Disclaimer : The Simgot EK3 were sent to us free of charge in exchange of honest opinion by Simgot. Their retail price is 359$ and you can find them here.
About SIMGOT
Born in 2017, Simgot is an IEM brand coming straight from Shenzhen, China. The company name stands for “Simple and elegant” and their motto is “”salute to art and science”, you get the idea.
The revelation came from the EN700, a great/affordable IEM with impressive performances and superb design. A new MKII version is upcoming and I’m curious to check it out.
The EMXX / EN Series
As usual, here is a quick presentation of the Simgot line-up. I focused on the EM/EN series, even if I know new other models are available, but I prefer to stick to the basics.
EN700 Pro/Bass
The EN700 was the first entry from Simgot on the IEM market. Awarded in VGP summer 2017, this model was and still is a hit ! For a single dynamic driver, the performance was very convincing, be it in bass or pro model. Even Cayin offered a bundle with the N3+EN700 Pro.
Metal housing, OFC braided wire 400D DuPont Kevlar, nice carry-box, under 200$ price-point, the Simgot EN700 (PRO reviewed here and BASS reviewed here) ticked all the right box. If bass is not your thing, check the Pro Version, it even has detachable cable.
EM1
The EM1 is a dynamic driver IEM. It shares a lot of features with the previous EN700 series, but in a plastic shell instead of aluminum. The design is great and from afar, it looks like they are high-end IEMs thanks to their complex shape and material blends.
The mono-driver EM1 is expected to deliver at least the same performance as the EN700 delivered, or so they say.
EM2
The EM2 is a hybrid IEM, with 1x Dynamic Driver + 1x Balanced Driver. It looks exactly the same as the EM1, and you have to check the inner side to tell them apart. Combined with the dynamic driver, you get a full-range driver with tuned vents from Knowles. The cable is upgraded from the basic OFC X4 to the better SPC X4, a silver-plated version.
Simgot advertises this combo as “complementary and fitting as a whole”. So I’m very curious to hear this one, as most of the hybrids I reviewed lately were surprisingly good.
EM3
I tried the Simgot EM3 previously and ended up with mixed feelings. To auto quote myself :
“So in the end, while the EM3 still is very good, we at the moment still prefer some of the other Simgot models (think EN700). That, however, might be different for you, so listen to it yourself, compare both and make up your mind.”
EM5
The EM5 is also a hybrid IEM, much more complete this time with 1x Dynamic Driver + 4x Balanced Drivers. It’s the flagship of the series, embedding two TWFK-30017 for the mids/high frequencies and two TWFK-31736 for the extreme highs. The cable is even better as you get a OCCX2 + SPCX2, mixing two OCC braids with two silver plated braids.
Announced as the most “accurate, analytical, high-detailed” model from the EM series, the EM5 looks exactly like the EM2 and EM1. So you better double check !
Design & Build Quality
Shell
If I was not so fond of the EM3 plastic shell, the Simgot EK3 feels much, much, better. Again, this all thanks to high precision 3D printing, giving every manufacturer the chance to mass produce acrylic shells, for cheap. For the EK3, Simgot partnered with HeyGears, a company specialized in the field of 3D printing, to ensure every shell looks and feels perfect.
The IEM is available in two colors : clear and translucent grey. Both look pretty cool and the acrylic highlights one of the coolest quirks of the EK3: the honeycomb faceplate. Made of aluminum, those series of hexagon look flat from a straight view, but once you rotate the ears, you end up with a very nice 3D effect. At first, I was not really convinced, but as time goes by, it grew on me. Congrats Simgot.
Build quality
Build quality is on a whole other level if you compare the Simgot EK3 to the EM3. There are absolutely no flaws, issues nor bubbles on the model I received. The magnifying effect of the glossy shell matches the overall sensation of sturdiness, it’s not an IEM you’ll worry too much about when traveling.
The 2-pin socket is not my favorite, but it feels sturdy and the provided cable should not falter. Once fitted, the cable won’t budge and compared to the usual 2-pin socket, the prominent socket will protect the pins on a daily basis. (trust me on this, I’m not very kind with my gear)
One of the best features of the EM3 was the copper nozzle. Good news, it has been successfully transferred to the EK3 as well. The integration is superb and once the tips are properly installed, they’ll stay in place, all the time. If you look closely, you’ll find the company name, printed on the nozzle, and this is the only way to know that you’re wearing a Simgot IEM.
The cable is superb with a mix of copper/silver braids, the famous OCC/SPC threads. You can check the Y splitter, proudly displaying OCC x2 + SPC 1, which stands for 2 copper braids + 1 silver coated copper braid. Strangely, each plug is still molded in silicon sleeves, which may make the EK3 more durable in the trade of some… sexiness.
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Manish D.
I have the Simgot EK3 ($360), the BGVP DM6 ($199), and the Monoprice MP80 ($80)… they’re all amazing for the price point… and yes, you do notice a difference.
The MP80 were a good intro into the IEM market, solid build, 3 tuning nozzles for different audiophonic preferences, work with multitude MMCX accessories… great sound and get pretty loud before you start hearing distortion.
And then I got to hear the BGVP DM6… better sound for sure than the MP80… more balanced, distortion free at a very loud setting, definitely better sound stage than the MP80. You cannot go wrong with these if your budget is <$200.
Then I got the Simgot EK3… Oh wow! With the tuning settings built-in, you have a combo of the above with the tuning preference, and the amazing soundstage. Each type of sound comes through in the music I listen to… stuff I didn't notice before as much even with the two above (but especially with something like airpods or mid-end Sony or something comparable). But like I said, it's a budget issue… I was lucky to get the right ones at the right price points to be able to tell the differences in each.