Sound Impressions: VCD / Bass / Ultra-Lows
For the Apx ME review, we’ll shed more light on the changes and comparisons with the previous Apx series throughout the review, as we’ve already reviewed Apx SE and Apx AE. To better understand the Apx SQ and its performance, please read our previous Apx reviews, if you haven’t already.
Listening to Apx ME, the first thing that caught my attention was the bass. The Apx ME’s bass is something special – very different from what was shown from Apx SE and AE. PMG wasn’t exaggerating about their VCD technology being in a different class with commercial bone conduction drivers. It inherits the depth and control of the SE but now feels even more holographic and enveloping, extending in every direction with a spherical presence. The low-frequency ambiance, physical vibrations, and strike/decay are just so immersive and realistic.
While there are exceptions (ex. AME Mousa) delivers an outstanding bass presentation while using only BA drivers, dynamic drivers have always been the go-to choice for producing great bass. In recent years, the industry started to adopt bone conduction drivers (BCD) for the low frequencies for superior bass vibrations. The DD+VCD synergy of Apx ME captures the best of both worlds – the organic, neutral timbre and the lively, ambient vibrations. Ultra-low vibrations ring with life, and the bass dynamics and ambiance are something quite I haven’t experienced from an IEM until now. This may sound a bit too boastful, though it’s my genuine impression nevertheless.
The bass extension is incredibly deep, yet it doesn’t feel overwhelming or boomy. Apx ME carries the whole-bodied thickness and sheer vastness, which is carried out so cleanly and neatly. In other words, Apx ME condensed the “basshead sensation” into sounding balanced and organized. I doubt there are many IEMs that could recreate the bass to sound such a large and surreal while maintaining this level of control. Sure, many other IEMs come to mind that offer stellar bass – however, not as large, deep, and immersive as Apx ME.
Sound Impressions: Vocals / Timbre
Continuing the “Apx sound” through a metal shell would’ve made the vocals change dramatically, especially if using titanium. It’s safe to say that the Apx ME brought these dramatic changes by all good means, and as the feedback collected from Apx SE. Apx ME’s vocals sound extremely smooth and lush, and present an ultra-high-resolution sound that once again makes another big step beyond existing flagship IEMs. Mids take a gentle step forward, but not in an extruding manner, escalating naturally and continuously from the bass.
As shown similarly from Oriolus Traillii Ti (review link) and Canpur CP622B Ti, the Apx ME merited something very special by adopting a titanium shell, which has to do with the timbre. The vocals of Apx ME have this deep-toned, luscious, and sexy tone. It’s a type of tone that carries weight and vivid textures, while sounding organic and extremely refined. It’s common for metal shell IEMs (especially titanium) to sound brighter, drier, metallic, and sibilant, yet those aren’t the case with the Apx ME; the vocals on these sound warm, adequately damp, and fatigue-free. Only a gentle metallic sleek is added to the textural tones, which I believe is what gives Apx ME such a pleasing timbre.
While similar to what I’ve mentioned on the bass impressions, I must talk about the size or “vastness” again, as this trait also continues on the vocals. Apx ME formulated the mid-range with a three-dimensional space (with front-back depth and lateral width) that makes the vocals sound absolutely immersive, large, and holographic. Similarly with the bass, the vocals have also gained significant improvement in realism and immersiveness compared to the Apx SE/AE.
Sound Impressions: Highs / Soundstage
While many would focus on lows and mids when discussing Apx ME, the improvements of the trebles were also a pleasant surprise. I’m trying to keep the appreciation milder than I feel, as I already boasted a lot about the sound earlier. However, what’s great is great. Trebles of Apx ME sound immersive – deep in color, expansive. Extremely detail-oriented yet the most smooth and silkiest sounding treble among the Apx series. Needless to say, the Apx ME confidently upholds the treble performance and resolution expected for the up-to-date, summit-fi IEMs.
I personally find that bringing micro details to the lower frequencies has fewer vulnerabilities and challenges than the upper frequencies. Producing detailed, transparent treble details all while preventing them from getting hot has always been a challenge for flagship IEMs. The earlier Apx series gained applause for the treble details – and while I found their trebles to be very smooth and comfortable to listen to, to treble-shy ears and treble-aggressive genres, I was also able to understand why some would find the trebles a tad bright.
Continuing on Highs / Soundstage
The cymbal strikes, string harmonics, and the ultra-high ambiance are all rendered with clarity and airiness. Many IEMs already do these even at lower prices, thanks to technological advances; the differentiating point of Apx ME comes to the finest details and “how” they are delivered. Keeping slightly recessed in position and quantity compared to the mids, the highs are extremely soothing and solemn, contributing to the tonal balance to be calm and fatigue-free while pouring in with immense musical details. While it’s something I’ve felt from the Custom Art product line-ups, what’s also evident from PMG Audio Apx ME is how good the trebles are at controlling the “kick strength” – not shouting out details or dubbing, but allowing the intensity of the high notes to be respected, yet clearly heard. This greatly contributes to Apx ME fully finishing creating this “realistic sound” and “immersive soundstage” I’ve been mentioning throughout the sound impressions.
One of the major imprints of PMG Apx IEMs was their incredible front-back depth up-and-down headroom. Their headrooms were more oval shaped that expands taller than wider sideways. For the Apx ME, the lateral width of the soundstage has also been improved, now creating a spherical stage that expands a lot more evenly. It gives the side fullness that fellow Apx SE/AE users have requested, which has now been given through Apx ME, along with the existing elements to also get even better, especially the front-back depth and perceptions.
Now, on the next page, we’ll be comparing Apx ME with globally renowned summit-fi, flagship IEMs, including PMG Audio Apx SE, Oriolus Traillii JP, AME Mousa, and Nostalgia Audio Pendragon.
Next Page: Summit-Fi IEMs Mega Comparisons / Verdicts