Nihal reviews the BGVP Solomon, the company’s latest flagship hybrid 9-driver dynamic, BA, EST, and bone conduction driver universal IEM. It is currently priced at $1299.
Disclaimer: This sample was purchased by me at a discount price and does not have to be returned. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank BGVP for their support.
You can click here to learn more about the BGVP products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our current scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
BGVP is a brand from China that has been around for nearly 10 years. It’s not a new name for those who have been following the Chinese IEM market, though the last set of reviews from us on Headfonics was the NS9 and the DM8 back in 2021.
When I started my audiophile journey, I had the opportunity to try the BGVP DM6 and DM8, which were considered quite decent IEMs at the time.
BGVP has been quite active in releasing low- to mid-budget IEMs, until recently, when there have also been a few releases in the premium segment. One of these releases is the notable BGVP Phantom, which gathered decent praise in the audiophile community.
The $1299 Solomon is the latest premium release from the brand, taking inspiration from King Solomon, a biblical Israelite king who is primarily famous for his exceptional wisdom.
The overall design and theme are well-maintained throughout, each element carrying a touch of it. In this review, we will see if the Solomon sounds like a true high-end monitor and how it compares with its peers.
Features
One of the things BGVP has been consistent with is the use of genuine driver types, such as those from Sonion and Knowles, in most of their releases.
The Solomon features a mix of nine drivers, consisting of two dynamic drivers, three Sonion balanced armature drivers, two Sonion electrostatic drivers, and two Sonion bone conduction drivers.
One of the Sonion balanced armatures caters to the midrange, the remaining two are employed for the mid-treble region, and the two third-generation Sonion EST drivers handle the ultra-high frequencies.
Each of the dynamic drivers is 8mm in size, built using PU (polyurethane) and LCP (liquid crystal polymer) diaphragm materials, and arranged coaxially.
The drivers are mounted side by side in a symmetrical horizontal layout. The Sonion bone conduction drivers assist the dynamic driver as auxiliary drivers to enhance the low end.
In addition, there is a five-way architecture to precisely divide frequencies among the drivers. The crossover circuits are made with high-quality components, including brands such as Vishay and AVX.
There is a four-acoustic-pipe arrangement to help the sound from different driver groups channel separately to the nozzle and avoid interference.
Design
Solomon has already gained attention for its intriguing premium-looking design. The shells are 3D-printed and built of medical-grade resin, which feels quite robust.
Before I start describing the design, let me tell you that every element showcases high-end craftsmanship. The color scheme maintains a deep metallic blue with a rich gloss finish throughout, with some elements of gold.
The faceplate is separated from the body of the shells by a thin golden bezel. The glossy finish on the body is achieved by a series of polishing and spraying processes, and it is thick enough to be resistant to wear and scratches.
The right faceplate carries the name “SOLOMON” embedded in golden color, while the left one carries a crown-like logo symbolizing the overall design theme around King Solomon.
The nozzle of the IEMs is built with a silver metallic finish and has a mesh grill over it to keep it safe from dirt and debris. To aid with pressure relief and venting, there are three small vents placed on the shells beside the 2-pin socket.
What’s most striking for me in the shell design is the glossy finish all over the body, which enhances the finish and aesthetics and helps achieve a premium look.
Comfort & Isolation
From initial impressions, one may assume the shells of Solomon are large and may pose a fit challenge. However, that’s not the case, as the shells have a very ergonomic design with curves and contours that help in an easy fit.
The fit is highly stable, and the shells do not stick out much. The resin shells are quite lightweight, so once put in the ears, you are never bothered by the fit and comfort.
There are no sharp edges or pressure points on the body, making it ideal for long sessions. If you’re moving around, you don’t have to worry about the IEMs being pulled out or needing frequent readjustment.
The nozzles are small, so one should experiment with multiple ear tips for the best fit. The isolation factor, owing to a good fit, is impressive.
In a surrounding where you have a few people chatting, you should not be bothered much. During my time with the Solomon, I did not face any driver flex or pressure build-up.
Ear Tips
Staying true to its premium nature, the Solomon has a generous offering of three types of ear tips. These are vocal, bass, and liquid silicon ear tips. Each of these ear tips is available in small, medium, and large sizes.
The bass ear tips are the smallest ones with short stems and wide bores. The vocal ear tips have longer stems and narrower bores. The liquid silicon ear tips are quite soft and a bit sticky.
Of the three, I prefer the vocal ear tips the most and have used them for my review as well. These are the most balanced for me, as the bass and treble remain well within limits. The bass ear also fits well.
All these ear tips are as functional as they have been advertised. You also get an extra pair of ear tips that look like one of the bass ear tips. Other than the stock ear tips, I also tried a few aftermarket options. Among them, I found the Divinus Velvet ear tips to pair well.
Stock Cables
The Solomon is shipped with two cables: one is a regular cable, and the other is a premium cable called Temple. The Temple cable can be bought separately and retails for $699. As per my understanding, all the initial batches of Solomon will be shipped with both cables.
Speciality Cable
This cable is made from Furukawa single-crystal copper, known for its high purity and excellent conductivity. It uses 4 individual wires that are tightly braided, two of which have a deep blue outer sleeve, and the remaining two have a black sleeve.
Each of these wires comprises 30 strands of 0.08mm coaxial wire and 20 strands of 0.08mm single-core wire. Matching blue and gold metal hardware is used for the connectors, Y-split, and 4.4mm balanced plug.
The cable comes with a blue leather strap with a snap button, which can be used to securely wrap and organize the cable.
The cable is terminated with a 4.4mm balanced plug. The termination adapter has a matte blue metal housing with golden rings in the middle. The Y-split has a similar design, while the chin cinch is golden in color.
The cable is soft enough to avoid any unwanted noise but still firm enough to keep it from tangling. Other than the modularity of this cable, I do not have any complaints. The build and design are decent compared to some of the stock cables in a similar price range.
Temple Cable
The Temple cable is a premium cable featuring an 8-strand configuration. It is made with a mix of Furukawa single-crystal copper and single-crystal silver. The cable uses 184 cores in total.
Temple employs a close cross-braiding method that is neat, without any visible gaps, and keeps stiffness to a minimum. The cable is flexible and easy to use and does not have any tangling issues, though it does take up some space when rolled up.
The cable also includes a blue leather tie with a snap button, useful for tidy storage. The BGVP Temple cable features standard 0.78mm 2-pin connectors.
The connector plug and splitter are crafted from anodized metal. Both have rotating outer golden metal coverings with cut-out design patterns that can rotate freely. The design scheme and royal blue-gold theme match the overall theme of Solomon.
This premium upgrade cable is definitely a plus and delivers on both sound and looks. We will talk about the cable’s sonic characteristics in the sound analysis section.
Packaging & Accessories
BGVP has truly surpassed expectations here with the Solomon. This has to be one of the most striking and vibrant packaging designs in any price segment. Leaving aside a few IEMs in the summit-fi category, I’ve rarely seen packaging this well thought out, fashionable, and premium.
From the outer finish to the inner presentation, the Solomon feels curated for collectors, and you just want the whole package to sit on your table. This one is not meant to be discarded.
The IEMs arrive in a sleek matte navy-blue box, built of wood or something similar. The build is solid and robust, yet surprisingly not heavy. Opening the lid, we find an eye-catching, vivid orange and blue theme.
The interior is all blue, while the carry case and the tray holding the IEMs and accessories are velvet-lined in bright orange. The upper lid has the Solomon logo in the center and a golden design strip lining the right side. The base is divided into two sections by a thin separator. On the left, a dedicated cutout holds the IEM shells.
Removing this tray reveals the ear tips and other accessories placed underneath. On the right, the carry case is placed in its dedicated slot. This carry case stores both the stock cable and the premium Temple cable. The soft velvet lining all over the base gives it a luxurious touch.
Once the tray is removed, the box can be reused as a storage box. One can use the box for storing extra cables, ear tips, DAPs, etc.
From the moment you unbox the Solomon, it feels premium and carefully designed. Everything from the color choices, materials, inner linings, and layout gives a hint of flagship-level attention to detail.
Carry Case
Solomon’s carry case is thoughtfully designed for both function and style. Such nice and large carry cases are rare in any price range. This case is built of soft leather in a very striking orange finish.
A blue leather strap runs vertically across the top with diamond-shaped cutouts. A metallic brand logo is placed on the lower left corner, while a subtle embossed BGVP logo sits on the upper right corner.
The case closes with a magnetic latch, which feels smooth and secure. I find magnetic enclosures easier to handle than zippers.
The case has a spacious interior, enough to hold the IEMs along with the cable comfortably. In fact, I use it to store both the cables, and it still does not feel cramped for space.
The inner lining is soft and velvety, which helps keep the gear safe from scratches or bumps. There is a mesh pocket on the inside lid, which adds extra space for small accessories or ear tips. The case is firm and protective, yet lightweight.
Due to its large size, it can only be carried in bags, so the case is not pocket-friendly at all. Overall, this is a well-built protective case that feels as fashionable and premium as the IEMs.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
