Today, we are reviewing the AFUL Explorer IEM. It is priced at $119.99 USD.
Disclaimer: HifiGo sent us the Explorer from AFUL for this review. As always, I am here to convey my honest experience with the product.
AFUL
Established in 2018, AFUL began its journey with an expert acoustic team dedicated to advancing audio technology. By 2019, the team had developed prototypes featuring innovative circuit topology and acoustic structures, significantly enhancing traditional designs with BA drivers. Through continuous technological advancements, AFUL secured three patents in 2020 and commercialized its S&E Math technology in 2021, receiving recognition from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and support from the Suzhou Municipal Government. The launch of the Performer series earphones in 2022 marked a global success. In 2023, AFUL launched the Performer 8, continuing its innovative approach in the field of micro devices / portable audio. My colleague Berkhan covered the Performer 8, Performer 5, and the Magic One IEMs on Headfonia. You can check out those reviews by clicking on their names. Let’s get to today’s highlight without further ado.
AFUL Explorer
AFUL Acoustics has released the Explorer for the budget IEM market, and this is their second venture into the competitive IEM landscape. The Explorer is a 1DD+2BA hybrid IEM, featuring 3D-printed acoustic waveguides for the driver configuration inside. The IEMs feature two proprietary BAs that AFUL developed for the MagicOne. The Explorer also incorporates multiple patented technologies previously implemented in the Performer series, including the RLC network passive crossover, 3D resonator, and the high-damping air pressure balanced management system. Along with a multi-layered electronic crossover and RLC Network Division technology, the AFUL Explorer also has a physical crossover designed with a 3D printed cavity structure and a special-shaped resonator. The pair includes an ultra-thin and long bass tube and a specially shaped resonator cavity design.
The Explorer is available on HifiGO for $119 USD. You can also buy it on Amazon or Aliexpress.
Specifications & Highlights
Configuration: 1DD+2BA Hybrid
Impedance: 26Ω
Sensitivity: 108dB/mW
RLC Network Electronic Crossover
3D Printed Acoustic Waveguide & Resonator
200-core Silver-Plated Copper Cable with 2-pin 0.78mm
Cable Termination 3.5mm or 4.4mm (Not Interchangeable)
Packaging & Accessories
The AFUL Explorer comes in a box with a space-themed design, reflecting its “Explorer” name. This name represents AFUL’s attempt to “explore” a new sound design, different from their Performer series. The Explorer combines design elements from AFUL’s MagicOne and Performer headphones, offering unique tuning at an affordable price.
The box features small informative badges about the included concepts, and the back provides detailed specifications of the IEMs. After sliding off the space-themed sleeve, a textured black inner box is revealed. Inside, you’ll find a warranty card and a user guide, which includes information on maintaining the IEMs, proper fitting, and cable management.
The Explorer IEMs and the steel blue colored carrying case sit neatly inside the foam compartment of the black box. I was immediately intrigued by the case’s coating. It’s made of a material that looks like Alcantara, but it’s more dense and soft to the touch. I really like the carrying case; I believe they should use this material more often as it feels quite premium.
Inside the carrying case, there are two sets of ear tips. Of these six pairs, three pairs have blue stems, relatively thick outer walls, and a medium-wide bore. The other three pairs are white, with a similar bore opening but a slightly thinner wall thickness. Based on my experience, as the wall thickness of the ear tips increases, the ability to transmit low frequencies increases. In the same way, it is possible to say that as the width of the bore decreases, the sound becomes warmer, and the lower frequencies become more intense/denser. Here, AFUL has provided two sets with similar bore widths, but I would have liked to see a set of ear tips with a wider bore and a medium wall thickness, like the Divinus Velvets.
The package also includes a gray SPC cable with AFUL branding, similar in form to those found with the Kinera Imperial Verdandi and Mega5EST. This 200-core silver-plated copper wire cable is a good choice for this price range, featuring gold-plated copper plugs; however, the cable does not come with replaceable plugs, which could be a downside for some of you utilizing more than one DAP/DAC. You must choose between a 4.4mm or 3.5mm termination when purchasing. The sample unit’s cable is 4.4mm, and it is comfortable to use with its mono-braid design, particularly around the ear area. The ear guides are ergonomically shaped with a thin shrink, and the 0.78mm 2-pin connectors have a flush structure, making them incompatible with recessed pin IEMs without an adapter.
Looking at the overall package, you can see that Aful has used quality accessories for its budget IEMs, but we’d love to see additional ear tips included in the package.
Design, Build Quality & Fit
Let’s talk about the design of the earphones. First of all, Aful has managed to keep the Explorer’s shell very compact. Despite housing two BAs, a DD, a custom waveguide, and a larger-than-usual RLC Network crossover PCB, the size is ideal. Designed and developed using 3D resin printers, the shell is completed by two eye-catching faceplates with space themes. The right faceplate displays the product name “Explorer” in chrome font, while the left side shows the brand name “AFUL.” The dark navy blue body harmonizes well with the faceplates.
The Explorer’s monolithic resin shell does not have a metal nozzle, which I prefer for its seamless look. The nozzle features a “wax-trap” design with an average bore width, and the inner sound bores start about 0.3mm inside to prevent wax buildup and increase longevity. Visually, there are three sound bores, and the precision of the 3D printing is impressive, with no visible burrs or impurities even under a macro camera. I am very impressed by how far the 3d printing technology has progressed.
Weighing around approximately 8 grams each, the Explorer’s shell is lightweight and comfortable, especially compared to IEMs with aluminum shells. The inward-facing part of the shell is ergonomically designed with a protrusion to hold onto the cymba concha area, enhancing stability and comfort.
I found the Explorer quite comfortable and well-built. Although the cable is not very impressive in terms of pliability, you don’t feel it much because of its mono-braid design from the Y-splitter and upwards, and there is no microphonics effect. Overall, I was happy with the fit and comfort of the Explorer; as you may know, if you follow us, there are not many multi-driver IEMs that I can recommend to people with smaller-than-average ears. Size is usually an important limitation for these audiophiles, but I believe that the Explorer will offer a comfortable experience to those with such small ear anatomy.
The review continues on the next page. Click here or use the jump below.
Page 1: AFUL, Explorer IEMs, Packaging & Accessories, Build, Design & Fit
Page 2: Sound Impressions, Low, Mid, High, Technical Capability, Comparison, Last Words
