Review on CVJ CSA IEM: High-Fidelity Wired Earphone with Dual DD and 1BA Drivers, Resin Cavity for Clear Sound and Enhanced Bass - White (with Mic) by Jay Lopez

CVJ CSA are bright sounding in-ear headphones with neutral bass response. It sounds best at low to medium volume. The CVJ CSA is easily managed with a variety of source devices. While the CVJ is to be applauded for offering an alternative to the dominant tuning at this price point, the CSA needs further improvement, particularly in its upper-mid reproduction. PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES: CVJ CSA is delivered in a small rectangular wooden box. The lid of the box features the CVJ logo and silver slogan. CVJ's contact information is printed on the back of the box. There is also a sticker with CSA specific specifications. This is a new presentation for such an inexpensive IEM. The kit includes a detachable 0.75mm 2-pin cable with a 3.5mm plug, three pairs of white silicone ear tips (S, M, L) and a small brown holster with a CVJ logo on it a drawstring. A Velcro fastener is attached to the cable. The package also includes a quality control pass, user manual and warranty card. QUALITY CONSTRUCTION / DESIGN: The CVJ CSA uses a two-piece plastic body. The interior of the case is transparent, revealing the internal components. The front panel is painted with a glossy white carbon fiber pattern. The CVJ logo is printed in black on the front. There is a small round air outlet above the dynamic driver inside the housing. The upper part of the inner shell is marked with white markings "L" and "R". The earphones have metal grills, similar to a soup strainer, and durable eyelets for attaching earbuds. Using plastic as the main body material is acceptable given the low price, but there are many IEMs that are close or below CSA that use all-metal construction, or at least metal bezels. The included cable is simple, with four cores in a black rubber jacket. It closely resembles TRN's entry-level headphone cables. The cord tends to get tangled when placed in the included cloth pouch. Y splitter and connector are black anodized metal. The CVJ logo is printed in white on the 3.5mm jack. There is a strain relief above the 3.5mm jack and below the Y connector, but no slider for adjusting the chin. The cable has preformed shrink eartips. The "L" and "R" indicators are pressed out on 2-pin connectors. COMFORT / FIT / INSULATION: The CVJ CSA is designed to be worn with a cable only. The earbuds have a moderate insertion depth and were comfortable for me. The housings have a low profile and are mainly located under the outer surface of the ear. Landing reliability is average. The in-ear angle of the case shifts with wear and occasionally needs adjustment, although the CSA fits more securely than the KBEAR KB04. Isolation is slightly above average for an IEM with vented dynamic drivers. I've experienced rider flex with CSA with most of the silicone ear tips I've tried. AUDIO: Sub-bass extension is satisfactory. Subbass draws the listener's attention more than midbass. Bass response has good speed and articulation but lacks texture. Bass resolution is generally good. The mids have a cool tonality with lots of presence. There isn't enough mid-bass to merge or color the mids. The lower midrange sounds thin and deep compared to the upper midrange. Male vocal intelligibility is average and male vocals lack body. Female vocals are easier to understand. There is quite a bit of noise, especially on female vocals. Female vocals sound fuller and more colorful than male vocals. Female vocals outperform instruments in the midrange, while male vocals have to compete with electric guitars and other instruments for the listener's attention. The high frequencies are evenly boosted in line with the prominent upper mids. High frequencies are brilliant, detailed and airy. Transitional contractions are slightly diffuse and spurting. The breadth and depth of the soundstage is what I would expect from a budget hybrid IEM. The instrument separation and visualization are excellent.