Disclaimer: I formally thank John Soriano from Apos Audio for providing us with a sample unit in exchange for an honest review. On behalf of the team at the Headphone List, we thank him for his trust in THL.
Summary:
The Rock Lobster is a quirky, punk/metal/rock-heads dream, intentionally tuned to highlight the backline foundation of a multiplicity of rock genres. Kickdrums are full, thick and lively with a prominent bass hump and male voicings are rendered cleanly with an emotive midrange rise
However, this isn’t a flagship killer, with a dulled presentation in the presence region, lacking air and upper-treble sheen. Layering, while commendable, lacks finesse. However, for $100, the Rock Lobster is a no-brainer pocket carry for listeners who prioritise immersion over sonic information.
Pros:
+ Kitschy branding and packaging
+ Toe-tapping, pulsating mid-bass kick that’s satisfying as it is fun
+ Inoffensive and forgiving sound with virtually all recordings.
Cons:
– Weak airiness and treble response.
– Layering amidst instruments and voicings struggles in complex passages.
– Lack of storage case.
Introduction
For the uninitiated, Apos Audio is one of North America’s most prominent pillars for all-things portable audio, stocking a plethora of amplifiers, earphones, headphones and accessories from brands of American, European and Chinese origin.
Their first-hand experience distributing for an ensemble of cutting-edge brands has ignited a keenness to build something from the ground up to call their own. In comes Apos X, a community-centric platform where the distributor now assumes the role of designer, showcasing early ‘proof of concept’ products from the drawing board, where shoppers/enthusiasts can express their interest by signing up with their emails for updates.
If a concept garners enough buzz, the product is deemed a success and it gets finalised and manufactured to be sold to the masses. Throwing their stake into the ring, Apos X’s virgin IEM release is titled after the B-52’s hit, ‘Rock Lobster’. Chi-Fi is the perpetual engine of growth, with audio enthusiasts pilloried with a spate of releases that sometimes are difficult to distinguish from one another.
The kitschy theming of the Rock Lobster, marketed as the perfect accompaniment to the genres of music that were once the flagbearers of 21st century counter-culture (e.g. Ska, Mid-West Emo), feels like a direct jab at my holier-than-thou, beatnik proclivities when it comes to the records I adore in my mercurial teen year. Who doesn’t love American Football or The Hotelier?
But I digress. The Rock Lobster niche-appeal lies in its tuning preferences, designed to complement the albums borne out of American suburbia. Priced at $60, the Rock Lobster is a well-priced and attractive proposition. This review explores whether or not it succeeds in doing these genres justice. The Rock Lobster can be purchased on Apos Audio or Amazon.
Measurements
- Connector: 3.5mm wired, 4.4mm wired
- Driver: 10mm liquid crystal polymer (LCP) dynamic driver
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Sensitivity: 105dB
- Socket: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
Technology
10mm liquid crystal polymer (LCP) dynamic driver
The LCP diaphragm is a tried-and-true single dynamic driver topology, known for its remarkable stiffness and efficient mass, allowing to compress and rarefact quickly, resulting in minimal distortion.
Where is my mid?
Instead of the consumer V-shaped frequency response, the Rock Lobster highlights the driving force of rock music: the midrange for a unique semi-W shaped frequency response that’s fairly unheard of.
Baby driver
Not to be confused with the fabulous Edgar Wright film, the Rock Lobster’s LCP driver has a standard 32 ohm mechanical impedance, meaning it’s easy to drive and fairly forgiving in terms of its current draw. A basic dongle DAC/Amp would suffice, but expect performance bivariate with the quality of its source pairing.
Unboxing
The Rock Lobster comes in a tiny cardboard box with a endearing print of anthropomorphic ‘Rock Lobster’, replete with a muscular physique and biker’s vest. It’s kitschy branding like this that freshens the hobby. The choice of typeface is reminiscent of Matt Groening’s the Simpsons, with a playful whimsy and characterisation.
Inside the box, you’ll find the following accessories:
- Rock Lobster IEMs
- Detachable 3.5mm or 4.4mm cable
- Assorted ear tips
- Manual
The Manual itself cheekily explains how to comfortably wear and insert the Rock Lobster IEMs into your ears. While the Campfire Audio-esque theming is a standout feature in the unboxing experience, the entire package feels sparse due to the exclusion of a carry case.
While it’s possible to opt for a custom leather clamshell case for an extra $39, a rudimentary case inclusion would have been appropriate, especially since this IEM was clearly designed for on-the-go use.
Design and Build Quality
The Rock Lobster is fabricated from hypo-allergenic acrylic in red with a crystalline clarity to it, showcasing the miniscule LCP driver encased within. The choice of red is an obvious nod to the colour of a lobster (thank me, captain obvious).
The focal point of interest lies in its novel faceplates, with a stepped finish radiating outwards, mimicking the striated pattern on a real lobster.
It also serves a dual-purpose, enhancing its ease-of-grip when removing or inserting them into your ears. Each nozzle is capped off with a metal vent with a spiral patterning. The Rock Lobster isn’t a game-changer, but it ingeniously interprets its pop-culture namesake in a literal sense.
In terms of build, the Rock Lobster is assembled well, with no surface pits, obvious seams or unfinished/unlacquered spots. It’s no full-metal-jacket, but it should be durable enough for some level of rough use, but I would still recommend using your own carry case.
Comfort and Ergonomics
The Rock Lobster is a very lightweight IEM thanks to its minimal driver topology and resin-build. It’s virtually impossible to criticise, with a ubiquitous nozzle-length that’s easy to wear to my ears.
To be honest, there’s nothing much I can say here except that I find this IEM incredibly comfortable, with little to say. However, if you’re someone that wants the shells to sit flush against your ears when you’re sleeping, this is not the IEM to pick.
Cable Quality
The Rock Lobster’s cable is a 2-pin, twisted cable with quad-braiding and an OFC core. If you’ve ever purchased a CIEM, the included cable is reminiscent of those generic designs. However, this shouldn’t be perceived as a negative.
The length of the cable is exceptionally flexible and tangle-free, exhibiting great malleability and coil-resistance for stowing them away. There’s no detectable proneness to memory or kinking. The hardware used for the barrel connectors, termination and Y-split are sheathed in metal, with a industrial design boasting screw-like threading for enhanced grip.
Visually, it’s not a standout design. However, at $100, this utilitarian-approach instead of focusing on all flash and no substance is admirable.
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