First Impressions
Shuoer and I have never previously met. The newest members of the Shuoer family, the EJ07M IEMs (in-ear monitors), have come to visit and stay a while. (I hope) it’s a pleasure to meet you! From the first listen, the unique nature and impressive performance of the EJ07M are ear-openingly obvious. How they will do overall is hard to discern, as the sound reproduction itself is unlike anything I’ve heard. I anticipate I’ll need significant listening time to have my ears and brain recalibrate (after a proper conditioning/burn-in period). The Shuoer EJ07M have a close relative and predecessor whose DNA they carry, the well-regarded EJ07 (whom I have also never met). The letter “M” represents “Mass Production Version.” This new mass produced version IEM has the same exact driver array, while improving the performance in treble and air frequencies. Even more impressive, at a much lower price. Despite the fact that this may be a Chinese to English language translation nuance, I am going to do my best to overlook both the naming and the price tag until I arrive at my conclusion. Are the EJ07M worth the hefty price tag given all the competition in the market now? Our pursuit of the answer begins now. Pull up a seat, and be Shuoer to pay attention! I promise no more jokes, as Shuoer are notably serious about their mission and products.
Company Overview
Shuoer Acoustics was founded in Dongguan, Guangdong in August 2016. Shuoer takes pride in discovering the best possible sonic materials to support the construction of their products and painstakingly tweaking the parameters to refine the tuning for a natural listening experience. Shuoer produces a small range of in-ear monitors (IEMs), from accessible budget-friendly options to more exclusive models.
Technical Specifications
Drivers: 7 driver tribrid configuration on each side (1) 10mm carbon nanotube dynamic driver (4) Sonion electret drivers (2) Sonion 2389 balanced armature drivers Impedance: 19 Ohms Sensitivity: 107 dB/mW Frequency Response Range: 20Hz – 30kHz THD: 0.5% ± 0.1% Noise Isolation: Passive Style: In-ear, with earhook cable Color: Multi-color acrylic faceplate with silver body, or gold foil and carbon fiber faceplate with black body Body Material Construction: Stainless Steel SUS316 Connector: 2-pin 0.78mm Plug Type: 3.5mm gold-plated right-angle plug Cable Length and Type: 1.25m (4 ft) 100-strand OCC copper cable (Ohno Continuous Cast), interchangeable with pre-shaped ear hooks
Packaging
The box is large for a small pair of IEMs. It is clean, well-constructed, well-presented, and quite nice – befitting a premium product. Like their brand, the packaging is a serious affair. From their videos, almost identical packaging is shared with the other Shuoer models. After opening a very sturdy beige cardboard outer box, and then sliding another sturdy white box off yet another inner black box, we get to the precious contents. The black box flips open from the bottom to reveal a brand explanation and orderly presentation of the EJ07M IEMs, and a wide array of accessories. The round metal case is a beauty and deserves praise. It has a finely threaded top that spins smoothly on and off. As packaged, it contains the cable. I appreciate the serious and distinctive presentation. It’s harder for me to appreciate having more boxes to store and the creation of more waste. Thankfully, there is not much plastic to be found.
In the box
EJ07M IEMs 1 braided 0.78mm 2-pin standard 100-core silver-plated detachable OFC cable 9 pairs (total) of ear tips (6 pair of silicone ear tips (S, M, L), 3 pair of memory foam) Printed EJ07M Album, product certificate, and warranty card Metal case
Cable
Included is a high-purity 1.25m, 100-strand OCC monocrystalline copper cable, featuring a braided structure up until the splitter to help reduce cable noise (of which there is none) and keep the cable lightweight and flexible. It has standard 0.78mm connectors and can be bought in two different 90° gold-plated plug termination options, 3.5mm single-ended or 4.4mm balanced. The cable is more attractive in person than in the pictures. It feels appropriate to the quality I expect, although it is not in itself an object of beauty. This choice may have been function over form, which is quite acceptable in this category. That said, the cable does not in any fashionable sense match the IEMs or faceplates. The only obvious plastic is the protective chrome over black splitter, as well as the clear plastic housing for the plug. The sliding cinch glides easily up and down the singular cables that lead to each IEM. The ear hooks retain their shape well around the ear and do not exert pressure, remaining comfortable for long listening sessions.
Design
The EJ07M feature uniquely designed artistic faceplates on each side. Available are two different color options. One is a stylish mixed color faceplate (acrylic) with a silver cavity body. The other faceplate is made of pressurized gold foils and carbon fiber paired with a black body. The ergonomic cavities of the EJ07M are made of SUS316 Stainless Steel. The fit and finish of the EJ07M are outstanding. The chassis is a single machined piece of steel, with the faceplate attached. They fit together tightly and are accurately aligned. The main body has one small hole, presumably to release any cavity pressure. They are dense and solid, though feel light in the ears as a result of fit. I expect that they will be highly durable with proper care. Even better, Shuoer offers custom-fitted EJ07Ms made specifically for you. This video of the customization process will show you just how you can have a pair that is truly for your ears only.
Comfort
The contoured shape of the stainless steel shells are perfectly smooth, do not protrude from the ears, and have a nozzle length and angle that will fit most ears well. The EJ07M are uncommonly comfortable for extended periods. I find no hot spots or pressure on or in my ears. They require no annoying adjustments and do not cause fatigue. As mentioned, the cable is excellent regarding comfort due to its light weight and flexible fit around the ears.
Internals
EJ07M feature the same EST-BA-DD (Electrostatic-Balanced Armature-Direct Driver) tribrid driver array from its predecessor (the EJ07), combining quad Sonion EST drivers and dual BA drivers imported from Denmark, plus a proprietary carbon nanotube dynamic driver. Sonion is considered a premium brand in audio, and the EST drivers are known for their high-resolution characteristics. The ultralight moving membranes used in electrostatic speakers deliver more accurate transient response than other driver types, resulting in exceptional clarity and detail. The 10mm dynamic driver provides depth for lower frequencies, while the two Sonion balanced armature drivers round out the mix to provide high-resolution midrange frequencies.
Shuoer EJ07M Sound
For evaluation, I listen to a great variety of music through numerous sources, including:
Sony DVP-S7000 CD Player LG V20 & LG V40 phones (both have Quad DAC and headphone jacks) Samsung A71 (in 2020-21, still has a headphone jack!) iPhone 7 Plus Lenovo IdeaPad 3 FiiO A3 Khadas Tone2 Pro Creative Sound Blaster Omni
With a high sensitivity of 107db and a low impedance of 19 ohms, these IEMs are easy to drive with virtually any source. Passive sound isolation is good with proper-fitting ear tips. The EJ07M are unique. They display forward sounding, excited energy, and certainly stand far and away from the average. They almost sizzle, frequently just a hair short of sibilant. It’s unfair to characterize them along dimensions that I might normally. For example, they are not overly warm or bright and harsh, nor are they V-shaped with recessed mids, etc. In addition, to say that they present a wide soundstage is too simple a description, albeit accurate. The best place to start is the differentiation in sound presentation, not the frequency graph. The holographic, dimensional imaging is immediately apparent and astonishing, as well as the size and placements of sounds. There is a vast amount of perceived space in between sounds. This is truly difficult to explain in words. There is no congestion in the sound, and somehow the EJ07M never sound thin. Given the above, many of you may still be quite interested in the EJ07M frequency graph. The graph on the back of the box gives a decent, if somewhat blurry, overview. Click here to read our excellent primer, The Audio Frequency Spectrum Explained. The EJ07M also defy usual conventions in that they cannot easily be described as coherent, fragmented, or disjointed. Every sound presented, as well as frequencies, are quite present and distinct. With too rapid an assessment, it would be easy to conclude that coherence is lacking, especially in comparison to more conventional IEMs without electrostatic drivers. The more time I spend with these, the more I realize that this is not a reliable assessment. This uniqueness is simply a strength. Channel separation is clean. Dynamics are outstanding, as highlighted in American composer, songwriter, jazz singer, and pianist Patricia Barber’s epic composition, Nardis, as well as Inch Worm. These are awe-inspiring mixes that audiophiles must listen to, even if it’s not your music preference. The recording is incredible – listening through the EJ07M equally so. The sonic complexity and speed are just as challenging as the dynamic range. Detail retrieval, same. Simply amazing experience. The EJ07M are flexible and accommodating IEMs for listeners who appreciate a wide variety of music and sound. They competently handle most genres and can make anything sound excellent, almost to a fault. I would not characterize them as “easy listening.” The challenge for some casual listeners is that these will demand your attention with their energetic signature and transmission of high levels of detail. I do not get the sense that the EJ07M are highly colored, despite the sound being quite different from other IEMs. Timbre generally sounds accurate and true to my ears, smooth and natural. Throughout the frequency spectrum, transitions seem seamless (homophone!). The drivers are exceptionally well tuned and integrated well. Once you know the sound of a well-tuned Sonion driver, it is sonically distinct from other driver types. In the sound, there is a large amount of energy, sizzle, and something like an auditory shimmer. For something matched to the EJ07M’s uniqueness, let’s listen to Wolf Totem by The Hu featuring Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach. The Hu is a Mongolian folk-rock and heavy metal band formed in 2016. With traditional Mongolian instrumentation, including the Morin khuur and the Tovshuur, they mix metal with the ancient art of throat singing. In this collaboration, Jacoby Shaddix, founding member and lead singer of the California-based rock band Papa Roach, joins the band on vocals. Yes, this is a strange melding of worlds. When Jacoby and the Hu’s vocals come in at about :34 seconds and 1:20, it actually took me by surprise – twice! The density, clarity, and presence of the vocals are as unexpected as the unlikely pairing. There is a great deal of sonic confusion possible with this track, as there are challenges all across the frequency spectrum. The EJ07M meet every challenge to keep up and manage as clean a presentation as possible considering the source.
Bass
With the direct driver able to focus on its primary strength, bass is complete – sub-bass rumble plus hard-hitting mid-bass, all with the ability to be textured and musical. This is not an easy task for any IEM. There is more than enough bass to satisfy anybody. For a strong dose of English philosophy and American EDM, plug in, close your eyes, and soak this in. Over the initial rumble of Austin-based production duo Tritonal’s Born Yesterday is a recording of Alan Watts, sharing a discourse on meditation through listening. Just after 1:20, Nashville, Tennessee-based singer-songwriter Brigetta enters the mix. As before with the Hu, I was surprised by the presence of her voice in my consciousness. Just after 1:50, the heavy beat drops and the mid-bass thump is plentiful and rhythmic. All this said, bass frequencies never sound out of sorts or overpowering. They are fast enough to be clean, yet slow enough to be harmonic and resonant. Similarly, on Icona Pop’s Off of My Mind, bass is featured in many forms. At 0:53, the powerful beat drops. The snap of the bass presentation of the EJ07M is almost as addictive as this track. Fair warning, you won’t easily get this track off of your mind, either.
Midrange
Midrange frequencies are fully forward when it’s the primary focus of the recording, and are an affirmation of the balanced armatures’ tuning and blending with the ESTs. For diversity in music and style, let’s shift to something entirely different in South Korea with Yiruma. His modern solo acoustic piano composition, River Flows in You, is considered a modern masterpiece by fans everywhere across the world. This recording, from the The Best: Reminiscent 10th Anniversary album, is somewhat gritty in the sense that this does not sound like a sterile studio recording. It sounds live and in-room, capturing all the air between notes, environmental sound, and if you listen closely on the EJ07M, you will hear pedal actuations and reverberations that will not be revealed on lesser IEMs.
Treble
The treble, similar to the mid-range and bass, has excellent timbre and balance, smooth despite its energetic potential. Traveling back into Austrian history, we discover extensive classical musical history, including the prolific Michael Haydn whose works in the mid-late 1700s (18th century) influenced the later compositions of Mozart. Divertimenti in C Major, Piccolo Concerto Wien, is a beautiful set of compositions with bountiful opportunities to enjoy natural treble frequencies produced by both wind and string instruments. Gorgeous texture and layering in the music are brought to life by the EJ07M, with depth and detail without being overly bright or harsh. Resolution and extension are truly pleasing, with no “ouch” moments to interrupt the joy of music.
Where to Buy
Conclusion
The Shuoer EJ07M are most certainly for enthusiasts, and there is a great deal to be enthusiastic about. I began to truly appreciate the true nature of the EJ07M after investing substantial time adjusting to their unique sound signature and appreciating the depth of their capabilities. They are like Olympic decathletes, excellent across a broad spectrum of performance, with almost no notable weaknesses. The EJ07M are for people who treasure their personal time and value the intimacy, nuance, and dynamics of music. In their time away from the world in full rapture, they long to be lost or found in the sound. If this is you, there is a high probability that you will be fully satisfied with the EJ07M. These are a special purchase and will be an exceptional addition to any collection. If you have not experienced a tribrid of this caliber, are seeking a different experience, and can afford them – don’t hesitate. If you meet the profile above, these are an easily justifiable long-term investment. These outstanding EJ07M have earned two energetic thumbs up from me.
