Yanyin Carmen

Summary

The video reviews the Yanon Carmen IEM, highlighting its premium build, beautiful design, and outstanding cable, but critiquing its sound performance, especially given its $849 price. The reviewer appreciates its aesthetics, but finds its audio tuning lacking, especially in the treble and tonal balance. The reviewer compares it to other IEMs like the Jay’s Estrella and AFU Cantor, ultimately concluding that while the Carmen may appeal to some listeners, it does not deliver enough value for its price. The recommendation is to test it personally before purchase, as the sound might not resonate with everyone.

Takeaways

• 💰 The Yanon Carmen IEM costs $849 but has some faults despite its premium build and design.
• 🎧 The shells are well-designed and resemble Zigat models, though they lack a perfect wing fit.
• 🪶 The IEM is slightly larger than the Magic One but still fits comfortably in the ear, feeling light and dainty.
• 🎨 The faceplate is beautifully designed, with metallic ear tips that hold well.
• 🔗 The cable is a standout feature: thick, chunky, with a nice chin slider and premium feel, but lacks swappable terminations.
• 👜 The accessory pouch feels cheap, especially for such a high-priced IEM, and the packaging is lackluster.
• 📊 The sound has a noticeable dip in the treble and a slight early 1kHz ridge, making it less impressive despite decent graphing and channel matching.
• 🔉 Compared to other IEMs like Jay's Estrella and AFU Cantor, the Carmen has less base and lacks energy in the upper mids and treble.
• 🎵 Certain tracks, especially classical pieces, sounded imbalanced and old on the Carmen IEM, while others like those from The Smiths worked well.
• 👎 Overall, the reviewer finds the Carmen's sound signature uninspiring, lacking in bass, treble bite, and imaging, and feels it's not worth the price without EQ adjustments.

Q & A

What is the price of the Yanon Carmen IEM?

The Yanon Carmen IEM costs $849.

What are the standout features of the Yanon Carmen IEM's build and design?

The Yanon Carmen IEM has fantastic metallic shells with a beautiful face plate and a high-quality, chunky cable. The cable is described as premium, with a nice chin slider and metallic connectors. However, it lacks swappable terminations.

What issues does the reviewer highlight about the Yanon Carmen IEM?

The reviewer points out several faults: lack of treble energy, scooped mids, dead upper air, lack of sound signature refinement, and poor packaging, including a cheap pouch. The reviewer also notes that the IEM lacks musicality and technicality, making it hard to recommend at its price point.

How does the reviewer feel about the packaging and accessories of the Yanon Carmen?

The reviewer is disappointed with the packaging and accessories, especially the inclusion of a cheap pouch for an $850 IEM. The accessories are considered bare-bones and not fitting for the price.

What does the reviewer say about the fit and comfort of the Yanon Carmen IEM?

Despite being slightly larger than some other IEMs, the Yanon Carmen fits well for the reviewer. It is described as dainty, chill in-ear, and comfortable to wear for most people.

How does the reviewer compare the Yanon Carmen to the Jay's Estrella IEM?

The reviewer finds the Jay's Estrella IEM superior, especially in terms of bass extension and overall sound quality. The Estrella has better treble extension and energy, while the Carmen feels neutered in comparison.

Does the Yanon Carmen perform well with different types of music according to the reviewer?

No, the reviewer finds that the Yanon Carmen struggles with many tracks, especially classical music, where it lacks balance and detail. Some songs, like those by The Smiths, sound decent, but overall, the IEM is not versatile across different genres.

What are the reviewer's thoughts on the tonal balance of the Yanon Carmen IEM?

The reviewer feels that the Yanon Carmen has an odd tonal balance. It lacks treble bite, has scooped mids, and doesn't provide enough detail, which affects the overall listening experience.

What are the positive aspects of the Yanon Carmen IEM according to the reviewer?

The reviewer appreciates the design of the face plate and the high-quality cable, which is considered beautiful, sturdy, and well-built.

Would the reviewer recommend the Yanon Carmen IEM?

No, the reviewer cannot recommend the Yanon Carmen IEM, especially at its price point. They suggest testing the IEM before buying and mention that alternatives, like the Jay's Estrella and U4s, are better choices.