INTRODUCTION:
Akoustyx, most of us might not have heed about this brand but some if us must have heard about “Rockit sound”. The Rockit R50 was one of the best dual BA based IEMs 4-5 years ago along with the Q-jays, DBA-02 and ATH-IM02. Rockit is now, Akoustyx. They changed their portfolio, they came up with newer models with similar set of IEMs under their belt.
Akoustyx has been in the market for the last 2-3 years but their flagship is still a dual BA IEM based on Knowles drivers. The R220 is basically a R50 with a more generalized shell and removable cables. The tuning is more or less the same. There are no color options, it comes in black and is priced at $199 now with a MRP of $250.
I will compare it with ER-4P, Campfire Satsuma and a Final F4100.
Get one from these links:
I would like to thank Akoustyx for the review unit. No exaggeration of facts have been made here, I always stay true to my feeling.
ACCESSORIES AND PACKAGING:-
R220 ships in an good looking rectangular box. There is an outer paper cover and inside it is the protective inner cardboard box which contains everything else. The earpieces are stuffed in foam while the cable is attached to it. The cable and all the accessories are placed under a paper box under the foam.
There is a soft zipper pouch which contains 5 pair of tips. There is a set of silicone tips in S/M/L sizes, a pair of dual flange tip and a pair of comply tip. Unlike any other IEM the R220 ships with 3 pairs of “Patented fitting customization kit with EarLock® retention-interface” which can be used to get better more traction and less movement inside the ear. A quick start guide concludes the list of accessorizes.
HOW IS THE CABLE:-
R-220 ships with one of the supplest cable I have ever seen on an IEM. If you like a well behaved cable, this 4 core mono-crystalline OFC copper cable is the best I have seen. No other IEM ships with a quieter or stable cable than this. There is no microphonics to talk about. And unlike most of the audiophile grade IEMs this cable has a built-in 4mm Omni directional microphone with a 3 button remote which works with both Android and Apple devices. It has dedicated volume buttons, it helps when on the go.
The cable guides are a lot softer and some of the least bothering ones I have ever come across. The Y-splitter is small and has stress relievers around it. The 90 degree jack has its own protection too.
HOW DOES IT FEEL:-
Build quality:- R220 uses aluminum alloy as the body while the later half with connectors uses polycarbonate. This straight barrel design is very comfortable will fit smallest of ears without any problem. It feels sturdier and string than most of the plastic and acrylic based IEMs. The 90 degree bend at the connector end give it the edge over ETY, making it shorter and less protruding. This is one of the lightest IEM in the market too.
Comfort and ergonomics:- It is one of the most comfortable earphones in the market which doesn’t have a semi custom type shell. The small form factor helps a lot with fitment, even people with smallest ears can accommodate it inside their ears without any problem. The long nozzle helps with deep insertion and giving the earphone a very secure feel inside the ear. All the ear tips provided with the R220 are fairly comfortable too. If you feel all the tips are failing you, use the comply tips.
It is designed to sit effortlessly in the ear. It sits plush in my ears without sticking out, easy on ears and comfortable to say the least, the longer and narrow nozzle plays a good part here. I like the way the supple cable guides do their job, sits firmly and comfortably over the ear holding the ears tightly without any scope of uncomfortable movements, no adjustment required.
