GEEK WOLD GK20 Review – 2DD+3BA+2 Piezoelectric Hybrid IEM
Geek Wold’s latest budget IEM the GK20 comes with a 3-unit Balanced armature Driver, 2 units of Dynamic Driver, and a 2-unit piezoelectric driver hybrid configuration.
Driver Configuration
- 1. High-Resolution Composite 2BA (High frequency)
- 2. High-resolution Large size Full frequency BA (Medium frequency)
- 3. Composite 2-unit 8mm piezoelectric ceramic unit (extremely high frequency)
- 4. 8mm coaxial dual-cavity DD, LCP diaphragm DD+ Composite titanium diaphragm DD (low frequency)
The G20 sports a medium and ergonomic shell size. While not earth-shatteringly original, the aesthetics are pleasing to the eye with shiny swirls of blue-green set over a deep background. In terms of comfort, the GK20 gets straight A’s. The fit was super smooth and light in the ear. The sound isolation may have been less than incredible, but it certainly cut out a good amount of ambient noise.
The stock cable is a 4-core oxygen-free copper silver plated + single crystal copper. I really liked the look and feel of this cable. The quality is on the high side. The connectors are all metal, and the plug size is 4.4mm balanced. Geek Wold chose to ship the GK20 with a balanced cable as stock, be aware of 3.5mm owners.
Specs
- Impedance: 10Ω
- Sensitivity: 105DB
- Frequency response: 20HZ-40KHZ
- Cable specification: 1.2m, 4.4mm plug, 4 strands 112*0.06, oxygen-free copper silver plated + single crystal copper mixed.
- Price: $99
What’s in the box
Sound
The GK20 has been dubbed equally balanced and bright. As always, the reality lies in between. To me, this is a relatively balanced monitor. Relative to the popularized Harman curve, it provides a slightly wider bass boost that extends further into the mid-bass giving it a slightly warmer and more forgiving presentation. The midrange sees a more aggressive rise but is balanced out in part by a hint of additional smoothness through the 4kHz range.
The high-end sits just in front of the midrange giving the earphone an energetic voicing and a gentle U-shaped character just slightly biased towards the top end. Due to dips between each of the three core frequency bands, it is a higher contrast sound that tends to prioritize separation over coherence and note body. Another notable quality is its impressive treble extension. This IEM has real sparkle and defined, fleshed-out notes into the top octave.
Lows
The GK20 has a few dB of enhancement in the sub and deep bass and this gives it a bold, powerful voicing. It isn’t pushed excessively into muddiness nor is the mid-bass overshadowed. I was impressed by the GK20’s simultaneous punch in the mid-bass and authoritative slam in the sub-bass; this is certainly an IEM with plenty of energy in the bass despite not being an overtly bassy one. Those worried about excessive leanness should abate those fears.
Technically, this is an impressive performer too. The GK20 is more defined and controlled through the bass range even with its increased note thickness. Notes have impressive definitions and textures. Dynamics perform admirably. The GK20 is noticeably nuanced and controlled. Notes decay a little quicker and separation is improved as a result on complex tracks. They aren’t an especially bassy in-ear, but one with a good amount of fun factor and some of the best detail retrieval I’ve heard at this asking price.
Mids
I must concur with impressions already out there that the midrange is the weakest aspect of this in-ear, yet it remains an innocuous performer and will be a matter of taste. Usually, I am not opposed to 2kHz peaks, however, combined with a relative lack of upper-bass and lower-mid body, the GK20 is left sounding a little dry and diminished. While vocals sit in good balance and midrange instruments just a step behind, the timbre isn’t quite as natural as you’d see on more progressively tuned earphones such as the aforementioned AFUL MagicOne. Chiefly, vocal size is reduced, they have a hint of strain to them that saps the liquid smoothness I enjoy from conventional Harman-inspired earphones. This rings most true for male vocals and is noticeable on female vocals to a lesser extent.
Fortunately, articulation isn’t over-sharpened, and sibilance wasn’t a notable issue in my testing either. The tonality is exceptionally clean too and the note body is reduced but not pushed to coolness or metallic timbre. Layering performs well with strong contrast between foreground and background. Additionally, the revealing tuning brings small details further to the fore, compounding on the already more resolving driver to provide an impressively insightful listen. I wouldn’t expect high-end IEM quality here and, similarly, the GK20 is outdone in terms of naturalness by some of its peers. Though not the highlight of this earphone, I didn’t find the midrange to stand as a glaring fault, though with limited appeal to those wanting perfect timbre.
Treble
This is where things get very interesting for the GK20 has a tuning that is not uncommon in the high-end IEM space where treble tends to become brighter to bedazzle the listener. Some entry and even mid-level IEMs attempt to imitate yet without the resolving power to back it up. These fall to the wayside as brittle, strident affairs. The GK20, however, does not suffer from the same fallibilities. It isn’t a bright, glaring monitor but simply a bright leaning one, and it has more than enough resolving power to ensure its proudly showcased notes are fully fleshed out. Indeed, emphasis starts in the lower treble and continues into the mid-treble too. Yet this isn’t a strident, over-sharpened in-ear but a crisp, cleanly presented one with just a hint of splashiness.
The leading edge is sharp, a little overly so but not stretched thin as notes maintain a convincing body above. Cymbals decay naturally and present a good amount of texture in turn. High hats are flattered by both excellent clarity and resolution that, for my ears, is unprecedented for a cheap IEM let alone many costing a deal more. There’s a convincing sparkle and some real micro-detail retrieval here. To reiterate, don’t expect Geek Wold GK100 levels of extension and resolution, but surely something more suited to midrange asking prices rather than entry level. The note presentation indeed isn’t perfectly natural but on the vibrant side. They’re a little tizzy, a little over-sharpened, though to my ears still very much a pleasure to listen to.
Soundstage
With its strong treble extension, the GK20 is capable of impressive expansion and, notably achieves well above-average in-class width. Depth, meanwhile, is just about average in that it doesn’t hamper listening but doesn’t inspire either. Still, combined with a strong layering performance, this provides an immersive staging experience. Imaging is quite good but not class-leading as other aspects of this IEM have proven to be. It is a relatively intimate earphone that pushes foreground elements further forward.
This means its spaciousness is not often on full display. However, boot up a track with layers of backing vocals and you’ll find a wide, well-delineated image with a good sense of direction. Still, I cannot say it is the best performer in this regard. By contrast, separation is an impressive performer, benefitting from a high contrast tuning combined with a swift, defined note presentation. The ether between notes is palpable and this makes small details easier to isolate and appreciate.
Sum-Up
In conclusion, the GEEK WOLD GK20 stands out as a remarkable choice for any audiophile, offering an immersive and dynamic presentation across various genres, thanks to its enhanced bass, rich midrange, and crisp treble. The GK20 is not only technically proficient but also immensely fun, offering a listening experience that keeps you hooked with each passing track.