A Golden Idyll

Ratings

Pros

• Sound balanced, slightly warm and sweet.
• Rich in nuances and micro details.
• Capacity of resolution.
• Extensive and controlled high zone.
• Construction, ergonomics, fit and comfort.
• Cable quality.
• Transport box.

Cons

• Very small tips.
• Short nozzles.

Purchase Link

https://penonaudio.com/shozy-neo-bg.html

Link to the Store

https://penonaudio.com/

Introduction

The well-known brand of portable audio products, Shozy, in collaboration with Neo Audio, has designed and manufactured the Shozy & Neo BG. These IEMS, made of resin, with metal nozzles, have 5 BA drivers for each capsule. For the reproduction of the low zone, they mount the driver of Knowles 22955, of the CI series. The rest of the drivers have been designed and manufactured specifically, independently, and built by hand. The result is a clearly Premium product, with a luxurious and glossy finish, never better said. The BG have a stellar manufacture, a very adequate size and ergonomics and a cable totally at the height of the quality of the capsules.

Specifications

• Type of Drivers: 5 Drivers Balanced Armature: Knowles CI 22955 Bass driver, custom made BA.
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20000Hz
• Sensitivity: 110dB SPL/mW
• Impedance: 22Ω
• Driver configuration: 5BA, electric + passive crossovers.
• Passive noise isolation: 25dB
• Jack connector: 3.5mm audio, gold plated
• Capsule Connection Type: 2Pin 0.78mm

Packaging

The first thing that catches the attention is the reduced size of the box: 127x94x45mm. Accustomed to Premium products coming in large and disproportionate packages, these BG come in a small and compact black box. On the top there is a real photo of the capsules. In the right margin is shown the name of the model and its description. On the back side, the characteristics of the model and its specifications are shown. The box opens like a chest and when it is done, there is a small black cardboard box, with the logo of the brand in its center. After removing it, you access a transport box, with zipper, which also has the logo of the brand, inscribed in its center. Inside, there are two transparent zip-type plastic bags. One contains the IEMS, with the cable connected and black silicone tips attached. The other contains silicone and foam tips. In short, the total contents of the package is:

• A transport box with zipper.
• The capsules.
• A cable with 2 Pin 0.78mm connector and 3.5mm Audio plug, gold plated.
• Three pairs of black silicone tips, sizes SxMxL.
• Three pairs of tips bi-flange, white silicone, sizes SxMxL.
• Three pairs of grey foam tips, two pairs are large size, one pair is medium size.

The packaging is totally practical and functional, no bragging, it gets to the point, it’s something I like. Maybe the transport box is something big, but I declare myself a big fan of this type of cases, because of its extraordinary versatility. The additional set of tips is quite correct, but the size of the silicone sets is too small for my ears: not even with the larger size, I have achieved a proper seal. However, I must also say that the size of my ear canals is naturally large.

Construction And Design

The BG capsules have been hand-built with semi-translucent black resin. Mixed with this resin, there is a multitude of golden glitter, which gives a very lustrous and particular finish. The shape of the capsules is semi custom type, of medium size. The mouthpieces are totally metallic, short, narrow and in the shape of an arrow. They have metal filters to ensure the best tuning of the sound and ensure a safe cleaning. These nozzles have been designed for tips with an inner diameter of 3.8mm.

The capsules look very solid, flawless, with a very polished finish. Both have their own serial number, as well as the word «NEO», inscribed in gold, on the side. On the outside of each, you can read the logo of the brand. They are golden letters found inside the resin. But, because both the glitter and these letters are golden, they are confused and the logo is difficult to distinguish.

The cable consists of 4 thick strands of pure copper, covered with a dense transparent plastic insulation, forming a single cord. This sheath has little rigidity and good handling, despite the thickness of the whole. Both the pin cover and the splitter are metal cylinders, with a dark interior, which has an alternating ladder pattern. The adjustment piece is a translucent hardened plastic ball. The sleeve of the 2-pin connectors is a polished metal cylinder, which has two grooves in the shape of rings, at its closest part to the cable. This cable, right in this connection area, has an extra, semi-rigid transparent plastic sheath, which adopts the shape over the ear, to facilitate the adjustment of the capsules in this manner. The way to differentiate the cable on each side is a small plastic separator, located at the edge of the 2 connection pins. This separator is red on the right side and transparent on the left side.

As it could not be otherwise, in a product of this level, both the construction of the capsules and the cable, as well as the design of the whole, is excellent and totally Premium. The only thing that could be questionable is the excessive use of gold glitter, which may have some detractors. But this is a purely visual detail, design or style, unrelated to the quality of construction.

Adjustment And Ergonomics

The BG’s metal nozzles are short. In addition, the tips that come also do not help to lengthen the set, since they have been designed so that its edge, is at the level of the filter. This makes the insertion completely superficial. The wider tips are small for my ear canal, so it has been impossible to get a proper fit with the silicone tips, which come as standard: neither with the simple ones, nor with the bi-flange. Only the foam tips included have given me a proper fit. But the best adaptation, I have obtained it with tri-flange tips, of big size, that I use normally with other IEMS. In this way, the fit obtained is almost perfect, achieving a good insertion, a firm and lasting adjustment, good wearing and comfort of the capsules inside the auditory canal. With these tips, the isolation is also increased, achieving a remarkable level of immersion.

Sound

Profile

The Shozy Neo BG have a balanced profile, of analytical tendency, with enormous clarity, well extended but controlled trebles, where the bass are pure BA (compact medium bass, limited sub bass). These 5 drivers stand out especially in the recreation of details and micro nuances, scene and separation. Despite their excellent degree of analysis, the BGs are not completely cold and their brightness is contained within the analytical naturalness.

On the other hand, the BG move very easily and you get great volume with little power, as they are quite sensitive.

In this section I wanted to point out that the sound of the BG can vary depending on the tips used. It is obvious that it happens with almost all IEMs, but this time I wanted to recommend the use of tri-flange tips. The possibility of deep insertion brings the mids and voices closer together, emphasizes the lower zone and maximizes the detail. Keep in mind for those who achieve a good seal and comfort with this type of tips.

Bass

As I have already said, the bass is from a pure BA, where the deepest sub-bass is perceived as limited, both in extension and in emphasis. But, from there, the zone is quite linear and extensive towards the mids, bringing a very light warmth to the central zone, without interfering at all. The execution of the bass is ultra precise and controlled, with a remarkable dryness, but with colour, sparkle, life… they have a fairly smooth and soft texture. Their real development is so exact that their listening invites to increase the volume to perceive them more closely. Really, it is something that is missed, something more presence in this zone, to be able to enjoy its obtained quality. One more point of emphasis and more sub bass extension would have been perfect. But, possibly, it would have broken the delicate existing balance with the rest of the ranges. Nevertheless, it is not a suitable range for bass-heads, but it will not disappoint good bass lovers.

Mids

Although the balance is great, the voices are slightly behind the lower zone, especially in genres with a greater presence of bass. Even small details and nuances are perceived close to them. This means two things: 1- the tremendous resolution and analysis capacity that the BG have. 2- How delicate the voices are executed in this joint creation of Shozy & Neo. In addition, they are surrounded by a certain warm atmosphere, which humanizes their color and texture, endowing them with naturalness and more body. But this small distance does not imply any lack of detail, clarity, separation or micro nuances. All these parameters shine regardless of the sound, tone, voice or instrument played: they are always large. They deserve the richness of details and nuances. As I say, all of them feel close and perfectly defined, but without any hint of excessive brightness or sharp sharpness: the mids enjoys all these qualities, without feeling overwhelmed by excessive highs, maintaining their naturalness and realism, within balanced parameters, almost neutral.

Delicateness, clarity, speed, spatiality, openness, definition, timbre balance, separation, richness of nuances and micro details, great resolution… Such are the means of the fantastic BG. Use your best source and the result will be highly enjoyable.

Treble

As I have said in other reviews, the true quality of a headphone is demonstrated in the high range. In this case the BG show their mastery in this area, through a very accurate tuning, which combines great capacity for resolution, recreation of details, ultra definition and a precious treble, realistic, controlled, natural, balanced, extensive and delicate. The upper zone of the Shozy & Neo is to be enjoyed, without losing a note or a nuance and, most importantly, without any hint of excess, wheezing or undesirable peaks. It is true that the Shozy have a certain brilliant tendency, but within a balance, without ever seem excessive or irritating, but quite the opposite: a real pleasure.

Soundstage, Separation

Another of the Shozy Neo BG’s strong points, without a doubt, is their soundstage. It’s big, but not only in the sense of width, but it’s totally surrounding. The good balance of the sound, the richness of the nuances, the great capacity of resolution, of analysis and the facility to reveal details, together with an excellent sensation of separation and opening, recreate a very three-dimensional and spherical scene, There is height, depth, width and distance in all the directions. Another product of extra range in this sense, which offers a sensation of scene similar to that of the large open earphones.

Comparisons

Tansio Mirai TSMR-2

At the size level, the Shozy are smaller, less fat. Their nozzles are shorter and narrower, but their ergonomics are slightly more adaptable.

The sound presentation of both IEMs is different, the Shozy have a more relaxed sound, balanced as a whole and somewhat warmer. While the Tansio offer a much more frontal and direct sound, in the foreground, more aggressive comparatively speaking.

The lower zone of the TSMR-2 can be modified at will and can reach a high level of presence, with a clear hit and impact in its middle zone. The Shozy are very close, in presence, to the higher gain bass positions of the TSMR-2. The qualities of both zones are very similar, produced by great BA drivers. Although the bass of the Shozy are perceived deeper, with a tighter timbre.

The differences between both profiles are shown in the central zone: the BG have a wider mids, something that is felt in the voices, although they are somewhat more backward, have a larger body, in addition to a smoother accentuated. Meanwhile, in the TSMR-2, their presence is closer and more direct, sounding a finer point, but more frontal. Globally, the mid range of the BG, is perceived as larger, bigger, more complex and richer, with more details.

The upper zone is tuned differently in both IEMS. The Tansio continue to have a more direct and emphasized presence, in the first part of this range, sounding somewhat more crisp and crunchy. The Shozy sound more relaxed and soft, but it is something that makes the rest of the details more subtle, are better appreciated, being at a more similar level, getting higher resolution throughout the range, making it more extensive.

The scene is bigger and spherical in the BG. There is more air, more separation, in the conception of their sound. On the contrary, the Tansio offer a more frontal and direct presentation, which narrows the stage, bringing it closer to the listener. Both are at a different level in these parameters.

As a conclusion, it is clear that the resolution, the greatest richness and amount of detail, is reflected in the Sozhy Neo BG, thanks to its greater number of drivers and different tuning, there being a greater degree of refinement in this sense.

Conclusion

Shozy & Neo have created IEMS to be enjoyed. Very comfortable, with great ergonomics (depending on the tips used) and very adequate size. They have a compact, precious and beautiful invoice. In addition, their cable is consistent with the quality of the finishes of the capsules. Its profile is balanced, gently warm, just brilliant, but, above all, pleasant and controlled, fits a large number of genres. Its virtues include splendid, detailed and extended treble, as well as its large soundstage and three-dimensionality. The power of resolution and its great richness in nuances, accompanied by its relaxed, clear and excellently aired sound, generate an intoxicating presentation, very detailed, sweet and highly hypnotic, which moves away from the typical canons of the strictly analytical sound, produced by multi-drivers BA.

Sources Used During the Analysis

• Burson Audio Playmate
• Tempotec Serenade iDSD
• Tempotec Variations V1-A