Today, I review the Punch Audio Martilo IEMs. The Martilo features a 1 Planar + 2BA + 2DD configuration and is marketed as a “basshead” IEM. It’s priced at 329 USD. Let’s see if it lives up to the claims.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Linsoul for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
Punch Audio Martilo
Specifications
Drivers: 1 planar driver + 2 balanced armatures (Knowles RDE) + 2×8 mm dynamic drivers
Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1 kHz (±1 dB)
Frequency Response: 10 Hz–22 kHz
Impedance: 9 Ω @ 1 kHz (±1.5 Ω)
Cable: 2-Pin 0.78 mm to 3.5 mm
Cable Length: 1.25 m ± 5 cm
Inside the Box
- Punch Audio Martilo IEM
- Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin modular cable
- 3.5mm termination
- 4.4mm termination
- Zipper carrying case
- 3* pairs of silicone eartips (S, M, L)
- 3* pairs of foam eartips (S, M, L)
- *4 nozzle mesh replacements
Design
Martilo has 3D-printed glossy black resin shells. The faceplates have a cracked red and black pattern resembling molten lava. There’s a single vent behind the 0.78mm 2-pin socket. The aluminium nozzle is average in size and has a protective metal grille to keep out earwax.
Despite being somewhat large, the shells are comfortable and good for long listening sessions. Passive noise isolation is average but good enough for most everyday environments.
The Martilo comes with a braided cable wrapped in a glossy black sheath. It’s a little on the chunky side, but it feels suitably premium and handles nicely. All the hardware, including the chin slider, is metal. The cable is modular and includes both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced terminations.
Sound
Sources used for testing include the D&A Alpha Pro, iBasso DX180 and Shanling UA6. The Martilo is easy to drive, but it scales well with gear, so it’s worth pairing with a good source.
Although it’s marketed as a “basshead IEM”, the Martilo is far from a one-trick pony. By focusing most of the boost in the sub-bass region, it adds depth and energy without sacrificing midrange or treble quality. It feels like an evolved take on the Harman 2019 target—still balanced, but with a touch more excitement and personality.
Bass
Okay, let’s get to the meat of the Martilo. It’s marketed as a “basshead” IEM, so you’d expect bombastic, bone-rattling lows—and you do get that, but not quite in the way you might expect. In truth, the Martilo mainly boosts the mid- and sub-bass regions, while the upper bass (roughly 120–250Hz) stays close to neutral, more or less in line with the Harman 2019 in-ear target. As a result, on some recordings—especially older ones—the bass doesn’t hit with full force and comes across as simply balanced. The extra impact is more noticeable with modern productions.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. The Martilo seems to instinctively dial in just the right amount of bass for each track. It can surprise you now and then with some serious thump and real authority, but for the most part, it’s a well-controlled bass that keeps itself in check. Yet it still delivers an energetic, rhythmic low end without ever sounding thin or hollow.
Midrange
Benefiting from the early upper bass roll-off, Martilo’s midrange sounds clean and mostly neutral, with some deeper undertones in the lower mids adding natural richness and note weight. The dual Knowles balanced armature drivers produce a spacious midrange with good clarity, fast transients, and accurate tone.
Male vocals are nicely saturated and authoritative, while female vocals are alluring and clear, but never boxy or harsh. Vocals and instruments carry good density and weight, paired with excellent resolution—it’s the best of both worlds, resulting in a midrange that’s both fully engaging and technically impressive.
Treble
The treble tuning here is genuinely interesting. The planar driver’s highs are smooth as can be, yet somehow still crisp, detailed, and well-defined. Martilo’s treble adds clarity to the midrange and effortlessly balances out the boosted bass—completely free of sibilance or brittleness, even with a noticeable lift in the upper registers. There’s good extension too, bringing air and spaciousness without any sharpness. I wouldn’t say it has much sparkle, but it complements the bass and mids beautifully, and I think the engineers absolutely nailed it.
Soundstage & Technicalities
The soundstage is impressive, not for its scale but its realism and natural proportions. It places the listener within the music, not in front of it. The resolution is outstanding; think like those large high-end televisions you see in the stores—the colours are vivid and bright, with good contrast and saturation and free of any smearing or bleeding.
Verdict
The Punch Audio Martilo is an outstanding IEM, especially considering it’s the debut product from this new brand. It promises to be a basshead earphone but actually has excellent technical performance and a surprisingly mature sound signature. It’s so good, it get our recommended award and is going on the best IEM list.
