Sound impressions: The Bass / Soundstage
I’d like first to start this sound impression, and perhaps also Kotori Audio would suggest not to make pre-judgments for its driver specs! This one is far different from that typical thin 1BA sound. Vampire is an extremely well-tuned IEM that proves it’s all about the right tuning technologies rather than simple driver counts. The elastic punchiness that Vampire has for the low-ends may get you to think these use a single DD.
Vampire’s sound signature is a gentle w-shaped sound with an extra emphasis on the low mids. The bass is well-bodied with that meaty punch and low-end fullness. The ultra-lows are considerably nice for a single BA IEM, doing a fine job bringing up those heavy, deep vibrations buzzing from the abyss. The mid-bass quantity is similar to those that are slightly v-shaped, or just the right amount that would satisfy the general most. Not lacking nor too bassy (though I wonder if it’s possible to make the bass excessive only using a single BA).
Casual 1BA IEMs tend to focus on clarity which, in exchange, sacrifices the fullness and richness, making the sound clean and clear, yet very thin and shrilling. Kotori Audio leveled well between revealing the low-end texture while preserving the full-bodiedness of the bass. Vampire provides pleasant enough bass resolution while keeping the texture natural and smooth.
Now that we’ve talked about the bass and fullness, it would be a good time to talk about the soundstage. Regardless of good tuning, as a 1BA IEM, creating a good, spacy soundstage is no easy task. So how did Vampire execute the staging? Simply said, it’s quite impressive. It doesn’t have a massive or gigantic, though Vampire creates a roomy and spatial staging similar to the feeling of a good-sized studio room.
Sound impressions: Vocals / Trebles
Now we moving on to the vocals. Vampire pulls the vocals a small step forward along with the smooth transition from the upper lows. vocals are more revealing in texture and transparency compared to the lows, all while offering a neutral-thick body. What is often overlooked for a single BA IEM is making the prominent yet natural separation between the low/mid/high. If failing this field, the instruments and vocals would sound all cramped into one big lump. However, Vampire has kept the three frequency ranges well divided, drawing prominent lines in between yet not making the transition unnatural or distanced.
Vampire has a neutral-dark brightness for the vocals but also has gently breezy airiness as well as an extra highlight on the upper mids, giving crisp texture and a careful shine of upper-end brilliance. What I particularly admire about Kotori Audio is the in-depth vocal presentation it creates. The vocals are tight and accurate in phasing, and despite using only a single BA driver, vocals scale large and dive deep, carrying a far-weighty sound than you would think.
Vocals don’t sound subdued and have impressive layering and separation abilities. Vampire doesn’t cause noticeable dips, sibilance, or spikes throughout the mid-range. Very rarely there is a glimpse of metallic nuance seen from the upper vocals but doesn’t develop into sibilance, let alone bothering to listen to, keeping the vocal range fatigue-free and flowingly stable.
Trebles are complementary to the lower frequencies, giving fair enough details and presence. While it’s mediocre in technicality, the extension and resolution are quite impressive. Nevertheless, while I’ve said the technicality is “mediocre”, if we consider the price of the Vampire, I can’t call it so mediocre as Vampire still rubs shoulders with similarly priced IEMs.
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