The Capsule to Follow

Ratings

Pros

• Classic PK sound, more energetic and with more detail.
• Packaging and accessories.
• Level of construction.
• Cable.

Cons

• Treble not too extensive or crunchy.

Purchase Link

https://penonaudio.com/bgvp-dx5.html

Link to the Store

https://penonaudio.com/

Introduction

The DX5s are the second headphones I review, from the brand coming from China, BGVP. Previously they were the fantastic IEMS ArtMagic DH3. This time they are earbuds. The vast majority of earbuds are built on the classic MX500 or PK capsules. There are not many brands that decide to invest in creating a different model. However, BGVP has done it, and has built it entirely in metal, completely polished, with a very high degree of design and construction. Of course, it has MMCX connectors and a cable completely at height. In addition, the 14.2mm dynamic driver has a diaphragm that has been built in DLC (Diamon-like carbon). But surely there are still many more surprises.

Specifications

• Type of Drivers: Dynamic 14.2mm with diaphragm built in DLC
• Frequency Response: 10Hz-45kHz
• Sensitivity: ≥ 111dB SPL/MW
• Impedance: 30Ω
• Channel Difference: < 1dB
• Distortion Ratio: < 0.5% (1kHz)
• Jack connector: 3.5mm Gold-plated audio, with angled connector
• Capsule Connection Type: MMCX
• Cable length: 1.2m
• Nominal power: 8mW

Packaging

BGVP does not treat DX5s inferior to its other products, since their packaging is still as careful and excellent as that used in higher models. The earbuds come in a large box covered in white cardboard. In its front is drawn the silhouette of the DX5, with the seal Hi-Res Audio. On the back are the specifications and information about the brand. The sides of the box are black and on them appear the options of the headphones and the logo of the brand. Once the outer cardboard has been removed, the black, textured box with the letters BGVP in silver appears on the front. When the lid is opened, the earbuds are encased in a custom mold. They do not have the cable connected. Underneath them, inscribed in the mold, appears the name of the brand and the model. There is a wonderful semi-rigid box, with zipper, classic brand, embedded in the bottom of the mold. Inside is the cable and accessories. Outside, in the box, there is also an envelope. In short, what you can find inside the box is:

• The 2 capsules.
• One envelope, with instructions and guarantee.
• A semi-rigid transport box with zipper.
• An 8-strand MMCX cable.
• A clothes clip.
• Seal of guarantee
• Three pairs of black donut foams.
• Three pairs of complete foams in black, blue and white.
• Two rubber hooks for adjusting the cable over the ear.
• Four adapters with flippers.

As you can see, the packaging and accessories are far above what other brands offer. There is no differential treatment, in the brand, between the packaging of some IEMS or Earbuds, despite the significant price difference. In this sense, it only remains to congratulate the brand.

Construction and Design

The capsules are made of metal. For this, a five-axis CNC lathe has been used, following a complex process, which includes different phases: polishing, sandblasting, oxidation and carving. All this to provide a luxurious result, as if it were a work of art.

The external part is black, while the micro-perforated grill is metallic and grey. On both sides of the capsule, there are two flat and straight grooves, inside of which there are two holes, which act as a bass port. The capsules have a certain conical trunk shape. Along its surface there are regular waves, which enhance the beauty of the design. The external face is flat and has been used to place the logo of the brand, in relief, inside a round and silver ring. The MMCX connection is completely gold-plated and is protected by a black plastic ring.

The hybrid cable has 8 strands 5N twisted together. 4 are silver plated and 4 are copper. The MMCX connectors are gold plated and their sleeves follow the design of the capsules, as they are metallic, have a black texture, with incisions similar to those in them. Both are cylindrical, with a conical finish where the cable is born. In this part, a small transparent plastic tube protects the joint. The letters R and L are painted in white, inside a circle of equal colour, near the MMCX connection. The divider has a very similar shape to the connectors, except that the connecting tubes are made of black plastic. There is a black plastic pin, whose hole is shaped like an eight. The 3.5mm connector is the same black cylinder, but angled and larger. The letters BGVP are painted white on the back. Finally, it is worth mentioning the Velcro tape, the brand of the house, which has the cable, to facilitate storage and avoid tangles.

I value, with great enthusiasm, the effort that the brand has made, both in the design and in the manufacture of these earbuds. Mainly for the quality achieved. But fundamentally, for the clear intention to differentiate its product from the rest of traced forms without effort, nor innovation. The DX5 are the perfect example of how earbuds can be comfortable, lightweight, well-built and have MMCX connection, without losing the harmony of the whole.

Adjustment and Ergonomics

Given the rounded shape of the capsules and the distance that separates the grid from the connector cone, the DX5 can be used in the traditional way, with the cable downwards, or upwards, placing the cable on the ear. Its rounded capsule and smaller diameter than other models, also allows a fairly free fit inside our ears, being able to rotate at will, with the intention of improving both the fit and the sound provided. The result is an almost perfect ergonomics and a very adaptable adjustment to each particular need.

The cable provided is one of the best in its class: its braided strands have a very appropriate final diameter, as it has the right point of rigidity and flexibility to ensure comfort, avoid tangles and allow easy storage. It lacks microphones and its L connector ensures greater durability. The slide and the velcro tape are the final and essential accessories that every excellent cable should have. Without a doubt, the whole is outstanding.

Sound

Profile

The sound is reminiscent of the characteristics of many earbuds with a PK capsule: emphasized low mids, eminently warm sound, with a certain dark look, balanced bass and detailed treble. It is true that, as the burning process has progressed, some of these nuances have even been enhanced.

Bass

Bass stand out for their execution speed, precision, cleanliness, impact and neutrality in the rest of the ranges. As I say, the hit is characterized by having a fast and dry impact. I wouldn’t say the DX5s have light bass because the bass lines are clearly recognizable, but they’re more balanced than neutral. Their incidence is totally limited to their range. But it is true that the sub-bass, is more reduced in presence, than the rest of the area, therefore, is less audible. The speed of bass dissipates much of its impact on sound. For the same reason, the texture is quite soft and smooth, and the vibrations are perceived in a subtle and delicate way. What can be said is that the bass is farther away than the middle zone. Even the first highs stand out a little more. The energy of the range is based more on reproducing a concise hit in the lower middle than on moving more air. Hence its sonority is audiophile grade.

Mids

The DX5s have a clear emphasis on the lower mids, something that is always a double-edged sword. The positive side is the frontality and presence of the voices, as well as their remarkable nearness. They are almost zenithal, with a very soft and smooth texture, without too much brightness, provided with a veiled warmth, but without any trace of sibilances. Just one step behind, the rest of the instruments of the mid zone remain. They also enjoy a lot of strength and a fairly complete and warm body, especially the guitars, whose weight within the sound is perceived instantly. All this makes these earbuds the ideal allies for many vocal, pop and rock genres. The negative part is a certain patina of darkness and veil, so characteristic of this type of profile. In addition, there is a feeling of lack of air and brightness in the midrange, which produces a rounded and shaded sound, perhaps duller than the count, something that is perceived in drums, violins, keyboards and other instruments with sharper timbres. But even so, the sound has remarkable clarity and separation. The level of precision does not decline in this zone, being fundamental to understand the quality of the driver used. And this characteristic is, without a doubt, one of the best virtues of the DX5, its remarkable resolution capacity.

As a result, the mid zone stands as the range of greatest presence and incidence, within the sound of the DX5, despite the fact that, from the center to the beginning of the highs, there is a perceived presence gap, which motivates the characteristics already mentioned.

Treble

Although the upper mids do not have much of a presence, the treble ones resolve the issue, delivering a good dose of initial spark. As a result, the level of detail rises, benefiting the DX5’s ability to solve. But, in general, the upper zone has a behavior similar to the mid zone: after the initial presence, the trebles are gradually diluted. Once again, the high flashes are perceived as wide and soft, far from any stridency, nothing fatiguing, without being crunchy, neither too lively, nor too dynamic, accentuating the mid-centric character of the model.

Soundstage, Separation

Possibly, the DX5 have the best scene among the earbuds with this type of profile. Everything that could be negative in this aspect is neutralized. Although it cannot be said that their scene is wide either, due to their concentrated focus, the DX5 have a circular stage with good height and similar dimensions in all directions. But their strong point is the intimate character and the frontality of the sound, which generates the lower mids zone. Thanks to the good separation and the level of detail, this intimacy extends further, but without offering a large stage. That’s why its sound feels so comfortable and realistic as a whole, a forcibly larger scene would have been unnatural for this profile.

Comparisons

ISN Rambo

The comparison is direct, against one of the earbuds PK with the most different profile, within their class. Something that is perceived instantaneously: the Rambo are not so frontal in the mid zone, their vowels are farther away, but also softer, sweeter and more relaxed, they are perceived cleaner and also brighter, since their distance makes the upper zone more present. Comparatively speaking, all the sound of the Rambo is far away and relaxed, with a more V profile, compared to the DX5, which has more power, sensitivity, frontality and global energy.

The perception of the lower zone of both earbuds is quite similar, but there is something of greater forcefulness in the hit of the DX5, due to the greater energy it possesses. While the Rambo, feel somewhat deeper. There is a bit of greater concretion and definition in the bass of the DX5, due to its good speed. The texture and color are similar, but the roughness of Rambo is more pleasing to me.

In the mid-zone, the differences begin to be large: the DX5s are totally frontal and close, with much vocal predominance. The Rambo have that sense of more distant mids, closer to the lows, where the voices feel halfway, but also more homogeneous with the rest of the sound, achieving greater harmony between all the bands. The direct sound of the mid zone of the DX5 is more concentrated and energetic, with more presence and incidence in the rest of the bands, especially in the upper zone. Rambo has freer highs, which allow to sound with more brightness and incidence in the overall sound. In this way, their definition is also more concrete, sounding finer and clearer, with that spark that the DX5 do not have.

The DX5 scene is more concentrated and circular, the Rambo have a wider presentation. Everything is due to the way of exposing the sound that each one offers, in relation to the closeness and distance of its image. The separation is more similar, but due to the level of resolution and precision of the DX5, the Rambo are placed one point behind in this aspect.

In terms of packaging, accessories and construction, the DX5 is a much more complete product than the Rambo.

OurArt Ti7

One of the earbuds that can compete in beauty and uniqueness with the DX5, are the Ti7. Although, at the level of accessories, BGVP has offered a more complete product, with a superior cable.

The most special thing about the Ti7 is its particular shape, which is quite a challenge to ergonomics. They can be used in the traditional way, such as over the ear. But, it is true that the fit can be somewhat complex, because their capsules are fat. In this way, the perceived sound can be different between different users, since it will depend on the seal obtained. And this is something that feels as soon as both earbuds fit together: The amount of bass obtained with the DX5 is higher, because its fit is more optimal. In this way, the depth, punch and incidence of the lower zone is clearly perceived superior. Meanwhile, the Ti7, have a lower zone lighter, with a softer texture, with a simpler hit and less energy. But in the mid zone, the situation is reversed, because there, the Ourart bring out all their true potential. Especially in the vocal zone, it doesn’t sound as present and close as in the DX5, but they have a greater degree of delicacy, a more pleasant timbre too, finally sounding more natural, less dark. The rest of the instrumentation receives a relaxation treatment, farther away from the energetic frontality of the DX5. The upper zone continues to offer differences: the Ti7 trebles sound more extensive, fine and sparkling than the DX5, where they are softer and more polished. In this way, the profiles of both earbuds are opposite, the DX5s are warm and the Ti7s are cold. But both rotate from their central zone, but each profile conditions the sonority of that part. And although, in the background, both earbuds have a mid-centric profile, each one sounds quite different.

If we talk about scene, again the differences shine, although practically everything is said: the scene of the Ti7 is quite large and despite the good detail and separation of the DX5, this section is the strength of the Ourart. The level of detail and resolution of the Ti7 benefits from the greater extension of their highs, obtaining, also, better score in this aspect.

Conclusion

Earbuds are often perceived as an almost artisan product: their packaging is usually minimal or very brief, a simple cardboard box, decorated or not, a carrying case and some foams and donuts. BGVP has broken the deck in this sense: the DX5 have the best and most complete presentation, which I have seen in earbuds. In this sense, they have spared no effort and it is very similar to their higher priced IEMs. Also the design is new and particular, avoiding the classic plastic capsules. But in the end, what matters is the sound: The DX5 present the classic PK sound, but enhanced, with energetic and close mids, great level of detail and a very effective and precise low area. Lovers of this type of sound will not be disappointed. There are other earbuds, but they are not BGVP.

Sources Used During the Analysis

• Burson Audio Playmate
• F.Audio XS03
• ACMEE MF-01
• Tempotec V1-A