Sound Impressions: Lows
Have you noticed that all of these brands I’ve mentioned for “classic” driver setup are all 1DD IEMs only except Ice Lab? Well, there was a good reason for it. Interestingly, the sound of Prismatica has the feel and characteristics of a tribrid IEM with DD, BA, and EST drivers involved. As Ice Lab described, I also thought a dynamic driver was used for this IEM while listening to it for the first time – while only being played through BA drivers. The bass of Prismatica would deceive most people for the smooth, full, and powerful dynamics it produces. The bass dives deep with thick density and large scale, behaving like a solid and well-tuned dynamic driver – even though there’s no DD involved in this IEM.
What’s more impressive is that Prismatica also generates the natural strike and decay that a dynamic driver would have, while BA drivers tend to have a choppy, tactical nuance. Or otherwise, when full-BA IEMs attempt to produce such a reverb-generous bass. it’s hard to retain good resolution or overall bass control, yet Prismatica hasn’t sacrificed control despite the generous bass highlight and decay. The bass also has a creamy, flowing consistency throughout the bass, deceiving your ears as if listening to a dynamic driver. The bass quantity is equivalent to V-shaped IEMs, not quite reaching the true “basshead” level of bass intensity, though almost reached there.
Sound Impressions: Mids
Mids work harmoniously with the bass, showing a smooth and natural transition. The sub-bass and vocals work together, so while they are connected, they still make clear distinctions for their “playgrounds”, preventing the sub-bass from intervening or bleeding into the mid-range. The vocals take a slight step forward with a full, creamy, and rich timbre. The vocals are slightly thicker than natural-thick, where I wouldn’t call the vocals thick or chubby, though they aren’t slim either. I’d just say that they fill up the mid-range field with great fullness, accompanied by the vocals’ texture that is both creamy and refined.
Since the vocals aren’t thick-thick, both male and female vocals work beautifully with Prismatica. You might wonder if the vocals might sound too warm and stuffy yet do not worry – although Prismatica has a full mid-range, it still reserves decent room for showing airiness and natural vocal decays. Despite the tone being neutral-warm, the vocals show a lively, upbringing tone, as well as showing extra shine and transparency for the upper vocals. Zero sibilance or warping in timbre, by the way. This gives a stable yet consistency throughout the mid-range, hence making vocals to be a seamless connection between the lows and highs.
Sound Impressions: Highs
Speaking of highs, Ice Lab mentioned Prismatica’s trebles to have an electrostatic-ish characteristic and they weren’t exaggerating about that. Along with the superior ultra-high extension, another common characteristic of EST drivers is the refined texture that sheds light on the fine strands of treble details. Prismatica’s trebles make a clear and distinctive presence in the music with great texture and extension, along with refined textures to the point that the absence of EST drivers won’t be a disappointment while listening to Prismatica. Highs are crisp yet still keep a natural, smooth nuance that respects Prismatica’s consistent timbre, from lows to highs.
The “360-degree” Soundstage?
As for Ice Lab’s description of a 360-degree soundstage – does that mean the sound really feels like a big room sets up speakers in every direction, and even makes the sound heard behind my back? Well, not in that sense. However, Ice Lab has its point in describing Prismatica as such. The staging is surprisingly natural, consistent, and spatial and the music creates a harmonious yet immersive sound. The separation is good as I’ve said, but also the distancing and certain sounds that are supposed to be heard behind are accurately heard recessed, while the sounds that are in-focus and up-close sound distinctively clear.
These accuracies in distancing and layering, and the spatial layering that Prismatica gives enough reason for Ice Lab to state it for having a 360-degree staging. In short, to put it simply, Prismatica plays an outstanding headroom and soundstage, that punches above its price when it comes to portraying a wide, natural, and accurate staging.
Next Page: Comparisons with Campfire Flagship IEMs / Verdicts