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Audio Genetic AG2 Review – Voice of Reason

Pros –

Natural, resolving midrange, Excellent fit & comfort, Great treble extension.

Cons –

Mediocre bass extension.


Introduction –

Audio Genetic are a new manufacturer from Hong Kong with big ambitions. Like some of the most formidable manufactures from the West, their origins lie in custom cables, though they’ve since produced two IEMs. The AG2 represents their first effort, employing 2 balanced armature drivers in a low/mid + high configuration. In addition, the earphones implement litz copper wire to the low-frequency driver and litz silver to the high-frequency driver to maximise sonic performance. This isn’t unheard of, Plussound does the same with their IEMs, but at ~$450 USD, it’s an interesting proposition.

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Now, that’s not to say that the AG2 is a cheap earphone; through some marketing madness, $450 doesn’t sound like a lot of money in a world where “midrange” IEMs stretch into the thousands. However, just a few years ago, $400 bought you a flagship TOTL in-ear. So it goes without saying that I have large expectations for a several hundred dollar earphone (and so should buyers), even if it’s only considered to be midrange in the present market. Thankfully, Audio Genetic lower no standards with their dual driver in-ear. You can purchase and read more about the AG2 on Audio Genetic’s Facebook page here.

 

Disclaimer – 

I would like to thank Audio Genetic very much for their quick communication and for providing me with the AG2 for the purpose of review. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.

 

Accessories –

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Though packaging doesn’t amount to much in the grand scheme of things, a nice unboxing can help legitimise a product. Despite being their first in-ear, the AG2 has a really interesting unboxing. The earphones come within a hard box that magnetically latches open.

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Inside are the earphones and a practical aluminium carrying case. A drawer slides out from underneath housing the other accessories. The AG2 ships with a ¼” adapter, aeroplane adapter, cleaning tool.

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In addition, Audio Genetic provide some really nice silicone ear tips, 3 pairs of generic tips and 3 pairs of authentic Accoustune tips. Both are nicely constructed with dense silicone and no moulding errors. I found the Accoustune tips to be a slightly more comfortable and slightly more detailed but those preferring a smoother sound may find better synergy with the standard tips.

 

Design –

Though not a unique design, the AG2 assumes one the best shell designs I’ve tested. They’re very well-formed with a sculpted inner face slotting perfectly into the outer ear. Their slim, protruding nozzles also provide a strong seal but a lack of filters does raise concerns regarding longevity. Though entirely plastic and mostly hollow, the earphones feel well-built due to their thick walls and a lack of any joining seems. They have a very smooth finish and no edges that wear on the ear during extended listening.

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As such, I was very impressed with the comfort afforded by the AG2’s sculpted design; producing no hotspots even after hours of listening. Furthermore, as the AG is fully-sealed, the earphones produce high levels of noise isolation. Considering their long-term comfort and higher noise attenuation, the earphones are perfectly suited for commute on public transport and even air travel with a pair of foam tips.

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Due to the earphone’s excellent housing design and over-ear fit, they’re also very stable in the ear. Their plastic construction makes them very lightweight so the earphones don’t budge during active use. They are a little larger in dimension, protruding a fair amount from the ear. As such, they aren’t especially well-suited for use while sleeping though wind-noise is a non-issue due to their smooth design.

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The AG2 utilises a 0.78mm non-recessed 2-pin cable. The plugs were tight and reliable during my testing, with no intermittency. The included cable is a fairly typical custom IEM style unit. It has a tightly twisted braid throughout and excellent strain relief on all terminations. The cable has a pocket-friendly right-angle 3.5mm plug though with no protrusion for cases. Up top, it’s using memory wire ear guides that held their position well. Still, I personally prefer pre-moulded guides.

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ABOUT AUTHOR

Ryan Soo

Ryan Soo

Avid writer, passionate photographer and sleep-deprived medical student, Ryan has an ongoing desire to bring quality products to the regular reader.

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