AFUL Explorer

Introduction
Yes, I know. Countless memes have been written about the brand but there's no denying what AFUL have paced since its introduction to the mass market. Starting off with the Performer5, I can understand its appeal to most people but I myself couldn't get over its apparent BA timbre. The sequel though is a set I am truly fond off. There is yet a set that to topple the detail retrieval, technicalities and the neutral balance of the Performer8 for me at the $300 range. I may have missed its Chinese counterparts with the Band series but they have established their footing with their patented technologies setting them apart from the other brands on the Chifi world. Never afraid to 'explore', they came out with the MagicOne and conducted a clinic on how to properly do a resonator with a single BA setup. The MagicOne remains my neutral staple apart from the Etymotic series. Now, they're back taking risks on their proprietary tech and now we have the Explorer, seemingly their budget take from the now defunct Performer3 name. Let's take a look on how the Explorer sets a new waypoint to AFUL's journey in establishing its name amongst the chi-fi flood.



Packaging and Inclusions
AFUL comes in with the necessary basics. Upon unveiling of the black box after unsleeving the cover, you are greeted with the nice nubuck zipcase and the beuatiful IEMs themselves along with some documentations like quality check certificate etc. The zipcase contains the very nice quality cable as well as 6 pairs of eartips. Just the right basics though it is recommended to tiproll especially if you're not getting the proper seal. As always, AFUL products seem to get gist in comfort as always since it doesn't stress your ears with its 3D Pressure Balance technology providing long hours of wear without the discomfort.



Build
The AFUL Explorer just looks gorgeous in its blue starry skylight finish in a resin shell. It features a 1DD+2BA configuration featuring an acoustic bass tube and 3D special-shaped resonator giving the frequencies its natural decay and extension in combination with their patented RLC network frequency distribution. Basically, you get all the tech from the Performer series and MagicOne combined to give you a unique sounding product at an affordable price.



Sound and Comparisons
The AFUL Explorer provides a balanced and natural sound unlike any other. I wouldn't definitely classify it as neutral but the holistic quantity of each frequency level makes it delight to listen to. From the ample and generous amount of bass (not skimping on quality either) to its smooth transition to the hefty and weighty mids. I wouldn't call it bloated but they do carry a natural note weight to them especially with male vocals. The timbre is also spot on, with very little BA timbre to nitpick on. The treble is smooth with minimal grain but somehow could use just a bit more sparkle to give it more air of you will especially since the presentation of the set is mostly intimate and close. Stage and imaging seem a bit narrow and closed in though I appreciate that despite the low physical count of drivers, the resolution do come through and is more than most sets in its price range. I also prefer the overall naturalness and timbre of the Explorer than its older sibling the Performer5. I can listen to the Explorer for hours for pleasure listening. That's quite something though as you would consider this set a contrast if you ever find the Simgot EA500 not to your liking. This is a definite consideration especially if you find the Simgot sets to bright. If you ever find yourself, looking for a different flavor to the Simgots as well as a more fun, easier-to-drive MagicOne then you might want to check the Explorer. It will not sound redundant and yet it is still tuned very well to avoid any quirkiness.



Conclusion
The AFUL Explorer is just the IEM you would want for pure pleasure listening and chilling to your library at the same time not find it boring all the while not looking for anything to nitpick. It sounds natural enough for you not to care about it being the affordable sibling of the AFUL stable. Combine that with the awesome looks that shouldn't even be in this price bracket. This is another winner for AFUL and they just continue to churn these rather under-the-radar releases. I would recommend for the majority as it is worth to check it out and have a listen. I brought this in a local meet and they find listening to it enjoying more for longer periods than a certain known set that costs more than double. That says a lot for a set worthy to explore.

Sidenotes:
IEM set has been listened via the Sony ZX-707, AK Kann Alpha, AFUL SnowyNight and Cayin RU7 separately using the Divinus Velvets eartips over the course of multiple genres across FLACs (16bit&24bit) and streaming (Tidal). The AFUL Explorer is available in HiFiGo for $119 - https://hifigo.com/products/aful-explorer

Possible the best hybrid IEM in the $100-$150 price range?​

With the Explorer, AFUL has seamlessly integrated the innovative single BA driver design of the Magic One, known for its resonator chamber technology and exceptional sound fidelity, with the multi-driver hybrid configuration of the Performer series. The promise of this combination should offer both the clarity and precision of best balanced armature drivers and the dynamic range and bass impact of dynamic drivers.

But does the Explorer live up to this promise. Read on to find out.

Introduction​

I have been enjoying the explorer for a few weeks and I finally feel like I can share some of my findings.

Let’s start to explore what you get in the box.

Unboxing Experience and Box Contents​

The unboxing experience of the AFUL Explorer is straightforward and elegant.




Removing the other covering you get a nice understated box:




Upon opening the box, you are immediately greeted by the beautifully designed Explorer IEMs.


The case features a combination of hard and soft materials, with a firm structure on the upper and lower sides and a softer texture around the zipper area.




Inside the case, you’ll find the cable of the AFUL Explorer and two sets of silicone ear tips. One set is white and made of white, soft silicone, while the other set is darker in color and made of harder silicone.


While the provided ear tips are functional, I highly recommend using your favorite ear tips for a more comfortable and personalized experience. I used the provided eartips (medium size) for some measurements, but I mainly used my favourite Dunu XL eartips for my listening. Though as I will explain in the listening impressions section I did spend a few days experimenting with different eartips.

I really like the build quality and design of shells - you do get that ‘stars’ in the night sky vibe from these IEMs:


They really are very beautiful shells:

Build Quality and Comfort​

The earpieces are ergonomically crafted to provide a very comfortable fit, even during prolonged listening sessions.

I brought the Explorer out with me on numerous long walks, I am doing ‘Camino’ walk across northern Spain again this year, and I am on the lookout for the perfect quality IEM for this walk. Bluetooth TWS sets while they are getting better do not sound as good as a wired IEM and I like to listen in comfort for the 4-5 hours of walking each day.

So I have both getting fit for my trip and also auditioning at the same time in the past week or so. So these are very comfortable. To get a feel for the shape I recorded a few short videos.

Firstly just on their own:



And from a different angle:



And finally in comparison with a Truthear Zero Red, which is similar in size but actually feels larger in my ears and where the angle of the nozzle is quiet different than the Explorer. The opinated ’lip’ on the Explorer also works well for me to keep the explorer from ‘moving’ around while I was walking.

I would guess that more people will find the explorer more comfortable than the Zero Red. But it is a large IEM, so for the other extreme, I have shown it with the much smaller Moondrop Chu II in this visual comparison:



One thing you can see in these videos is there is no ‘filter’ covering the nozzle of the Explorer, does this make a difference? Probably not but over time I would recommend make sure to clean the nozzle.

Additionally, the IEM features a vent positioned in the outer corner, strategically placed to prevent contact with the ears and ensure the ears don’t cover the vent.

The resin earpieces’ blue face plates do resemble a galaxy, evoking a stunning visual reminiscent of a starry sky. Here they are again this time with my Dunu XL eartips (with some ‘custom’ foam embeded for added comfort):

Overall, the AFUL Explorer’s design and construction are not only aesthetically pleasing but also contribute to a comfortable and enjoyable listening experience.

Sound Quality​

So I started my listening tests with my usual ‘audiophile’ playlist, and I was immediately very impressed with the sound, in almost all my sample tracks it provided an excellent tonality. But I did notice with some female vocal tracks, for example, “Summertime” by “The Sundays” I felt the singer’s voice was slightly muted compared with the jangly guitars on that track.

But let’s get into the details:

Bass​

The AFUL Explorer has an impressive bass response, tracks like “Limit of your Love” by James Blake had that deep yet accurate subwoofer bass that can be hard for cheaper IEM’s to produce, on other tracks like Hunter by Bjork at the 13 second mark the bass kick you get from the Explorer really lifts the overall experience of that song.

The mid-bass of the Explorer is punchy, powerful and delivers a strong slam and most importantly does not over power the midrange and provides a nice balance with the treble.

Midrange​

Other than a slight issue with some female vocals I found the midrange to be excellent, in some respects specifically around male vocals and piano and guitars the midrange reminded me of one of my favourite IEM’s from last year the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite for that ability to provide slight forwardness which is especially welcome if you listen to lots of pop, rock and acoustic based music.

Treble​

The treble for me was very smooth and accurate but never sibilant, I would guess people might call this a ‘boring’ sound and I can imagine some ‘reviewers’ saying the technicalities were not great but in reality the treble had no obviously flaws ( I even listened to some ‘audio sweeps’ to make sure the treble had no peaks or troughs ) and it was excellent.

What this means is if you really want to do a simple EQ of the Treble from the 7K+ up it will take to simple treble EQ “shelf” or just adjusting the treble in your music player to preference will do a nice job. “Over There” by “Japanese House” has some treble “peaks” which can sound a bit harsh on some incorrectly tuned IEM’s but not on the Explorer - I found that track can be a good way to subjectively get the right level of treble adjustment (if that is your preference), e.g. play it a few times adjusting the treble until you are happy and because of the smooth “non-peaky” treble beyond 7K it will be at that appropriate level throughout your listening experience.

Soundstage and Imaging​

The Explorer soundstage was good, but you cannot expect miracles with IEM’s, it will sound like its inside your head. The stage isn’t too wide, but just right providing a balanced sense of space and depth that enhances the overall listening experience. The details provided by the accurate treble and the excellent left/right channel matching (as you will see in the measurements) meant I got super accurate placement say while listening to “Fleetwood Mac” “Rumours” album (always a great test of the imaging accuracy IMO), you can imagine the band standing in 3D space in front of you during each song.

Overall, the sound out of the box is excellent and while I did do some tweaks ultimately to the sound profile (mainly using alternative ear-tips) you should not feel like you will need to do this.

Specifications and Measurements​

First here at the provided specifications:

• Model: AFUL Explorer
• Impedance: 26Ω ±10%
• Sensitivity: 108dB/mW
• Frequency Response: 10Hz - 30kHz
• Cable Length: 1.2m
• Driver Configuration: 1 Dynamic Driver + 2 Balanced Armatures
• Cable Connector: 2-Pin (0.78mm)
• Cable Termination: 4.4mm Balanced or 3.5mm
• Effective Sound Pressure Level Range: 20 - 108dB

Aful provided a nice diagram of the internal structure of the Explorer:

Frequency Response​

^Note: All these measurements (unless otherwise stated) where measured on my 711 Clone coupler using REW. And are available on my IEM measurement database here ^

Let us start with the ‘default’ frequency response with the supplied medium ear tips and compared with the Harman Adjust IE target:




But let’s get into some ‘Audio nerdy’ analysis.

First thing I noticed was how consistent the left and right channel measurements where. This is something you definitely do not get with sub $100 IEMs. This helps with imaging and overall clarity.

The second thing I noticed was the shortfall between 2K and 8K but this area (more specifically the 2K - 4K region) is where most people now because the 2019 Harman IE target is wrong and the community believe we will revised target soon. The ’new’ idea is mostly we have a preference tilt to show how this works lets compare the Explorer with the ‘Truthear Zero Red’ (which is close to a Harman reference):


So you can see the Truthear has less bass and more treble than the Explorer. This is there is now a trend to ’tilt’ the sound signature to be closer to ‘ideal’. This can be very subjective but it’s an interesting trend IMO and from the IEM’s that I have listened to it is a welcome change.

Aful were obviously tuning the Explorer for this ’tilt’ which is relaxed pinna region treble but may have overshot the mark slightly. To get to the bottom of this, I decided to compare my measurement with 2 of the most hyped (for their tuning) recent IEM’s in the Moondrop Dusk (specifically the ‘DSP/ USB’ tuning) and the new Dunu DaVinci. To illustrate this here is a comparison using data from GizAudio’s Squiq.link (with my Explorer measurements uploaded):



Note: The ‘Project Red’ is the Truthear Zero Red

So hopefully you can see that both of these highly recommended $300+ IEM’s have very similar bass and midrange to the Aful explorer and a similar (though not as dramatic) ‘relaxed’ 2K-8K compared to the ‘Harman’ and Harman tuned IEM's and in this case the Truthear Zero Red.

At this point, I thought the Aful Explorer was good but maybe some EQ, but then I decided to measure some alternative eartips (since I had subjectively switched to my Dunu XL and some Foam eartips pretty early in my listening tests) I thought I should measure the difference some eartips make in this specific region:



So this graph shows a lot of key information IMO, firstly with the 3 different eartips I measured the only area that changes is the treble, the bass and midrange are mostly identical. The triple flange was obviously the most dramatic and not recommended unless you want that ‘Harman’ IE boost in this region. The Foam tips on the other hand nicely boosted the treble in the 2K-5K region.

Also, I highlighted a few other things on this graph for a bit of analysis:

1. Da Vinci has too much bass - the Aful Explorer has a better bass
2. This upper midrange boost is very reminisent of one of my favourite IEM’s from last year the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite - I will show a comparison graph in a second
3. In this upper treble region, if you want that ‘sparkly’ treble you would to boost (a simple treble shelf will do as the Treble is very smooth on the Explorer with no annoying peaks and no sibiliance issues - it is sort of perfect to allow a smooth treble boost to taste)

So with that midrange comparison with the Kiwi Ears mentioned in 2 above here is a comparison graph:



The Kiwi ears Orchestra Lite has a similar midrange ‘boost’ between 1K - 2K but continues while the Explorer does start to recess the treble extension around 2K to bring in more inline with this ’tilt’ as mentioned above.

Overall in summary, I think the Frequency response of the Explorer is excellent out of the box, but I would recommend exploring some alternative ear tips like the Foam or maybe a double flange, and then it is a simple treble boost (only if it is your preference), with these tweaks you will get very close to the latest ‘hyped’ tuning, but I should repeat this already excellently tuned ’laided back’ sounding IEM.

If you want some slight EQ this is what I would recommend - not I think it is incorrect to EQ this straight to the Harman IE 2019 target - but since it is what we have I have shown what I believe ( without doing ear tip rolling ) which would be the best sounding EQ for this IEM:



So I am showing the EQ which was applied to the default measurement and not the Foam ear tips. This is 2 simple filters:

Filter 1: ON PK Fc 5000 Hz Gain 3.0 dB Q 1.300 Filter 2: ON HSC Fc 9000 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 1.300 And Filter 2 is totally optional and was just a preference of mine.

Finally, let delve into some other measurements which can be important:

Distortion​

Distortion is well controlled even at 94 dbSPL - always below audible limits:


Shown as a %, again it shows nothing to worry about you are getting the music as without any colouring:

Group Delay​

For those interested here is the Group delay showing no problems with any of the internal crossovers between the DD and the 2 BA’s:

Rating​

I have given the Explorer a 4.5 star pragmatic rating. It is an obvious step up in quality over the sub $100 IEM’s while offering a tuning which is good without any tweaks but is easily adjusted by those who use their own eartips (like myself).

People more used to an Harman tuning might want to use more EQ but I do not think that is correct for the Aful as the industry is moving in the correct direction now and with the Aful Explorer you can mostly experience that direction and I can’t wait to hear that they doing with future models in the Explorer series.

Conclusion​

The AFUL Explorer is a standout IEM that offers a unique sound signature that will appeal to a wide range of listeners. With its powerful bass, detailed midrange and a smooth treble region which can be manipulated easily, the Explorer delivers a listening experience that is both engaging and immersive. The impressive build quality, comfortable fit, and thoughtful design further enhances its appeal.

While it may not be perfect (no IEM in this price range is perfect), the Explorer’s combination of advanced technologies and sound quality makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a high-performance IEM at a reasonable price. It is a signicant step up in quality over sub $100 IEMs. I highly recommended for its value and sonic performance.

If you have ever talked about IEMs with me, you would likely notice two points: (1) I have a soft spot for the IEM manufacturer AFUL, and (2) I constantly refresh the news to wait for the release of the mythical AFUL flagship IEM - Cantor. So, needless to say, I was a bit disappointed when latest release from AFUL was not Cantor, but a 3-driver hybrid IEM named Explorer. Is it a distraction when the Cantor is getting ready for the limelight or another tour de force like the Magic One last year? Let’s read on to find out, my friends.

Forewords​

• What I look for in an IEM is immersion. I want to feel the orchestra around my head, track individual instruments, and hear all of their textures and details. I’m not picky about tonality, as long as it is not make the orchestra, violin, cellos, and pianos sound wrong.
• I rate IEMs within with a consistent scale from 1 (Poor) to 3 (Good) to 5 (Outstanding). An overall ranking of 3/5 or above is considered positive.
• Ranking list and measurement database are on my IEM review blog.
• Terms used in my reviews are consistent with the glossary by Headphonesty
• This review is based on a review sample from Hifigo (Thank you!). I have no affiliation with or financial interest in Hifigo and AFUL.
• The unit retails for $119 at the time this review was published. Unaffiliated links: Aliexpress, HiFiGo, Amazon US, Amazon JP

General Information​

The AFUL Explorer is a 3-driver hybrid IEM featuring a blend of two balanced armature (BA) drivers and one 8mm dynamic driver (DD). The BA drivers are responsible for mid and high frequencies, while the DD handles the bass. The Explorer employs a sophisticated 3-way electronic and acoustic crossover design, referred to by AFUL as the “RLC Network Frequency Division.” This system divides the incoming electrical signal among the three drivers, each of which directs sound through its own independent sound tube. These BA drivers are custom-designed, making their debut in AFUL’s previous model, the Magic One. The sound tubes themselves are 3D printed, incorporating intricate coils and curves to precisely manage air volume within the tubes. This design aids in sound dampening and utilizes Helmholtz resonance to fine-tune the frequency response of the drivers. Overall, the AFUL Explorer integrates several intriguing technologies. Do they translate to superior sound quality? We will see.

Non-sound Aspects​

Packaging and accessories: The packaging of the AFUL Explorer is unassuming and compact. Within the box, the earpieces and accessories are securely nestled in custom-cut foam. A small, round carrying case is provided, along with six sets of generic silicone ear tips. The included IEM cable features a 2-wire design and terminates with a 4.4mm jack, though a 3.5mm version is also available. One notable downside of the cable is the aggressive ear hooks, which can become uncomfortable after prolonged use.



Earpieces design: The earpieces are crafted using 3D printing technology from a lightweight plastic material, polished to a smooth and shiny finish. Their design mimics the shape of Custom IEMs (CIEM), offering a stable fit. These earpieces are notably smaller than typical CIEM-shaped IEMs, enhancing their comfort and fit. The 2-pin connector on the earpieces sits flush, maintaining a sleek profile. A vent hole at the bottom of the IEM helps release pressure from the dynamic driver, while the narrow, moderately long nozzles are consistent with previous AFUL designs.



Fit, comfort, and isolation: Thanks to their small, lightweight construction and narrower nozzles, the AFUL Explorer earpieces provide a very comfortable fit. Noise isolation is commendable, making these IEMs suitable for use on public transportation or in noisy environments.



Ear tips recommendation: For optimal fit, ear tips that allow for a deeper insertion are recommended, ensuring the earpieces rest securely against the concha of the ears. Personally, I find Tri Clarion ear tips to be an excellent choice.

Sonic Performance​

Testing setup:

• Sources: iBasso DX300, Luxury & Precision W4, FiiO K7, HiBy R3II
• Cable: Stock cable with 4.4mm termination
• Ear tips: Tri Clarion medium

Timbre, tonality, and tonal balance: Figure shows the frequency response of AFUL Explorer against the Harman in-ear target. Measurements were done with an IEC-711-compliant coupler and might only be compared with other measurements from this same coupler. Above 8kHz, the measurement might not be correct. Visit my graph database for more comparisons.



It is helpful to think of an IEM as a filter that highlights or subdues different parts of the incoming audio signal. This effect can be measured objectively by the squiggly lines above, called Frequency Response (FR) graphs, which measure how loud an IEM is at different frequencies from 20Hz (bass) to 20kHz (upper treble). Subjectivity is how your ears and brain interpret the effect of that filter on your music and decide whether it is “enjoyable.” There are some “rules of thumb” when it comes to tonality, but most interesting IEMs usually bend the rules masterfully.

The sound signature of the AFUL Explorer belongs to the rare breed known as “L-shaped.” This signature is characterized by a pronounced bass response, a neutral-warm midrange, and an evenly extended treble that reaches far into the upper treble region. Bass instruments, such as double basses, lower strings of cellos, and trombones, are distinctly highlighted whenever they appear in the mix. Fortunately, this emphasis does not overpower the rest of the mix or create a “muffled” sensation.



For instance, when listening to Bach’s violin sonatas and partitas performed by Kavakos, the violin’s natural timbre is preserved with perhaps a touch more richness than usual, without any sense of unnaturalness. Similarly, in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons performed by Janine Jansen, the string instruments sound natural while the cellos and basses provide a prominent low-pitch rumble that anchors the performance with a sense of power. On the track “ABC (feat. Sophia Black)” from Polyphia’s album “Remember That You Will Die,” the bass slam is significant, yet the vocals remain clear and separated from the chaotic background instruments.

The treble loudness varies between tracks, with cymbals and hats usually in line with or behind the midrange instruments, resulting in a smooth and detailed treble that avoids being piercing or harsh. However, my only complaint about the tonality of the AFUL Explorer is that the upper midrange feels a few decibels too subdued, leading to a lack of “shine” and edge in female vocals and brass instruments, particularly around the 3kHz and 4kHz regions. Despite this, AFUL has done an excellent job with the L-shaped sound signature of the Explorer, creating a pleasant and natural tonality that works well with a variety of music genres while offering a fresh presentation compared to other IEMs that converge toward a Harman-like tonality. Overall, I rate the tonality of the Explorer as great (4/5).

Bass and perceived dynamic:

The AFUL Explorer’s bass performance can be evaluated through three distinct aspects: the articulation of transients, the weight of the transients, and the texture of the bass note itself. In terms of weight and transient response, the Explorer excels, providing a powerful and physical impact that is particularly evident in tracks like “Playing God” by Polyphia, where each bass drop is accompanied by a satisfying sense of air being pushed against the eardrum. Additionally, the texture of the bass is noteworthy, allowing me to discern the detailed rumble of double basses in orchestral pieces and the intricate low-pitch lines of bass guitars.



While the Explorer’s articulation of transients is acceptable, I personally still prefer even sharper attack and more pronounced bass slams. This could potentially be improved with added energy around the 5kHz region. Overall, the bass performance of the AFUL Explorer stands out, making it a key highlight of this IEM, earning a commendable rating of 4/5 (great).

Resolution: To me, “resolution” can be broken down into three components: (1) Sharpness, incisiveness, or “definition” of note attacks (see the figure above). (2) The separation of instruments and vocals, especially when they overlap on the soundstage. (3) The texture and details in the decay side of the notes. The first two give music clarity and make it easy to track individual elements of a mix. The last provides music details and nuances.



At a first listen, the AFUL Explorer might seem less incisive and articulate than it truly is due to its tonal balance. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that note attacks remain well-defined, without being overly smoothed or rounded off. The attack edges of the notes are present, albeit less emphasized. The separation is commendable, although not without flaws. For instance, in more chaotic tracks such as those by Polyphia, it becomes challenging to distinguish and follow individual elements within the mix. This observation of “commendable, although not without flaws” extends to the details and textures of the musical notes in the midrange produced by the Explorer.



One area where Explorer impresses me was the resolution of the treble. When focusing on cymbals and hi-hats in Polyphia tracks, I can discern subtle details in the decay of cymbal hits, rather than just a high-pitched splashy noise. In direct comparison to my benchmark IEMs, the AFUL Explorer matches the resolution of the Moondrop Blessing 2, which I consider my standard for a “Good” rating of 3/5. Consequently, I rate the resolution of the AFUL Explorer as 3/5 (Good).

Stereo imaging and soundstage: Stereo imaging or “soundstage” is a psychoacoustic illusion that different recording elements appear at various locations inside and around your head. Your brain creates based on the cues in the recording, which are enhanced or diminushed by your IEMs, your DAC, and your amplifier. In rare cases, with some specific songs, some IEMs can trick you into thinking that the sound comes from the environment (a.k.a., “holographic”)



The soundstage of the AFUL Explorer is somewhat confined, with the “sphere of sound” primarily located within my head. Yet, this presentation offers a sense of three-dimensionality. Beyond the typical left-to-right placement of instruments, I can discern a clear sense of near-to-far positioning. Occasionally, instruments and vocals seem to float higher in the stage, almost as if they are above me.



Typically, the bass lines are positioned closer, while the midrange is set further back. Adjusting the volume also affects the perceived distance of the soundstage; at lower volumes, the bass feels more immediate and central whilst the midrange sits further back reminding me of listening to my near-field speakers, while at higher volumes, the midrange becomes more prominent, with the bass pushed forward all the way to the back of my head. Overall, I would rate the soundstage and imaging performance of the AFUL Explorer as good (3/5), with the depth and layering it achieves compensating for the otherwise compressed stage.

Multimedia usage:

When it comes to FPS gaming with the AFUL Explorer, I find the experience quite immersive. The soundstage presents itself in a spherical manner, allowing me to gauge the direction and distance of various in-game sounds fairly accurately. However, I do notice that the positioning could be a bit sharper.



As for multimedia usage, particularly movies and video games, the bass of the AFUL Explorer adds a layer of depth and atmosphere to the audio. It enriches the sound, making cinematic experiences more engaging and interactive.

Pairing​

AFUL Explorer is a rather easy-to-drive IEM. It delivers a decent performance straight out of the Apple dongle. However, its true potential begins to unfold when paired with slightly more capable sources, such as micro digital audio players like the HiBy R3II. Here, the stage of the AFUL Explorer can extend marginally, offering a slightly enhanced listening experience. For those seeking an even further improvement in sound quality, transitioning to high-end DAPs with stronger amplifiers or integrating it into a desktop setup could yield more noticeable enhancements.

Comparisons​

In comparing the AFUL Explorer against AFUL’s entire lineup, I found distinct differences in tonality, bass quality, soundstage, and resolution.



When pitted against the AFUL Performer 5, the Explorer offers a smoother, L-shaped tuning compared to the Performer 5’s V-shaped signature. Explorer boasts better bass quality while maintaining a compressed yet more interesting soundstage with improved depth and layering. However, Performer 5 edges out slightly in resolution and note articulation.



Against the AFUL Performer 8, the Explorer stands out with its more balanced tonality, contrasting the Performer 8’s honky midrange and edgier treble. While Performer 8 excels in resolution, Explorer’s bass quality surpasses it. Despite Performer 8’s technical prowess, Explorer presents a viable alternative with its overall tonal balance.



Finally, compared to the AFUL Magic One, the Explorer delivers a thicker, denser sound with significantly more bass. While Magic One offers a more open soundstage and superior midrange, Explorer’s bass prowess remains unmatched.

Conclusions​

The AFUL Explorer offers a rare “L-shaped” sound signature characterized by pronounced bass, neutral-warm midrange, and extended treble. Its bass performance excels in weight, transient response, and texture, providing a powerful impact while maintaining detailed rumble. Although the upper midrange feels slightly subdued, AFUL has crafted a pleasant and natural tonality that complements a wide range of music styles. The soundstage, though somewhat confined, exhibits depth and layering, compensating for its compressed nature. Overall, Explorer is another compelling entry and the first basshead in AFUL’s line up.

What I like about this IEM:

• BASS
• Stereo imaging, particularly depth and layering
• Well implemented L-shaped sound signature
• Fit and comfort
• Price

What could be improved:

• The stock cable has too aggressive ear hooks
• A few dB extra around 3-5kHz could improve the articulation and dynamic

Absolute Sonic Quality Rating: 3.5/5 - Very Good

Bias Score: 4/5 - I like this IEM



Updated: June 1, 2024