In this article, I review the Simgot EA500 LM IEM. The EA500 LM is a single 2nd-generation dual-magnetic-circuit and dual-cavity driver IEM with high-density alloy metal shells. The price is $89.
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.
Simgot EA500 LM
Table of Contents
Specifications
Impedance: 21Ω±15%(@1kHz)
Sensitivity: 123dB/Vrms (@1kHz Gold Copper nozzle & Red Silicone Ring)
123dB/Vrms (@1kHz Silver Steel nozzle & Red Silicone Ring)
124dB/Vrms (@1kHz Silver Steel nozzle & Black Silicone Ring)
Frequency response range: 10Hz-50kHz
Effective frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
Cable material: high-purity silver-plated OFC cable
PRICE: USD 89.99
In the Box
- Simgot EA500 LM IEM
- 0.78mm 2-pin detachable silver-plated OFC cable
- 3* pairs of tuning filters
- 3* pairs of silicone eartips
- Pack of spare O-rings
- User manual
Design
Like the original EA500, the EA500 LM has polished alloy shells. The IEMs have some heft to them and it’s apparent that they’re robust and built for longevity.
EA500 LM has standard 2-pin sockets and a couple of vents on the inner side of the shell. The nozzles are also filters and swapping them out is a simple matter of unscrewing the installed pair and attaching the new set.
As far as comfort goes, I find the EA500 LM fits great in my ears. However, the nozzles are a bit short so I had to use some of my own eartips to get a secure fit. The passive noise isolation is good, so you can enjoy your music without distractions.
Included with the IEMs is a 0.78mm 2-pin silver-plated copper cable. The cable is somewhat thin but it’s supple and isn’t prone to tangling. It has a chin slider and pre-formed ear hooks.
Sound
Gear used for testing includes the HiBy R3 II, xDuoo Link2 Bal and Topping E70/L70 combo. The EA500 LM is an efficient IEM and does not require a powerful source. You won’t see me mention the filters in this article because frankly, they make little difference to the sound profile.
I could say, at this point, that the EA500 LM is just the EA500 with more bass but, of course, that wouldn’t tell the whole story. It has a near-Harman tuning with some extra zing in the high frequencies. It has a tasteful balance of warmth and spice, giving us the best of both worlds without going overboard in either direction.
Bass
The EA500 LM has an enhanced bass, tastefully done so it maintains tonal balance and doesn’t dominate the sound. A linear transition from the sub-bass to the mid-bass gives the bass depth and authority plus ample punch and slam.
It’s an agile bass – not as speedy as planar or BA drivers but it can keep up with all music genres and has that satisfying dynamic driver impact. Its blend of responsiveness and thickness provides a robust and engaging low end.
Midrange
The midrange has a neutral note weight bundled with some underlying warmth from the bass. Both male and female vocals are rich but not oversaturated. There’s a hint of silkiness and natural warmth to the mids but the EA500 LM maintains good separation and clarity throughout.
It’s a reasonably forward midrange and while it’s not strictly uncoloured, it still sounds clean and spacious. Despite leaning a little towards brightness, the EA500 LM doesn’t sound shouty or forced in the upper midrange.
Treble
Treble notes have a slight softness as well as a touch of warmth. Yet the treble extension is good and there’s enough air to create space around vocals and instruments. It has an inoffensive and natural tone and even a touch of sparkle. The highs don’t cause fatigue even during longer listening sessions yet they never feel lacking in energy.
Soundstage & Technicalities
The Simgot EA500 LM performs well in technicalities, particularly in its instrument separation and imaging. While the soundstage width is fairly modest, it has a nice black background and crisp transients. The treble is smooth but engaging and offers excellent detail retrieval.
Comparisons
Simgot EA500
The original Simgot EA500 has a leaner bass response and less emphasis on the upper midrange and lower treble. It sounds thinner and slightly brighter than the LM. EA500 has a wider soundstage and an airier feel but less stage depth.
EA500’s mids have more clarity while the EA500 LM’s mids have more body and a natural timbre. Both IEMs offer great audio quality for the price but in my opinion, the EA500 LM has a safer tuning that’s likely to resonate and engage with more listeners.
Kefine Delci
The Kefine Delci (review here) has a bolder, V-shaped tuning. It has extra oomph in the bass, adding punch and rumble. Delci’s upper midrange is less emphasized, so it’s more forgiving on rock tracks with crunchy electric guitars or belting female vocals.
Despite its enhanced bass, Delci’s detail retrieval is on par with the LM as it can pick up both macro and micro details with ease. Soundstage dimensions are about the same for both IEMs.
Verdict
With the Simgot EA500 LM, the brand continues and strengthens its influence in the entry-level IEM scene. A combination of build quality, pleasing tonality and technical performance sets it apart among the sub-$100 IEM bracket. It’s an easy recommendation, earning our gold award and replacing the original EA500 on our best IEMs list.
