Tanchjim, hailing from China is not a new name for most of us. Known for their high quality single DD IEMs they have emerged as one of the leading IEM makers in the lower mid-range price bracket . They already have a handful of IEMs in the range of $20 to $600. I am currently working on couple of DD only Tanchjim IEMs and I have to mention that both of them are on top of their tuning game. What this article is about is their latest mid range IEM, Fola. Placed over Fission and just under the Origin this IEM has better functionalities compared to the Origin. Just like the Origin, it comes with 3 tuning nozzles that somewhat change the signature a bit. It comes with a similar cable as the Origin but this time it’s modular and comes with a DSP module too.
If that’s not enough, it borrows the same tuning tech as the more expensive single DD IEM. Priced at $200, it ships in only one color, as of now (they launched a black Fission while it was initially launched in only golden hue). It seems Tanchjim wants to create a brand identity with their shell designs but this time around we are getting a sapphire back plate with mirror finish, which definitely gives it a bit more character as it contrasts with the gunmetal finishing at some angles with the aluminum shell.
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UNBOXING AND ACCESSORIES:
We get a large box with good amount of information about the IEM on the back. This unboxing experience is nothing out of ordinary if you already own a Tanchjim IEM but I have to admit that it definitely is better than other brands. Lift the upper cover and we are greeted with a set of documents placed in a paper envelop. Lift that up and we have the earpieces stuffed in foam along with the tuning nozzles. I like this presentation. Underneath are the carry case, cable, 6 pair of tips (narrow and wide bore sets), 3.5mm and type C modules end the list of accessories out of the box.
Here is my unboxing video:
BUILD QUALITY:
How can Tanchjim offer a lot of customizations and high quality accessories while keeping the price down? They saved on the design. This has the exactly same design language as their other mid range IEMs like Orgion and Nora but has slightly more premium looks with mirror finished sapphire back plate and brushed metal aluminum shell. It’s not big or heavy and has no issues with fit or balance either. We do get tuning nozzles just like the Fission and they are long enough to offer very good stability and leverage inside the ear. We have curves at the right places for good comfort. I barely have any issues with the ergonomics either, it’s not the most comfortable IEM in this price because of its slightly heavier shell but doesn’t leave a lot to be desired either.
CABLE:
We have been getting good quality modular cables with IEMs under $250 but I have to admit, Tanchjim has done some cost cutting here. Fola comes with a dual core LITZ silver plated OFC cable. They have repurposed the Origin cable here, added modularity with chrome finishing on the modules, complimenting the earpieces and come with an additional DSP module too. The good thing is, this isn’t very bouncy but is a bit memory prone. It has little bit of microphonics but gets the job done and sounds good so.. I am not complaining.
PAIRING WITH SOURCES:
Ah, don’t bother, this IEM sounds very good with nearly every analogue source. I paired it with my Infinix GT10 pro and I was barely missing out on anything. Yes, the finishing definition and micro details are slightly missing but that’s it, no thinness or screeching to worry about here. So, use any source you want and enjoy!!
Pairing it with a neutral sounding source does yield a more balanced and cleaner presentation though.
DSP and APP:
This is an interesting aspect of this IEM. Tanchjim has included a DSP module within the box which opens up different kind of possibilities and Tanchjim has come prepared. Tanchjim APK is now available on Playstore, can be downloaded from APKPure too. Install the app, connect the IEM with DSP module, plug it in and the app asks to allow access to “Tanchjim Fola DSP”, press ok and we are good to go. What this app offers are presets and a Parametric Equalizer which is a nifty feature imo.
DSP SOUND QUALITY:
Even though this is a useful feature if you don’t want to use an amp, sound quality is not as good as the analogue connectivity, this is below par and is best for non-critical listening. It misses out on the air and stage depth which is acceptable for commuting but doesn’t bring out the best of this IEM . Most of the background instruments in mid and treble range offer good macro details while micro details are lacking. It doesn’t offer a lot of resolution or definition but gets the job done.
What’s good are lower end notes and vocals. It definitely offers slightly better note weight for the lower end and a bit more poise with the vocals. Both male and female vocals are very good with texture and timber but lack a bit of height. Bass is slightly less dynamic but is a bit bassier and is a bit more fun sounding.
This DSP module is aptly good and is better than the Fission DSP for sure.
SOUND QUALITY:
Let’s get serious. This DSP module though is good, was kind of frustrating, especially when you know the real potential of this IEM’s capabilities. Some can even label Fola as the Mini Origin and I wouldn’t like to totally disagree with them either. Fola definitely uses it’s “Dual Magnetic Chamber Tech 5” drivers to good use and extracts very good details and clarity with a natural and organic presentation. Yes, this is not a very fun sounding IEM, what it offers is a well balanced signature, very similar to the Origin but better. It barely has extra warmth as it leans towards a more neutral tonality. Tuned to deliver better harmonics and aptly accurate notes, this IEM sounds like a more mature IEM than both Origin and Fission.
TUNINGS NOZZLES:
Let’s get over with the tuning shenanigans too. It comes with 3 tuning nozzles and I am using the S nozzles which offer slightly less treble energy compared to the T nozzle but balances things with very good details. D/dynamic nozzle offers slightly more bass body and a bit less treble energy than the S while the T/Titanium nozzles have a bit more brightness with tighter, less full sounding bass. For a clarity oriented IEM, that focuses on balance and precision, I believe the S nozzles are more suited than the other two. But if you feel like you need a bit more smoothness, D nozzles will be a better fit.
BASS:
Let me repeat myself, doesn’t matter what you do, Tanchjim Fola won’t be a very bassy IEM, but what does that exactly mean? In simpler words it has aptly fast decay, doesn’t let notes to get heavy and has a above average area of impact too. It doesn’t offer as much weight behind the notes like the Force even with the D nozzles.
We get very good sub-bass extension and doesn’t hold back when it comes to rumbles, it is more than enough to keep me seated. Mid bass has a bit more body and slightly bigger area of impact giving it a meaty and full bodied feel. Fola moves good amount of air, notes expand in every direction but mainly travels in and downward, staying clear of any interference. And the great this is its not monotonous, Fola can move the direction of the projection when needed. This definitely helps with clarity and dynamics as it creates an interesting imaging and contrast between two adjacent bass notes, while offering excellent resolution. We get very good layered delivery too. Decay is paced according to the needs of the track, fast when needed, slow when asked for. It has no problems with hitting upper bass notes cleanly either.
MID RANGE:
Fola is an all round performer and it’s a much more open and wider sounding than the cheaper Fission. There is no bass bleed to worry about while the transition phase from upper bass to lower mids offer superb clarity and definition with the right amount of energy. If you are looking for warm, smooth and full notes, Fola will not disappoint but it’s a bit more accurate and precise than the warmer sounding Origin. Unlike the Fission which sounded cold and dry, Fola has much better dampening and emotional presentation. It strikes a beautiful balance of calmness and aggression.
This mid range offers very good transparency, clarity and finishing definition. Instruments have very good height, doesnt sound slightly mushy like the Origin and offer good amount of air too. It has the delicate subtlety with background instruments while offering very good transient effects and back and foreground separation. UJust like the Origin, upper mid isn’t lean, yet carries a bit of energy which is aptly comfortable even after long listening session.
Vocals sound slightly warm yet aptly accurate with plenty of texture and resolution. The best part is, Fola has gained slight bit of reverb (when needed) and juiciness, maintaining good amount of body at the floor while the finishing regions of the notes are precise and clean. Both male and female vocal enjoy good height and natural body, male vocals are throaty, have the grunts and rumbles while female vocals can get a bit taller and are a bit finer, precise and delicate. Tonality and timber are on the slightly organic and realistic side with very good cohesion.
HIGHS:
I have been working on a handful of single DD IEMs in this price range and I have to admit, Fola has one of the best treble presentation. It is aptly agile, clean, clear and engaging without overworking the details or transparency. Tanchjim has veered away from their aggression a bit and has offered a slightly more balanced presentation where it doesn’t sound too busy or docile at the same time. And unlike the Fission which has a bit more aggressive treble range but lacked energy at the upper treble, Fola has a much better upper treble clarity and extension too. One factor that the Force and fission missed out on was the right amount of dampening, which is not the case here. This adds a more organic and emotional edge to the treble range.
Unlike the Fission, fola is not clumsy, sounds more open with plenty of air between instruments. Layering and separation is top notch with accurate placements. Notes have very good refinement and the right amount of finishing energy. Fola resolves very good amount of details but, yes, if you are looking for a lot of resolution and definition in the treble range and isn’t worried about a bit more energy, going for the Force will make more sense.
STAGE AND IMAGING:
Even though there are some similarities, Fola has a slightly different kind of staging and imaging when compared to the Origin. It has a more 3D like imaging when compared to Fission or even the Origin which were slightly on the fatter side. This stage has a spread out imaging with very good presence around the head, while maintaining good presence under the chin too. It offers very good height, width and class leading Z-axis depth, especially with the mid range. Most of bass and mid range notes generate inside the head and make it out while majority of treble notes generate outside and travel further away from the head. Fola enjoys finer and one of the best subtle movements of the back ground notes, enhancing its sonicality and imaging capabilities. It has aptly accurate and clean cue placements too.
COMPARISON:
vs Origin:
This is an interesting comparison, Fola has the same kind of driver, similar cables and nozzle systems too but has a slightly different kind of tuning and presentation. While Origin is slightly uneven and can be slightly unpredictable with its emphasis across the spectrum, Fola is more uniform and consistent.
Fola has better sub-bass body and rumbles with bigger overall bass impact. It’s not mid bassy like Origin. Mid range is where the Origin sounds a bit more organic and cohesive but Fola offers better clarity, imaging and accuracy. Vocals are fuller on Origin but Fola has the edge of decay and slightly better accuracy. Tonality and timber are more accurate on the Fola. Fola pulls another one back with better treble consistency and evened out energy. Origin can be slightly moody and lean which is not the case with Fola. The newer IEM has better sonics and Z-axis depth too.
Fola is not an Origin Pro but is a more refined, more mature sounding Origin in my opinion.
CONCLUSION:
Do I really need to convince you here too? Nevemind, Fola slots right in between the Fission and Origin but goes in a slightly different direction, especially with the presentation. It has superb control over both aggression and thickness, offers very good extension at both ends of the spectrum while offering better sonics than the other two IEMs.
If you ever wondered, what if.. Origin was a bit more consistent and had better extension with the sub-bass, what if fission wasn’t, sounded at bit more musical and more extended at both ends, you don’t need to look further than the Fola. It addresses all these issues without creating any newer ones, yes it’s not the most detailed IEM, but doesn’t lack anywhere at all.
