Symphonium Audio Meteor – Sound
The Meteor features a vivid, fun, U-shaped sound signature characterized by an elevated bass region. I had a hard time believing this bass is coming out of a balanced armature configuration as it is deep, impactful and surprisingly fast at the same time. The Meteor can also render the treble quite well. The reproduction of the highs are extended yet they stay below the hot threshold, providing a pleasant, clean treble rendition.
This makes it particularly appealing for electronic music, as it encourages involuntary foot tapping to the rhythm. I found that using the Meteor to browse through my house music playlists was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Now let’s take a look at the individual elements.
Bass
The word that comes to mind is juicy. The Meteor is capable of delivering deep, impactful bass thanks to the entirely elevated bass region. The rendition is clean, with no bleed into the midrange, maintaining integrity even in fast-paced, intricate passages.
Often an increase in quantity compromises perceived resolution/transparency, but the Meteor’s tuning has somehow successfully sidestepped this, while maintaining impressive bass texture and quality. The Meteor offers one of the best bass performances I’ve heard in the competitive sub-$750 price range. Listening to Kerala Dust’s ‘Nevada’, I had an experience very similar to that of my Focal Alpha 80 8-inch studio reference monitors. The bass is undeniably the star of the Meteor’s show.
Midrange
The Meteor’s midrange is warm, musical and articulate. The elevated mid-bass enhances the reproduction of male vocals, while the clean upper-mids contribute to the performance of female vocals. The Meteor’s ability to handle real instruments was highlighted when listening to Melody Gardot’s ‘She Don’t Know’. The body of the instruments is bold, the percussion instruments are crisp and the brass instruments are a little more prominent compared to others due to the elevated bass region, making for an overall exciting presentation.
One another note here is that it is quite difficult to listen to the Meteor for extended periods of time near max volume (for me it’s around 85-90dB), due to the slam of the bass. So if you are a member of the max volume cult, beware. As a reminder, please do not listen to uncomfortable volumes, as hearing range reconstruction is NOT a thing yet.
The upper midrange is balanced and clear, with hi-hats and cymbals demonstrating a good amount of energy and extending well into the top end. The treble tuning feels just right – smooth, balanced and resolving, offering clarity without any harshness.
Treble
The transition from the upper midrange to the treble is seamless, with the treble range being energetic, clean, and airy. The treble extends to the top octave without any brittleness or sharpness, contributing to the Meteor’s spaciousness. The resolution in this region is quite good, and the clarity of the treble was a pleasant surprise, exceeding my expectations. One another note here is that I recommend using the green stem colored wide bore ear tips for the best treble presentation.
Tecnical Capability
In more than ten years of audiophile adventure, I have had the opportunity to listen to many bass-boosted IEMs. When there is so much manipulation/elevation in any region, I usually lower my expectations of technical achievement, because that is what I have experienced over and over again in the past. However, the Meteor surprised me in this respect. Both the bass to speed ratio and the technical capabilities of the Meteor sets it apart from other ‘fun’ tuned IEMs.
The Meteor have excellent imaging and a stage that is moderately sized. It does not feel particularly small or surprisingly big, however, the Meteor does a great job portraying the elements on the stage to the listener. There’s an adeqaute amount of air between the instruments and it is easy to track each element, even during crowded passages. The PRaT of the Meteor is an another highlight, as it may be one of the fastest, most dynamic IEMs under the 750-mark, despite its unorthodox tuning.
Comparisons
vs. Dunu SA6 MK2 ($579 USD)
DUNU SA6 MK2 is a handcrafted in-ear monitor that feature smoked gray acrylic shells and wood faceplates. It’s equipped with Knowles’ custom dual tweeter for treble, a pair of Knowles’ custom midrange balanced armature drivers for mids, and Sonion’s vented AcuPass dual woofer driver for lows.
These six drivers are accompanied by a three-way crossover and an “Atmospheric Immersion” switch that lets you increase the bass amount with a quick flip allowing users to customize the signature to their liking.
In comparison, the SA6 MK2 has a significantly larger shell than the Symphonium Meteor. The Meteor’s semi-custom design sits flush and slightly deeper in the ear for superior comfort. Both IEMs come with high quality accessories and cables, but Dunu’s interchangeable plug system allows changing the termination for different sources.
In terms of sound, with the switch off, the SA6 MK2 is slightly more balanced, with an emphasis on the upper midrange and a more modest bass. However, even with the switch on, the SA6 MK2’s bass impact doesn’t match that of the Meteor. The Meteor’s bass, which is not only richer in quantity, but also excels in texture and resolution. The SA6 MK2’s midrange feels a bit cleaner, especially in the lower midrange.
That said, the SA6 MK2’s midrange often feels a little thin in comparison. Furthermore, the Meteor’s treble is more refined and smoother, avoiding the occasional harshness found in the SA6 MK2’s upper midrange and treble. The Meteor also offers superior dynamics and imaging, with a greater sense of stage depth and a warmer, more engaging sound suitable for a wider range of genres.
vs. THOR Mjolnir MK2 ($399 USD)
Another contender in the bass arena, the Thor Mjolnir MK2 is equipped with a 12.56mm ‘Fusion Diaphragm’ dynamic driver and features hand-crafted resin shells.
The Mjölnir MK2 is tuned as a basshead monitor and it features an elevated bass response, however, its signature is not an overly warm one, instead, THOR managed to extract a good amount of mid/high detail from their propriety DD while having a full, impactful and rounded bass.
When compared to the Meteor, the Meteor’s sub-bass is more pronounced, and its bass is more balanced, with fewer inconsistencies across the region. The Mjolnir’s midbass can become overwhelming in complex passages, affecting the PRaT, while the Meteor maintains transparency despite having a slightly more bass quantity.
The Mjolnir feels darker from bass to lower mids but not in the upper midrange, which is energetic with a sharp bite, contrasting with the Meteor’s smoother and more refined tuning. The Meteor’s treble is expansive and smooth, while the Mjolnir seems slightly rolled off. In terms of technical capability, the Meteor emerges as the clear winner, with a wider and deeper stage, a smoother and more refined signature, and noticeably faster PRaT. The Meteor also features a more airy and spacious presentation in comparison.
Last Words
Symphonium Audio Meteor stands out as a meticulously crafted in-ear monitor, blending aesthetic appeal with durability and performance. Its compact, all-metal build will withstand the test of time while offering a comfortable fit, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of ear anatomies.
The Meteor’s sound signature is characterized by a lively, U-shaped profile, delivering deep, impactful bass and refined treble that avoids harshness, making it especially delightful for electronic music enthusiasts. Its ability to maintain transparency in fast-paced, complex passages and its overall technical capability is certainly impressive.
The Meteor’s exceptional build quality, and engaging sound profile make it a special contender in the competitive audio market, offering a dynamic, engaging sound that appeals to a broad spectrum of consumers.
Pros
+ Fantastic bass response and good SQ
+ Great technical capability
+ Great fit and excellent build
Cons
– Laser etched artwork could be bolder for improved aesthetics
Page 1: Symphonium Audio, The Meteor, Packaging & Accessories, Design, Build & Fit
Page 2: Sound, Low, Mid, High, Technical Capability, Comparisons, Last Words
