Sound Quality
The Dethonray Tender 1 is a rich and musical-sounding IEM with good technicalities. It’s quite warm, and sometimes even thick, but it sounds very natural and lively at the same time. It has that certain musical quality that makes you want to listen more. In fact, it’s very similar to the Honey H1 DAC/Amp in terms of presentation and signature. I think Anson has a certain approach and sound in his mind to offer to the audiophiles. He definitely knows what he wants from his product.
Bass
The bass has good enough impact and punch with a very nice decay and texture. It has a good resolution with a good kick. However, the rumble and punch are leaner when you compare the Tender to other IEMs. It surely has warmth in terms of midbass, but the overall quantity is rather low. It brings a certain body to the music and that creates a joyful listening experience, but you may want more depending on your preferences.
I found its bass reference grade and I could live with this quantity. I wouldn’t seek more bass because this is just enough for my own listening. But if you would like your bass to be rich, attacking, rumbling, and punchy, this is not the best choice for you. The planar driver is quite reserved in that regard.
So yes, the overall quantity wouldn’t satisfy bass heads, but the technical performance of the bass is quite impressive. The decay is great and there’s a very good balance in terms of definition in the mid-bass. You don’t have any problems with the transition from bass to mids, as the IEM does that effortlessly, hence you get a great coherency.
Lows are presented in a technical approach with Tender 1 with great quickness, attack, and definition. However as I pointed out, this is not the deepest, most rumbling or kicking bass as it has a very lean nature. The IEM gives a reference type of bass presentation so be aware of that.
Mids
The best area of the Tender 1 is its mid-range. The planar magnetic driver makes a difference in the bass area with its speed and control, but what it also does is giving great naturality and timbre in mids. The mids in the Tender 1 are liquid, flowing, and rich. The tonality feels very natural and lifelike. This is one of the most natural-sounding IEMs in its price range and that’s primarily thanks to this top mid-range performance.
The timbre with the instruments is very well done and I especially liked the timbre of the violin and guitar. It’s clean, resolving, and a bit forward with great tonality and fullness. The analog feeling is very present here and it has a heart-touching timbre. Overall the vocals and the instruments are lively with an organic and warm approach. The realism with the instruments is the most impressive feat of the IEM.
The mids are also a bit close and they’re in front of the stage. You get good resolution across the mid-range with lots of detail. Mids also have a good body and they’re full sounding. The Tender 1 has tremendous musicality with a breathy instrument presentation. The mids are also quite dynamic and lively. If you like to have your mid-range with a certain focus and definition, the Tender 1 is excellent. This is one of the smoothest mid presentations I’ve heard with very good tonal balance.
Treble
The treble in the Tender 1 is not the most transparent or resolving in this price range and I personally think this is the worst part of this IEM. Yes, the bass and mids are highly successful without a doubt. But the treble needs to get close attention by Anson with the next possible IEM release in the near future.
The treble is nicely presented with a smooth nature. However, it’s a bit undetailed and veiled. And because the mid-range is the star of the show here, the treble is not that impressive. The treble overall is relaxed with a good definition but what’s missing here is the articulation and extension together with transparency. My ears wanted more bite, energy, and sparkle with many recordings.
So if you’re used to the treble from BA drivers, this treble presentation would come very different and unorthodox. I think the treble should be more open with more sparkle and definition. The resolution in this area is good and there’s plenty of detail. But the treble I think is a bit thick and there’s not enough articulation at times, depending on the recording.
Page 1: Intro, Unboxing and Fit
Page 3: Technical Performance, Comparisons and Conclusion
Jorge Costa
Probably this could have a nice synergy with the upcoming DTR1+ and from the description could be really good with vocals, instrumental music and prog/metal.
Berkhan
I agree.
InvisibleInk
Hi. How about versus Tin HiFi P2 or Audeze Euclid?
Berkhan
No idea. I don’t have them.
Donte K Bruce
How long did you burn in?
Jorge Costa
Ansen probably has sent the review unit with at least 100h of burn in.
Berkhan
Anson burnt 100h I think before sending to me.