Compared to AFUL Magic One (Review link)
The first thing I’ve noticed between these two is the power difference. Despite Vampire using a single-end 3.5mm termination, the 4.4mm version of Magic One still requires me to turn up the volume to a noticeable extent.
The wideness and staging are Magic One’s strongest points. The vocals have a slightly breezier, cooler tone, and the upper mids are also a tad more airy. The resolution of the vocals is also a bit better on Magic One, though only marginally. However, in comparison with Vampire, Magic One’s vocals also sound rather thin while Vampire offers a fulfilling, thick vocal body and density. Also, in exchange for retrieving better texture clarity, Magic One does sound a bit drier than Vampire. Magic One handles most genres well, yet the female vocals’ upper tones (where the sibilance normally happens) get slightly rougher in texture, which may bother some.
Meanwhile, Vampire has better depth, density, and smoothness. Magic One sounds more roomy for the sub-bass. However, the density, along with the “abyss-like” dark, in-depth bass is better portrayed through Vampire. The bass dropping to the lowest point is slightly more prominently done with the Vampire. As mentioned earlier, the vocals are warmer in tone and fuller in body, along with tilting more towards achieving creamy, smooth timbre and texture across the range, while the upper ends may not get technical or crispy as Magic One. Also, Vampire has better bass clarity, predominantly due to the denser, deeper sound it overall has.
Compared to Binary Acoustics Chopin (Review link)
Describing the pros and cons between these two feels like a typical single driver vs. hybrid driver design IEM. Chopin creates a more spherical headroom and a much stronger spatial soundstage. But then again, for those who are used to listening to single-driver IEMs, or at least compared to Vampire, you can feel the distanced phasing differences (although Chopin has done it very well in this field). The bass and treble are prominent, yet the vocals are vividly pulled up close, creating Chopin’s own headroom.
Meanwhile, Vampire sticks to the original nature of the music source, desiring a perfectly accurate phasing, placing vocals and instruments as they’re supposed to. Vocals are prominent in Vampire, yet it isn’t vividly divided and pulled in like Chopin but just plays along with the rest of the musical details. In fact, the vocals sound more cohesive and consolidated on Vampire, which I praise greatly for Kotori’s tuning skills considering they only use a single BA. Though of course, when it comes to enjoying maximum richness and resolution, Chopin would likely match you better as it provides a tight, deep, crisp, and flashy W-shaped sound signature.
Vampire may have a “cloudier” sound compared to Chopin, the timbre and details that Vampire provides are not to be overlooked or to be looked down upon. It has a mystique sound signature that oozes with thick depth, darkness, and this very specific atmospheric timbre. While Vampire may not be as resolving as Chopin, It’s a type of sound that pulls you into the music with its captivating tone.
Lastly, Vampire’s bass performance is pretty much in the same league as Chopin’s (except being slightly less sharp) which is impressive as Vampire is utilizing a full-range BA while Chopin has dedicated a large dynamic driver solely for the low-ends. The bass scales nearly as large as Chopin along with extension and depth being likewise.
Verdicts: Not Your Average 1BA
There are all sorts of multi-driver IEMs you could get in this price range – 8BA, 1DD+2BA+2EST tribrid, 2DD+3BA hybrid, etc… there are numerous IEMs hopping into the trend of sporting eye-catching driver specs to make you think you’re getting “more out of your money” as it involves more driver components and costs.
Vampire, on the other hand, uses a single BA which would make most people make their prejudiced or overlook this IEM, yet those who know how a truly well-tuned 1BA IEM is, know the potential and their strong charms. Even if you have your prejudice or biases towards pulling the trigger for a 1BA IEM, try listening to Vampire. Drinking your biased blood, it will eventually make you one of them; a Vampire.
I find Vampire as Kotori Audio’s “flare-gun” product alerting the market that they’re ready to show what they’re able to do, showing what are the “basics” of quality sound tuning. If you’re looking for a sub $99 IEM, I’d confidently suggest this to anyone trying to enter the in-ear audiophile hobby or those who are looking for an affordable yet significant earphone upgrade.
