AFUL Performer 5: Pure Vocal with Balance Sound

  • Build and Comfort
  • Sound
  • Gaming Performance
  • Technicalities
4.7/5Overall Score
Pros
  • Balanced sound signature
  • Good quality bass but not quantity
  • Mature vocal, enjoyable mids
  • Clean and well-detailed treble
  • Lightweight and comfortable
  • Good Quality silver copper mixed cable
Cons
  • Fitting issue for small ears
  • Basic eartips
  • No for Bass lover
  • Treble might be harsh
  • Need power to drive the iems
AFUL Performer 5

Intro​

This is a pair of in-ear monitors (IEMs) from Aful. They are designed to offer a balanced sound profile with a strong bass response, enjoyable mids, and clear, detailed treble. It’s important for both audiophiles and regular users to find the right IEM that provides great sound quality and comfort. This review will go into great depth about the Performer 5, covering everything from how it sounds to how it’s packed.

Context​

It can be hard to find the right pair of in-ear monitors (IEMs) in the world of personal audio, which is always changing. Audiophiles and regular users alike are looking for headphones that have great sound quality, last a long time, and are comfortable to wear. The Aful Performer 5 stands out as a strong candidate in this crowded market. It promises a well-balanced sound with strong bass, clear mids, and detailed high. The goal of these IEMs is to fit a wide range of audio tastes and be comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. This review looks at the Aful Performer 5 in detail, pointing out both its good points and its flaws so that you can decide if it is the right choice for your audio needs.

I used the provided cable, which works well but does not have the standard tips. As a huge admirer of cable switching and tip rolling, I always use pure copper cable(Nicehck Mixpp & Stardream) with it. And, after experimenting with Penon Orange, Spinfit 145, W1, and Divinus Velvet, I chose the Spinfit W1 for its seal and comfort. My go-to setup is P5 with OCC copper cable and W1 eartips.

I own the Xudoo XD05 basic and the ddHIFI Tc44c, and I primarily listen to music on both. And occasionally I use my LG V60. I discovered that Performer 5 works well with the ddHIFI tc44c and the LG V60. And with the Xduoo XD05 basic? Oh man, they’ve been married from the beginning. And I don’t have to switch on ‘Bass’ to appreciate the body of the bass!

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Disclaimer​

I acquired the IEM with my own money and interest. There is no monitoring transaction with AFUL Acoustic. So, my review is unbiased and based on my listening experiences over the previous 2-3 months.

Note: I use this set of iems with this cable, eartips, and sources. That is the basis for my overall review.

If you want to buy this iem, visit HIFIGO. If you are from Bangladesh, you may visit GeekMart.

Technical Specification​

  • Driver: 1 DD (8mm) & 4 BA driver on each side
  • Impedance: 35Ω
  • Sensitivity: 110dB @1kHz
  • Frequency response: 5Hz – 35kHz
  • Passive noise reduction: 26dB
  • Connectors: 2-Pin 0.78mm
  • Termination: 3.5mm/ 4.4mm

What’s in the box​

  • The Aful Performer 5
  • Nicely braided multi-color cable with 3.5mm/4.4mm termination
  • 9 pairs of ear tips with blue, red & black bore (S, M, L for each color)
  • User manual & Warranty card
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Unboxing Experience​

The unpacking experience with the AFUL Performer 5 is somewhat typical. The IEMs themselves are packaged in a small cardboard box with a foam inlay. The basic components of AFUL are as follows: a simple carrying pouch, a variety of silicone ear tips in different sizes, and a detachable cable with a 0.78mm two-pin connector. Although the pouch may seem a little light, generally the package is useful and well-organized, with the protection of the IEMs being its first priority.

Build Quality​

Because they are made of resin, the shells themselves seem robust yet lightweight. This is significant since it lessens the possibility of damage from little drops or bumps in addition to making them pleasant for prolonged usage. For the price, the build quality feels excellent. This place doesn’t have any cheap-feeling plastic.

Yet another area where AFUL hasn’t cut corners is with the provided cable. It’s soft and well-made, with a braided pattern that adds flair and keeps tangles at bay. Above all, it does away with the infamous “microphonics” problem that grating cable noise that can be rather disturbing while listening. This lets you walk around freely without worrying about the wire making noise.

Fit & Comfort​

The design is outstanding on its own. Lightweight resin shells that are ergonomically designed to accommodate your ear’s curves are used in the Performer 5. In addition to reducing pressure points, its low-profile design guarantees a snug fit without being heavy. Second, AFUL is packaged with an assortment of silicone ear tips in varying sizes. Achieving a good seal and optimizing comfort and sound isolation requires finding the exact size for your ears. To put it simply, the AFUL Performer 5 achieves the ideal mix of comfort for extended listening sessions and a snug, noise-isolating fit.

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Sound impressions​

With its combination of dynamic drivers and balanced armature (made possible by that fancy 3D-printed technology!), the five-driver hybrid arrangement looks to be a good fit. Without overpowering the midrange, the bass is forceful and gratifyingly deep. Both male and female vocals are genuine and crystal clear, allowing you to hear every nuance of the performance. According to my preference, the instruments are given their own place in the mix since the RLC network for frequency correction has been fine-tuned. Even with complicated songs, this division is crucial since it makes it easy to follow along with each piece.

The Performer 5’s distinct separation more than makes up for its lack of the largest soundstage the seeming breadth and depth of the music. It seems that the high-damping air-pressure balancing mechanism is also doing a good job since, even with prolonged listening sessions, I haven’t encountered any significant problems with tiring sound. Overall, the AFUL Performer 5 delivers a satisfying and well-rounded listening experience that is ideal for a wide range of musical genres, in line with its technical specifications.

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Sub-Bass​

Bass enthusiasts might enjoy the AFUL Performer 5’s sub-bass capabilities. It goes deep to provide those gratifying low-end rumbles that give your music muscle and punch without overpowering the midrange and diluting the whole sound. Nonetheless, the voices and other instruments are still audibly heard due to the subdued bass presence. For anyone who wants a little more thump in their music without compromising clarity, it feels like a perfect balance.

The low-end thunder is supplied by Performer 5’s sub-bass. You can feel the deep bass drops of BIG Boi’s “Kill Jill” with a gratifying punch without overpowering the rest of the song when you crank it up. The same is true of Fleetwood Mac’s song “The Chain.” Because the Performer 5 can provide such low frequencies without distorting the sound, the classic bass solo is audible and distinct. The AFUL Performer 5’s sub-bass performance is thus certain to satisfy your cravings for either the deep undertones of classic rock or the thud of hip-hop.

Mid-Bass​

The mid-bass of the AFUL Performer 5 is just as good as the low-end rumbling. A tight, controlled performance with a locked-in rhythm section is what you should expect. Playing “Sweet Leaf” by Black Sabbath allows you to experience the punch of the drums and the strong base that the bassist has put down, all without any unwelcome boominess. This is also the case with Pink Floyd’s “One of These Days.” The Performer 5’s ability to cleanly differentiate instruments allows the dueling bass guitars to sound unique and articulate. Thus, the mid-bass response guarantees a strong and distinct rhythm section whether you’re headbanging to metal or losing yourself in classic rock.

Male vocal​

The AFUL Performer 5 is exceptional when it comes to male voices. You’re in for a treat if you like voices that sound rich and realistic. Turn up “Our Shangri-La” by Mark Knopfler and be ready to lose yourself in his unique, almost “meaty” voice. Delivering them with flawless clarity, Performer 5 captures all the subtleties and texture that contribute to the recognition of his voice. Here, the voices are unadulterated and distinct, taking center stage.

Softer voices also sound fantastically clear because of this clarity. Play “Kissing a Fool” by George Michael to allow Performer 5 to demonstrate its skill in handling delicate voices. From the delicate whispers to the forceful crescendos, each note is delivered with the exact passion and accuracy. Furthermore, even after lengthy sessions, I haven’t experienced any hearing fatigue. The AFUL Performer 5 guarantees a fatigue-free listening experience for male vocalists of all genres, whether of your preference for strong rock anthems or melancholic ballads.

Female vocal​

Female voices are another excellent point for the AFUL Performer 5. If you like voices with a genuine, organic tone, you’ll be pleased. Put on Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and let Stevie Nicks’ vocals take the spotlight. The Performer 5 authentically reproduces these, retaining the subtleties and breathy qualities that set her voice apart. There is no false coloration or harshness here, just a clean and precise presentation that remains faithful to the recording. Furthermore, I haven’t experienced any listening fatigue, even after lengthy sessions.

The Performer 5 also handles strong female voices with ease. Play Laura Branigan’s “Power of Love” to discover the depth and richness of her vocals. The Performer 5 transmits her voice with precision and clarity, letting you to feel the strength and passion in her performance. Despite its richness, the sound is fatigue-free, allowing you to enjoy belting voices without pain, even during extended listening periods.

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Treble​

With regard to treble performance, the AFUL Performer 5 treads carefully, providing clear clarity without compromising listener comfort. Consider a sophisticated orchestral work featuring a vocal solo, soaring cymbals, glockenspiels, and brilliant horns. To make sure you hear every subtlety, Performer 5 would articulate the vocalist’s voice clearly. There would be a pleasing brightness to the glockenspiels and a hint of shimmer without being harsh from the cymbals. The song would be energized by the horns’ continued brilliance.

Not that the treble goes too far. It doesn’t become exhausting even as it highlights intricacies in instruments like electric guitars and keyboards. Thus, even if those complex piano melodies or screamed electric guitar solos will be audible, long listening sessions won’t leave your ears ringing. The Performer 5 is an excellent option for a broad variety of genres, from rock and techno music to classical and acoustic.

Instruments​

The AFUL Performer 5 excels at separating and presenting a wide range of instruments with impressive clarity. Imagine a complex orchestra piece where each instrument gets its own moment to shine. A Vocaloid solo would be crystal clear and upfront, the glockenspiel’s chimes would be bright and delicate, and the electric guitars and keyboards would retain their distinct textures. This is all thanks to the well-tuned design of the IEMs that prevents instruments from bleeding into each other.

This translates beautifully to popular music genres as well. Throw on an 80’s track filled with layered keyboards, pounding kick drums, soaring vocals, and synth lines. The Performer 5 wouldn’t let anything get lost in the mix. The keyboards wouldn’t overpower the vocals, the synths would retain their punchy presence, and even subtle details like horns or piano flourishes would be clear and distinct. Whether you’re headbanging to rock with its driving electric guitars and pounding drums, or relaxing to a gentle acoustic guitar and violin melody, the AFUL Performer 5 ensures a detailed and enjoyable listening experience for all instruments.

Soundstage & Instruments separation​

A good compromise is reached between instrument separation and soundstage with the AFUL Performer 5. It’s not the widest soundstage, in my opinion, hence the music doesn’t seem as big as a huge performance hall. Starry instrument separation on the Performer 5 more than makes up for it. Think of a singer, a piano section, drums, violins, horns, cymbals, horns, and maybe even an acoustic guitar in a busy orchestra. While not necessary spaced out too far apart, the Performer 5 would make sure that every instrument had a unique position in the mix.

Front and center will be the crisp, distinct vocals, backed by well-defined guitar strumming, vivid keyboard melodies, and shimmering cymbals. The piano would provide its rich tones, the drums, violins, and acoustic guitar would all be easily identifiable, and the horns would still be brassy. Because the Performer 5 keeps everything tidy and divided, even complicated setups with a lot going on become delightful experiences.

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Gaming Performance​

While competitive gamers may want to search elsewhere, casual gamers may find the AFUL Performer 5 to be a good option. The performance of it in various genres is broken out here:

Competitive Games (Valorant, CS:GO):

The clear and detailed sound of the Performer 5 can be helpful in these games. Footsteps and other directional cues come through well, allowing you to stay on top of the action. However, the soundstage (the perceived width and depth of the music) is a bit limited. In a game where pinpointing enemy locations is crucial, a wider soundstage can give you a competitive edge.

Battle Royale Games (PUBG, Warzone 2):

Similar to competitive games, the Performer 5 delivers clear audio cues. You’ll hear gunshots and explosions with good detail, but the limited soundstage might make it harder to distinguish the exact direction of distant sounds.

Multiplayer Games (Battlefield, Call of Duty):

These games often have a lot going on at once – explosions, gunfire, vehicles, and chatter from teammates. The Performer 5’s clear sound and good instrument separation can help you stay aware of your surroundings, but the limited soundstage might make it difficult to pinpoint the exact location of everything happening around you.

Open-World Video Games (GTA 5, Red Dead Redemption 2):

In open-world adventures, the Performer 5 excels. Immersion into the game world is made possible by the detailed and clear sound. You’ll hear the music in great detail, as well as the rumble of your engine and pedestrian conversation. The experience isn’t diminished even if the soundstage isn’t the largest.

On the whole:

If you play casual games and value detailed, clear audio, the AFUL Performer 5 is a respectable option. But competitive players who need on exact direction cues may want to think into broader soundstage IEMs.

Conclusion​

The AFUL Performer 5 strikes a sweet spot for those who want balanced sound without sacrificing enjoyment. It delivers detailed audio that stays true to the recording, with a satisfying punch in the bass that complements the mids and clear, natural vocals. Instruments have their own space in the mix thanks to good separation, making complex music a pleasure to listen to. The treble adds a touch of sparkle without becoming harsh, ensuring fatigue-free listening even during long sessions. While the soundstage might not be the most expansive, it doesn’t hold the Performer 5 back.

For casual gamers, the Performer 5 is a solid choice. The clear and detailed sound lets you hear footsteps, gunshots, and other cues in games, keeping you immersed in the action. However, competitive gamers who rely heavily on precise directional audio might find the soundstage a bit limiting. Overall, the AFUL Performer 5 offers a well-rounded listening experience for many genres of music and casual gaming, all at this range price.

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Thanks for joining me on this deep dive into the AFUL Performer 5! I hope this review helped you decide if these versatile IEMs are a good fit for your listening preferences. Happy listening!

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MotherX1
MotherX1
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