a lot. As I will get to it in the next section, the Apollo does sound different if using something like the IEMatch, which does made the mids more laid back. Instruments sounds legit, but it is partly ruined by one thing that I will also explain in a moment. I dunno, I think other IEMs can outperform the mids here for less. I’m not convinced that the Apollo is anything special here, but I just don’t think it performs as much as the price.

    Bass with its DD driver is just too much for me. It bleeds too much in the mids, which depending on your flavor you will like it or hate it. I hate it since I felt on certain albums it killed it for me (Grace Jones 80s output, too much bass impact and bloat). Yes, the bass is pretty elevated and that can benefit on certain albums (Wacko Jacko’s Bad and Dangerous). However, I am paying $699 for something that has too much bass to the point that it is outrageous overdone. If I want big hitting bass like the Apollo, I’ll pick out my $109 Moondrop Starfield with its rumble and tumble. I have the very opinionated belief that after a certain price point you need to stop with the heavy bass hitting elevated stuff. Apollo’s bass are borderline bass cannons if you can tell from my impressions, and I just don’t find them acceptable on a $699 IEM. Yes, I will admit they are fun, but you can only deal with them for so long until you want to roll your eyes out of boredom because the fun is not there anymore with that heavy bass that tires you out.

    So in conclusion: Treble is like listening to a Type I cassette tape, mids are solid but nothing special, and the bass is just a little too much bombastic for a $699 IEM. Keep that bass for the cheaper IEMs IMO, it’s better for that market due to the popular pop turning it is required.


    Input Z Adjustments
    :

    Yes, the Apollo changes when adjusting the Input Z. When using the IEMatch on High (I believe 2.5 ohm Input Z), the bombastic bass goes away, but the mids becomes too laid back for my taste along with the treble even being more laid back as it. Yuck. Results are slightly worse if you use IEMatch on Ultra (1 ohm Input Z I believe). This is important since if you are trying out the Apollo your mileage may vary due to it is sensitive to Input Z adjustments (@purr1n measures on this fact was right on the money). Perhaps those who are serious about the Apollo should try different Input Z adjustments and see which setting you prefer.


    Conclusion:

    Yeah, not a fan. To be on point, CAT should stick to the OAFAS audience with their speakers unless they want to continue to make money licensing out their brand name to other companies. With that being said, the Apollo are sensitive to Input Z changes, so I might not have the best setup to get them sounding best. There’s other IEMs out there that people should get over these for less (the Moondrop offerings, Sony IER-M7, Drop X JVC HA-FDX1, Drop Plus, etc.).

    Of course I am opinionated as hell when doing this post. With that being said: Ewwwwwww, Ewwwww, and Ewwwwwwww….. I need to clean out the bad hearing from my ears.
     

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