At first I really really really disliked this unit’s sound output and would describe it as precise and yet “lifeless” and “hollow”. I find it pretty useful that Radsone included a microphone on the EarStudio ES100: you can use it to take calls even if the earphones you are using do not have a microphone. Plus, you can still use it if you are using the ES100 as a USB DAC if you keep it connected to your phone using Bluetooth, which makes it even more useful. You don’t even have to take your headphones off! Radsone promises 14 hours of usage out of a single charge; this figure is subject to change depending on how one uses the device, so it’s no surprise that in my usage pattern I was able to achieve around 12 hours of use (using the 3.5 mm output). This is a great result as it’s around 90% of what the manufacturer promised, so it’ s a very satisfying figure! Software Earstudio ES 100 MK II vs FiiO BTR 5 (90 USD vs 120 USD) – The most important comparison is the first one, because when considering ES100MKii, you probably want to stay away from what seems to be the technically better option. In general, BTR5 is built better, with a more ergonomic body, but a heavier build. I prefer BTR5’s Interface and overall usage, but when it comes to the sound and connection, ES100MK2’s plastic body is better for bluetooth, where glass and metal isolate more and BTR5 will have a more fragile signal. The sound is actually comparable, with ES100MKii being warmer, wider and more colorful in the midrange. BTR5 is deeper, has more layering, and is more neutral, with slightly more detail, but the improved dynamics on ES100mk2 makes me grab it more often if I’m using something that’s already a bit neutral or bright.

EarStudio ES100 - Reviews | Headphone Reviews - Head-Fi.org EarStudio ES100 - Reviews | Headphone Reviews - Head-Fi.org

under “audio output” one can find various settings; among them are the settings for power mode of both unbalanced and balanced outputs, with both having a “normal” mode and a “high power” mode, the latter of which provides more voltage. What hit me first by comparing these two is how overly smooth sounding is X3ii compared to the more energic ES100, should it be with Monk+, Tinaudio T2 or Takstar PRO82 headphones, the ES100 sound more lively and fowards, wich give more sens of deepness and tigher bass presence. The X3II in other hands have slightly more finess and transparency, but in a wide panoramic approach while the ES100 have space between instrument layering instead of transparent veil. In terms of pairings, you can literally drive pretty much anything below 500 USD with ES100MK2, and just like HUD100MK2, it is perfect for both IEMs and Headphones, but ES100MKii has a balanced output too, not just a single ended one. So even BQEYZ Spring 2, or NX Ears Baso, MAS X5i, FiiO FH5S, or headphones like Verum One and HarmonicDyne Zeus will be driveable from ES100mkii. Kawai has been crafting musical instruments for over 85 years, maintaining traditional processes while embracing the latest technical innovations. These decades of experience afford our engineers a wealth of knowledge from which to create stunning digital instruments, in a quest to perfect the art of the piano. in the “analog volume” section one can set the volume and related things, such as per-channel volume reduction and max volume limit; there is also an estimation of the output level that requires one to input the impedance and sensitivity of the headphones in use (by the way, it confirms my previous estimates: I listen to music at a volume that’s between 65 dB and 70 dB, and anything louder than that becomes fatiguing to me);There are quite a few bluetooth receivers available on the market now, including some crazy expensive ones, and some affordable ones, but the most prominent competitors for ES100MK2 are FiiO BTR5, FiiO BTR3K and Qudelix 5K. the battery section makes it possible to enable “battery care mode” which only charges the battery to 80-90% and allows it to last longer. It is especially useful if one uses the ES100 mainly through USB. There is also a setting related to charging, which makes it possible to automatically power off the device when the charge stops (e.g. if you use the ES100 as a Bluetooth bridge on your car, so the ES100 automatically shuts down when you turn off the car and then wakes up when you turn the car on). One can also set whether to make the ES100 rely on external power or if it only has to draw power from the internal battery, so that it does not drain the battery of devices it is connected to using USB; Eartstudio ES100 MKII is an older bluetooth receiver, but one that everyone loved, and is priced at 90 USD at the moment of writing this full written review. It will be compared to FiiO BTR5, FiiO BTR3K, and Qudelix 5K. The battery life is decent, and the performance is outstanding. I never lost connection even with a wall in between the phone and ES100MK2, but the battery life is a bit low when driving hard to drive headphones and if using an LDAC connection. I always used LDAC, and it is stable, which is really cool for a budget Bluetooth receiver. It can get into overdrive mode, which you can see in the app, and that sounds exactly like it, overdriven. It also has a mode for twice the current if you want to drive harder stuff, like HIFIMAN Sundara, and this option does not lead to overdrive.

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Let’s face it: making small devices output large quantities of power is a difficult task. Somehow, though, Radsone managed to create a device that’s really compact but which features large output power in balanced mode. In fact the power output in unbalanced mode is quite modest, but in balanced mode it’s enough to drive even relatively demanding headphones. It won’t be able to drive super-demanding headphones (e.g. 300+ Ω) and it will probably struggle with some planars, too, but it’s going to be more than good with anything else.

I bought this to increase the convenience level of my Ety ER4XR. I have previously used (and abused) extensively the Samsung HS3000. What I wanted for my Eties was something like the HS3000, but with more power. The device I received exceeded all expectations. There’s not much more to say about how the ES100 sounds, but that’s a good thing if you ask me: it means that whatever headphones you are going to use, you will hear them and not the source. If you really wish you could add more of something in your sound, you could always use the embedded equaliser. How come one of the more sceptical dude about bluetooth technology sound quality became so interested in a Bluetooth device? How is it possible that even if he still don't get intrigued by must BT iem or headphones and don't care to try them, Nymphono was ready to sell an arm (but not its soul) for having the chance to write a review of this Earstudio first creation? Well, for two reason really, one being the hype that never go out of breath and second being the fact sound is processed trough a dual AKM dac before it feed your headphones or iem. Perhaps a third one would be: its not BT earphones and you can use all your favorite one with the ES100. Fourth could be as well that its LG G6 phone sound like soul less crap. ETC!