Today, Marcus reviews the Lime Ears ANIMA V2, a second-generation flagship universal IEM using a hybrid mix of 11 dynamic and BA drivers. It is priced at €3,400.00.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank Lime Ears for supporting me.
Click here to learn more about the Lime Ears products we previously discussed on Headfonics.
Note that this article follows our current scoring guidelines which you can read here.
The Lime Ears ANIMA V2 is the successor to the original tribrid multi-driver flagship ANIMA, launched in early 2022.
Regarding product hierarchy, this is still the company’s TOTL in-ear monitor with a price tag of €3,400 which is about the same price as the original when it launched two years ago.
The ANIMA v2 also marks a new strategic partnership with Singapore’s Effect Audio so do not be surprised to see an EA-branded cable inside the retail box.
This is a complex beast showcasing an 11-driver hybrid configuration. Its resolving U-shaped sound signature delivers excellent sub-bass depth, clear but light-bodied vocals, and plenty of top-end sparkle.
Enough to set itself apart from the original, or equally heavyweight competition such as the new Rossi&Wing First Light, and fan favs such as the Elysian Acoustic Labs Annihilator 2023? I find out how well it performs and compares in my full review below.
Features
The ANIMA V2 is an 11-driver hybrid universal IEM rated at 38Ω impedance with an SPL of 104 dB SPL @ 1kHz. Note that I said hybrid, not tribrid, which is a big change from V1’s 13-driver mix of dynamic, BA, and EST.
Instead of a quad-EST array for the ultra-highs, we now have a Dual Sonion Balanced Armature driver array for the ultra-highs which does change the timbre somewhat compared to the original.
The rest of the ANIMA V2 configuration doesn’t deviate greatly from the V1’s setup, starting with the V1’s BADD technology for the lows, a hybrid mix of a 7mm titanium-diaphragm dynamic driver for the sub-bass followed by a dual BA subwoofer implementation up to the mid-bass.
Beyond, you get 2 BAs from the mid to upper bass, two vented BAs for the mids, and 2 BAs for the highs up to 10k. For the ultra-highs, it’s the new Sonion super tweeters labeled the ‘HERO’ Super Tweeters.
Acoustically, the ANIMA V2 has replaced the original pure silver Organic Horn Nozzle with a new design called Horncraft made from CNC-machined stainless steel.
The goal is the same, with resonance damping to the fore and producing a more natural acoustic impedance match between what the driver sends and what the ear receives. Indeed, some traits from the original, such as the unique multi-sized bore openings, carry through to the V2.
Design
According to Lime Ears, the ANIMA V2 is 25% smaller than the V1, and indeed, placing them side by side, the V2 has a significantly more compact form factor.
There is not a huge weight difference though, presumably due to the additional stainless steel material used in the V2’s faceplate outer rim.
The design language of the ANIMA V2 follows a similar pattern to the V1 with a beautiful Bello Opal faceplate inset, a lab-grown opal material with a unique mix of blue and green colors.
Although lab-grown, every opal design is different so every Anima V2 faceplate will look slightly different for each user. It is also fairly reflective with the exact ratio of blue and green always changing depending on the angle you view the plate.
Unlike the V1, there is now a thicker outer rim between the plate and the main shell made of stainless steel. In my eyes, it’s a pro-level finish but it’s lost the original’s boutique vibe with the plainer black shell underneath lacking the visual ‘pop’ of the previous color-shifting collage of blue and green flakes.
Comfort & Isolation
Most will find the ANIMA V2 fit well above average and slightly comfier than the V1 for prolonged listening sessions.
The narrower nozzle size will reduce the outward pressure a little more on the ear canal but it will mean the ear tips will have to do more work to get the same level of passive isolation as the original ANIMA.
The V1’s thicker nozzle works better for my ears as it presses my trusty SpinFit CP145 tips closer to my canal’s kin creating a tighter fit. That fit is not for everyone though and I will admit the ANIMA V2 fitting is more relaxed and a bit comfier the longer you wear them.
The ANIMA v2 shells also have a flusher fit to your ears and will not stick out as much as the larger shells of the original. If you value a discreet fitting then the V2 is the better choice.
The ANIMA V2, like the V1, has a 7mm dynamic driver size. Combined with a large internal acoustic chamber that means it does not require external venting. As a result, I found the passive isolation performance to be excellent for a hybrid monitor.
Ear Tips
This is where I would encourage you to play around with stock and 3rd party ear tips to get the right balance in the performance of the ANIMA V2. It is much more important (and cheaper) than cable rolling and will have a more profound effect on the IEM’s tuning.
The ANIMA V2 comes with one set of wide-bore, single-flange silicone tips in small, medium, and large sizes.
They are quite comfortable and open-sounding but are a little too bright for me on the highs. Combined with a deeply responsive site of lows, it tips the balance too much to either end of the FR spectrum. Not my preferred sound.
I settled on a set of medium SpinFit CP145 tips which reduced the aggressiveness in the highs, producing a more natural timbre through the mids without a reduction in the ANIMA V2’s excellent sub-bass performance.
Those would be my go-to ear tips, which are the same set of tips I have used on the V1 since I reviewed them 2 years ago.
Stock Cable
The ANIMA V2 uses a different stock cable than the V1. Gone is the older Viking Weave and Khanyayo Cables’ 1.2m graphene-coated 144-strand count SPC wire from the original, replaced by a custom tribrid creation from Effect Audio.
There isn’t a huge amount of detail on its geometry but from what I know in the same vein as EA’s Code series cables such as the Code 24 or 24C. Inside, is a large gauge 2-wire custom 21AWG Litz wire design consisting of pure copper, SPC, and pure silver.
It’s a chunky but pliable cable with low memory retention and finished with a fixed 4.4mm and 2-pin 0.78mm connector and plug system so no ConX or TermX bundled with the ANIMA V2 cable.
The cable finishing is complementary to both the transparent silvery color of the wiring and the ANIMA V2 shell Opal plates with a similar Bello Opal finish on the rounded splitter barrel and a solid chrome finish to the connectors, chin cinch, and jack barrel.
Packaging & Accessories
I received the full packaging for the ANIMA V2 review sample unlike the V1 and to be honest not a huge amount has changed in terms of form factor and layout. The main difference is probably a more streamlined and pro-level finish to the finer presentational detail.
The compact but deep retail box is understated in black on the outside with a reflective ANIMA logo so you know what is inside. Inside, the box shell is a mix of blue and black to complement the Bello Opal theme with the IEMs and cable proudly displayed in the top foam level.
Below, you get the same leather puck-style case as the V1 version, along with a set of ear tips, in a small plastic box.
The inside is finished with a black suede lining and feels soft enough for the drivers and cable to nestle there without fear of being banged around and damaged.
Lime Ears supplies an additional soft cloth pouch if the case is too big for you. However, I find it better to stick the drivers inside the pouch first and then tuck everything inside the leather case with the cable for additional protection.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
