Kotori Audio is a small boutique IEM manufacturer based in Singapore. In this article, I review the Kotori Audio Vampire IEMs. The Vampire has a single Knowles balanced armature driver. It’s priced at $99.

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

Kotori Audio Vampire

Specifications

Driver: Knowles full-range balanced armature
Impedance: 50 ohms
Sensitivity: 112dB
Frequency response: 20Hz – 18kHz
Cable: Silver-plated copper 0.78mm 2-pin

In the Box

• Kotori Audio Vampire IEMs
• Carbon 3 IEM cable
• 3* Pairs of silicone eartips (S, M, L)
• Metal carrying case

Design

The Kotori Audio Vampire’s 3D-printed resin shells are tiny. By my reckoning, they’re about half the size of an average IEM. With its blood-red faceplates and glossy black housing, Vampire has a striking and premium aesthetic.

The nozzles have a prominent lip that holds eartips securely in place. Because it has a single BA driver, there’s no need for any venting. As a result, the passive noise isolation is above average, despite Vampire’s diminutive size.

The shells feel incredibly comfortable in my ears. The nozzles are slightly longer than average but have a standard width and are angled ergonomically for a snug fit. I could happily wear these IEMs all day long.

The included Carbon 3 cable is twisted SPC (Silver-Plated Copper) with a smooth clear sheath. It comes with Kotori’s own custom Y-splitter and chin slider. This is a gorgeous cable that’s far better than what you get with most other IEMs around the $100 price point.

Sound

Gear used for testing includes the SMSL RAW-MDA 1, HiBy R3 II and FiiO KA17. Vampire requires a reasonably powerful source to perform optimally. It can be used straight from a smartphone but it should be used at least with a dongle DAC.

The Vampire’s mid-focused presentation prioritizes vocals, delivering a slightly warm, laid-back sound with a sub-bass roll-off. All single BA IEMs need to make compromises in my experience – well, at least I haven’t heard one yet that convinced me otherwise, and the Vampire aligns with this trend. It’s not ideal for those seeking powerful bass or sparkling treble, but those who appreciate a forward midrange and smooth overall sound will find it a satisfying choice.

Bass

Vampire’s single BA bass can be characterized as speedy but light on authority. It can produce sub-bass notes but they’re heard more than felt in your bones. The mid-bass is more upfront and impactful. The bass has thicker notes and a slower decay.

The bass offers a decent texture but tends to prioritize quantity and tone over speed. While not the quickest BA bass you’ll encounter, it’s still responsive enough for most listening scenarios. The bass presentation is smooth and inviting, making it well-suited for genres like acoustic and Lo-fi.

Midrange

The midrange is warm and inviting, perfect for mellowing out and drifting away with the music. It’s a romanticized midrange, not entirely accurate in timbre but one that’s easy to vibe with. Male vocals and instruments in the lower mids are rich and saturated albeit not the most detailed. Female vocals are sultry but somewhat subdued in their energy.

Clarity and details are decent, thanks to a lift in the presence region and the upper treble but the Vampire’s midrange lacks the fidelity of brighter tunings. The single BA driver and warmer tuning, while limiting the midrange detail, create a uniquely inviting and engaging sound that is both pleasant and easy to appreciate.

Treble

The treble is soft and relaxed, making it ideal for those sensitive to high frequencies. However, treble enthusiasts may (somewhat ironically) find the Vampire’s highs lacking in bite. The upper treble roll-off adds to the overall warmth and smoothness, enhancing the sultry mids but compromising detail and airiness.

Soundstage & Technicalities

The Vampire’s soundstage has modest dimensions but good cohesiveness. Despite having limited space between various instruments and vocals, the imaging is fairly strong. Instrument separation is moderate and Vampire can suffer from congestion in complex music.

Comparison

AFUL MagicOne ($139)

The AFUL MagicOne (review here) has a single BA driver. It has larger and more generic shells externally. Inside the casing is AFUL’s Nautilus acoustic maze technology which supposedly allows better treble extension.

The MagicOne has significantly more sub-bass roll-off, coupled with more upper midrange and treble. As you can probably guess, this means the MagicOne has a brighter tonality and even less body than the Vampire.

The MagicOne’s upper midrange gets thin and shouty at higher volumes due to a lack of bass to balance it out. The MagicOne has a more vibrant treble. Neither of these has a sharp treble but the Vampire’s highs sound rather dry in comparison.

Technical performance and soundstage are similar in both models, although the MagicOne has slightly better detail retrieval.

Verdict

The Kotori Audio Vampire offers a niche listening experience, delivering sound quality comparable to other single-driver balanced armature IEMs in its price bracket. Its small shells are exquisitely built and very comfortable and the stock cable is one of the best you’ll find with any $100 IEM.

Like all single BA earphones, Vampire compromises bass impact and note weight, which makes it suitable for some music genres like acoustic and vocals but it lacks the versatility to be a true all-rounder. The Vampire is worth considering if you prioritize a distinctive sound signature and aren’t overly concerned with deep bass.