Aurisonics new Bravo Series

Aurisonics, American IEM and CIEM maker, well known especially for their hybrid IEM, will release a new line up: the Bravo series. I had the chance to try during one week for review the Kicker (mono dynamic driver), the Forte (1 dynamic+ 1 BA) and the flagship of the lineup, the Harmony (1 dynamic + 2 BA).

The finish is very nicely done, with this time a MMCX connector instead the classic 2 pin connector used for the older models. The form factor is pretty similar from the ASG series with smoother lines and a longer and thinner stem. They are easy to fit and feel secure in the ear. The Aurisonics “Sure Seal “tips do a great job. Those are one of my favorite tips of all time.

The Bravo series incorporate a new 9.25mm dynamic driver (the ASG 2.5 and 1plus have a 14.2mm driver). It is smaller then, but performances are outstanding, especially in speed, airiness and bass department.

Let’s start describing the Kicker sound:

The kicker is the warmest of the bravo series. It has a very natural tone with powerful bass. The sense of space in general in the bravo series is simply one of the best I heard in an IEM. Having this in mind, the kicker has the most intimate sound of the three. The bass hit very low(the impact on the sub bass especially is very well done), with authority and speed, without bleeding too much in the mid range, and still feel pretty natural and right when you listen to it. The mids are very lush and well articulate, slightly on the warm side and very musical. The high-mids and trebles are slightly recessed resulting to this warm sound signature. The resolution feels very good regarding the warmish nature of the Kicker and the price range they are. I think it performs overall a little bit better than the Rockets overall (the performance of the Rockets being great…)! Kicker is a very easy going IEM, doing great with bad recordings and very easy to listen to and to enjoy. There is no harness or anything like that. The timbres are pretty realistic too. And the way the music is presented feels very coherent. If you like warm, musical, natural mids and powerfull bass with great quality too, the Kicker will be your best friend.

Now let’s move on to the Forte sound description.

Compared to the Kicker we can easily notice that there is more trebles and mid-high. The resolution seems a little bit better with more micro details and a better separation between the instruments. There is also slightly less mid-range, and mid-bass resulting to a better speed feeling of the bass response. We have here a gentle V shaped sound, with ultra-powerful bass. The sound feels more direct, more “in your face” than the Kicker. It’s very enjoyable especially on modern music like electronic music, pop, rock, metal etc…They will throw to your face especially electric guitars, cymbals, kick drums and bass guitars in a very punchy and enjoyable way. While being a hybrid IEM, the transitions between bass and midrange and between mids and trebles are perfectly executed. They sound like there was only one full range driver; it is quite an accomplishment in that regard.

And now, the Harmony.

The Harmony might be the most balanced of the 3. They have more midrange than the Forte and the Kicker, especially in the upper mids section (it might be slightly harsh on some recordings). They feel fuller from top to bottom. And the soundstage feels so airy, wide, high and deep with one of the best coherency I heard in an IEM. The soundstage of the Harmony is just: waaoo! Like the Forte the transitions are amazingly well handed and we don’t notice that this is a hybrid design inside. The detail retravail seem to me a little step above the Forte too. While the Harmony is doing great with all kind of music, they shine especially on acoustic music, jazz, classic and vocal. The mid range especially is very involving while being smooth, greatly articulated and natural. We keep the very vigorous bass of the Forte and the Kicker in slightly less quantity maybe (be aware it is still a bass heavy IEM). The Harmony has my preference of the 3, but I listen to a lot of jazz music which can explain this result.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vpfskRKuQM

Conclusion:

All 3 are great sounding IEM and great value. They can compete with sometimes one or two class above IEM. If you listen to modern music (rock, pop, metal etc…) and looking for a very punchy and involving IEM, the Forte might be what you want. If you are more into jazz, classic, or vocal kind of guy, looking for more balanced sound and fuller midrange, the Harmony might be the best choice. And if you are on a shorter budget, and looking for a warm, fun, easy to listen to IEM, you might want the Kicker, they sound fantastic too. Great job Aurisonics!