The Next Trend

Ratings

Pros

• Outstanding sound/price ratio,
• Familiar but improved tuning.
• Bass with texture and volume.
• Very full and complete mids, without hollows, dynamic, rich, warm and melodious.
• Treble with a touch of sparkle.
• Very good level of detail, separation, voluminous and wide soundstage, even with height.
• Good cable.
• Two sets of silicone tips.
• Excellent ergonomics despite a somewhat classic design, but low weight.

Cons

• It does not come with a carrying bag.
• Perhaps the color of the bass and its texture level will not be to the liking of those looking for a more technical, natural low end, above the power and fun.

Purchase Link

https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-x-0dibi-vivace

Link to the Store

https://www.linsoul.com/

Introduction

I have reviewed three Tripowin models and two have been collaborations. The first was from HBB and this second is from another youtuber named 0DiBi. 0DiBi is one of South Korea’s most influential audio reviewers, with over 64 000 YouTube subscribers, a Hi-Fi audio store, a dedicated online audio community and active participation in numerous Korean audiophile forums. With a background in engineering and music, 0DiBi is one of Korea’s most trusted reviewers, focused on using measurements to objectively evaluate audio products. The model he has collaborated on is called Vivace. It is an IEMS designed around a new 10 mm PET transducer with a nanoscale titanium powder coating. The result is an ultra-lightweight diaphragm with extreme tensile strength for sensitive sound. Its tuning offers a natural and balanced tonality, with a powerful and clean bass. The mid-bass has a subtle warmth that enhances the voices and body of the instruments, while the mids are natural and well suited to male and female voices. The treble follows the brand’s tuning strategy to deliver a pleasing tonal response, while maintaining a high degree of micro-detail retrieval and airy ambience. Let’s see what these new IEMS from the Shenzhen, China-based brand can deliver.

Specifications

• Driver Type: dynamic driver with 10mm PET titanium plated diaphragm.
• Frequency Response: 10Hz-28kHz.
• Sensitivity: 106dB (1khz/mw).
• Impedance: 18Ω.
• Nominal power: 5mW.
• Maximum power: 10mW.
• Distortion: <0.5% (1KHz).
• L/R difference: <1.5dB (1Khz).
• Cable material: Monocrystalline copper.
• Jack Connector: SE 3.5mm gold plated.
• Capsule Connection Type: 2Pin 0.78mm.
• Starting Price: $29.90.

Packaging

The Tripowin Vivace are presented in a small black-backed box with dimensions of 85x115x37mm. The realistic photos of the capsules are in black and white. On the top of the main side you can read the name of the brand and the partner of this model. In the center is a real photo of the capsules. Below, in large letters, is the name of the model. At the bottom is a two-line description of the model. On the back side, the information is repeated and only the importer’s data, information about the brand, the distributor and the logos of the certificates it complies with, in addition to the Made in China logo, are provided. Removing the outer carton shows a black box with the brand name in the center, in gray letters. Under the lid, the capsules are inside a black foam mold. The capsules have a clear plastic protection on their outer face. Underneath the mold are more accessories. The cable and silicone tips come in separate plastic zipper bags. In summary, the complete contents are as follows:

• The two Tripowin Vivace capsules.
• One black four-strand coiled cable.
• One set of black silicone tips with narrow core, sizes SxMxL.
• One set of black silicone tips with wide core, sizes SxMxL.
• User’s manual/Warranty card.

For $30, the Vivace includes two sets of tips and a decent cable, but does not include any accessories to protect the capsules. Right.

Construction and Design

The capsules are made of opaque black resin. They are triangular in shape with two rounded corners. On one of the faces (the right one) there is a logo with a lightning bolt that reminds me of another brand/store on Aliexpress. On the left face you can read the brand name near the bottom edge. The outer face is composed of a rounded plastic plate with a mirror effect in the shape of a water drop. They have a textured rim that separates them from the inner body. The inner face is smooth and shiny. On the rim, the connection interface is completely integrated into the capsule and does not protrude. Near it there is a hole. The inner face does not have too many curves and the rim is relatively flat until it begins the ascent towards the nozzles. There is another hole in the skirt. The nozzles are part of the same body. They have two diameters: 5.2mm on the inside and 6mm on the crown. Both have a dense, black, metallic grid that protects the interior.
The cable is very classic, but would approach simplicity were it not for the thicker strands. It is a black cable with four strands wound in pairs, giving the feel of links. The sleeves are simple black metal cylinders, both the plug sleeve and the divider piece and the pin, which is a simple ring that performs its function perfectly. It has transparent guides over the ear and the 0.78mm 2-pin connection interface sleeves are the classic black plastic ones in two levels with embossed channel lettering. All connections are gold plated.
A sober but elegant design without too many frills. I don’t like the cable because it looks too basic. Its coating is matte and rubbery, and it is somewhat microphonic. However, I have to admit that its thickness is superior.

Adjustment and Ergonomics

The capsules are of medium size and thickness, very light and with an inner shape that barely comes in contact with my ears. The capsules rest firmly in my pinna and rotation is minimal. I almost always use my large foam-filled home-made tips, but I am looking for different alternatives and have found the Penon Liqueur in black and size XL, which fit perfectly in my ear canal. The fit is very occlusive, no need to squeeze, they adhere very well and the sound is quite good, with just the right balance of bass and clarity. The isolation is superior and the set is very firm for outdoor use, even for sports, due to the low weight and great adhesion of the capsules, plus minimal rubbing against the outer parts of my ears. Outstanding.

Sound

Profile

There is nothing new in the Vivace profile, as there are many models with that profile or immediately above it in price. It is a tiny U or W profile, with very rounded curves and no peaks. There is a slight accent in the sub-bass, but it is a balanced curve in which all of it oscillates in a 10 dB range. It is a smooth profile in treble, warm overall, but sufficiently clear, bright and transparent, without losing the overall musicality.

Bass

The Vivace uses a dynamic driver with a 10 mm PET titanium-plated diaphragm, and it shows. Thanks to the properties of that diaphragm, bass can be punchy, dry and restrained, but also springy, textured and subtly rubbery. They combine precision and fun in an economical model. The elasticity gives them a certain rubberiness that makes the feel more fun. However, this also makes them a bit slower and with a medium recovery. The hits are sufficiently contained to not sound too puffy, but the volume is clearly perceived. The improvement is in the texture, as it is not a smooth bass on its surface, but rough, which gives it an added and descriptive value in the low notes.
In the very low frequency pure tone test, it is noted that the Vivace arrives very low, with a sound and vibration level at fifty percent. There is a good sensory level, but there is also that less desirable undulatory character that brings some coloring to the low frequencies. There is a lot of energy in the LFOs and maintains a good balance between naturalness, color and realism, but without behaving like other more expensive dynamic drivers. Still, the behavior is quite good for the price.
In the dirty, complex and unfiltered bass test, the Vivace not only sound simple and tidy, but also stand out. They are able to keep the bass in place and control it so that female vocals stand out without being affected. The descriptiveness is not overly explicit and the lines show textures, but without being multi-layered. There is a common thread with some layers, but there is a tendency towards unification to recreate those layers and the various lines, but without falling into reduction to the minimum expression. The good thing is that they don’t sound bland, plain or thick, but are able to produce a fairly natural, realistic and well-executed sound, even boosted, slightly dark and with plenty of volume. And best of all, they achieve this without losing control or sounding forced or out of place at any time. It’s not easy to recreate a low end like this for so little money: fun, powerful, voluminous, textured and with good control.

Mids

The balance and homogeneity across the entire frequency range results in a smooth curve, without abrupt changes. In this way, the mids are warm and do not feel sunken. I usually look for a balance between the physical base of the first half of the mids, the thickness of the notes and the presence of the male voices. And I have to say that the Vivace do very well in this regard. It is true that the bass drop towards the mids is somewhat rounded, which gives it that warmth and greater physical feel in the body of the male voices and also in the instruments. In this way, the male voices are perceived as very full, complete and quite dense, but without sounding thick. The scaling of the upper mids guarantees a great register of harmonics, details and nuances. At no time do I find hollows in this first half of the central range and I consider it a rich and even lush register, but without losing descriptive ability or musicality. It is not an analytical profile, but for the price it has quite good detail, especially considering its smooth and homogeneous profile.
But, if male voices do not sound bad, female voices are better. They always benefit from a somewhat more emancipated superior means. But, on this occasion, there is not so much distance between them. Neither voice sounds thick or distant, but they move between the foreground and background of the female voices and the step-and-a-half of the male voices. The slight descent towards the treble manages to greatly limit the sibilance, which in this respect becomes quite controlled. And best of all, the center band never sounds congested or overly rounded, but maintains a remarkable level of cleanliness, definition, resolution, clarity, brightness and transparency. And all of this manifests itself in a great midrange for the instruments.

Treble

The treble is smooth, controlled and crisp, and well shaped. They are not too thick, but they do not stand out for their finesse either. They have a good level of sparkle, although this is not the most representative characteristic of the Vivace sound. The high end can stand on its own, as it has a good level of initial presence. However, the gradual descent towards the air zone gives it a pleasant, light flavor, without too much energy and a smooth crunch. On the other hand, the extension reaches the notable and works to bring a very adequate amount of harmonics to the rest of the frequencies. Lastly, the Vivace enters the air zone slightly, but more than enough to bring that characteristic halo to the treble.

Soundstage, Separation

The Vivace hold power quite well and can use a little extra current. In fact, the soundstage and detail also benefit from it. The sound is vivid and dynamic, the soundstage is widened and you get great laterality and a noticeable sense of expansion. The bass has plenty of volume, bringing that extra size in depth and even height. But the best thing about this feeling of fullness and occupied space generated by the bass is that it is not invasive or too close, but rather extends in a semi-spherical way. On the other hand, the remarkable level of definition, precision and clarity allows details to be perceived in an evident and surprising way for the price. All this facilitates the feeling of separation and distance between elements, as well as their positioning in the scene. In short, it’s amazing.

Comparisons

7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2

Almost a year ago I reviewed the 7Hz x Crinacle Zero 2 and commented that they would be the first IEMS I would recommend to those who wanted to get started in this world, but without spending a lot of money. During this year I have recommended them to friends and acquaintances to whom spending more than $30 on IEMS is no longer justifiable. A year later, these Tripowin Vivace appear from the hand of another recognized youtuber, 0diBi. There are obvious differences between one model and another. I really like the transparent design and different colors to choose from the Zero 2, but it is true that the Vivace seem more solid and are even smaller. The weight is very low on both, but the mouthpieces on the Zero 2 are a bit longer and may work better for some, but I think the integration in my ears is better on the Vivace. The Tripowin’s cable seems better to me and both come with two sets of tips without a carrying bag. Design-wise, I like the Zero 2 better, but in ergonomics, construction and accessories I find the Vivace slightly better.
Regarding the profile, the two models have a very similar curve. A higher sub-bass is observed in the Zero 2, while the Vivace have a little more energy in the treble. The rest of the frequency response is very similar.
The Vivace are more sensitive than the Zero 2 and, at the same power, the Tripowin sound louder.
The bass of the Zero 2s is somewhat more restrained and smoother than the Vivace. The Tripowins have a more textured, voluminous and energetic low end. The Zero 2’s lower range seems more precise, dry and concrete, and somewhat more technical. The Vivace have more color and vibrancy. The Zero 2’s low end seems more pure to me, but the Vivace’s low end is more vibrant, fun, and full-bodied.
There is a lot of similarity in the center range of both models, but I find the midrange of the Vivace more dynamic, rich, lush and detailed than that of the Zero 2. The details in the Tripowin are more easily and obviously perceived, there is a bit more light and finer detail. It is possible that the touch of more energy in the treble is felt in the midrange. But there is also a point of greater refinement and smoothness in the Vivace, whereas the Zero 2s are subtly more abrupt.
The Vivace’s treble outperforms the Zero 2’s. As I said, that greater amount of energy is transformed into a higher end with better presence, more punch, sparkle and finesse, giving way to more realistic and natural treble, not as smoothed out as in the Zero 2s.
There is a lot of detail in both models. It’s hard to believe, but that’s the way it is. I notice a little more separation between the elements, a little more depth, more volume and height in the Vivace. All of this helps to recreate better defined detail in the Tripowin. The Zero 2 are somewhat flatter, their scene is not as concave, wide or voluminous as that of the Vivace.
A year later, a step up in quality for a mere $30 IEMS for the Vivace.

Conclusion

It is true that a reviewer’s predisposition to any model should always be skeptical and unbiased. However, we all want to review high-end and high-priced products. However, very interesting things are happening in the low range that surprise us more and more every day. And models like the Tripowin x 0diBi Vivace are to blame for that pleasant impression. Tripowin’s collaboration with 0DiBi exceeds my expectations and, although it doesn’t offer a new profile, it does improve it in some aspects. The Vivace are vibrant IEMS, with a powerful, voluminous and textured bass. The midrange is full, meaty, lush, physical and full-bodied, while the treble has a point of controlled sparkle that enhances and enriches the music. Built with quality materials, a more than decent cable, a very low weight and excellent ergonomics, they have a somewhat more classic and not so flashy design. But the sound they hide is above their price and what I expected. They are ideal for unrestricted enjoyment on a daily basis, at any time and in any situation. The Tripowin x 0diBi Vivace are an all-terrain IEMS without complexes.

Sources Used During the Analysis

• iFi GO bar Kensei.
• EPZ TP50.
• Tempotec V3.
• Burson Audio Playmate 2.
• Aune X8 XVIII Magic DAC + EarMen ST-Amp.