Earsonics ONYX Review – Expect the Unexpected

Comparisons –

Etymotic EVO ($499): The EVO is a far more linear earphone with a much flatter bass. Given its all-BA setup, the ONYX has a large advantage when it comes to bass power and extension. The EVO is quicker, leaner and faster while the ONYX has a much bigger bass in general with a lot more sub-bass and a fuller mid-bass. The ONYX is far more dynamic. Despite this, the ONYX has equally forward vocals to the EVO. The EVO sounds more even here and its voicing is more accurate. The ONYX has more colouration with higher clarity and intimacy alongside a bit more warmth from its bigger bass.

The EVO resolves slightly better but the ONYX is more engaging with its more articulate and clarity-enhanced nature. Up top, the EVO is once again more linear nigh slightly smooth through the lower-treble. The ONYX has more energy and crispness here but not by a large degree. The EVO sounds more precise with a more defined leading edge and greater resolving power of fine details. The ONYX has the darker background but the EVO extends slightly better with superior background detail retrieval. Despite this, the ONYX has a much larger stage. The EVO has sharper direction and better layering.

Oriveti O500 ($499): The O500 is a good comparison as it shares many similarities with the ONYX with a dark background and intimate vocal presentation. The ONYX is the bassier earphone with the O500 having less sub-bass pressure and a few dB less emphasis above. Otherwise, the tuning is similar between the both. The ONYX is noticeably more dynamic with a harder-hitting slam. I do find it more controlled and defined too. The O500 only comes out ahead if you are averse to sub-bass pressure that some find fatiguing. The O500 has a similar midrange tuning but sustains more through the 2-3kHz range. This gives it a more vocal-focused character.

The O500 is more transparent, it has slightly higher clarity and definition and a cleaner tone. The ONYX is slightly more balanced with slightly more body that makes it more forgiving but slightly less resolving. Both earphones have a small dip before a medium lower-treble peak. The ONYX does have the more defined leading edge while the O500 is smoother and more delicate. The ONYX has more body and texture while the O500 has better extension and greater air. Both are dark and clean above, the ONYX is darker while the O500 retains a bit more headroom. The ONYX has the larger stage, especially width. The O500 separates slightly better while the ONYX has sharper imaging.

Moondrop Variations ($520): The Variations is a similar kind of earphone too. It has a  big sub-bass boost but, otherwise, represents and impressively linear response. Both have similar levels of bass, the ONYX has a bit more balance between sub and mid-bass while the Variations prefers a cleaner tone with more sub-bass bias. Both have awesome extension, rumble and slam. The ONYX is slightly more controlled, boasting higher note definition and responsiveness, the Variations comes across as a bit softer despite the initial attack being just as assertive. The midrange is more forward on the ONYX. The Variations has a slightly clearer, more linear expression with a more neutral tone. The ONYX has slightly more warmth to its male vocals especially and they are a touch more forward.

Both have similar clarity and upper-mid positioning, the ONYX sounding a bit more coloured but not by a large extent. The Variations has slightly higher resolving power. Up top, the Variations is slightly smoother with a more linear lower-treble. The Variations pulls ahead on fine detail retrieval and extension by a noticeable degree. Its leading edge is more defined and its timbre is more accurate. Its background detail retrieval and extension are superior. The ONYX has a bit more body and focus in the lower-treble as is a weakness of the EST system employed by the Moondrop. But technically, it does fall behind. I do, however, find the ONYX to have a larger soundstage, the Variations has slightly sharper imaging in return.

Craft Ears Craft FOUR (625 EUR): The Craft FOUR also has some degree of vocal focus and a warmer-tonality, a fun W-shaped IEM that can be had in custom for a similar price. While both have a similar amount of mid-bass, the ONYX has more sub-bass while the FOUR begins to roll off. The FOUR has very impressive extension for a BA but can’t match the dynamics and power of the ONYX. The FOUR has a quicker decay and, in turn, its mid-bass appears punchier and more defined. The ONYX isn’t too far behind whilst boasting far greater dynamics. The midrange on the FOUR appears more forward by comparison to its less present bass while the ONYX is more balanced between the 3 frequency bands.

The FOUR has a more evident warmth and a bit more body. Meanwhile, the ONYX is one step more revealing with slightly higher clarity and extension on behalf of its more present upper-midrange. The FOUR is a bit more coherent but both are naturally voiced in summary. The FOUR has a more isolated treble while the ONYX sounds more even-handed in its delivery. The FOUR is a bit crisper but also thinner. The ONYX has more body and texture alongside a slightly sharper leading edge that gives it a small advantage on fine detail retrieval. Above, the FOUR does extend a hair better and delivers greater air due to its higher treble peak. The ONYX has the larger soundstage and both have a similar level of imaging performance.

Verdict –

It has been quite a while since I’ve listened to an Earsonics monitor; as I recall not since their acrylic reference monitors of old. And colour me impressed! The ONYX is an impressive experience from start to finish. Perhaps the simple unboxing, thin cable and treble extension are telling of its true asking price. However, the metal shells and W-shaped signature with awesome bass power and extension give the impression of a far more expensive monitor. Overall, I do believe this makes the ONYX a strong value proposition when taken as an overall package, just as the company set out to achieve. Ergonomics and build quality perform at the highest level and its tuning is highly engaging yet executed with immense mastery so as not to upset overall balance. It is my pleasure to recommend the ONYX for those wanting an engaging midrange IEM.

The ONYX is available from Earsonics (International) for 590 EUR at the time of writing. I am not affiliated with Earsonics and receive no earnings from purchases made through these links.

Track List – 

Billie Eilish – dont smile at me

Bob Seger – Night Moves

Courtney Barnett – Rae Street

Cream – Wheels of Fire

Dire Straits – Communique

Dirty Loops – Next To You

Eagles – Hotel California

Elton John – Honky Chateau

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

H.E.R – I Used To Know Her

Jasen – BYE

John Mayer – Continuum

Kanye West – Ye

Missy Higgins – The Sound of White

Radiohead – OK Computer

TALA – ain’t leavin` without you

The Beatles – Abbey Road

The weeknd – After Hours

Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride

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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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One Response

  1. Bonjour,
    Je suis bien impressionné par votre essai. Il correspond presque à la revue parfaite que je rêvais de lire sur un IEM !
    Souvent je relève des courbes pour compenser tel ou tel de mes iem. Par exemple les aiguës sur mon Oracle ou sur le Tri i3, ou encore le Final F4100. Les extrêmes basses sur le S12. Etc .. Mais rarement je laisse le naturel, parce que j’aime la coloration, naturellement sans exagérer. Il n’y a que cet étonnant et méconnu Senfer MT100 Pro qui a “mon” équilibre. D’ailleurs je ne le trouve aucune Review. Ce qui est trop plat est insatisfaisant ou frustrant, car la vie musicale n’est jamais ainsi.
    Ce qui est impossible à régler est la scène, l’espace. Je crois que le Mest MKII est l’un des fleurons à ce titre. J’hésite à le prendre, car son medium inférieur est un peu mince d’après beaucoup d’études.
    2 questions s’il vous plaît :
    Ce Onyx a une belle scène sonore, diriez vous qu’elle est aussi bonne que sur le Mest mkii ?
    Les aiguës sont ils un peu relevables, pour améliorer la finesse, sans le rendre dur ? (J’ai 60 ans, je perds des aiguës)
    Merci infiniment pour votre travail que j’apprécie beaucoup.
    Amitiés Olivier

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