The Preamble: But Why an “In-Ear Auditorium”?
I typically start the first sentence of the sound impression by briefly stating the sound signature of the IEM, yet for First Light, it’s not as simple as that, as it’s one of the most unexpected IEMs I’ve encountered. First Light has a more v-shaped sound, hence the vocals are relatively placed behind – but this is different from other typical v-shaped IEMs, as First Light is perhaps one of the most unusual, innovative IEMs, and I mean this in a positive light.
While I usually start talking sound impressions with the bass, let’s first go through the overall vibe and scheme of what First Light sounds like – it has a large, warm, and dark sound signature that focuses on the extreme depth and grandness of the music. The way how First Light presents the sound is far different from what typical IEMs would. W-shaped, V-shaped, or whatever – in my ears, the sound of First Light cannot be simply stated into the usual criteria I’d use. The way First Light portrays and displays the sound, as well as how it presents each sound spectrum all differ from the usual IEMs we’ve heard.
While the vocals are placements are placed fairly close to the ears, it’s slightly veiled – however, meanwhile not sound muffled or low in resolution. This is my biggest mystery with First Light that boggles my mind. First Light refuses to create the typical earphone sound but instead more of an auditorium – hence Rossi&Wing highlighting to state First Light as an “In-Ear Auditorium” rather than simply an in-ear monitor. If not, it sounds like a large, vast concert hall that is acoustically well-designed. Or a grand cathedral but without the excessive reverbs.
Lastly, please note that the sound impressions were majorly written based on Luminox Morningstar R2216 cable, though Vortex Ana-Vishuddha’s pairing and sound were also considered as I wrote things down.
The Bass: A Gentle Giant
So how’s the bass? First Light greets you with perhaps the largest bass you’ve heard. The quantity is sure plentiful, but I’m talking about the sheer size of it. What I appreciate from First Light’s bass is that despite it possibly being the largest bass I’ve heard from an earphone, the bass doesn’t get bombastic or overdone.
It actually has a gentle, solemn attitude that exudes the thickest bass color as well as a very thick density and a full body. The ultra-lows are clear and thick, and the ultra-low growls and vibrations are roomy and dense – and such intense ultra-low details are also done so gently without overly boosting the quantity.
Another part that I’ll keep mentioning is the “front-back imaging” that First Light has. Other TOTL or summit-fi IEMs could produce just as good bass performance as First Light, yet not for the front-back distancing. The bass’ front-back density and imaging are fulfilling, breathing in stereoscopic fun that makes other basshead IEMs sound two-dimensional while First Light is in the next dimension. It’s a basshead monster, yet it didn’t pour in all its resources to create such a bass, but just to get things started, I’m afraid.
The Vocals (1/2): An Actual Auditorium-like Experience
The vocals could be a mixed bag for many, especially if your ears are used to listening to aggressively unveiled sound signatures, or if you strictly prefer those types of sound.
However, First Light has a very unique mid-range, where it’s just slightly recessed (if not in a neutral position), while not having the vocals succumb to the bass. Sure, the vocals feel “veiled” if compared to the conventional IEMs, yet First Light’s vocals are very high resolution in every detail – this is why it took me a while to understand and comprehend how to describe this sound. I needed extensive time for my brain and ears to adjust to what First Light was trying to serve me. However, once your brain finishes its ‘burn-in’ time, it all starts to make sense, about the what and why of First Light’s vocal tuning, and let me explain further.
While having an in-ear form factor, the sound of First Light is not trying to produce a typical earphone sound. Conventional earphones with good clarity sound unveiled and upfront – but at the same time, the vocals are more like whispering to your ears, and despite how full-bodied the vocals are, the vocals only expand two-dimensionally. They would usually only increase in scale and thickness.
The Vocals (2/2): How Vocals Replicate This “Auditorium Experience”
However, as stated earlier in the earlier on the bass impressions, and First Light’s vocals also desire an auditorium-like or speaker-like experience. Not only does First Light have the largest scaling vocals in sheer size (which is completely different from simply sounding thick), but it also provides a front-back depth and layering that I haven’t heard from other earphones. The “front” is what other flagships or well-made IEMs could easily achieve, yet this back-end fulfillment and full-bodiedness is what initially caused me this awkward sense of vocal recess until understanding what First Light was doing – and why it felt so awkward.
First Light’s vocals that very well replicate a stadium or auditorium-like atmosphere, providing a very three-dimensional headroom, while not messing with the phasing of the sound. First Light scales extremely largely and it actually gives me a feeling that the sound is expanding far beyond my headroom, and this gets especially obvious if you tune into tracks that involve natural reverbs. It feels like a portable auditorium that you carry around… which is in your ears. It’s not at all the same experience as turning on the “3D effect” on your phone or audio devices. As repeated, First Light’s sound is iconic and unique, which is an experience I haven’t experienced despite going through so many TOTL IEMs.
The Highs: Supportive, Not Soulless
Now, since we’ve talked enough details about First Light’s unique and particular sound presentation, let’s talk more general characteristics of First Light. The mid-range is overall warm and dark, providing a very quiet and solemn timbre. The vocals are also very thick (but with the front-back specialty I’ve mentioned).
As for the depth, or “depth of field”, First Light demolishes most TOTL IEMs, achieving an intense depth possible from an IEM. The same goes for the layering level as well. First Light Since the vocals are slightly recessed or veiled compared to the conventional IEMs, if you’re strictly into those sound signatures or prefer bright vocals, First Light may not be your cup of tea. First Light may also not be ideal if you want that refreshing, sparkly upper-vocals, as First Light keeps the atmosphere evenly dark and warm.
However, since the warm airiness and roomy atmosphere that First Light offers, the headroom doesn’t feel stuffy or dull like some dark or basshead IEMs would. Also, First Light doesn’t mumble its details, since the vocals do more than a great job displaying the texture details. So the resolution is not something to be questioned of from First Light.
So if you’ve been preferring brighter-sounding IEMs because of achieving some air-flow for the mid-range, perhaps First Light would be an exception that you could enjoy despite it having a darker sound. Vocals flow extremely steady without noticeable dips – and of course, no sibilance or warps in timbre.
Now let’s talk about the trebles. There would be less to be talked about here, as trebles of First Light serve more as a complimentary of the low-mids than being the major player of the scene. First Light produces tidy trebles but is calm in its presence or quantity. It also has dark brightness and warm temperature, focusing more on the smoothness and density of the high-ends. While
The Other Aspects
First Light may not likely be ideal for those who seek highly penetrating trebles or strong treble transparency, simply summing up First Light’s treble as a “warm and dark supporter of the overall sound” would be a great understatement. The trebles portray a hefty weight and vast body (or scale), which also has great agility. The strike and decay are fast and accurate, keeping the trebles tight and lively. Thus the treble extension is still stellar (despite its rather shy quantity), so it doesn’t sound muffled or like it’s “hitting the ceiling”.
Next Page: Comparisons with PMG Apx SE / Rhapsodio Supreme V3