In today’s feature, Nihal reviews the Softears Enigma, which is a new ‘tribrid’ dual dynamic, 6 BA and 4 EST driver flagship universal in-ear monitor. It is priced at $3699.00.
Disclaimer: This was sent to us as a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. We thank the team at Softears for their support.
To read more about Softears products previously covered on Headfonics please click here.
Note this article follows our latest scoring guidelines which you can read up on here.
Softears isn’t exactly the new kid on the block for IEMs. They’ve got some solid products under their belt with the Twilight and RSV often praised for their performance in their respective price ranges.
The Enigma is Softears’ new flagship IEM and is a whole different proposition priced at $3699. It is their most ambitious offering to date and has been in the works for almost four years.
Over the past few months, the Enigma prototypes started to make the rounds at a few audio events with quite a bit of positive feedback from those who tried it at the shows.
And with good reason. This is a tribrid multi-driver configuration with a sleek, futuristic design, and presented inside some impressive packaging.
Mind you, there are some excellent IEMs out there at similarly high price tags so the Enigma is not alone in summit-fi that is for sure.
So, not only will I walk you through how this flagship performs in my full review below but also how well it competes when pitched against some big names like 64 Audio’s Fourte and the Vision Ears Phonix.
Features
The Softears Enigma is a tribrid multi-driver IEM equipped with dual dynamic drivers, six custom-balanced armature drivers, and four Sonion electrostatic drivers.
For the lows, the Enigma uses a mix of an active 10mm wool-made biological diaphragm dynamic driver with 2 additional BA drivers to produce a mix of power and speed.
There is also a second beryllium-coated diaphragm dynamic driver deployed in a passive mode to absorb unwanted vibrations and standing waves.
The midrange frequencies are handled by four full-range custom-balanced armature drivers and for the highs, the Enigma uses four third-generation Sonion electrostatic drivers.
The drivers are organized using a combination of a 5-way electronic crossover and a 4-way physical crossover.
The crossover circuit is an upgraded version of the RS10. This hybrid approach enhances frequency distribution precision and flattens the impedance response, resulting in a more detailed and consistent sound signature.
The Enigma is rated at a pleasingly efficient 10Ω with a sensitivity rating of 121.5 dB/Vrms @1kHz which on paper looks quite reasonable, however, EST driver models always seem to benefit from a bit more juice in my experience.
Design
Enigma nailed it with the design of the Enigma shells.
They sport a futuristic look, with cutouts on the faceplate that resemble a rotating disc and an eye-catching round, artificial sapphire-like crystal in the center. The branded highly translucent crystal is a lot more durable than it appears.
The shell is crafted from an aluminum alloy and finished with an anodic oxidization process that feels strong and durable. It has a precise and detailed shape courtesy of a five-axis CNC machined finish. The final design has a sleek, black matte finish that’s smooth to the touch.
Although the shells are on the larger side, they’re surprisingly lightweight at just 9.1 grams. The IEM’s nozzle is long, with an average diameter that’s neither too narrow nor too wide, providing a comfortable fit.
The nozzle features four bores aligned with the 4-way crossover inside the IEM, ensuring that each frequency band gets a dedicated path. The nozzles on both shells carry the cable connected to the IEM via a recessed 2-pin 0.78mm socket.
Comfort & Isolation
Despite the larger shells, the Enigma offers a surprisingly comfortable fit. The ergonomic design features soft, rounded curves that avoid placing any unwanted pressure on the outer ear.
The lightweight construction makes them easy to wear for extended periods, with a smooth inner surface that enhances comfort even further. I’ve experienced no fatigue wearing these IEMs for hours, thanks to the natural and easy fit.
The longer nozzle contributes to a deep and secure fit. Although the IEMs protrude slightly from the ears, their lightweight prevents them from feeling heavy or cumbersome. Even on the move, they stay securely in place and don’t tend to fall out.
The Enigma provides an average level of passive isolation. It is not that exceptional at blocking external noise but sufficient enough to minimize distractions.
With well-fitting ear tips, the isolation is decent. I tested the Enigma on a flight and found it effective at reducing ambient noise in the airport and during the flight.
Ear Tips
Enigma is packed with three different types of ear tips. These include:
- Softears in-house developed Ultra Clear silicone ear tips.
- Grey silicone ear tips with black stem
- Foam ear tips
The Ultra Clear ear tips with a transparent design are quite flexible to use. These tips feature a wide bore, while the other silicone tips provided come with narrow bores and longer stems.
The foam tips are shaped more like standard ear tips than the typical foam style. I found their design intriguing, as they don’t need to be squeezed before insertion. All of these ear tips are available in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
Stock Cables
Enigma comes with two different cables. The first is their standard black cable with a 3.5mm termination. While I don’t have the exact specs, it appears to be a 4-core, oxygen-free copper cable with a look and feel similar to the one provided with the Twilight IEM.
Along with this cable, the package includes a 1/4-inch stereo jack adapter, allowing you to use the IEMs with devices that have a 1/4-inch jack.
The second cable is a collaboration with Effect Audio and is more advanced. This 4-wire cable features a unique design: two wires are 7-strand, 24AWG silver-gold-plated, and silver-enameled, while the other two are a mix of fine silver and fine copper. The cable has a copper and silver color scheme.
The Effect Audio cable comes with custom-designed hardware, including a stylish Y-split and adapter plug. There are patterns of circles and arrowheads giving a cryptic scheme that matches the Enigma’s theme.
The 2-pin connectors are robustly constructed, and the cable also includes a ConX connector, allowing for easy swaps between 2-pin, MMCX, and the newly developed Pentaconn connectors.
Lightweight and easy to handle, this cable doesn’t take up much space when rolled up. Its minimal weight means it won’t add extra tension or pressure on your ears, enhancing overall comfort.
Packaging & Accessories
I’ve had the pleasure of unboxing some impressive flagship IEMs before, but Softears has truly outdone most of them with the Enigma.
They’ve gone all out to give users a nice experience from the moment they open the box. As the name suggests, the packaging itself adds to the mystery, creating an unboxing experience that’s as intriguing as it is unique. Honestly, I can’t think of a more distinctive presentation than what you get with the Enigma.
When the package arrived, it weighed in at nearly 4 kg, which immediately piqued my curiosity, what could be inside?
The outer box is large, with cryptic patterns and drawings in black lines. “Enigma” is boldly and elegantly displayed on one side, while the logos of Softears and Effect Audio are featured on the top. Opening the lid reveals another box inside along with a large carry case.
Imagine the inner box as a Rubik’s cube; it opens from different sides, revealing multiple compartments, each housing different accessories.
The box unfolds in a 2×4 style, with four compartments on each side. Each compartment has a small cutout and slides outwards, and inside, you’ll find foam cushions protecting the contents.
Additional Accessories
In addition to the usual accessories, Softears has included some fun extras. There’s a Rubik’s cube puzzle that you have to assemble using the provided screws. It took me quite a while to put it together as there’s no manual but it was a lot of fun.
They’ve also included an aluminum mold replica of an IEM shell, which I believe represents the machine-cut shell body before they are put to designing the IEM. These thoughtful extras show how much the brand wants to share its product development journey with users, helping you connect more deeply with the product.
The full accessory lineup with the Enigma includes:
- Carry Case
- Ear tips: Silicone S/M/L, Ultra Clear S/M/L and Foam S/M/L
- Softears 3.5mm cable with ¼ inch stereo jack
- Effect Audio Cable
- Cleaning cloth
- Pair of IEMs
- Rubik cube puzzle
- Drawstring
- Cleaning brush tool
- Instruction manual
Carry Case
Enigma comes with a nice premium storage case. The size of this case is substantially big and not something you can slip into your pocket.
It’s crafted from vegetable-tanned, first-layer cowhide leather, retaining the natural texture and feel of cowhide. The surface is glossy and smooth, with an even finish throughout. The Softears logo is engraved on the top of the case. This case closes in a button closure.
The interior of the case is soft and cushioned, exuding premium quality. There’s ample space to store multiple IEMs and accessories, with a divider that helps organize the space.
The case is hard enough to protect the inner contents but unfortunately, the size lies in the middle, so there’s not enough room to store a DAP inside.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
