Fifth Generation Dynamic Driver Sound – TanchJim Fission IEMs
TanchJim Fission is a $129 USD pair of IEM Earphones built around a 5th Generation DMT Dynamic Driver, with a modular balanced cable, and a sleek, luxury design that will be the star of our review today.
Introduction
TanchJim is a company best known for their entry-level products with exceptional sonic performance, very good price / performance ratio, and unique products populating especially the entry-level markets. One thing that TanchJim seems to do which you should avoid is including two types of eartips, one that looks traditional, and one that looks like an open trumpet. Just avoid the open style, the one that appears in my photos, traditional eartips work best with their earphones and they usually make good earphones, but the 2nd style of eartip included in the package actually has a much worse fitting and comfort and will sound off, while TanchJim with traditional eartips just sound excellent in general.
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 TanchJim for providing us with the sample for this review.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4lwX5fS
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oDloNmy
Build Quality – Design
TanchJim created the Fission to be a truly luxurious and stylish pair of IEM Earphones, having options for a matte black color and a champagne color for your to chose from. Built around the Fifth Generation DMT Dynamic Driver technology with a lightwightr aluminium alloy shells, and sapphire mirror accent face covers, Fission is truly beautiful in personal.
There are three types of filters included in the package, considering the one installed on the IEMs, and you can get 12 unique sound profiles with the 4-Level filters and three sets of nozzles, but in general I allow them to play as they come in default for most of my impressions.
TanchJim includes a Dual Mesh filter system for dust and moisture protection for their IEMs. For the crossover, TanchJim includes high-precision imported capacitors, and a high purity stock cable that is modular and has interchangeable termination jack plugs.
For the nerd in you, you can explore that they have an impedance of 16 OHMs with a maximum deviation of 10%, a THD+N of 0.056 %, a really low one for IEMs.
Fit – Subjective Usage
I just now realized that TanchJim IEMs have a really good sound if you get the fit right. There is only one advice you really have to follow for this, just use any eartip other than the wide bore ones included in the package, as those do not have a good seal, but even the more traditional eartips included in the package work wonders for my ears.
TanchJim fission fits nicely in my ears, it is an IEM with a medium sized shell, metallic shell, feels comfortable in contact with my ears thanks to the matte finish, and they also have a beautiful design. The cable is not springy, it is thin enough to be flexible, does not conduct microphonic noise, while the IEMS offers a medium passive noise isolation.
Fission has an ergonomic shape, has no discomfort, no driver flex nor void, and it is generally perfect for everyday wear although it is a bit heavy.
Sound Quality
Pairings – I have paired the new TanchJim Fission with a wide selection of sources, including Rose Technics RT-5000, Dethonray Clarinet, FiiO K17, ddHiFi TC35CM2, Fosi Audio K7, Surfans F28, TempoTec March V, SMSL M20 MQA.
TanchJim fission is ever so slightly harder to drive than most IEMS out there, but it has a fairly natural sound with most sources. Its low impedance makes it sensitive to the source quality and signature. It is sensitive to the source loudness saturation gradient and also sensitive to how well each source handles textures, as it is revealing, and a grainy source will shine through.
Overall Signature – TanchJim Fission sounds fairly bright, Deep, V-Shaped, crisp and fun. It has a natural overall presentation with an excellent amount of detail and strong clarity. There’s a good sense of space and separation between instruments, with a fairly full and rounded bass that provides a fun type of impact and kick to the sound. You will notice that the midrange is natural, clean and fun, without a strong coloration.
Bass – Fission has a nice and rounded bass, with a strong impact, clean presentation and little texture, sounding smooth and full. Bass extension goes as low as 30 Hz, with most strength between 40 Hz and 80 Hz, and a really nice amount of impact and punch. There’s a good separation between the bass and the treble, but bass bleeds a bit in the midrange, creating a thick-ish midrange that is enjoyable with rock and metal.
Midrange – Speaking of that thick-ish midrnage, it is natural for the most part, with an equal amount of lower and upper midrange, but a dip right in the middle, which sucks out the voices a bit, allowing for more space between instruments. This works really well for rock and metal, EDM and Pop, but can sound a bit out of place for vocal centric music, or for classical, as it is a reversed vocal presentation. Overall, I like it and it works well with my usual collection.
Treble – Tanchim fission has a strong, bright, brilliant treble with a peaking point around 12 kHz, which gives music a slightly metallic brilliance up in the top. This adds to the energy, engagement and overall strength of the sound Fission has. There’s a strong separation between treble and midrange, although upper midrange also has a peaking point around 6-7 kHz.
PRaT / Textures / Dynamic – Theoretically, TanchJim Fission has a single dynamic driver which in theory should create a really cohesive sound, with the same level of texture across all frequency ranges, but in reality the sound has a variable texture, being rounded, smoother in the bass, and more textured in the upper midrange and treble, which reveals grain easily, and sounds dry up top, more liquid and smoother down low.
Loudness Saturation Gradient – Fission is somewhat sensitive to the Loudness saturation Gradient of the source, but they also have a specific loudness saturation gradient, sound is smoother, warmer, more relaxed quieter, but becomes more aggressive, more harsh and grainy very loud. This indicates a somewhat limited headroom, and can work well for certain listening habits but it is something you should take into account.
Soundstage – TanchJim Fission sounds fairly wide, separation is very good, although layers usually blend together rather than having a separated sound. It is the kind of tuning that works well for commercial music, songs that have been launched recently.
Value and Conclusion
With a price tag of 129 USD, TanchJim fission is released in a hot place in the market, but it stays competitive, has a modular cable, no transport case, but resolution and technical performance strong enough to justify its position in the market.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a V-Shaped sounding pair of IEMS with a good comfort, great overall package, modular cable and excellent build quality, TanchJim Fission is a fully recommended purchase and a pair of IEMS you won’t regret going for.
PROs
- Outstanding build quality and design, with excellent comfort
- No driver flex, no cable noise, no void
- V-Shaped sound that is versatile
- Modular cable
- Medium passive noise isolation
- Strong clarity and resolution for the price bracket
Cons
- Can be rather sharp and will reveal harshness and grain really easily
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/4lwX5fS
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oDloNmy
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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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