AFUL - Explorer

I have all three IEMs, the Kefine Klean is good for $49 and if you change the stock cable it improves the bass and treble becoming warmer if using the Nicehck GTC5 cable. The Lesthouer S08 is a very good warm planar IEM I think is a really good option with the 25% discounts on Amazon US it comes out at around $66, but check the forums on Amazon it says frequently returned there are users who report problems with the right earbud, I have not had any problems, they sound very different from the Kefine Klean, the sound is somewhat dark with soft and detailed but not extended treble. The best for my personal taste is the Aful Explorer but it is the most expensive $119.99, it has a very organic warm sound, with good bass and detailed and sweet mids with a narrow but very musical presentation and the treble is somewhat attenuated with a certain level of detail. Any of these IEMs are wonderful but if you have the money go for the Aful Explorer if you like the warm signature and good musical representation.

Of all the IEMs I have, for some reason, the one I like the most is the Aful Explorer. I also have the Kefine Klean, Kefine Delci Ae, Sivga Que, Kiwi Ears Airoso, Lesthouer S08, Simgot EW300, Hidizs MP143, and MP145. All of these IEMs have a somewhat neutral, warm signature, but they all have excellent, very different sounds. I recommend the Aful Explorer, it's the best without a doubt. I won't tell you about the Hidizs MP145 because they're too big and can have adjustment problems if you have a narrow ear canal. Another thing I recommend is that you play with different types of cables and eartips, they can make a difference.

I have the ISN H20 and they're wonderful, better than many more expensive IEMs. My absolute favorite is the Aful Explorer, followed by the ISN H20, above the Lesthouer S08, Hidiz MP145 and MP143, Kefine Delci AE, etc.

I have both. P7's more analytical but only sound good with clear recordings. Explorers sounds fantastic in everything and any genre. Love them.

AFUL Explorer is not new. Not even close. I'm skipping a wordy lead up and unboxing by hitting a few main points. - Love the case. Puck style with a zipper. The suede material to the case is very nice to the touch. - The cable is ok. Not cheap feeling but I chose a 3rd party cable as you can see in the photo. - Eartips. Good enough selection especially if these are your first IEM. I chose to use a set of modded tips (I'll get into that a little further down) The photo does NOT do these IEM justice. I was taken aback when I opened up the box and able to look at the IEMs in person. The rich blue tones with the sparkles really is eye catching. These are not a large IEM and likely to fit most ears. My only issue with the build. Same issue i have with the Performer 5+2, as well as Truthear Hexa. There is NO FILTER at the nozzle. The openings to the sound tubes are completely "unguarded" which triggers my paranoia. This may do the same for some of you also. MY solution is to use ear tips that are equipped with "gunk guards" I chose AZLA SednaEarfit tips, specifically the ASMR Max. I like these shorter ear tips on my IEMs because they provide a deep ear fit. As I mentioned before, this specific set of tips are modded. I have used foam from a set of foam ear tips to fill the space under the umbrella or cap. Resulting in a short, filtered hybrid tip...perfect for my use and sound preference (with this set) Sound: The Explorer is a revelation. I've seen and read up on every review I got my hands on before buying. Each review said the same things... "warm" "smooth" "relaxing" "unique" I wholeheartedly agree with all those opinions. I think what does get missed is the details these can still reveal in a well mixed/mastered track. The soundstage is not wide, but the imaging is still superb. The bass is quite obviously notable. However, I prefer a bit more bass with this warm presentation. This is where those short hybrid tips come into play. The deep insertion plus the foam helped bring more "warmth" to the table. The resulting sound is NOT muddy nor was the treble veiled (which goes back to the details and imaging) The mids, specifically vocals, some of the tracks I listened to...the vocals seemed a little recessed. Enough for me to take notice, but not enough to prevent me from enjoying the music with this set. The Explorer IS that nice warm IEM you can sit on the couch or in bed to relax to. Is it my first choice if I want to do some critical listening? No. Is it a set I'll pick up to vibe with my tunes...ABSOLUTELY. They perform well across genres: rock, pop, hip hop, edm, METAL! They are smooth and warm enough that JPOP and K-POP can be enjoyed at higher volumes without fatigue. Film scores (the good ones...😅) can come across as cinematic, particularly Hans Zimmer's F1 and the two Dune sound tracks. The warm lush sound is not my preference for classical pieces nor jazz pieces. BUT, that's just me. I really enjoy the vibe this set brings. It is my go-to for my listening session before I go to sleep. Definitely a good set to add to your collection if you have several others. If this is a prospective first set...then it's a safe first purchase. Especially if you're coming from TWS that are quite generous in the low end.

Aful Explorer would be better to listen to rock. It's very fun tuning and can be listened to with max volume for a long time.

I have tried both. I prefer the relaxed vocals and rich, warm tone of the Explorers. Some say they are dark. I disagree: There is just the right amount of treble in my opinion. I found the Defiant a tad bit forward in the vocals. Not quite shouty but too close to the line for me. Oh... and the Explorers are more comfortable to me as well.

Yeah that's also true, I just don't want to get ripped off. I also got the Aful Explorer the other day at half price, so at least I have something else to compare.

Why on earth would you call them "cheap budget crap IEMs"?? They are $120 well-made, well-tuned IEMs, not $20 stuff slapped together with super cheap materials and drivers and then poorly tuned. And you obviously love their tuning, performance, and - I'm assuming - fit. Makes no sense to say that unless you just think something has to cost $500 to be worthwhile. 🤷🏻♀️

Yeah that's also true, I just don't want to get ripped off. I also got the Aful Explorer the other day at half price, so at least I have something else to compare.

How does it sound with metal/rock? I have the Aful Explorer, just looking for a different tonality which I suppose it has.

I have the Explorer and the Airoso and don't think you can go wrong with either one.

If you have a budget of $100, I'd suggest Aful Explorer.

Explorer isn't crap. It's uniquely tuned.

I have an Aful Explorer purchased from AliExpress for $78 a few months ago and have the Performer 5+2 on the way now, purchased for $154 in the most recent Ali sale. The Amazon prices aren't quite that good, so I'm glad I got them when and where I did. I'm looking for a good deal on the MagicOne but $111 is not it. It's been as low as $58 in AliExpress sales in the past, so gonna wait and see if that price comes around again.

Get them Aful Explorer 120$ only + DAC 12$ This is type of sound that people come back to listen even when they have 300$ IEM It's nice and warm and not spicy or overly technical Otherwise Day break is great option for more accustomed correct sound, 170$ + 12 DAC I would not consider any other in that price range

I've listened to all except KE4, and base on what i thought: 1. If you like bass than the others: Aful Explorer with "L-shape sound signature" (on small volume). If you crank up volume to medium-high, sounds will much better but still focus on bass, especially subbass. 2. Harman enjoyer: Truthear Nova/Supermix 4 with "Harman/U-shape sound signature". SM4 will have more subbass than midbass, but doesn't bleeding to mid. Uppermid/female vocal sounds really good. Treble also, and feel it somehow better than Nova. If you like the "rumble" in your ears, you'll prefer SM4 than Nova, although both of them are Harman sound signature. 3. Less bass, vocal more sparkle than Harman: KE4 with "Meta/JM-1". Although I said I haven't listened KE4, but I experienced some higher "kinda" have same sound signature, like Softears Volume S/Thieaudio Hype 4. Sounds nearly perfect to me, not too much or too less bass, but vocal really shines overall. Treble reached enough height to not become too harsh like the name "meta". 4. Least bass of all with higher treble is S12 Pro. Cuz of Planar driver, the bass isn't really have much quantity, but it has good control, hit really tight, and decay very fast, which is not good for basshead. Treble is what it did best, it perfectly fit if you like listen to some genres with treble focus like orchestra or sth related. But if you like, you listen to many different genres, I recommend you choose Ziigaat Odyssey. Unboxing experience/packaging is very bad cuz they spent all money to the iems itself. Thats why it sounds good. If this will be your first iems then I recommend you should buy few cheap iems first to find out your liking. Tangzu Wan'er 2 for Vocal, Kinera Celest Wyvern Abyss/Wyvern Black Remaster (will release soon) for Bass, and Moondrop Lan for Treble. From what I learnt, the number of drivers is not the factor decides that iems is good or not. Look at the KZ, dumped in a hell lot of drivers, and it still sounds like dogshit to me. Compare to Aful Magicone, which uses only one BA driver, but it can make none of the bullshit KZ with the same, even higher price range can mess up with Magicone. Or higher we have Softears Twilight which is my future target, have only one Dynamic Driver at price 800$, but it still have a lot of respect from many audiophiles. Even higher? Sennheiser IE900, 1500$, still 1 Dynamic also.

I love the explorer probably my favorite IEM