First, I will like to thanks the Malaysia local Fischer Audio distributor WS Trading for providing the samples.
Though this is a review, I don’t want to spend too much time covering things such as specification or build quality since they have been mentioned in my previous two reviews (first and second) and pretty remain the same in both v1 and v2. For Eterna v2, besides having the new improved cable, it looks and feels almost identical to the old Eterna. For Omega v2, it is pretty much the same except it doesn’t have the cable tie and cable guide. So, please read my previous two FA review for detail that haven’t been mentioned here. As you have seen below, the new v2 comes with new packaging to avoid any confusion of which version a buyer will get.
Omega v2
Frequency range: 12-22000 Hz
Sensitivity: 105 dB
Impedance: 32 Om
Input power: 60 mW
Cable Length: 1.25 M with Oxygen-Free Copper cable
Includes: Single flange eartips (S, M, L) and manual.
Eterna v2
Frequency range: 8 -22000 Hz
Sensitivity: 110 dB
Impedance: 18 Ohm
Input power: 350mW
Cable Length: 1.25m OFC cable
Sensitivity: 110 dB
Impedance: 18 Ohm
Input power: 350mW
Cable Length: 1.25m OFC cable
Sound Quality
As usual, both IEM have been burn-in for over 50 hrs before the review. So the questions have been, are the new v2 better than the v1? It is a hard to answer. On one side I really wish they are better, but as far as dampening goes, it can go both ways.
The overall sound signature of Omega v2 is close to that of v1: fairly balanced without any major flaw. Good treble and airiness with a slightly improved detail presentation, Vocal is neither too close nor too far, bass is smaller though still solid and goes down deep with decent slam and speed. Soundstage is better than average. The impression is that V2 is a more mature version of v1, smoother in overall frequency with better control. Improvement is nothing major but noticeable.
The over sound signature of Eterna v2 is also close to that of v1: Warm and musical, but smoother and less fun. Technically the v2 shows more control. Treble rolls off early, lacks sparkle and detail. Mid is full to almost wet. Bass has decent impact and full bodied, dominating the overall sound though doesn’t bleed too much into other frequency. Soundstage is about average and lacks a real sense of air. Basically the new Eterna sounds like a warmer, smoother version of v1. While it is still technically not an accurate sounding IEM, the tuning definitely makes Eterna a different beast in my ears, trained. While the V1 has been rated highly for the fun sound (but not for it technically ability), the similar yet more polite v2 doesn’t quite seem to do the trick. Technically better or not, a preference is a preference.
Verdict
I love my original Eterna and wish that you can hear what I call a ‘musical blend’ is. The Eterna v2 is simply too polite, too smooth for me to really rock out with – don’t get me wrong to think Eterna v2 is just a bad sounding IEM - It is not. It is still a very good sounding IEM for its price and compared well to other more expensive IEM, just that it doesn’t quite have the blend of sound which I have enjoyed a lot. For both the v2 models I sense that Fischer Audio is tuning their IEM toward a more controlled, perhaps in a sense ‘more acceptable’ sound that depends lesser on the listener preference, a kind of ‘popular’ sound signature. Though Eterna v2 might not fit my taste totally, I still want to take my hat off to FA for their dedication to continuously improve and update its older series. For now, I think it is safe to assume the new DBA-02 is cleanly taking over the crown as the new flagship models.
Read the quick sum up here.
This above rating is for Fischer Audio Eterna v2 only and may change without notice. Please refer to the list for a complete listing.
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