Astrotec Archimedes ATS01 Planar Magnetic Driver IEMs – Nine Layers Of Acoustic Integrity
Astrotec Archimedes ATS01 is a $129 USD pair of IEMs Earphones with a dual driver setup featuring one planar magnetic driver and one 9-Layer Piezoelectric driver working in tandem to create a beautiful and engaging sound. Today we will review the archimedes and explore how it sounds like and how it compares to the market.
Introduction
Astrotec is a core company for audio lovers, they’ve been in business for as long as I’ve been writing reviews, but they create very few products, often just focusing on the important things, creating good IEMS that stand the test of time, without producing a new model every season just to be in touch with the market. You can purchase astrotec products from their own website, Amazon, Linsoul, Aliexpress and most Chifi sale channels.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to Astrotec for providing us with the sample for this review.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3Hmr9vQ
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omElXKx
Build Quality – Design
Astrotec Archimedes is a first for the company, using both planar magnetic drivers and piezzoelectric drivers, as prior to this review I don’t think I’ve ever heard of an astrotec IEM this complex. In fact, the most recent model we’ve reviewed has been the Astrotec AM805 MK2, which is rather old now, having been a good ACG performer with a model with the same name that I’ve reviewed back when I just started my journey as a reviewer.
Astrotec promises that with the inclusion of planar magnetic drivers and the 9-layer PZT ceramic vibrating plate or piezoelectric driver, they will bring a rich resonance to the high frequencies but also eliminate the break-up distortion issues of both dynamic drivers and BA balanced armature drivers. This dual-driver system is helped by a set of acoustic components in a space less than 5mm, with two imported metal tuning dampeners, the fruit of 20 years of acoustic research.
We also get to hear the new 2-Micron Nano-Scale diaphragm, precisely laser-etched, ensuring perfect audio reproduction. Shells are made of authentic stainless steel, and the faceplate is a simple industrial SS piece of art. For the more geeky reader, the planar magnetic driver has a 14.8mm size, and it features 14 magnets on both sides, with a high magnetic flux, 2 micron ultra-tin composite diaphragm, and a PZT driver with a 9-Layer Ceramic Core.
ATS01 Archimedes also has an impedance of 16 OHMs, and a SPL of 106 OHMs, theoretically being easy to drive but sensitive to source noise, and they come with a 0.78mm 2-Pin detachable cable, with a transparent sheath and silver-plated design.
Fit – Subjective Usage
Very few companies do such a poor job at promoting their own product as Astrotec, because although this was nowhere mentioned, these IEMs have a modular cable, and you can use them with both a 3.5mm single ended and a 4.4mm balanced source. This feature alone bumps the price performance ratio considerably, and it is a really useful feature.
Also, Astrotec Archimedes come with good comfort, they fit really snugly in my ears, and the default eartips are of a good quality. They have no driver flex, no popping sound, no void, and just generally feel really nice to be worn. Passive noise isolation is average, around 10 dB – 15 dB, but Archimedes does not leak almost at all, which is nice.
Sound Quality
Pairings – To test the new Astrotec ATS01 Archimedes IEMS, I have paired them with a selection of sources, including Rose Technics RT-5000, Dethonray Clarinet, iBasso DX340, Lotoo PAW GT2, FiiO K17, FiiO QX13, Singxer SA-1 V2 driven by FiiO K15, and TempoTec March V. Astrotec Archimedes ATS01 is super easy to drive, responds well to source quality increase but will not require you to go out of your way to purchase a high-end source to enjoy it. In reality, most dongle DAC AMPs will do just fine.
Overall Signature – Astrotec Archimedes is an open, bright, brilliant sounding pair of IEMS with a rather strong bass backbone. This signature would normally be called V-Shaped, but the more present upper midrange / treble is far more evident than the bass backbone, which is usually there to keep the sound punchy and vivid, but does not produce too much force by itself. Archimedes has excellent technical resolution, and it can be a bit aggressive at times.
Bass – At the bass bottom-end, we have a strong, fast bass that can reach 30 Hz just fine, and has quite a bit of presence down there, but it is technical, tight, and reveals the quality of the bass in the recording. There’s also a good sense of depth, which keeps the music balanced and signature fun despite the brighter overall tonality.
Midrange – In the midrange, we have a more present, more forward upper midrange, with more female voice presence and less male voice strength. There’s a good mix of speed and texture, resolution, but the midrange in particular can get a bit too fast and too aggressive at times. This means that music with a good recording / mix / master will sound great, but if the song has harshness or grain, ATS01 Astrotec Archimedes will reveal that.
Treble – Treble has a very good extension, up to 20 kHz, and it has most energy in between 12 kHz and 18 kHz, with a peak at about 15 kHz – 16 kHz. This creates a slightly colored treble, but it is fast, technically capable, open and revealing.
PRaT / Textures / Dynamic – ATS 01 is a fast IEM, it reveals textures easily, being very detailed and technically capable. There’s a good sense of separation between instruments, and it has the same quick speed across all frequency ranges.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – Archimedes has a very good volume control, it has no added THD when taken loud, but it does sound best loud, the loudness saturation gradient makes it more vivid, more dynamic, more balanced, more V-Shaped with a stronger bass when pushed to play really loud.
Soundstage – With a rather wide and holographic stage, Archimedes has a completely airy, bright and open sound. There’s a good sense of separation between instruments and layers, and ATS01 is good at revealing space, lateral, vertical and depth too.
Value and Conclusion
Astrotec always fought in the entry-level price, so they can chime in with their boundless experience, ATS01 being an excellent IEM if you want a modular cable, and a brighter, more open sound, combined with the excellent technical resolution and easy to drive design.
At the end of the day, if you listen to a lot of rock, metal, EDM, ACG and Pop music you will enjoy the Astrotec Archimedes ATS01, it is an excellent pair of IEMS, they have what I consider to be a wide soundstage, and revealing, brilliant sound but with a nice bass backbone, creating a vivid V-Shaped sound.
PROs
- Very good technical resolution
- Bright, Airy sound
- Reliable metallic shells
- Industrial design
- Modular cable
- Transport case
- Great overall deal
Cons
- Can be aggressive sounding
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3Hmr9vQ
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_omElXKx
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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