Tangzu WAN'ER S.G. Studio Edition Review

Intro:

The Tangzu Wan'er S.G was a beloved pair of earphones that captured hearts with its warm, inviting sound. Now, the Studio Edition steps onto the scene, promising a more refined and analytical listening experience. It’s like trading in your cosy sweater for a tailored suit - still comfortable, but with a sharper focus on details.

Come join us as we dissect the new wan’er to see if this new direction hits the right notes.

Specifications:

IMPEDANCE: 16Ω

SENSITIVITY: 105dB

FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 20Hz - 20KHz

CABLE LENGTH: 1.2m

PIN TYPE: 0.78mm 2-PIN CONNECTOR

PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm

DRIVER UNIT(S): 1 DYNAMIC DRIVER

Out Of the Box:

When we first received the IEM from Tangzu the very first thing that caught our eyes was that the packaging was exactly the same; although the waifus on the box are different for the colour variants. Other than the difference in waifus everything to the packaging the number of items included was exactly similar as before. You get the micro-fibre cloth, beneath which unveils the IEM and under that are your accessories and wires. What was a bit disappointing was the lack of a pouch being provided with the IEM considering the big box and a change in the price point. Now let’s nitpick a bit about the accessories that were provided, the stock tips are fantastic and fit perfectly into the ear providing a good seal and they even sound great with the IEM however not much can be said about the cable. The cable provided is a 4 core cable with SPC, it’s a very light cable almost similar to the one that they provided in the previous iteration. But the main issue that we found was that there was a small steel wire inside the ear hooks which just completely ruins the comfort and it is very hard to get it into proper shape.

Build and Comfort

Tangzu has maintained the comfortable and secure fit of the original Wan'er S.G. The Studio Edition has a similar ergonomic design, ensuring long listening sessions without discomfort. While the build quality remains solid, the Studio Edition's slightly higher price point might lead to expectations of a more premium feel.

The Sound

Gears Tested on:

Sony NW-A55: High Gain and FLAC

Spotify

Xiaomi Note 11

Just to be clear again the wan’er SE is not a basshead set and neither was the OG wan’er. The OG wan’er had a neutral warm tuning however for the SE, the warmth is much more laid back. The sub bass and midbass are equal in elevation although for some tracks the mid bass is a bit more emphasised. Even though the mid bass being a tad bit dominant it does not bleed into the lower mids. The bass decay and attack is also on the faster side which also helps not distort the overall clarity and contains good detail and texture.

The midrange offers a balanced presentation devoid of any bleed. The lower midrange has a slight warmth, providing a solid foundation for vocals and instruments. Vocals, especially female vocals, contain good clarity and detail.The overall midrange tonality is natural and cohesive, with instruments like percussion and strings sounding full, benefiting from the slightly thicker lower midrange. The upper midrange is crisp and detailed without being overly bright or harsh.

The treble is also very, VERY, safely tuned. It’s neither bright nor neutral and has a decent amount of air and sparkle to it. Even though it is a bit forward it does not sound that harsh which allows for fatigue free listening.

One of the notable improvements in the Studio Edition is its expanded soundstage. Compared to the original Wan'er S.G, the Studio Edition presents a wider soundstage.

Conclusion

The Tangzu Wan’er S.G Studio Edition is a compelling choice for audiophiles seeking a more precise and detailed sound experience. It’s a significant upgrade from the original, offering improved clarity, soundstage, and overall sound quality. While some might prefer the warmer character of the previous model, the Studio Edition delivers a captivating and revealing listening experience. However at the end of the day, sound preference is subjective and we would advise giving the IEM an audition before making your final decision.

Author: Shaikh Jiaan Bin Tariq