Softears Studio4 Review and Discussion

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by shotgunshane, May 2, 2023.

  1. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    Softears Studio4
    MSRP $449
    Disclaimer: I purchases this unit from the Shenzhen Audio AliExpress Store.

    The new Studio4 from Softears is marketed towards professionals on stage and in studio. They claim natural, accurate and flat frequency response characteristics in their sales materials. Seems like something that should be right up my alley.

    The Studio4 is an all armature, four driver, 3 way design. I’ve been listening almost exclusively to single dynamic driver in-ears lately, so I was little skeptical about dipping my toes back into an all armature configuration, but having seen how close the measured frequency response is my EQ’d Twilight (also a Softears in-ear), I couldn’t resist trying it.

    upload_2023-5-2_12-40-10.png

    For me, the Studio4 aesthetics are off the charts good. I absolutely love the blackout look. The shells are a pseudo-custom 3D printed resin in shiny black. The Softears logo and model name on the faceplates are a tasteful silver lettering. Fit is very comfortable over long listening sessions. Along with the black cable, the Studio4 looks all business. Speaking of the cable, it’s very similar in look and feel to the much more expensive Twilight. The cable is great looking 4 core round braid that is pretty soft and supple, with just a bit of memory retention that can mostly be straightened after pulling out of storage. It has a slight gummy feel to it as well, although nowhere near as gummy feeling as say Dunu cables are. Softears also supplies a fairly long five foot extension made of the same cable material. Unfortunately there is no chin slider on the top half of the cable. Otherwise, this is a really nice cable that I wouldn’t owning for other IEMS as well but as of yet, Softears doesn’t sell it separately.

    The IEM comes in an unassuming small, white cardboard box. Accessories include a compact and padded Pelican style case, that while offering excellent hard protection, is also still highly portable. Softears also included are some soft drawstring pouches to protect each housings from scratches when in storage. Lastly, there are tips of standard sizing, a cleaning tool and a cleaning cloth round out the accessories.

    Studio4.jpeg

    upload_2023-5-2_12-40-48.png


    Sound

    The Studio4 has a slightly warm but neutral signature. Textures and decay are surprisingly good for an all-armature based configuration. There is a richness to the bass and lower midrange that is not exactly evident in the frequency response measurements. The midrange is well balanced with effortless clarity and resolution. It’s neither ‘shouty’ nor overly forward and both male and female vocals exude realistic weight and energy. This leads to my only real nitpick- the treble leans a bit on the polite side. Detail is certainly there, but cymbals don’t quite ring out with brassy timbre and sparkle, like they do on my EQ’d Twilight. On the plus side, the Studio4 signature is one that can be enjoyed for hours without fatigue. Timbre is fantastic down low and through the midrange, with perhaps a hint of plasticky armature treble.

    The Studio4 has quick transients and has no problem maintaining clean separation during busy passages. In fact, separation is easily above average, which is somewhat surprising considering its overall organic presentation and lower armature count. The Studio4 straddles the lines of musical flow and reference response. It presents a wide soundscape; perhaps not quite Campfire Andromeda width, but very satisfying and what I’d consider above average, whereas the sense of depth falls squarely in the average range. There is excellent sense of space around instruments and performers, creating a strong sonic image.


    Comparisons
    Mac Mini > Pi2AES (via AES) > RME ADI-2 PRO FS R



    Vs Gaudio Nair (OG)
    Maybe it could be said, the Nair is like the HD600 compared to the Studio4’s more HD650 presentation. Not that these two necessarily sound like those Sennheiser’s, but rather both can be used as a neutral references, however, with notable tonal differences between the two. The Studio4 has more sub bass rumble and more overt textures. In contrast, the Nair is much more forward and tends brighter with sharper attacks in treble. However, neither is particularly airy up top. While both have nice weight to male vocals, the Studio4 presents an obviously more natural and realistic female vocal performance. With the Nair, you are placed right at the stage, if not on it; the Studio4 puts much more distance between you and the performance. The Studio4 has greater separation; there is more air and space between the instruments and performers, giving a more precise and spacious sonic image. Everything has more room to breathe and seems more effortless.

    Vs Etymotic ER4XR
    In typical Ety tradition, the ER4XR pushes the middle and upper midrange clarity range. Despite the increased bass response of the ER4XR, it still feels overall leaner than the Studio4. With the ER4XR, Female vocals have a brighter sense of clarity and energy, and male vocals have a slight push towards a more nasally emphasis, as well as pushing natural sibilants a bit more compared to the Studio4. Once the Ety is inserted deep enough, the treble does have some similarities with the Studio4, namely being on the safer side in tuning. I’d give the edge to the ER4XR in terms of brassy timbre, but as a whole, the Studio4 treble is hair more present and more resolving up top. Overall the Ety is more forward, intimate and simply smaller sounding with less separation and space.


    Conclusion

    Based on my Softears experiences (RSV, Twilight, Studio4), their strength lies in exceptional midrange tuning and resolution, and the Studio4 continues to reinforce that experience. While I can nit pick some things here and there, there really is nothing to outright dislike, and what it does well, it does very well. Essentially, Softears has fixed the few issues I had with the more expensive, 5 driver count RSV, and downsized it into the less expensive, easier to fit Studio4 with improved technical performance and reference tuning. Anyone looking for a neutral reference should have the Studio4 at or near the top of their list.
     
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  2. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    From your comparisons with the Nair, am I correct in interpreting the Studio4 as a shade darker than the Dunu SA6? How's the comparison with SA6 in other aspects?
     
  3. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    It’s been a long time since I heard the SA6 loaner. I can’t really recall much about its overall brightness levels. I’m hoping to hear the SA6 MK2 sometime in the future.
     
  4. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I wish Softears would make an ortho iem with their reference tuning.
     
  5. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    If anyone is not familiar with the B&K 5128, Crin’s lastest video talks about some of the differences between it and the old standard 711 type coupler and why it’s a big deal. Here is the video for those interested:

    Crin also just updated his database with a bunch of 5128 measurements and the Studio4 was one.

    After some playing around his graph tool interface (which takes a little bit to figure out), I’ve decided my preference is a -0.8 db per octave tilt to the Diffuse Field target, plus 5 db bass shelf below 150 hz. I then EQ’d the Studio4 to that target, and the result were a revelation. The Studio4 was already one of my favorite tuned iems but hitting this target makes them simply amazing.

    IMG_0660.jpg
    IMG_0661.jpg

    I ended up using the second one, which is the same as the first, just minus the treble changes above 4k, as they seemed to make minimal difference overall in my music library.

    The end effect is an iem that sounds much more speaker like. The bass is fuller, richer and more lifelike. Yes even if armature bass. However, most importantly the changes in the midrange are what I perceive as the game changing differences; most notably in the 1.5k area.

    This 1.5k area ads a lot of what I’d call ‘Honk’. And a lot, if not a majority of IEM’s have this 1.5k elevation. Once removed (in the Studio4 case about -1.9 db at 1400 kHz), not just vocals, but the whole presentation becomes much more natural sounding both in timbre and stage. I have high hopes for the 5128 and this type of target matching (tilted Diffuse Field) in the IEM arena.
     
  6. Gazny

    Gazny MOT: ETA Audio

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  7. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Hope he adds some of the iems i own so i can play with this as well. I take it the extra eq features are for his premium portion only?

    Found this: https://autoeq.app/ seems to have the functions you mentioned but not sure if Crinacle's latest data is included.
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2023
  8. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    You can use the EQ features in free mode:
    EQ to your preferred Diffuse Field tilt and desired bass shelf elevation. Shoot me a PM if are having issues and maybe I can help. It’s not as friendly on mobile phones as tablets and desktop.
     
  9. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    I figured it out, didn't know i could click on the graph itself to show more options. Am pretty happy with the RSV's as is but once they or one of my other iems gets measured i will definitely play with it!
     
  10. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

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    Does this improve upon the slightly hazy/lazy RSV dynamics? Thats one thing that irks me about the RSV, it's technicalities are a bit mediocre compared to it's excellent tuning - it just sounds a bit boring.. I can't love it eventhough it ticks all the boxes.
     
  11. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    After a bunch of messing around i've come to the conclusion that the RSV needs a bit of EQ to sound best. I've given it a bit more sub bass, reduced pinna gain and filled in the treble a bit to bring in the sparkle. Very enjoyable listen now.
     
  12. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    I believe so, from my notes/memory of the RSV. However, the Studio4 won’t be as relaxed and quite as smooth sounding, so there will be some trade offs.
     

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