Today, Marcus reviews the PMG Audio Apx SE, a limited-run 2nd “Stone Edition” of their debut hybrid 11-driver flagship in-ear monitor. It is priced at €5,500.00.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank PMG Audio for its support.
Click here to learn more about the PMG Audio products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics.
Note that this post follows our current scoring guidelines which you can read in more detail here.
The question should not be what an Apx SE is but rather why there is one, particularly only a few months after I awarded the Apx original the highest score for a universal IEM this year.
I am guessing the trigger was some of the owners’ feedback, particularly on the levels of treble and bass, two areas that have been noticeably tweaked in this new smoother-sounding and weightier tuning.
The SE does not stand for ‘Special Edition’ either, even though only 100 units of the Apx SE were made and sold out rather quickly. This one is called the “Stone Edition,” with a fresh design to match that updated tuning.
At €5,500.00 this is summit-fi for in-ear monitor pricing. Very few are above it, though the general industry trend has been heading upward lately.
Surprisingly, however, the Apx SE is €500 cheaper than the original which is a bonus considering some of the improvements introduced.
Features
On paper, the Apx SE is technically unchanged from the original. This is a universal hybrid IEM with an 11-driver mix of a single 10mm PEEK diaphragm dynamic, 2 types of planar (rectangular and round), and 8 BA using a 7-way passive crossover.
The planar drivers are deployed in a unique high and low configuration with a larger rectangular Ultra version, (UPS) on the sub-bass frequencies and a smaller custom round Ultra planar tweeter for the highs above 10k.
The BA drivers are in a dual configuration for the lower mids, mids, and mids/lower-highs, with the dynamic purely on the lows and lower mids.
As before, the Apx SE is loaded with a lot of proprietary technology such as Pressure Optimizing Design or POD, a 3D-printed special waveguide for phase control, and GSO or Geometrical Sound Outlet ensuring the Apx SE’s nozzle is robust allowing PMG to finish the exit with a horn structure
The Apx SE’s low 5Ω impedance rating combined with FIBAE means it will not suffer from high-impedance output skew. Its SPL of 107dB @1kHz 1mW means it’s not a very sensitive IEM but a source with excellent dynamics and resolution is an optimal pairing.
Design
The Apx SE form factor is a duplicate of the Apx. I had thought maybe PMG would do something slightly different with the shell shape but that seems not to be the case.
It’s still a fairly elongated but lightweight contoured resin shell finished with a blended logo and name laser etched into the sides and a wide but narrow venting slot on the rear of the main shell.
What has changed is the aesthetics. Gone is the warmer ambiance of those unique Amber faceplates, replaced by a cooler shade of blue in what PMG has described as a ‘Stone Edition’ design.
The Stone Edition consists of a real Lapis Lazuli-Brass hybrid stone and a hand-painted blue-gold housing rather than the black-gold of the original. The duality of the themes of these two IEMs seems fitting with warm and cold, fire and ice memes abound.
The irony though is the tuning on both is the other way around. If PMG were to return to these I would have the SE tuning in the Amber plate and the original Apx in the SE design. More about that on page 2 of this review.
One benefit of the new Stone Design is the reduction in the two-tone effect of the original amber and speckled black of the original.
It’s not that the contrast was huge, but for personal preference, the more harmonious blended design of the Apx SE shades it over the unique Apx Amber faceplate.
Comfort & Isolation
If the form factor is similar, the level of passive isolation performance from the Apx SE is also the same as that from the original Apx. There’s no surprise there.
The contouring is unchanged so the comfort level is on par with the original which means excellent for a universal IEM and above average for passive isolation for a hybrid monitor, especially one with a fairly hefty slit on the rear of the main shell.
For those unaware, the fitting is reminiscent of Noble Audio shell designs. That elongated nozzle creates a deeper insertion effect that can get relatively close to the ear canal’s second bend, depending on what type of ear tip you use.
Ear Tips
You get three sets of tips in 2 trays this time around with a mix of single-flange foam and 2 silicone types, one transparent and one with a smoked hood finish.
They still come in three distinct sizes, small, medium, and large, and are neatly displayed in their compact translucent case.
For comfort, silicone is the better choice with less friction and pressure on the ear canal walls. They also allow me to nudge the nozzle further down my ear canal than the thicker foam tips.
The foam tips do better for passive isolation blocking out more noise than the silicone tips. I can live with both depending on my needs but the caveat is their influence on the performance of the Apx SE.
The silicone tips are more dynamic sounding compared to the laid-back warmer presentation from the foam tips. They are also brighter sounding though the bass retains more impact and definition.
Go with the foams if you are sensitive to treble but I think you will miss out on the more immersive and articulate silicone tip performance.
Stock Cable
The Apx SE stock cable is a significant upgrade over the original’s silver copper alloy version. We now have upgrades in wire and aesthetics with the same modular plug functionality.
Although not officially listed the AWG of the wiring inside feels bigger, perhaps dropping to a 2-core to compensate also. The net effect is a thicker and heavier stock cable. The wire has also been upgraded to a hybrid mix of gold-plated silver, silver, and silver-copper alloy with silver alloy and copper dual shielding.
This new stock cable keeps the modular jack system with a 4-pin lock mechanism to the rear of the barrels. It comes with 4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced and 3.5mm SE options.
To keep the lock steady and secure there is a nice thread lock above it which when tightened becomes a seamless part of the new attractive barrel finishing.
The aesthetics of the new cable are beautiful with a very strong yet complementary mix of silver and blue over a twisted two-wire (core?) finish.
The black-coated aluminum jack and splitter barrels are quite big but also nicely designed with a frost-styled 3-dimensional blue band in the middle and the brand’s logo at the top.
The jacket silicone is properly damped meaning not too stiff with a good level of pliancy and low memory retention. Microphonics is not an issue, but it is going to feel significantly heavier than the Apx’s original stock cable.
Packaging & Accessories
I prefer the newer packaging and accessories of the Apx SE over the Apx but even so, I still have one or two areas I would like to give feedback on given the price tag.
The heavier wooden display case has now been replaced by a much more useable brown leather executive-type pouch stiffened with a cutout display foam inner for the accessories. The addictive leather odor is strong, a scent I love so you have no complaints from me.
Inside is the ear tips tray, certificate, and a similar aluminum puck case which I am not a huge fan of. I would have preferred to see a stiff leather matching puck case which I know is possible. It would have been a complementary item and a lot lighter.
The new soft blue zipper case is a nice match for the Apx SE shells and is likely the one you will use to take the IEMs and cables with you. It has a useful divider system to keep the cable from banging against the shells when moving around.
Speaking of dividers the leather case tray can be lifted out to find a lot of organizer velcro straps tucked underneath. These allow you to completely rebuild the leather case into an organizer for cables, DAPs, IEMs, etc. Pretty neat idea.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
