the Echo of the Universe
PROS:
Balance-neutral sound signature
Smooth and soothing sound presentation
Decent detail retrieval
Sound stage
Relaxed and non-intrusive fit and wear
Gorgeous faceplate
Minimal BA timbre
CONS:
Tamed trebles might lack grit and bite for some
Texture of instruments are somewhat lacking (nitpick)
A protective box that is almost impossible to open without injuries!
INTRODUCTION:
Collaborations were notably prolific last year, indicating a trend of increased partnership among individuals and audio companies. Some of the crowd favorites are HBB (Hawaian Bad Boy) and the notorious Crinacle.
And now, the time has come for Gizaudio to shine! The face of Gizaudio is Timmy Vangtan. Actually, he is one of my go-to Youtubers. And even if we don’t always agree on the gear he reviews, watching and listening to him is chill and enjoyable.
Alright, let’s not waste anymore time and delve into the vast expanse sound of the universe.
FOREWORD:
The gear on hand has undergone at least 10-15 hours of use before it was assessed.
No EQ is ever applied in my reviews.
For the sake of convenience, I try my best to use a stock setup. Not everyone has access to personal ear tips or cables. If personal ear tips, cables, or accessories are used, you will be notified.
As I try to be objective, my claims inevitably will be subjective and biased to my personal preference. I cannot stress more that you should take this with a grain of salt for we have different perceptions to sound and what we hear.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Configuration: 1 x liquid silicone surround dynamic + 1 Sonion 2389 BA
Impedance: 14ohms
Sensitivity: 104db
Freq response: 20hz - 20khz
PACKAGING:
The packaging is straightforward and displays a simple front design featuring astrological elements, along with a tagline that reads “The Echo of the Deep.” The relevant companies and distributors, including Letshuoer, HiFiGO, and Gizaudio are clearly indicated. The back of the packaging displays the technical specifications. Upon sliding the packaging, the inner box is revealed, and upon unboxing it, the IEMs themselves are revealed, accompanied by a protective case that can be quite tricky to open.
These IEMs are nothing short of stunning, with a grand and breathtaking design that is sure to turn heads. They are absolutely gorgeous and a feast for the eyes. While my wife is particularly into resin design, having made some beautiful swirl designs herself, the colors chosen for these IEMs are both neat and well-thought-out, with each color complimenting the others perfectly. Though there may be no secret formula to this stunning design, I simply can’t ignore the fact that they are a true sight to behold. These IEMs are definitely a visual treat, and their beauty is sure to be appreciated by all.
In the box:
a pair of Galileo IEMs
the sturdy protective case
cable
paperworks
cleaning tool
3 pairs of medium bore tips (stiff, white in color)
3 pairs of medium bore tips (softer, black in color)
SOUND IMPRESSIONS:
Out of the box, the Galileo boasts an impressive neutral sound signature, with an underwhelming low frequency range and a well-defined midrange that provides a good sense of details and focus. The treble is a bit restrained but not to the extent that it sounds veiled or concealed. We shall delve into this further in due course.
In the facets of technical performance, the Galileo is acceptable and decent. It has marked several aspects in my book.
After conducting some A-B comparisons with my other IEMs, it is evident that the Galileo has a considerably wide sound stage, with many elements positioned noticeably to the left or right, yet not to the extent of sounding holographic. The stage profile is more prominent in width than in depth or height, and imaging is remarkably clear, with certain instruments placed in locations that are perceptible to the ears. Elements are also easily discernible and accurate in their positioning. The coherency between the DD and BA drivers is excellent, with no discernible sync issues, and the speed is commendable, although not the fastest I have encountered. Overall, the Galileo exhibits a laid-back character, rather than sounding agile and energetic.
Tonality and timbre are spot on for a hybrid setup which usually succumbs to DD configurations sounding more natural and organic. Instruments retain their significant timbre, sounding natural but are presented in a smoother sound without the compromise of being unnatural.
Breaking down the frequency range…
The Galileo presents a noticeably lean bass with a tight delivery, which will likely appeal to discerning listeners who prioritize clarity of details and nuances. Although this presentation may come across as less engaging, the Galileo manages to avoid sounding sterile and overly clinical. Drum kicks and bass guitars have reduced texture and details. One example is the bass solo in Daft Punk's "Fragments of Time" does not exhibit the same level of detail as I have observed in other, more detailed IEMs.
The midrange of the Galileo exhibits a pleasing smoothness, with well-balanced weight and body. The upper midrange is not emphasized, resulting in a passive sound presentation. Instruments in this range maintain good presence without sounding recessed, imparting a touch of warmth to the overall sound. While some may find the tuning of the midrange too safe, it remains proper and commendable.
The treble is easygoing, not too sharp, and laid-back - perfect for those long listening sessions. However, poorly mixed tracks can leave the treble sounding a little dull, which is a common problem being safely tuned. Personally, I opt for a bit more energy in my cymbals and hi-hats, but I must say, there's no pesky sibilance to be found here. Despite the subdued nature, there's still plenty of detail to be found. Nevertheless, neutral sources will somehow open the treble by a very negligible margin.
COMFORT AND WEAR:
The Galileo feels like an old shoe -- super comfy! But, you know how it goes with fit, right? For me though, it's like a second skin, the rounded design doesn't poke or prod anywhere and the weight is just right for when I'm out and about. Plus, I can wear these babies for my on-stage gigs without any fuss, going for 3-4 hours straight with only a few quick breaks in between.
COMPARISONS:
I will be comparing the Galileo to an old time favorite of mine which has a similar sound profile, configuration, and somehow, a close price point - the Kinera Idun Golden 2.0.
Vs Kinera Idun Golden
The Idun has a similar neutral signature to Galileo with some pros and cons. From a technical point of view, the sound stage is particularly narrower with Idun which results in less discernable imaging. Speed is almost on par on both IEMs but Galileo can be perceived as rather slow because of its relaxed sound profile. Vocals, on the other hand, are forward with Idun, thus portraying engagement on vocal tracks and a lot of instruments are much more audible and upfront and in very rare cases, sometimes, can be overwhelming to some. Overall, the sound profile is quite similar and carries a different methodology depicting Idun as the bright and colder pair and Galileo as the smooth, laid-back, and warmish pair. Do take note that these findings are nitpicks aside from the apparent difference in sound as I’ve just mentioned.
With a $50 price difference, personal preference plays a role in the decision. If you are a fan of neutral sound and would rather spend that extra $50 on a date with your sweetheart, then get the Galileo.
SOURCES:
Questyle QP2R
Hiby RS2
Ovidius B1
LG V30 quad dac with Centrance Dacport via Hiby music app
Oppo A94 with Centrance Dacport via Hiby music app
Oppo A94 with Ifi Hipdac v2 via Hiby music app
Macbook pro 2011 with Centrance Dacport via Foobar
Macbook pro 2011 with Ifi Hipdac v2 via Foobar
Tidal Masters
Qobuz Studio
Apple Music
TEST TRACKS:
Here are some tracks I usually listen to when reviewing:
That’s the way of the World by EWF
Africa by TOTO
The Girl in the Other Room by Diana Kral
Balmorhea album All is wild, All is Silent
Sila by Sud
Smooth Escape by D’Sound
Never too Much by Luther Vandross
P.Y.T by Michael Jackson
Ain’t no Sunshine by Eva Cassidy
Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC
Another one bites the Dust by Queen
Good times bad times by Edie Brickell
Alice in Wonderland by Bill Evans
Ain’t it Fun by Paramore
Redefine by Incubus
Far Away by Nickelback
Lovesong by Adele
Lingus by Snarky Puppy
Harvest for the World by Vanessa Williams
Love Bites by Def Leppard
No Such Thing by John Mayer
As by Stevie Wonder
Whip Appeal by Babyface
Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan
Futures by Prep
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Every Summertime by NIKI
SADE tracks
AC/DC tracks
Queen tracks
Daft punk
Prep
Joe Hisaishi
And many more… I always listen to High resolution format, being the least quality 16bit/44khz FLACS be it offline or online.
VERDICT:
In addition to its stunningly beautiful appearance, the Galileo boasts impressive sound quality, with a bit of trade-off in technicalities, sadly. Although its sound profile may not be particularly impressive for bass or treble enthusiasts, the Galileo is designed for those who prefer a flat, yet smooth and fluid audio presentation. Its unexaggerated sound profile prioritizes the clarity and balance of all sound elements. So, if you appreciate a polished and precise audio quality, the Galileo is an excellent choice.
Galileo enters a very congested price bracket with some crowd favorites like Dunu Titan S, Truthear HEXA, IKKO OH10, TRI Starsea, Kinera Idun Golden, and for me, personally, it still manages to be fairly exceptional in its own right. I must hand it to Timmy for collaborating with Letshuoer for making this brilliant pair.
I would like to thank the folks from HiFiGO and Neil Nino Clark for facilitating this group tour in our country. Cheers and catch you on the next one!
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