Today we’re taking a look at a complete newcomer in the IEM scene. Gaudio and their two new universal IEMs – the Clariden and Nair. Both retail for 900 CHF ($862 USD).
Disclaimer: Gaudio provided the Nair and Clariden free of charge for this review. Headfonia is in no way affiliated with Gaudio. They are not a site advertiser. Many thanks for the generosity and opportunity!
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About Gaudio:
Gaudio is a brand that just opened its doors. Hailing in from Switzerland they bring audiophiles two completely new three-driver sets.
Gaudio is a Swiss company that engineers, designs, and builds state of the art audio earphones / in-ear monitors for both audiophiles and professionals. Everything is made ‘in house’ from the ground up, which includes both the acoustics and the earphone assembly parts.
The earphones get assembled by hand in Switzerland. Gaudio ‘in-ears’ are crafted from the finest materials and thoroughly engineered by a team of highly skilled specialists.
When you order from Gaudio you can select between CHF, EUR and USD to pay. Included in the final price is customs and VAT for EU and Swiss citizens. Also included in the price is shipping within Switzerlands. Non-Swiss customers will have to pay 35 CHF for shipping.
About Clariden and Nair:
Clariden and Nair are both 3 BA universal IEMs. They both retail for the same price of 900 CHF. During Gaudio’s pre-sale they can be acquired for 749 CHF though.
Both are made out of anodized aluminium alloy with a polished stainless steel nozzle. They visually only differ in the inlay, which is light gray on the Nair and dark gray on the Clariden. The Nair also only has two sound-ports while the Clariden has three, which you will see on the nozzle’s end.
Gaudio Clariden & Nair
Both IEMs serve a different purpose with different tunings. The Nair is more reference neutral with a lifted midrange, while the Clariden has a more pumping low end and generally described a W-shaped signature.
Gaudio has chosen names of the Swiss Alps for their monitors. When talking to Nicola over at Gaudio, he told me that he loves the mountains for many reasons.
Here’s what he wrote:
“I like mountains, for many reasons. For the fact that they were here long before us, and they will stay long after we leave. A symbol of longevity and immutability.
I also like the different shapes of their ridges and the story behind them. Sometimes a strategic and
arduous barrier to cross or to conquer, other times a magnificent landscape which we discover after a long climb.
With their purity and unspoiled nature, they dominate everything.
Sometimes their name guards their history or the tale of the men who have dared to climb them.
Pointed and solitary peaks that stand out in the sky, surrounded by perennial glaciers, or soft forms, rich in watercourses and forests, where faunas and flora proliferate.
Mountains are capable of evoking emotions, of awakening something innate within us; they are capable of disconnecting us from everyday life, making us lose the concept of time and letting us enjoy the feeling of lightness and freedom.
These are the same emotions that I would like people to experience while listening to music through our products.”
Worth noting is also, that Gaudio has tuned these models using Final Audio Type E eartips. According to them changing the tips has significant change to the signature. I have not played with eartips myself.
Let’s dig a bit deeper on tech specs for both.
Gaudio Clariden & Nair
Nair
Nair uses a three-way system with two acoustic paths. It uses a single BA for each main frequency spectrum (bass, mids, treble). It has an average impedance of 25 Ohms and 26 Ohms rated at 1kHz. Its senstivity is 118dB per mW (at 1kHz). Together with the impedance it is a relatively easy to drive IEM but it doesn’t pick up hissing.
Clariden
Clariden also uses three BA’s for Bass, Mids and treble each. It comes with three acoustic paths and a three way system. Just like the Nair, it also has an average impedance of 25 Ohms and 26 Ohms at 1kHz. The sensitivity of Clariden is a few decibels lower and is rated at 109dB per mW at 1kHz. Its a little harder to drive than Nair, but still isn’t a picky monitor.
Package:
My sample did not come with the full packaging experience. I only got the Clariden and Nair together with their SPC Satin Audio cables and a pouch plus Final Type E eartips.
Paying customers will get the IEMs, five pairs of silicone Final Audio Type E tips, a cleaning tool, a pleather case with the Gaudio logo embossed on it and a 3.5mm terminated cable made by Satin Audio. Satin Audio has made waves recently for their cable lineup that features a remarkable price to performance ration. Gaudio is the first company that I know of, that bundles their monitors with these cables and I hope more manufacturers will continue to do so. There will also be a warranty card and a user manual included in the package.
The review continues on page two!
