Review Excerpt:
Based on the original balanced cable drive, equipped with UC Tips liquid silicone ear tips, meeting the power requirements for driving.
The bass quantity is moderate to slightly abundant, with well-controlled thickness and fullness. Elasticity is good, and sub-bass extension is quite commendable for a 4-6 driver balanced armature earphone. The attack and decay speed are moderate, retaining a slight reverberation. The atmospheric bloom is subtle, with appropriate richness preserved. At first listen, the bass of the RSV MKII doesn’t even sound like a typical BA earphone; it possesses ample energy and a relatively rounded texture, with excellent elasticity and an appropriate atmosphere that gives it a touch of a ‘dynamic driver feel.’ In this aspect, the RSV MKII shows significant improvement over its predecessor. Instruments with fundamentals in the lower-midrange exhibit only a slight forward tilt.
Midrange: Vocals are at a moderate distance, with generally standard mouth shape size and moderate refinement. The RSV MKII’s vocals exhibit a slight prominence in the lower-midrange, lending them a certain thickness and density, with texture slightly prioritized over outline definition. There is no significant bias between male and female vocals; it handles voices that are not overly sharp or those with ample breath well. The graininess is noticeably polished, primarily contributing to smoothness. Timbre coloration is minimal, even appearing somewhat neutral; there’s no obvious bias towards cold or warm, but some might perceive it as slightly warm due to the lower-midrange prominence, which is not actually the case. While its vocal timbre cannot be called perfectly standard, coloration is minimal. Throat resonance position is generally correct, breathiness ratio is moderate, and the forwardness of details like sibilance is controlled, with only a slight perception in some Japanese productions. Sibilance is also quite polished; overall vocal transparency is moderate, without obvious artificial brightening.
Regarding instruments, most also follow a texture-first approach. Among string instruments, violins, guitars, violas, etc., sound relatively solid, with string plucking/bowing details not overly prominent. Cellos also have a relatively fuller body, with generally appropriate proportions in the soundstage. Brass instruments have decent grandeur; bright instruments like trumpets have moderate brightness without energy overflow. Woodwind instruments have moderate airiness and decent natural timbre. Overtone quantity is moderate, relatively conservative. Among percussion instruments, the kick drum has sufficient presence, and the snare decays at a moderate pace. Cymbals have moderate brightness, without obvious metallic or harsh qualities.
Treble brightness is moderate, with slightly higher smoothness. There are no particularly obvious concentrated energy peaks, and sharp peaks feel rounded off. Upper treble energy is not abundant, but the extension capability meets the expected level for multi-driver earphones at this price point. Roll-off is not too early, just slightly fast.
The sense of space is not cramped; horizontal and vertical dimensions extend to similar distances, and boundaries are relatively easy to perceive. Combined with a moderate ‘sense of height,’ the RSV MKII can present a relatively regular oblate spheroid-shaped soundstage. Separation between vocals and instruments is good, and overall coherence is fine. Resolution capability is similar to its predecessor; overall information retrieval is slightly above average for earphones in the 3-5K price range, richer than the Studio 4, and also has more mid-high frequency information than the SE6 Live from exhibition listening impressions. The ‘sense of resolution’ is not overly prominent. Dynamics are good, and transients are excellent.
Source: TDS Audio Experience
