IO AUDIO SOGNO Review – 2DD+6BA Flagship IEM
I/O AUDIO, a new brand making its debut, launched its flagship IEM, the VOLARE in May, which has received rave reviews since its introduction. Today, we are reviewing their secondary flagship IEM, the SOGNO, priced at $399. This model features a five-way frequency crossover combining two dynamic and six balanced armature drivers.
SOGNO offers a complete driver configuration. The newly developed five-way frequency crossover incorporates two dynamic and six balanced armature drivers, each dedicated to specific frequency bands. One dynamic driver handles bass and a portion of the vocals, while another optimizes impedance for high frequencies.
Additionally, four balanced armature drivers ensure consistent timbre and two customized balanced armature drivers enhance upper high-frequency reinforcement, resulting in a unique, vivid, and smooth high-frequency timbre. This reasonable driver configuration covers the human hearing range, providing a smooth and cohesive sound.
They are featuring a brand-new physical frequency crossover system. Following the principle of giving priority to the acoustic structure of I/O Audio, the rigorous design of the sound nozzle and unique precise physical frequency crossover technology of I/O Audio are adopted to reduce the interference of different drivers and frequency bands, and the priority of filtering and impedance matching adjustment is earlier than the traditional damper, which effectively reduces the distortion of full frequency bands, resulting in a clean sound.
SOGNO uses a newly developed balanced armature driver for upper high frequency, which has achieved one of the lowest distortion levels among similar drivers. Additionally, the sensitivity has been adjusted to reduce the need for additional frequency crossover components, optimizing the system engineering.
It also incorporates self-developed coaxial dual dynamic drivers with a high-spec 10mm silica gel suspension mixed paper basin dome. This innovation has effectively reduced bass distortion and enhanced the connection between mids and bass, resulting in a more natural and smooth performance. The 6mm treble driver has been designed to optimize the impedance characteristics of the high-frequency driver, leading to smoother and more captivating high-frequency output.
SOGNO is firstly used in the unique multi-channel mid-range accurate mirroring technology, enhancing stereo imaging through double Mids frequency differential design, improving traditional IEM imaging performance.
After years of pre-research of I/O Audio, with the application of a variety of brand-new drivers and innovative adjustments, SOGNO not only reached top-class sensitivity but also kept the straight phase of most frequency bands.
The frequency response curve of SOGNO aligns with the average value of the generalized human ear transfer function and provides clear and true-to-life sound.
SOGNO includes an inner ear air pressure balance system to minimize ear pressure, reducing listening fatigue and avoiding pressure on sound components. This promotes a longer service life for drivers.
Additionally, It comes with a high-specification cable featuring interchangeable adapters, offering 4.4mm, 2.5mm, and 3.5mm replaceable plugs. The cable is made of 4 strands of cross-braided 6N OFC oxygen-free copper silver-plated wire, using an extremely flexible antioxidant-modified ABS skin and tensile aramid fiber as the fiber core.
Specs
- Driver Unit: 10mm + 6mm Customized Coaxial Dual Dynamic Driver + 4x Customized Full-Range Balanced Armature Driver + 2x Customized High-Range Balanced Armature
- Driver Diaphragm Material (DD): 10mm Silicone Rubber Surround Mixed-Fiber Dome + 6mm PET Diaphragm
- Frequency-crossover Structure: 5-Way Electronic (4-Way Physical)
- THD: THD@1kHz<0.8% (94dB)
- Sensitivity: 126.5dB/Vrms (@1kHz)
- Impedance: 12.80±10% (@1kHz)
- Frequency Response Range: 10Hz – 30kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
- Effective Frequency Response Range: 20Hz – 20kHz (IEC60318-4, -3dB)
- Cable Material: 4-Strand Oxygen-free Copper Cross-Twisted Cable
- Price: $399
would like to thank Shenzhenaudio for providing me with the review sample of the I/O AUDIO SOGNO.
Unboxing
- SOGNO *1
- Earphone cable *1
- 3.5mm plug *1
- 4.4mm plug *1
- 2.5mm plug *1
- Storage case *1
- Storage bag *1
- Eartips * 15 pairs
- Cleaning cloth *1
- User manual *1
- Brand card * 1
Sound
The I/O AUDIO SOGNO is easy enough to drive, thanks to its average 12.8Ω impedance and a sensitivity rating of 126.5 dB @1kHz. The earphone can be powered by most devices without the need for an external amplifier.
However, the earphones can benefit from a good source that can provide a clean and powerful sound signal.
There’s a nice touch of warmth in the sound. The bass is there in just the right amount—never too much, never too little. The mids are sweet and natural, with some impressive detailing, and the treble is detailed without being bright.
It’s the kind of tuning that’s perfect if you’re after pure musical enjoyment and spot-on timbre. I made sure I tried most of the genres in my library for this review.
Despite its hybrid design and high number of drivers, the SOGNO achieves a remarkable level of coherency, with all three driver types working seamlessly together, resulting in a more natural, immersive listening experience.
Lows
You can feel the sub-bass rumbling away on the SOGNO, giving that deep baseline that creates that feeling of being “filled” and not lacking in any way. Mid-bass is also well articulated, punches and hits are impactful and agile at the same time. Drums are bass guitars that shine on the SOGNO where there isn’t any bass bleed, good punch, and rumble that goes well with epic wartime genres. The SOGNO’s bass performance (details and separation) is impeccable, and I enjoyed listening to it.
SOGNO delivers a very natural and breathy bass, it is nicely balanced in terms of definition and control. It gives you the bass whenever you need it but always keeps it under control. You have sufficient rumble, good texture, and a well-delivered definition.
The bass quality itself is commendable. It maintains speed and remains free from distortion. There isn’t any noticeable bleeding into the mids, although the upper bass occasionally gets overshadowed by the dominant undertones. Nevertheless, considering the price range of these IEMs, the bass is generally of high quality.
Mids
The SOGNO excels in the midrange, delivering clear and vibrant tones. Vocals, in particular, receive special attention, exhibiting vividness and naturalness. The spacing and tone are well-executed, resulting in a smooth yet articulate sound.
Despite being less forward than the rest of the frequency response range, all aspects of the mid-range have an excellent level of resolution and detail retrieval. Instruments that sound faint in the background easily catch your attention because of the sheer detail and depth of their playback.
Even compared to other more neutral IEMs, the detail-retrieval of the SOGNO is easily superior. This contributes to the unique combination of implementing a fun-sounding sound signature without sacrificing any detail or resolution whatsoever.
The midrange notes have a neutral body size, offering good definition and crisp transients. However, some individuals might desire a touch more bite on vocals and electric guitars. Fortunately, there is no harshness or uncomfortable resonance in the upper mids. Female vocals are accentuated vividly, while male vocals possess a less chesty quality.
Treble
Moving to the treble, it boasts a safe tuning that should not trouble even those sensitive to high frequencies.
While it maintains a fairly natural timbre, it lacks the airiness and sparkle that would earn it accolades. Nevertheless, the treble provides a respectable level of detail retrieval and a reasonably pleasing tone.
The treble of the SOGNO is crisp and airy, with a good extension and sparkle. The treble is well-articulated and detailed, without any peachiness or fatigue.
It may sound repetitive at this point, but the SOGNO’s ability to maintain a pleasing, energetic sound signature without sacrificing detail retrieval is once again a standout.
Soundstage
The soundstage is reasonably wide but has limited depth. The instrument separation and overall resolution are quite good but imaging is somewhat indistinct. Detail retrieval is also pretty solid.
The imaging of the SOGNO is precise and coherent, with good separation and layering. The staging performance is quite average, doing so with the width that is expected with a pair of IEMs.
The SOGNO can place instruments with pinpoint accuracy, sometimes making certain instruments sound like they’re coming up close behind my ear.
Vs VOLARE
The I/O AUDIO VOLARE has one dynamic driver for low-frequency vocals, four balanced armature drivers for the mids, and four electrostatic drivers for high-frequencies (1DD+4BA+4EST). The star of the show here are the EST drivers of VOLARE as they have unmatched treble performance because of the structure of the Danish Sonion EST drivers. This tech also makes the IEMs on the expensive side because these drivers are expensive (more than $100 for a pair).
The SONOS on the other hand uses 2BA and one dynamic driver for the treble (high frequencies). Although the VOLARE has a better treble extension after 10kHz the treble performance is almost on par with some minor differences. The VOLARE has a smoother and richer sound and also slightly better macro detail retrieval.
Considering the $200 price difference it’s a no-brainer which IEM to choose.
Sum-Up
The I/O AUDIO SOGNO seems like a jack-of-all-trades IEM that can execute an exciting, energetic sound signature while maintaining an impressive level of detail retrieval and imaging.
Combining stellar design, very good performance, and good accessories, the I/O AUDIO SOGNO is surprisingly competitive and well worth the asking price.