In this article, I review the TANGZU WANER SG 2 Red Lion Edition IEMs. TANGZU has had a smashing success with the Waner series and they continue to refine and release new models. This latest SG 2 Red Lion Edition comes with upgraded internal wiring and a retuned dynamic driver, in an effort to deliver a “deeper, more authoritative bass”, while still maintaining the classic Waner balance. The changes were driven by feedback from the enthusiast community. It’s priced at $23 USD.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by TANGZU for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
TANGZU WANER SG 2 Red Lion Edition
Inside the Box
- TANGZU Waner Bass Edition
- Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable
- 3x pairs of Tang Sancai eartips
- 3x pairs of HE Sonic eartips
- Silicone carrying case
- Cleaning cloth
Sound
Sources used for testing include the D&A Alpha Pro, FiiO KA17 and HiBy R6 III 2025. The Waner is easy to drive, so you can plug it into whatever audio source you have on hand and it will perform.
The Waner SG Red Lion Edition goes for a softened Harman-style tuning, with a bit more body through the mid-bass and lower mids, and a slightly more relaxed take on the upper mids and treble. It comes across as warmer than a straight Harman interpretation, though not overly thick or dulled.
The bass has a nice sense of authority without overdoing it. There’s enough mid-bass presence to give notes some weight and punch, but it stays controlled and doesn’t spill into the midrange. It’s not a sub-bass monster, but it doesn’t feel lacking either, just a well-judged balance that supports the rest of the tuning.
Vocals are where things stand out. Despite the warmer tilt, they come across quite forward, largely thanks to that 2–3kHz lift. Male vocals have a solid sense of body and presence. On “Pale Season” by Thenighttimeproject, they carry good weight and don’t sound thinned out. Female vocals, like on “The Raven” by Rebecca Pidgeon, come through clear, vibrant, and with a bit of brightness. The upper mids sit right on the edge of being shouty, but generally stop short of becoming fatiguing.
What’s interesting is how this plays against the overall tuning. On paper, it leans warmer with a slightly softened upper-midrange, but in practice, vocals still push forward, and there’s a subtle brightness through the presence region. So it doesn’t come across as just “safe and warm”. There is a bit of energy and bite where it matters, especially with vocals.
The treble follows a similar idea. It is crisp and a touch airy, but keeps things smooth overall. There is enough presence to avoid sounding closed-in, but it does not push for sparkle or sharpness. It is more about staying easy to listen to over longer sessions.
Soundstage is about average in size, leaning slightly intimate, but imaging is handled well enough to keep things organised. Resolution is perfectly decent for the price, with enough detail coming through to keep things engaging, even if it is not chasing outright technical performance.
Verdict
For the asking price, the Waner SG Red Lion Edition is hard to fault. It gets the fundamentals right, with a tuning that feels well-judged, a presentation that stays engaging, and just enough technical ability to back it up. There are no obvious missteps here, which is not something you can say about every IEM in this price range.
The included accessories are also more than you might expect at this price, adding a bit more value to an already strong package. At around $23, this is simply a banger. An easy recommendation, and one that makes a lot of sense for anyone looking for a budget set that doesn’t feel compromised in the ways that matter.