BGVP DM8 Review

Specifications

For the nitpickers and nerdy ones here, I’m giving the specs and technical sheets. For all the others, you can just go to the next page to see how the DM8 performs.

Knowles + Sonion Drivers

At the heart of the BGVP DM8, we find eight drivers from Knowles and Sonion.

The DM8 gets a four-way crossover, dividing the sound into four different channels and putting one, or two, drivers for each layer:

• super-high, We get a dual-chamber Knowles SWFR-31736, “tuned for high-frequency detail” it’s capable to reach up to 40kHz frequencies. Way beyond my hearing abilities if you were to ask;
• high-range, BGVP chose a dual-chamber TWFK-30017, a driver we’ve seen in many modern IEM, like the FiiO F9 Pro, or the Oriolus Forsteni. The brand advertises a sound more natural, yet transparent, so I’m curious to see how that translate in real-world listening;
• mid-range, the DM8 combines a Sonion 2354 and Knowles’ RAF-32873, an excellent choice as both drivers are well-known for their full-range capacity
• low-range, last but not least, for the bass, the brand uses a big Sonion 38D1XJ007. A dual-chamber BA driver, featuring Accupass and capable to reach super low frequencies, for powerful bass.

Compared to the EST-8, a 4-Bore output even seems conservative, but as a matter of fact, going from a 3-way crossover to a 4-way is much more difficult than you’d expect. This is where the DM8 can either win or flop, depending on how well the engineers tuned each frequency range.

3D Printed shell VS Wood-carving

The shell is 3D Printed by the same company that produces the DM7 or DM6: Visiontech. What’s new is the use of “EU IIA skin-friendly resin material”, which should offer a “more comfortable experience for long-term listening session and skin contact. Also, channel imbalance should not exceed 1dB between left and right.

But, the true novelty remains the new wood finish. And by finish, I meant build, as you can get your BGVP DM8 fully made of wood, finely carved from one piece of stabilized wood. This is no different than the DMG or DMS, which were carved from aluminum, but the use of real wood isn’t so common in mid-high end IEM.

I had the chance to see one in real-life, and it’s simply stunning. If the silver-plated faceplate of the classic one might be a bit flashy, the dark tone of the wooden version is much more to my taste. Sure, it costs a bit more (around $50-70) but design-wise, it’s more to my liking.

Either way, the wooden DM8 should offer a slightly mellower sound, where the resin-one shall remain in-line with the DM7.

Full specs

• Type: semi-custom IEM
• Style: Balanced drivers x8 
• Drivers: Knowles SWFK-31736 + TWFK-30017 + RAF-32873 // Sonion 2354 + 38D1XJ007
• Socket: MMCX
• Shell: 3D printed PMMA // 3D carverd stabilized wood
• Frequency response range: 10Hz – 40kHz
• Impedance: 12 ohms
• Sensitivity: 110dB/mW
• Distortion: <0.5%
• Price: $349 – $399

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