Synergy
The Jomo Audio 408H Skyline has an impedance of 8Ω@ 1 kHz. It can be driven easily, but it certainly needs a good amount of juice to fire up properly. Without proper power, the sound is rather thin and sharp, and the IEM does not show its true colors.
With the Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, the IEM takes up a few more volume clicks than usual. The IEM has a good pairing with the LPGT, as the DAP has a warm signature. The midrange has a lusher and richer presence. The bass has a better body, and the impact has improved.
The IEM does not pair quite well with the Astell & Kern SP3000. As mentioned, the IEM has better synergy with warmer sources; the near-neutral sound profile on the SP3000 does not do any good.
There is an added sense of resolution and detailing, which makes the IEM sound sharp and even harsh at times. The only improvement I find with this pairing is the enhanced sense of stage and spaciousness.
With the Earmen Angel, the IEM gets some benefit from the better power, but the near-bright sound signature of the Angel adds a bit of sharpness and brightness to the IEM.
This pairing is still better than that of SP3000, however, it can be fatiguing over time. The extra power opens up the stage and there is better spaciousness in the sound. Notably, there is no presence of hiss or static background noise with the Angel.
Select Comparisons
Kinera Verdandi
Technical
Kinera Verdandi is a multi-driver universal IEM. It features 2 Knowles BA drivers, 2 Sonion EST drivers, 1 dynamic driver, and 1 bone conduction driver.
Verdandi has an impedance of 14Ω and a sensitivity of 105 dB @1kHz/Vrms. As with the 408H Skyline, the Verdandi is not very power-hungry, but it can take up some extra power to sound more open and mature.
Design
The Verdandi shells are made from high-grade resin and are hand-painted. The design is quite ahead of what 408H Skyline offers.
The shells on Verdandi are bigger than those on 408H Skyline, and in terms of fit and comfort, Jomo has an edge. The shells of Verdandi stick out and may be uncomfortable for people with smaller ears.
Verdandi connects with a 0.78mm 2-pin connector. With Verdandi, one gets a modular cable with multiple connectivity options of a 4.4mm, a 3.5mm, and a 2.5mm plug.
Multiple sets of ear tips come with the Verdandi. There are 5 sizes of Final Type E ear tips, 3 sizes of AZLA SednaEarfit Crystal ear tips, 3 sizes of Kinera K-07 balanced ear tips, and a pair of foam ear tips that are provided.
Kinera offers a very sophisticated presentation and a satisfying set of accessories, which is evident in most of the IEMs they release. However, Jomo Audio has gone the extra mile, providing a better unboxing experience with the 408H Skyline.
In terms of the stock cable, the Flash Acoustics cable on Verdandi is more pleasing aesthetically, with the color matching the theme of the IEM design. This cable is much better built than the Jomo cable.
Performance
In the bass department, both IEMs exhibit a fast and detailed bass response, however, the bass on the 408H Skyline is notably quicker and sharper.
The quantity is better on the Verdandi as it has more bass slams in the midbass region. The sub-bass on both of these IEMs goes deep but is more prominent on the 408H Skyline.
In the mids department, the Verdandi and the 408H Skyline have quite different presentations. While both of these IEMs focus on an energetic and clean midrange, there is more lushness and richer characteristics in Verdandi’s midrange.
The lower mids on both are lean and devoid of warmth. There is better body and tonal weight on the Verdandi. The upper mids on the 408H Skyline have more energy than those on Verdandi.
Verdandi uses two EST drivers to handle their treble frequencies and maintains a decent balance of energy and details without being too sharp or harsh. However, I find the 408H Skyline has a more detailed treble region.
The Verdandi has more staging width than the 408H Skyline; however, the Skyline has a better depth. In terms of resolution and detailing, the 408H Skyline is the winner, as there is absolute clarity in the sound and the details are more evident.
The Verdandi is not very far behind, though, which I find quite technical and has a decent amount of clarity.
Flipears Artha
Flipears is an IEM brand from the Philippines. They specialize primarily in building custom IEMs and have recently put some focus on their universal IEM offerings.
Technical
Artha is an all-BA IEM featuring 8 customized Sonion BA drivers. The customization is done primarily to produce a cleaner sound and mimic a dynamic driver’s bass.
Artha has an impedance of 16Ω and a sensitivity of 118 dB @ 1 mW. The IEM is quite efficient to drive and does not demand any additional power.
Artha comes with 2 tuning switches on each side of the IEM, providing four different tunings. One of the switches alters the bass frequencies, and the other one works on the upper frequencies.
For the comparison, I am using the 1-0 mode, where the bass is boosted, and the treble region is a bit relaxed.
These IEMs implement a nozzle design known as the Conoid Resonative Chamber (CRC). The CRC is specifically engineered to elevate the acoustics and sound quality of the audio device.
The term “conoid” denotes its unique shape, typically conical or dome-like. This chamber is designed to resonate with and enhance particular frequencies of sound, leading to an enhanced frequency response.
Design
As with the 408H Skyline, the Artha shells are also built with resin. The faceplate on the Artha has a multi-colored pattern against a single-colored pattern on the Skyline.
The shells of 408H Skyline are a bit smaller and weigh nearly the same as those of Artha. In terms of comfort, both of these IEMs have good ergonomic designs, and they both fit well with an edge to the 408H Skyline.
Artha connects via a 0.78mm 2-pin connector. The cable on Artha is of better quality and has a firmer character. The cable quality of Artha is not that great either, but the synergy is decent.
In terms of packaging, Flipears provides a decent set of accessories. There are three sets of in-house ear tips and a special Eletech Baroque ear tip. The case that comes with the Artha is rectangular and built from leather. It has a better finish.
Performance
The Artha offers a warm tuning and pleasing timbre, paired with very decent resolution—remarkably detailed for an 8BA configuration.
The sound is precise and crisp, striking a balanced profile with a notable mid-bass emphasis. The mids are lush, natural, and accurate, while the treble remains smooth and non-fatiguing yet still energetic.
In the bass region, Artha tries to mimic a DD bass. This bass has a good mid-bass emphasis with a deep sub-bass. The quantity of bass is a lot higher on the Artha. This bass is not as fast and sharp as it is on the 408H Skyline.
The midrange is where Artha has an edge, as it has decent warmth and a very organic timbre. The lower midrange gets a decent weight and body from the bass region, thus being lusher and richer.
The vocals are quite natural and have a very nice texture. There is a good sense of resolution and clarity too, which makes the midrange a lot more enjoyable on the Artha. The midrange on the 408H Skyline is more about energy and resolution, which lack warmth.
The treble on Artha is quite relaxed and smooth while maintaining a decent amount of energy. This treble is not as focused and detailed as it is on the 408H Skyline. The treble on the 408H Skyline has more energy, and we get a better extension and more sparkle and shimmer.
In terms of technicalities, Artha has almost comparable width on the soundstage with a better depth. There is more spaciousness on Artha, and the instruments have more breathing space and are better separated.
My Verdict
The Jomo Audio 408H Skyline’s main selling point is delivering a dynamic fusion of power and precision in its sound. Jomo Audio has achieved this goal, producing an IEM with impressive resolution and crystal-clear sound.
The 408H Skyline stands out in its segment, particularly for its emphasis on the highs, making it an excellent choice for treble enthusiasts. Additionally, it doesn’t neglect other aspects, blending fun, musicality, and technical prowess in perfect balance.
The package also comes with a thoughtful inclusion of accessories, making it a product that delivers value for its price. The IEM gets an easy recommendation from me.
Jomo Audio 408H Skyline Specifications
- Driver: 2 custom 9.7mm PET diaphragm dynamic drivers, 6 balanced armature driver units
- Impedance: 8Ω @ 1KHz, 0.5Vrms
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20KHz
- Cable: 4 Core Silver Plated Copper Cable
- Connector Type: 0.78mm 2-pin.
- Termination Plug: 4.4mm Single-Ended Termination.
