Tanchjim, hailing from China, is not a new name for most of us. Known for their high quality single DD IEMs they broke into the audiophile scene with the Oxygen which was loved by both consumers and reviewers. They have handful of IEMs in the range of $20 to $600 under their belt. I am currently working on couple of Tanchjim IEMs and I have to admit that both of them are on top of their tuning game. What this article focusing on is their latest mid range IEM, Fission. This IEM is loaded with features to say the least. Just like the Origin, it comes with 3 tuning nozzles to tweak the the signature a bit. And for the first time, Tanchjim has implemented a bass knob with 4 stops to offer better control over the lower end along with nozzles. Offering 12 possible tunings, this is definitely fascinating.
If that’s not enough, it borrows the same tuning tech as the more expensive Origin and unlike the more expensive products, it ships with a more premium cable too. Priced at $130, it ships in only one color. It seems Tanchjim wants to create a brand identity with their shell designs. I would have liked it more if Tanchjim had used a slightly different shell design because they already have a few similar looking IEMs but that’s fine I guess. Let’s dig deeper!!
UNBOXING AND ACCESSORIES:
We get a small box with good amount of information about the IEM on the back. This unboxing experience is nothing out of ordinary if you already own a Tanchjim IEM but I have to admit that it definitely is better than other brands. Lift the upper cover and we are greeted with a set of documents placed in a paper envelop. Lift that up and we have the additional tuning nozzles and earpieces stuffed in foam. I like this presentation. Underneath are the carry pouch, cable, 6 pair of tips (narrow and wide bore sets), a flat head screwdriver, 3.5mm and type C modules. I would have liked a small carry case but believe me, this IEM already have a lot on offer.
Here is my unboxing video:
BUILD QUALITY:
How can Tanchjim offer a lot of customizations and high quality accessories while keeping the price down? They saved on the design. This looks exactly like a few of their lower mid range IEMs but has slightly more premium build with sapphire back plate and aluminum body. It’s not big or heavy hence has no issues with fit or balance. We get tuning nozzles and the nozzles are long enough to offer very good stability inside the ear. We have curves at the right places for good comfort too. I barely have any issues with the ergonomics either, it’s not the most comfortable IEM in this price but doesn’t leave a lot to be desired either.
CABLE:
We have been getting good quality modular cables with IEMs under $150 but I have to admit, Tanchjim has done something special here. This silver-plated Litz copper cable with silver foil shielding not only minimizes interference, it looks aesthetically pleasing (this is definitely one of the most beautiful looking cables with an IEM priced under $150), complimenting the earpieces and comes with a DSP module too. It’s not bouncy or memory prone but the thicker cores definitely have some memory issues. It has no microphonics though.
The good news is, this cable not only looks nice, it sounds very good too. I paired it with the Origin and was able to extract bigger stage and better air between instruments too.
PAIRING WITH SOURCES:
Ah, don’t bother, this IEM sounds very good with nearly every source analogue source. I paired it with my Infinix GT10 pro and I was barely missing out on anything. Yes, the finishing definition and micro details are slightly missing but that’s it, no thinness or screeching to worry about here. So, use any source you want and enjoy!!
But, pairing it with a warm sounding source will yield a more harmonized presentation.
DSP and APP:
This is an interesting aspect of this IEM. Tanchjim has included a DSP module within the box which opens up different kind of possibilities and Tanchjim has come prepared. Tanchjim APK though not available on Playstore, can be downloaded from APKPure. Install the app, connect the IEM with DSP module, it asks to allow access to “Tanchjim Fission DSP” press ok and we are good to go. What this app offers are present and a Parametric Equalizer which is a nifty feature.
DSP SOUND QUALITY:
Even though this is a useful feature if you don’t want to use an amp it’s sound quality is below par at best and is best for casual listening only. It misses out on most of the technical bits. Most of the background instruments in mid and treble range are smeared. There is barely any resolution and definition to talk about. Fission loses it’s air between instruments, barely gets any points for layering and separation thanks to the very intimate stage that barely had any X-axis width.
What’s good are lower end notes and vocals. It definitely offers slightly better note weight for the lower end and a bit more poise with the vocals. Both male and female vocals are very good with texture and timber but lack height. This DSP module is for emergency use cases IMO.
SOUND QUALITY:
Ahh, ignore the DSP, that was kind of frustrating, especially when you know the real potential of this highly capable IEM. Some are even labeling this as the Mini Origin and I wouldn’t like to totally disagree with them either. Fission definitely uses it’s “Dual Magnetic Chamber Tech 5” drivers to good use to extract high quality details and clarity. Yes, this is not a fun sounding IEM, by a very good margin, with a well balanced signature, even more balanced than the slightly V shaped Origin. Tuned to deliver class leading resolution and definition this IEM can sound slightly cold and dry at times. It barely had any warmth as it leans towards a more neutral tonality.
TUNINGS:
Let’s get over with the tuning shenanigans too. It comes with 3 tuning nozzles and I am using the Copper/Brass nozzles which offers slightly less treble energy compared to to other two. S/standard nozzle offers slightly more energy while the T/Titanium nozzles have a bit more brightness. For a clarity oriented IEM, that focuses on accuracy and precision, I believe the Brass/copper nozzles are the most comfortable.
Bass knob on the other hand mostly affects the mid bass, it barely brings in extra rumbles to sub-bass notes but definitely helps with the mid bass punch. Tune it to your preference, I have the bass on maximum, which too is barely kicking the ear drums but has enough weight behind the notes. Doesn’t matter what you do, Fission won’t be a bassy IEM for sure but one can definitely try different type of combinations.
BASS:
Let me repeat myself, doesn’t matter what you do, Tanchjim Fission won’t be a bassy IEM, but what does that exactly mean? In simpler words it has faster decay, doesn’t let notes to precipitate and has a small area of impact too. It doesn’t offer much weight behind the notes, even with maximum bass setting.
We get good sub-bass extension but it doesn’t offer much rumbles but is sufficient to keep me seated. Mid bass has a bit more body and slightly bigger area of impact but it still is not meaty enough. Fission doesn’t move much air but what ever it has, travels in and downward. It definitely helps with clarity and dynamics, creates very good contrast between two adjacent bass notes. While offering excellent resolution, we get very good layered delivery too. It has no problems with hitting upper bass notes cleanly.
MID RANGE:
Fission is not a bassy IEM and it doesn’t try to do much there but the mid range is where this IEM exhibits it’s technical abilities. There is no bass bleed to worry about while the transition phase from upper bass to lower mids offer superb clarity and definition with the right amount of energy. If you are looking for warm, thick, smooth and full notes, please look at the Origin maybe. Fission is a bit on the cold and dry side of the spectrum, offering crispy and clean notes.
This mid range offers some of the best transparency with very good clarity. If you are looking for accuracy and precision, this definitely is it. Instruments have very good height and decent air between them. I would have liked a bit more subtlety with background instruments but they definitely offers very good sonics and clarity. It has no veiling at the floor either, enhancing overall clarity. It offers superb resolution and finishing definition. Upper mid isn’t aggressive but it has the bite and a bit of extra energy. If you are sensitive to lean notes, this might induce some fatigue after 2-3 hrs.
Vocals on the other hand don’t sound very organic, emotional or juicy but they aren’t thin at the floor while the finishing regions are slightly on the leaner side. They do have good height and finishing definition but male vocals lack the grunt while female vocals are a lot more accurate. Tonality and timber are on the neutral side with decent cohesion.
HIGHS:
I usually say stuff like “This IEM carries over the energy gained with the upper mids into the lower treble region” and that’s exactly what’s happening here but there is a catch. This energy isn’t maintained till the end even though it doesn’t lack with extension, it definitely gets slightly darker in the upper treble region. Clarity and definition till the mid treble range is superb with very good transparency. We get very good finishing definition. Because of it’s slightly smaller stage we don’t get high quality layering and separation, air between instruments though present it isn’t as good with busy tracks. Instrument placement though is very good.
STAGE AND IMAGING:
Even though Fission has been touted as a “Mini Origin” it definitely doesn’t have the 3D imaging of the more expensive IEMs. Another thing is it’s imaging, which doesn’t have a lot of presence up front, it’s curved around the back of the head and most of the notes have down ward projection. It’s not a negative or positive but a matter of projection. It has a more taller stage than wider and has decent Z-axis depth giving it a decent stage size. We get most of instruments placed inside the head while some of the treble and vocal notes make their way out of the head. Sonics are good with nice clarity and transient effects but they lack a bit of subtlety. I would have liked a bit more air and slightly further placed notes but it seems I am asking for a lot from an already high quality IEM.
COMPARISONS:
VS Origin:
These share the same driver tech but if you think these two have same drivers, you are wrong. Origin is simply a more technically capable IEM with bigger stage, air and better layering. It doesn’t have the sharpness or fatiguing factor of the Fission either but yes, it is a bit on the heavier side and ships with a inferior cable.
Here is my in detail comparison review video:
VS Kefine Quatio:
Quatio has a very different kind of setup but has similar tonality and timber at exactly same price. This quad driver IEM has two DD and two BA drivers and has better end to end extension. It has slightly better sub-bass extension and rumbles too but overall bass body isn’t much bigger, what it does better is movement of air which gives it a more natural feeling. Decay marginally slower, letting to notes precipitate. Mid range slightly less forward but has a bit less energetic too. It has equally impressive finishing definition and resolution but doesn’t have the stage or note height. Both have similar tonality and timber but Quatio is slightly drier sounding. Instruments on Quatio are more forgiving and less tiring, doesn’t have extra energy at the upper mids either. Treble too is slightly more airy and extended thanks to the bigger stage. It has a more spread out imaging with similarly capable imaging and cue placement.
Fission on the other hand has better, accuracy, precision, cleaner bass, overall better transparency and technical abilities. And the aces under it sleeves are the tuning options and DSP module, enhancing its versatility.
CONCLUSION:
Oh, keep no doubts about the technical abilities of this IEM. If you are looking for a detailed and clarity oriented IEM under $150, this is the one to get. It ships with one of the best cable and has superb build quality too. It’s clean clear and balanced presentation easily puts it ahead of the competition.
Everything isn’t rosy though. Because of its dry timber, imperfections in the tracks get amplified. If you can see past this small flaw, this is an excellent IEM to have for those looking for a clean and transparent sounding IEM with customizability.
