In this feature, Nihal reviews the Spiral Ear SE5 NEBULA, a universal in-ear monitor with 5 BA drivers and a true 5-way Passive Crossover. It is priced at €1459 (0% VAT; export outside EU) and €1795 (incl. 23% VAT; export within EU).
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in return for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank Spiral Ear for their support.
You can click here to learn more about the Spiral Ear gear we have previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This post follows our scoring guidelines which you can read in more detail here.
While I was initially unfamiliar with the brand, Spiral Ear has an extensive history in the IEM industry, specializing primarily in custom in-ear monitors.
They have been functional in the custom IEMs space since 2010. Along the way, they ventured into the universal IEM market, offering universal counterparts to their custom lineup.
I first heard about Spiral Ear by chance through Henry Tik, the founder of Astral Acoustics. He spoke very highly of the brand, mentioning that he had been following their work for quite some time.
His enthusiasm piqued my interest, and we eventually connected with Grzegorz Baran, the founder of Spiral Ear. Through several email exchanges, I learned more about their current projects and their longstanding presence in the IEM scene.
The SE5 NEBULA was initially launched as a custom IEM with the universal format launched a few weeks ago priced at €1459 (0% VAT; export outside EU) and €1795 (incl. 23% VAT; export within EU).
Grzegorz graciously sent over the first sample of the universal format for me to audition, allowing me to experience the IEM’s sound firsthand.
While he did mention that a custom fit has an advantage, especially the better fit performs maximum, the universal version offers a very close representation of the tuning.
From the first moment I put them in, the tuning truly took me by surprise. In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into what the Spiral Ear SE5 NEBULA brings to the table and compare it with some top-tier IEMs.
Features
The SE5 NEBULA is equipped with five balanced armature drivers and a 5-way crossover. Of the five drivers, two handle low frequencies acting as woofers and subwoofers, while the other three manage the lower midrange, upper midrange, and high frequencies as a super tweeter, respectively.
The SE5 NEBULA also has a five-bore design for sound output, which is quite unusual in the IEM world. Even with IEMs featuring a large number of drivers, a four-bore configuration is more common.
With an impedance rating of 23Ω @ 1kHz and an SPL of 101 dB @ 1kHz, 1mW the SE5 NEBULA is a reasonably efficient IEM so it should run fine from most portable sources and amps.
Design
The shells are crafted from medical-grade resin and are slightly larger than average, slightly smaller to the size of the Noble Audio Kublai Khan for comparison.
The design is visually minimal, combining a glossy, deep red shell with a contrasting white faceplate. The smooth, polished finish of the shells gives off a rich, almost metallic sheen, while the faceplate, featuring a slightly angled triangular shape, showcases the “Spiral Ear” branding in bold black.
These IEMs use a 2-pin 0.78mm connector. The nozzle, though a bit shorter than typical designs, maintains a standard width without being overly wide.
Comfort & Isolation
The shells may be on the larger side, but they don’t feel bulky. If you’re someone who prefers smaller IEMs, the size should not bother you much.
Personally, I don’t find it problematic. The fit works well for me, and the shells being lightweight is a definite plus. With the right ear tips, the SE5 NEBULA offers a very secure fit.
The smooth curves of the shells help as well, with no pressure points, making them comfortable to wear for extended periods. The flat faceplate design does not let the IEM protrude much. Even when moving around, I didn’t experience any issues with the IEMs coming loose.
In terms of isolation, it’s quite decent, blocking out a fair amount of external noise. Spiral Ear emphasizes the focus on isolation across all their IEMs, and for their custom models, they claim noise reduction of up to -36 dB. The universal design can go up to an isolation level of -30 dB.
This high level of isolation is particularly helpful for professional artists to protect their hearing during live performances. I found the isolation on the SE5 NEBULA to be quite commendable. Despite having no vents, I didn’t experience any pressure build-up, even during longer listening sessions.
Ear Tips
The SE5 NEBULA comes with two sets of silicone ear tips, both featuring a wide bore design and available in sizes S, M, and L for each type.
One of the included ear tips is a common design seen with many brands, featuring a red stem and grey flange. The other set is black and has a similarly wide bore. There’s nothing particularly notable about the stock tips.
While the variety of tips is limited, they do serve their purpose. The small stems fit the IEM’s shorter nozzles well, showing some thoughtful inclusion.
Given the price point, I did expect better options in the ear tip selection. That said, this is where aftermarket ear tips can really come in handy. I find Divinus Velvet and SpinFit Omni to fit perfectly well.
Stock Cable
Spiral Ear is, at its core, a professional IEM brand, so the stock cable that comes with the SE5 NEBULA is functional rather than flashy. It means you won’t find the fancy, well-built cables often associated with audiophile IEMs.
The included cable, named the Advanced Onyx cable, is a copper cable and comes with a default 3.5mm termination. In the professional world, though, this cable does the job just fine.
The cable has a soft steel memory ear hook, which is supposed to provide a firm structure to the wire when put over the ear. Personally, I do not find it much usable as it takes away some flexibility.
From my perspective, the cable’s build feels a bit thin and overly flexible, but don’t get me wrong, I didn’t notice any limitations in sound quality. In fact, the shiny silver finish gives it a nice, premium feel. Currently, there’s no option for other terminations.
There’s also a convenient option: you can purchase their monitors without the cable (with the cost of the cable deducted), which is good for those who already have a collection of aftermarket cables.
If you plan on using your own cable, Spiral Ear provides a guide on their website to ensure you’re using the correct 2-pin dimensions for their IEMs.
Packaging & Accessories
The SE5 NEBULA comes in a compact black box with the Spiral Ear branding on top. The inner box slides out, and you can pull it out using a small cutout hole at the front.
Inside, you’ll find a Pelican 1010 case containing all the contents. It’s a minimalist packaging setup but leaves a nice impression.
The IEMs are securely wrapped in foam, while the cable and ear tips are neatly packed in a separate small zipper case. I’m not entirely sure if this zipper case is part of the regular offering, but it’s a nice touch. Spiral Ear provides similar packaging for most of its IEMs.
The accessories with the unit I received include:
- Pelican 1010 Case
- Two sets of silicone Ear Tips
- Onyx Cable
- Cleaning tool
- Pair of IEMs
Carry Case
I have a soft spot for Pelican cases, and I couldn’t help but smile when I saw one included with the SE5 NEBULA. The Pelican 1010 case is water-resistant, crushproof, and dustproof, easily one of the most protective cases you can get with IEMs.
While leather cases are often charming, the Pelican offers rugged durability and excellent protection, ensuring the IEMs are safely stored.
The case is equipped with a rubber liner to ensure watertight protection, and it includes a coupling link with a secure safety closure for added convenience, in case you want to attach it to something for easy carrying.
It provides plenty of space to comfortably store the IEMs with the cable, though its size might make it less pocket-friendly for smaller spaces.
Sound Impressions
The following sound impressions of the Spiral Ear SE5 NEBULA Universal were completed using a mixture of my sources: Lotoo’s Paw Gold Touch, the Questyle CMA18P, and Astell&Kern SP3000.
For the review, I paired the IEMs with stock cable, occasionally with the Astral Acoustics Mars, and SpinFit Omni ear tips, size L.
Summary
I’m genuinely excited to dive into the sound of the SE5 NEBULA. From the moment you put them on, you’re immediately struck by the exceptional resolution and the remarkable clarity with which everything is presented.
To put the sound quality in perspective, the SE5 NEBULA reminds me of the clarity and cleanliness you’d expect from higher-priced flagship models. While it’s not quite at the same technical level as those top-tier IEMs, the SE5 delivers a sound that comes surprisingly close.
The SE5 NEBULA offers a neutral sound signature with a subtle hint of warmth to keep things engaging. While it leans toward a professional, reference-style tuning, it still manages to bring all the richness you’d expect from a well-refined IEM.
There’s an impressive naturalness to the sound, with no noticeable coloration or emphasis on any particular frequency.
The balance between the bass, mids, and treble is meticulously achieved, allowing each range to shine without overpowering the others. It’s a signature that grows on you, initially impressive, but over time, it becomes one of my favorites as the nuances start to reveal themselves.
Bass
The bass is neutral, without any noticeable boost, offering a balanced presentation that blends some depth in the sub-bass with a good impact and punch in the mid-bass. While it lacks the physical weight of a dynamic driver, it shines in delivering fluid, tight, and fast bass.
Typical of BA drivers, the bass is quick in both speed and decay, with excellent control that ensures it never intrudes on the higher frequencies. This bass will serve you really well in genres where there is a focus on rhythm and groove.
It also has good texture and layering, making it ideal for complex tracks where clarity and separation are important. This is especially useful when instruments like kick drums, bass guitars, or synth bass are in the mix, ensuring nothing gets lost.
Though the quality of bass might not satisfy bass enthusiasts seeking deep, rumbling lows, the quality and precision of the bass will undoubtedly win over those who appreciate a refined and controlled low-end.
Midrange
The midrange is clean and brimming with detail, delivering a natural and true-to-life presentation. I find the midrange to have a forward presentation.
Thanks to a controlled bass shelf, the mids remain free of bass bleed, keeping the sound clear and well-defined.
There’s a pleasing weight to the midrange with enough to give it body, but still leaning neutral overall. The touch of warmth prevents it from sounding too clinical, striking a nice balance.
String instruments maintain impressive clarity and natural tonality. You can distinctly hear the pluck, bow, or strum, with some nice separation that avoids sounding too sharp or overly thick.
Vocals take center stage in the midrange, sounding prominent and closer to the ear. They are well-balanced, with just the right amount of thickness and density, creating a clean yet full-bodied sound.
Subtle nuances in the voice, like breathiness and the grain in a singer’s tone, are captured accurately, making the midrange lively and engaging.
The upper mids are smooth and avoid harsh sibilance, with female vocals leaning slightly sharp but remaining detailed and crisp without becoming fatiguing.
Treble
The treble exhibits a nice level of energy, shimmering with clarity and details. It feels clean and crisp, adding a lively touch to the overall sound signature.
There’s a natural shimmer that avoids harshness and plenty of air, allowing for excellent detail retrieval and enabling you to hear the nuances in instruments.
The treble showcases speed for precision, clearly defining fast notes. At the same time, it ensures the decay is smooth and natural. Every quick note strikes with precision.
Each cymbal crash and flute trill echoes with detail, making the treble region effortless. When multiple instruments are present, it’s easy to discern each sound.
The treble complements the overall sound, maintaining a balanced presence that doesn’t overshadow the midrange or bass.
It provides a seamless transition from the midrange to the upper frequencies, stopping short of being overly bright or edgy. With a good amount of air and sparkle in the upper treble, it enhances the sense of space.
Staging & Dynamics
With a solid tuning foundation, the technical aspects serve as the icing on the cake. It’s no surprise, given its professional monitor lineage. The soundstage offers impressive depth, though it may not span very wide.
However, it creates a sense of holographic space, giving it a nice three-dimensional feel. Honestly, it is the only area on the IEM where I can see scope for improvement, but that’s me just nitpicking a bit.
When compared to soundstage champions like the 64 Audio Fourté, the SE5 NEBULA shares a similar trait, though the Fourté boasts an exceptionally tall soundstage.
The nice front-to-back depth on SE5 NEBULA soundstage enhances instrument separation, allowing each instrument to occupy its own space and shine.
Vocals take center stage, clearly separated from the accompanying instruments, which is especially evident in complex tracks like metal and jazz ensembles.
Resolution is a strong aspect of the SE5 NEBULA. It is quite easy to pick up subtle textures, micro-details, and background nuances without any blurring, even in complex tracks.
The spatial arrangement and imaging are executed well, with smooth and accurate channel-to-channel movement. The depth of the soundstage supports solid layering, ensuring that choruses are distinctly separated from the main vocalist, or the instruments play well-separated.
Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.
