EFFECT OF CABLES:-
The stock cable is not bad by any means, it looks nice and sounds aptly good too. I am a bit critical about how the cable looks but what if you don’t care about looks and want something that will improve the sound? The DM7 deserves a good sounding cable and buying an upgrade cable makes much more sense.
ISN SC4 ($115):- What is an upgrade to the stock SPC cable? A better SPC cable with pure silver and single crystal strands. The first thing that comes to attention is the bigger stage size. It feels much more expanded in every direction without messing up the distribution of instruments. The bass get deeper with slightly better sub-bass rumble while the mid bass sheds some body delivering equally good amount of texture and details. The bigger change comes with the not anymore V shaped mid range. The Vocals are a bit more forward, more in line with the rest of the spectrum. The whole mid range sounds slightly more organic. Treble gains some maturity with better control over notes and the bigger stage makes it much more enjoyable. The SC4 brings more details and accuracy with excellent contrast between background and foreground instruments.
A cable worthy of consideration.
COMPARISON:-
Avara AV3 ($340):-
The lion hearted AV3 houses half the number of drivers but deliver better intricate details and more evenly energized mid range. The lower end is similar, the DM7 has slightly better sub-bass rumble where the AV3 has mildly better mid bass presence. Both IEMs have similar decay speed and equally impressive texture. The mid range is more forward with slightly boosted vocal region, both have excellent details retrieval but the DM7 loses some point for pushing the vocals a bit back. The treble region too has better transparency but extension is equally good. The stage size is bigger in every axis. The DM7 is slightly less bright and is not as shiny but has a bit of uneven energy in comparison. The notes are a bit more natural and have a hint of organic touch which the AV3 doesn’t have.
TSMR 4 PRO ($319):-
The 4 pro houses 4 BA drivers and the sound signature is more leveled without the slight bit of recession seen with the DM7. It has better lower end body with similar sub-bass volume but the rumble is better with the DM7. The mid bass is bigger and slightly on slower side giving more weight to the notes. The mid range is more in line but the notes are thicker and have less agile feel to them. Both crispiness and bite is missing. The treble has very good energy and extension while being calmer and smoother. Layering and separation is very good but the DM7 is a step ahead. When it comes to stage size the 4 pro is around 10% bigger in every direction.
It is a matter of taste. Mellow and calm sounding 4 pro vs agile and energized DM7, both are very good, pick what you like.
BGVP VG4 ($229):-
The VG4 has cleaner back ground which robs it off some micro details. It is slightly bassier and less energetic.
CONCLUSION:-
I have been amazed by these new generation of BA based IEMs. BAs are known for details and accuracy but these days BAs are delivering excellent sonicality too and the DM7 is one of them.
This is not for casual listeners looking for foot taping and smooth sailing, don’t expect it to be EDM friendly, it just simply doesn’t deliver that much of lower end vigor to keep a bass lover seated but the need of intricate details and delicacies can be quenched by the DM7, it delivers excellent amount of details with accurate tonality. It can be classified as a reference type IEM with its soul at details and clarity. It doesn’t have the thump to the bass line but doesn’t sound less engaging thanks to the crispy and transparent sounding higher frequencies.
