Bassy and Detailed Bird

 

Ratings

 

 

Pros

 

• Immersive and enveloping sound.
• Warmth and detail.
• Very realistic instrumental stage and recreation, almost «live».
• Exceptional presentation and packaging.

 

Cons

 

• Driver Flex.
• Slight dependence on the sound offering in relation to the adjustment / sealing achieved.

 

Purchase Link

 

https://www.xtenik.com/product/oriolus-finschi-hybrid-headphone/

 

Link to the Store

 

https://www.xtenik.com/shop/

 

Introduction

 

Oriolus is a well-known Japanese brand of portable Hi-Fi, which has in its catalog both IEMs, DAPs and amplifiers. On this occasion, the Finschi are the most affordable IEMs they have on the market. They are hybrid headphones, which integrate a BA of Knowles and a 10mm DD, customized by the brand itself. For this occasion, the Finschi incorporates a technology called «speaker sub-frequency», which provides greater performance in the lower zone, generating bass of greater depth and power. And it goes without saying that this technology is not trivial, but its efficiency is instantly perceived. Already, from their frequency response, it is noticeable that the Finschi have a good enhancement in the lower zone, but without that supposes a loss, neither of resolution nor detail. Something that, on the contrary, characterize these EMIs. So let us see what these beautiful IEMs are capable of.

 

 

Specifications

 

• Driver: Knowles balanced armature + 10mm dynamic hybrid driver
• Frequency range: 10-40 kHz
• Sensitivity: 112 dB / mW
• Impedance: 18Ω
• Channel Difference:
• Cable: 3.5mm
• Type of capsule connection: 2pin 0.78mm
• Weight: 25±5g

 

 

Packaging

 

The Oriolus Finschi are wrapped in a white cardboard cover, with a photo of the IEMs on top. Specifications are shown on the back. Its dimensions are: 177x110x58mm. After removing the case, there is an elegant and sober black premium cardboard box, with silver letters of the brand in the center. Its closure is magnetic and after its opening is observed that under the lid, there is a sheet of foam glued, which prevents movement of the interior content, in addition to protecting it. The first thing you can see inside is a small instruction booklet and the warranty card. After each document, a plastic bag covers a large protective case. It is made of hard, black plastic. At the top there is a metal plate with the brand and model. It has two large rear hinges and two locks that pivot on metal pins, which are adjusted by means of click anchorage. On the right side, a C-shaped handle, with a hole in its front, allows the passage to a knotted rope, whose end is sealed by a beveled plastic top with horizontal grooves. The size of the case is large for transport purposes, perfect for protecting IEMs. Once opened, the IEMs are embedded in a velvet-lined foam mold, with the cable rolled up on its outer edge. This mold can be removed from the case, allowing you to see sheets of foam adhered on both sides, which protect the star product. Underneath the case, there is still a bag containing the product:

 

• Three pairs of silicone tips sizes SxMxL
• Two pairs of foam tips sizes MxL
• A pair of M-size bi-flange tips
• A cleaning brush
• A clothespin.

 

Once the IEMs removed from the protective mold, they are observed to be wearing medium sized silicone tips.

The cable is connected to the capsules and has a strip of turned skin, with the name of the mark engraved on it. The function of this strip is to collect the cable.

 

The presentation is superb, almost luxurious, one of the best in its price range. I just miss a smaller and more practical transport box.

 

 

Construction and Design

 

Finschi have an ergonomic shape that fits completely to the ears. Their thickness is somewhat elevated, while the length of the nozzles is not. In addition, they have a large groove close to the edge, to securely fit the silicone tips. The capsules are made of a translucent, dark brown resin. The right capsule has a red dot on the top to distinguish the channel. On the outside, you can read the letters of the brand, in relief and gold. The outer coating of the cable connectors, which fit the capsules, is the same colour. Both are golden cylinders, with the letters of the channel inscribed on them. The connection is two pins of 0.78mm. From each cylinder comes a pair of braided cables, covered with shrink-wrapped thermoplastic with the form of a question mark, for an ideal fit on the ear. It has a black plastic cylinder for the adjustment under the chin. The divider is another golden cylinder of the same colour as the connectors and the angled jack. The connector is 3.5mm gold plated. The cable is 4-core, mixed copper and silver plated. Coiled to it there is a tape in raw skin, which is used to help collect it.

The level of construction is remarkable, although the capsules are made of plastic. The level of their assembly is very high and there is no gap or error in them.

The holes on the outer sides of the capsules are striking: they are the bass ports.

There are also two well-differentiated holes in the nozzles, one is smaller and darker, while the other has a kind of green filter. With these holes so visible, it is normal that, as a complement, a brush with a fork comes to clean them.

 

The design could highlight its ergonomic shape, the combination of colors used, the short length of the nozzles and the materials used. The whole, in this way, offers a high degree of quality, simplicity, elegance and a very low weight.

 

 

Adjustment and Ergonomics

 

The generous, chubby size of the capsules completely covers the shells of the ears and gently fits with the root of the helix. I haven’t appreciated any discomfort, not even in long listening sessions. The short length of the nozzles makes the fitting superficial. To improve the sealing, in my case, it has been necessary to use wide channel tips, filled with foam, homemade. In this way, the seal is greatly increased, achieving greater comfort, insulation and sound immersion sensation.

 

As a summary, the fit is remarkable, as is the insulation. The comfort is high, although I must notify that the great sensation of sealing achieved can generate a «vacuum effect» between the tips and the ear canal. This can cause differences in sound, if the adjustment is not the right one.

 

 

Sound

 

Profile

 

The profile of the Finschi is markedly warm, almost bassy, with very linear mids, soft and relaxed highs. Despite the predominance of its lower zone, it has high levels of transparency, a great sense of openness, clean sound and a remarkable separation and detail.

 

 

Bass

 

Cemented on a linear base of sub bass, their presence is stellar. The bass starts from a very deep origin, but unexpectedly soft, sweet, almost velvety, without any apex of roughness or aggressiveness. This characteristic brings, to a great extent, the predominant sensation of warmth in its sound. Another sonorous particularity, this time, more dependent on the tips used, the level of sealing and the size of its channel, is the surrounding capacity, almost at the edge of the flood, which generates the bass. It is not for lack of speed in the execution, as I say, depending on the tips used, it is possible to extol the immersive quality that possess the Finschi, elevating the presence of the lows, arriving at levels of subwoofer. This sensation can also be lightened by using JVC’s Spiral Dot olives. These provide a more balanced sound, boosting more openness than depth.

When talking about texture, it refers to the prevailing softness, not so much to detail, but more to depth.

 

 

Mids

 

The mid range is marked by the conjunction bass-tips-sealed achieved. And their presence is subject to its consequences. What is beyond doubt is the warmth, softness and, above all, naturalness. The mids continue to enjoy that velvety sweetness, where transparency, detail, separation and light darkness are the predominant qualities. In this way, the tone of the mids benefits from all this, turning out to be relaxed, analogical, credible and musical. But it is true that, after the bass nebula, the mids are somewhat backward, not veiled or covered, but in a position less close to the lower zone, but gains intimacy with the hours of listening.

 

 

Treble

 

As can be seen in the frequency response, the Finschi have polished and smooth trebles, nothing strident, very much in tune with the rest of their profile. Their great virtue, perhaps thanks to the good tuning of their BA drivers, is their ability to offer details in a very precise way, without creating any sensation of excessive brightness, nor penetrating highs. In this way, wheezing is non-existent.

And, although I have a declared taste for this type of high frequencies, I must also say that a point of greater spark, brightness and extension, would have provided a somewhat more dynamic and lively, as opposed to the predominant musicality of the whole.

 

 

Soundstage, Separation

 

The surrounding capacity of the lower zone is excellent and this is a very complicated quality, as locating the bass directionality is almost impossible. Therefore, generating that atmosphere offered by the Finschi is highly remarkable. Thus, the image is open, very circular, high and three-dimensional. The mids are more frontal and the details widen the scene laterally.

The separation and the general cleanliness of the sound, contribute to perceive a very aired instrumental distribution, where the different planes are easy to distinguish. Its recreation is clear and concise, due to the great detail shown.

Undoubtedly, the Finschi are IEMs that have a great capacity of immersion, producing a sensation of being «inside the music» quite remarkable.

 

 

Comparisons

 

TFZ Tequila1

 

Possibly one of my preferred IEMs in its range, practically unbeatable in quality/price ratio.

The first differential sensation between the two is reflected in its profile, with the Finschi being warmer than the Tequila 1. Meanwhile, the TFZs offer a more vivid and dynamic sound, with that extra accent in the high mids and first highs.

Starting at the bottom, the Oriolus, overflow in quantity, presence and sub-bass to the TFZ, which is no small thing. However, control falls to the Tequila side, achieving greater balance and control, allowing the rest of the range to show off their qualities with greater freedom. And this is noticeable as you go up the frequency scale: the mid-range is projected sharper, somewhat closer, but also colder and thinner, although brighter and happier. In the Finschi, the sensation is the other way around, they enjoy a bigger body and an analogical sensation, but they look duller, comparatively speaking.

The highs start with an upsurge in Tequila, something that affects its sound globally. Thus, this characteristic offers that spark that provides definition, extra brightness, greater dynamics, resolution and sharpness. While, higher up, things get quite even, almost tracing the graph up to 10Khz.

At the stage level, the Finschi offer that surrounding and immersive sensation that supersedes the width and semicircular sensation of the TFZ. The greater detail and definition of Tequila brings the planes closer to the listener, while the greater depth and height of Oriolus takes advantage of them in three-dimensional recreation. At the level of separation, they are quite at par, but the spatial sensation feels somewhat greater in the Finschi.

 

 

Dunu DN-1000

 

The DN-1000 are some old friends, who have a curve similar to the Finschi. From the beginning, we can perceive what the graph shows, a greater presence in the lower zone of the Oriolus, greater depth and musical incidence. More warmth, in short. The lower zone of the Dunu is drier and more contained, with a strict and defined hit. In the Oriolus the beat expands in depth, reaching very low, but also laterally, generating that surrounding sensation.

In the mid zone, the expressiveness of the Oriolus increases a more pleasant and musical sensation. While the Dunu are perceived as realistic, but colder, with less vivacity, more deangelized, less organic, but more descriptive, following with greater proximity and location. Each one really recreates this area of a particular, starting from a different point of view, but irresistible in both.

In the high zone the DN-1000 leave with advantage, since the trebles have a greater incidence in its first phase. This fact gives that spark point, definition and extra proximity that the Oriolus do not have. In the Finschi, the trebles are sharper and the first sensation is lighter in this range. Then, beyond this initial zone, the curve equals, but relatively speaking, the DN-1000 have more global presence.

The Finschi once again show off a larger, more surround and three-dimensional scene. The Dunu, enjoy remarkable width, but less depth. The recreation is also perceived flatter and more frontal. In terms of separation something similar occurs, good lateral space in the Dunu, more space in more directions in the Oriolus.

 

 

Conclusion

 

The Oriolus Finschi offer a laudable generalized experience. From the effort made in their presentation, typical of more expensive products, to the tuning of their sound. Starting from an almost simple configuration, hybrid of 1DD + 1BA, they try to maximize the virtues of each one, using the best technologies within reach of the price. And the result is totally explicit: warmth and detail, bass and immersion, scene and three-dimensionality. All this without forgetting the level of construction, comfort and ergonomics. A winning bird, without a doubt, within its sound profile.

 

 

Sources Used During the Analysis

 

• Burson Audio Playmate
• xDuoo X3II