If Google is showing you this page directly, click here to go to the start of the article.
Fit
When it comes to comfort, the PMG Audio Apx SE continues the tradition set by Custom Art of creating comfortable in-ear monitors. That influence is evident in the Apx SE. The IEM’s compact size and ergonomically angled canal nozzles ensure a secure, airtight seal in the ear canal, providing a snug fit.
The Apx SE conforms effortlessly to the ear, staying securely in place even during extended listening sessions without causing discomfort or requiring adjustments. Whether you wear them for an hour or several, the fit remains comfortable, making them perfect for long-term use.
In comparison to custom monitors, the Apx SE ranks among the most comfortable universal IEMs I’ve tried. It’s rare to find a universal IEM that provides such a perfect fit, rivalling that of custom options.
Despite packing an impressive 11 drivers per shell, the Apx SE retains a remarkably compact form factor. It’s impressive how PMG Audio has managed to integrate a complex driver array into a design that remains ergonomic.
Sound Quality
PMG Audio has proven that it can create great summit-fi IEMs with the Apx Amber. It was already a pinnacle of IEM performance, excelling across various aspects, and the Apx SE continues that legacy with a sound profile that is both sophisticated and refined. Its technical prowess is immediately apparent, offering a level of performance that stands among the very best in today’s audiophile market.
The Apx SE delivers a mesmerizing listening experience, where every note is rendered with clarity, precision, and balance. Whether it’s the handling of complex passages or the articulation of micro-details, this IEM provides an immersive, high-fidelity experience that captivates from the very first listen.
However, the Apx SE has a different tuning to make it more comfortable for a variety of listeners. This new tuning unlocks more opportunities for the Apx Se to be a more all-rounder offering than the original model. It is a warmer and more organic version of the Apx.
Organic & Natural Sound
The PMG Apx SE is a more approachable and enjoyable IEM compared to its predecessor. Its tuning leans toward a smoother, fuller-bodied sound, with a notable emphasis on organic tonality and a richer bass response. The SE model brings a darker presentation with added weight in the mid-range, particularly in the mid-bass, giving it more presence and warmth.
In contrast to the original Apx’s focus on technical accuracy, the Apx SE smooths out the treble, particularly in the upper registers, making it more forgiving and relaxed without sacrificing detail. While it appeals to a different audience, the SE maintains the original’s impressive technical performance, offering superb refinement and balance across the frequency range.
Where the Apx SE truly shines is in its lifelike timbre reproduction. Instruments sound vivid and true-to-life, with an authentic, fluid presentation. This combination of natural tonality and organic fluidity elevates the Apx SE to one of the most impressive IEMs on the market, offering a sound that feels immersive and genuinely engaging.
Cohesive Performance
The PMG Apx SE excels in coherency, skillfully blending its array of advanced drivers and technologies into a seamless, unified sound. Despite the complexity of its 7-way crossover and 11 drivers, the Apx SE maintains a flawless balance across the entire frequency spectrum. Each driver works in perfect harmony, ensuring that the transitions between lows, mids, and highs are smooth and cohesive.
This level of integration enhances the listening experience, creating a sense of effortless flow that allows the music to unfold naturally, without any disruption or disjointedness. Whether you’re diving into intricate, layered compositions or enjoying more energetic tracks, the Apx SE consistently delivers a captivating and cohesive performance, allowing you to lose yourself in the music without ever feeling like one frequency range overpowers the other.
However, there’s a catch here. Since the upper treble is a bit subdued with the SE model, and since the mid-range is darker and fuller, the new tuning results in a more pronounced lower treble range, which takes away the cohesiveness just a bit.
Sound Classics
Low frequencies of the Apx SE are full with good decay and body. The planar/dynamic combination creates a great definition here. The great thing about Apx’s SE bass is that it has great texture and impact with good recovery. I would say the bass quantity is on the richer side with slight coloration in the mid-bass. It’s not the most neutral bass like in the Viking Ragnar, but it manages to merge great texture/definition and technical performance. The OG Apx has a more definitive sub-bass and less mid-bass, making it sound more open with an airier feeling.
The mid-range has more musicality and fullness with the Apx SE. In terms of technicalities, the mid-range is exceptionally good, with great separation, definition and spaciousness. There’s great body and dynamism in the mid-range. The vocals sound very breathy without congestion, and the instruments have fantastic timbre which sets the Apx SE apart from other monitors. The timbre succession is simply incredible. It feels so natural and so easy with the Apx SE when it comes to focusing on the instruments and their particular sound.
The PMG Apx SE makes a strong case for itself in terms of treble performance, even when compared to its predecessor, the Amber Edition, which set a high benchmark for definition, clarity, and extension. While the Amber Edition’s treble was renowned for its sharp attack and brightness, the Apx SE takes a more refined approach, offering a smoother, less aggressive treble response. This adjustment results in a more comfortable listening experience, especially for those who found the original version to be slightly too bright.
The Apx SE’s planar speaker technology plays a pivotal role in achieving this level of treble finesse. Its fast transient response and precise articulation ensure that high frequencies are handled with remarkable accuracy. The result is a treble presentation that retains the definition and clarity of the original but with an added layer of smoothness and control. For listeners seeking a detailed yet immersive treble experience without excessive brightness, the Apx SE delivers a balanced and refined performance, solidifying its place among the top contenders in the IEM market.
The review continues on the third page. Click here or use the jumps below.
Page 1: Intro and About the IEM
Page 3: More on Sound, Sources, Comparisons, Conclusion
Philippe Sandmeier
You forgot price as a big CON; $6k; ouch!