Pros –
Well-balanced tuning, Nicely detailed, Great ergonomics, Source agnostic, Coherent presentation
Cons –
Fluted nozzle limits fit depth, Bass could be more defined
Verdict –
If you’re looking for a comfortable in-ear with a refined, musical sound, the Aurora should be on your radar.
Introduction –
Symphonium are a new manufacturer from Singapore with great aspiration. Their initial line-up is simple but focussed, featuring two models, the Mirage and Aurora. The Aurora occupies a higher standing with a dual balanced armature driver configuration and $299 SGD or $249 USD asking price. It features custom tuned balanced armature drivers configured with a two-way mechanical crossover ensuring coherent phase and low distortion, impressive stuff. It represents another promising offering in a space that’s becoming intensely competitive; with Chi-Fi heavy hitters Fiio, Simgot, TFZ and Dunu recently introducing strong value-orientated models. You can read more about the Aurora on Symphonium Audio’s website and buy one for yourself here.
Disclaimer –
I would like to thank Music Sanctuary and Symphonium Audio very much for their quick communication and for providing me with the Aurora for the purpose of review. All words are my own and there is no monetary incentive for a positive review. Despite receiving the earphones free of cost, I will attempt to be as objective as possible in my evaluation.
Accessories –
The Aurora has a pleasing unboxing experience. It comes within a nice leather textured hard box that opens to reveal the earphones within a faux leather button up case. Underneath are the remaining accessories; a more pocketable soft pouch and a pair of medium T500 Comply Foams (one pair is pre-installed). It’s a fine accessory set and the exclusive inclusion of Comply foams is apt as they are the best sounding tips for this earphone in my opinion. The button case is nice, it’s hard and fairly protective. However, it’s too slim for the earphones so the stitching quickly comes undone. This feedback has been passed along to Symphonium and later models will ship with a more spacious hard case.
Design –
With polycarbonate shells, the Aurora doesn’t carry the same density and weight as metal clad competitors such as 1More’s Quad Driver and Meeaudio’s Pinnacle P1. Still, they’re compact and lightweight, suiting long listening sessions and commute. The two halves of the housing are joined well with minimal seam and the nozzle is integrated to aid strength. The earphone’s styling is understated and very well-shaped.
In particular, the Aurora is a highly sculpted IEM designed with ergonomics in mind. It finds a great fit on behalf of its compact dimensions, wearing with minimal ear contact. Meanwhile, a small anti-tragus fin provides additional fit stability. They have long straight nozzles that fit larger T500 bore tips though Spinfits and E-tips will stretch.
Like the original Oriveti Primacy, the tip of the nozzle is fluted, preventing tips from sliding off but also limiting fit depth. As such, the Aurora only achieves moderate fit depth with my average sized ears and good but not great noise isolation despite being fully-sealed.
Up top, the Aurora utilises non-recessed 0.78mm 2-pin connectors. The included cable is of the braided kind, it’s supple and smooth but also fairly thin. Strain relief is great on the right angle 3.5mm plug, however, and the y-split also feels well-reinforced. The cable has memory wire ear guides. It’s a fairly inconspicuous cable that’s practical for portable use.
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