In this article, I’m reviewing the Aoshida E20 IEMs. The E20 has dual dynamic drivers and was made in collaboration with Letshuoer. It features a 1x beryllium-coated driver and an 8mm DLC driver. It’s priced at $49.

Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Aoshida for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.

Aoshida E20

Specifications

Driver: 10mm beryllium-coated dynamic driver + 8mm DLC driver
Impedance: 12Ω
Sensitivity: 98dB
Frequency response: 20 – 40000Hz

In the Box

• Aoshida E20 IEMs
• Detachable 2-pin 0.78mm cable
• 6x pairs of silicone eartips
• Storage box
• User manual

Design

E20 boasts 3D-printed resin housings combined with CNC-carved and anodized aluminium faceplates. The faceplates have a semi-open design facilitated by a pair of slits with a mesh cover.

The open faceplates create a wider more natural sound. In addition, they prevent pressure build-up and feed air to the dual dynamic drivers.

The shells are very lightweight and comfortable. I can wear them for hours at a time with ease. Passive noise isolation is still quite good, despite the semi-open shells.

E20 comes with a high-quality copper 0.78mm 2-pin braided cable. The cable handles well and doesn’t have microphonics. It’s a solid accessory for an IEM at this price.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the Gustard/Audalytic AH90, HiBy R3 II and Hidizs S9 Pro Plus. The E20 is easy to drive, despite its somewhat low sensitivity. You can run it straight out of a smartphone or dongle DAC.

The Aoshida E20 has a powerful and dynamic sound, enabled primarily by its enhanced bass. It’s a fun tuning, led by its boosted lows but it’s got a serious side to it as well. It delivers a rich, robust sound profile, tempered by a balanced midrange and vibrant treble.

Bass

There’s no doubt that the E20 has impactful and emphasized bass, yet I hesitate to call it a basshead IEM. It’s abundant but controlled and shows no sign of bloat, nor does it smother the midrange.

The E20’s handling of the bass is done well, where the sub-bass resonates deeply, while the mid-bass strikes a balance between potency and precision, delivering impactful yet detailed lows.

Midrange

E20’s midrange notes are constructed in a distinctive and engaging manner. What lower mids notes lack in size, they make up for in articulation, unencumbered by the bass that graciously allows them to come forward.

The vocals and instruments exude a breathy and expansive quality, a testament to E20’s astute tuning. The midrange follows a fairly linear tuning, presenting a natural quality without leaning towards thinness or colouration.

Treble

The treble finds a good place between excitement and smoothness. There’s plenty of detail and even some sparkle but no sharpness except when it’s originally present in the recording.

This treble tuning counterbalances the weight of the bass perfectly, lifting the overall tone and providing clarity while remaining non-fatiguing. It widens the soundstage, injects space between instruments and contributes to vocal articulation.

Soundstage & Technicalities

Considering its budget price point, the Aoshida E20 performs strongly when it comes to technicalities. Its stage has good width and depth and instrument placement is easy to track throughout. Instrument separation is good and the overall resolution is a testament to the tuning, acoustic chamber and driver quality.

Comparisons

Truthear Zero Red

The Truthear Zero Red (review here) also has a dual dynamic driver configuration. Compared to the E20, Zero Red has less bass impact, less presence and less sparkle.

Zero Red prioritizes sub-bass emphasis, showcasing a subdued mid-bass. Consequently, it offers reduced bass warmth and punch. While both in-ear monitors (IEMs) boast a predominantly neutral midrange, Zero Red’s muted lower and upper treble contribute to diminished note definition, vocal articulation, and detail retrieval in comparison to the E20.

In regards to sound staging, the Zero Red demonstrates a reduction in depth, resulting in less precise imaging. The subdued upper treble obscures micro-details, ultimately impacting the overall dimensions of the soundstage with a sense of diminished spaciousness.

Regarding physical attributes, Zero Red’s nozzles are noticeably wider and may induce discomfort. Furthermore, Red’s cable is comparably lower in quality.

Verdict

The Aoshida E20 marks a robust entry into the market, presenting a sound profile that blends engaging dynamics with a balanced tonal character. This IEM’s affordability, combined with its commendable performance, makes it a standout choice, offering great value to anyone seeking quality sound without breaking the bank.