Not Your Usual Hybrid

Introduction

Aful Audio is another newcomer in the scene for the shrooming portable audio segment hailing from China nonetheless and they have been known for their superb innovation in every product they have released so far like the debutant P5 with their extended bass tube, the new Magic One with their patented Nautilus Acoustic Maze and they first upcoming dongle Snowflake. Their IEMs have been received with great reviews all around for the performance that matches the price and some even beating their counterparts that cost way more.

Willy from Starspicker has kindly sent us a sample of the latest iteration of the ‘P’ or Performance series that is a continuation of the highly regarded P5, the P8 and we are truly grateful for the opportunity given. The P8 has launched somewhere in the end of 2023 and some good reviews have been around but today we finally had the chance to give our honest take on the P8. How will they fare in this stacked midrange arena of IEMs? We shall find out here.

Functions & Specifications

Before we start the review, here are the specifications of the Aful Performer 8;

Retail Price & Where to Get

The Aful Performer 8 can be purchased at aStarspicker and they are the official distributor for Aful in Malaysia;

Packaging & Accessories

The Aful Performer 8 is priced at a rather high midrange price and it is their current flagship product, the P8 does come as a decent exclusive box for its price. The box has a straight to business packaged theme box free from the current trend of waifu or any funky design. It has a medium sized box and it is packaged neatly with all the necessities included like a high quality 4 core OCC cable, 9 different coloured pairs of eartips in 3 sizes, paperworks, a nice leather round hard case with a velvet innards and the IEM itself. Pretty standard packaging and nothing much to complain about.

Design

The P8 has a slightly thick body with a medium size shape with a lightweight body that is smoothly designed well casted resin body and they are very comfortable for my ears as they do fit my ear concha like a glove. The faceplate here has lines of what seems to be different metal flakes that look cool under the lights along with their brand name in gold. The body is a solid black resin that is also well casted with the model name on the top also in gold. Solid and well designed overall showcasing an experienced IEM maker.

On the nozzle, Aful has implemented a horn type or fish bowl type nozzle that usually does extend the high frequency a little more and is usually done with custom IEM from some other brands. Inside we will find 3 bore that corresponds to the 3 frequencies .

Inside the Aful  is packed with a whopping 7 custom balanced armatures and an 8mm biological diaphragm dynamic driver and is packed with innovative tunings such as a RCL net frequency division technology that provides a sound that is coherent even with this amount of drivers, a 3D pressure balance technology that reduces pressure build up while giving an electrostatic type of treble, micro resonator technology that improves resonance for a sweeter overall sound and the extra long tube for the dynamic driver, similar to the P5, that gives the low end an amazing textured sound and also does extends the sub-bass depth.

The 3D pressure balance vent is located at the bottom of the IEM which is a first IEM to my knowledge that places the vent at this area. The P8 has no driver flex present in my usage which is a plus as they are well vented.

The cable included is 4 core mixture of OCC copper and silver plated OCC with a standard flush 0.78mm and users can choose the terminations to be 3.5mm single ended or 4.4mm balanced. The cable isn’t too thick and it is quite soft and pliable which is suitable for an everyday carry. It is a well built cable with all metal parts and they are braided consistently but for the price paid, users would expect a better looking cable. The sound of the cable is thick with a slightly warm sound that doesn’t skip on their detail retrieval when tested on my other IEMs.

Gears Used for Comparisons

FiiO Q7

Hiby FC6

Questyle M15

FiiO BTR7

Dunu Luna

Dunu EST112

Moondrop A8

Intime Sho DD

Rose Technica QT9 MK2

Intime Sho DD

Letshuoer S15

Songs list

Songs list

Tone and Presentation

The tone of the P8 is a neutral balanced tone signature that doesn’t sound too bright nor too dark which is great for a wide range of genre matching. It does have a balanced sound with a thick midrange and they do have a detailed overall sound that is fun to listen to. The dynamic range of this IEM is certainly wide with extension of both ends of the spectrum and it does sound enjoyably airy. There is a slight coloration present in the lower midrange but they aren’t too major as the P8 still does sound natural.

Soundstage

The P8 soundstage is pretty good for their price as they do have a wide soundstage along with a decent height in their overall sound but due to their thickish sound, the soundstage is slightly masked, even so they aren’t boxy sounding for sure. They have a great accuracy and immersion in their placement of sound that provides an accurate presentation of sound suitable even for gaming and movies. The sound here is organic and holographic along with a medium sized headroom worthy of their asking price.

Separation and Timbre

Separation is superb on the P8 and this is their main strength here even for a hybrid as the sound from left to right is very well separated with no crosstalk present and they are coherent with all 8 drivers working harmoniously almost like a single dynamic driver though not as good but it is almost there. Timbre here is breathy, mellow and they provide a smooth overall tone that is very suitable for instrumental tracks like classical and jazz. There is a very minor metallic hint in the timbre from the balanced armatures but it is a minor issue that doesn’t interfere most of the time. They are a little shouty on the upper midrange but it is acceptable for me as.

Drivability

Rated at 30 ohms with a 115db sensitivity, they are not hard to drive at all and any source will sound good nonetheless which is great for a portable, casual usage. The scalability of the P8 is there but nothing significant even when used with other higher end products. They are also forgiving in the type of files played as normal streaming or low bitrate files does sound decent and higher bitrates files does sound slightly cleaner and clearer. The P8 isn’t fussy in this region but the downside is that clinical listeners or monitoring users will find it hard to detect any shortcomings or flaws present in the music played.

The Bass (Low)

The bass present on the P8 is actually a lean, flat bass that possesses minimal mid bass lift but they are authoritative when called upon with bass heavy tracks. They have decent detail retrieval here as the bass isn’t muddy and there isn’t any bleed present here. The texture here is superb, typical of a well tuned dynamic driver bass along with an extended bass that is airy and organic which is great for a wider genre selection. Bass slam is adequate with a fast, tight and clean slam that is very enjoyable. Sub-bass extend very deep with a strong yet natural rumble that provides a soulful presentation into the music played.  Bassheads might not be satisfied with the amount of boominess present here but from a purist point of view, it is actually very decent. The bass actually does bring the traits from P5’s extended low end tube but they are clearer and cleaner to my ears which is a big plus.

The Mids

Midrange present in the P8 is a neutral and thick mids with a focus on the upper mids that gives them a slightly brighter sound signature. It also has a mild warmth with a good spacious sound that is lush and immersive, giving a hi-fi type of sound that is packed with details. The macro details here are superb and are the dominant sound versus the rather average, though still present, micro details here. Resolution here is top notch as the P8 is able to convey music vividly without any issue and they are one of their main strengths here. Transparency is average for the asking price and music is delivered in a clear manner without any weil present. The P8 handles vocals superbly with male or female vocals and is presented with finesse providing a lush, intimate sound that is full of soul along with a decent brilliance for a livelier sound. The sound that leaning towards the higher range will at times have a little shout or piercy especially with JPop and metal sound but they are still rather acceptable and doesn’t incur any fatigue. There is also a slight coloration present that gives music a jovial, entertaining feel that is truly enjoyable while still retaining an almost natural state of the music played but on the downside, they aren’t really suited for monitoring purposes.

The Highs

The high range present on the P8 is again a rather neutral high range with a very minor boost that has a decent extension along with an airy presentation that is lively and has a good amount of energy, providing a fun yet smooth overall high range. Aful has stated that the implementation of the 3D sound chamber will provide an electrostatic-esque high range and I will partly agree to that as they do have the energy and crispness similar to an electrostatic driver but still aren’t as natural. The high range does bring up a minor balanced armature timbre that may possess a metallic or placticky hint that may hinder them to convey music to the truest but luckily it is quite minimal and it doesn’t really bothers me. Highs here has a crisp sparkly sound that gives a lively sound that is very enjoyable along with a slow roll off high range that is airy and very well extended. Treble here has a great balance between intensity and mellowness and they are all suited for most users but due to their mild peak in the low high end,  those who are really sensitive in high treble might not like them. They are not peaky nor possess any hiss that causes fatigue in the long run, instead they are actually rather smooth sounding with a great degree of energy along with an airy extension .

Comparisons

VS Dunu EST112

The Dunu EST112 is my staple tribrid IEM that houses 1 dynamic driver, 1 balanced armature but only a single dual Sonion electrostatic driver. They both have a rather similar tone that is slightly bright along with great technicalities. The EST112 does cost a little more than the asking price of the Aful P8 due to the electrostatic drivers present on them. Main thing to note is that the P8 does have a comfier fit for me versus the EST112 and the EST112 have a metal based body with MMCX connection.

High region of the P8 surprisingly has slightly more presence and has a crisper sound while the electrostatic driven EST112 had an airier presentation. Details are more evident but clarity is slightly better on the EST112 but in terms of energy, the P8 does have the edge here. Extension is similar on both with a well extended high range. The EST112 high does sound a tad bit more natural versus the BA timbre on the P8.

Midranges on both have a similar neutral tone but the P8 sounded thicker with a warmer presentation. Clarity is better on the EST112 but the P8 is more resolving and lusher. Vocals on the EST112 are more accurate and natural while the P8 is more intimate. Transparency is better on the EST112 with a cleaner sound, smoother sound.

Bass quantity on the P8 is bigger and deeper along with an extended sub-bass response. The bass of the EST112 is flatter with a leaner bass slam. Details and clarity of the bass is better on the P8 along with a better textured bass. In terms of accuracy, the EST112 does sound a tad bit natural but the P8 sounded more organic here.

Soundstage on the EST112 is wider by a small margin with an airier presentation while the height is pretty similar.

VS Rose Technics QT9 Mk2

The rarely mentioned hybrid IEM from Rose Technics China, the QT9 Mk2 and they are equipped with a single dynamic driver with 4 balanced armatures. They sounded a little V shaped, have great overall technicalities and it is my go-to hybrid. They are a small sized IEM that has a slightly lower price than the P8.

Highs on the QT9 Mk2 are slightly stronger highs that give more presence along with a more natural treble free of any metallic hint that is slightly present on the P8. Details and clarity is similar in both with the P8 having better air and texture. Extension in this region is wider on the P8.

Midrange of the P8 has a better resolution and clarity but transparency on the QT9 Mk2 is slightly better. P8 has a more forward midrange than the QT9 Mk2. The QT9 Mk2 possesses a cleaner tone and they have more space in them. Vocals on the P8 sound livelier and more intimate while the QT9 Mk2 has a more natural type of vocal presentation.

Bass on the QT9 Mk2 has a tighter slam and they have the edge in their bass quantity as well as in the sub-bass region, though the sub-bass of P8 extends deeper. Bass texture is better on the P8 by a small margin. Details here on both are rather  similar with both having a good degree of detail and clarity.

Soundstage in the P8 is wider, taller and airier but only mildly.

Synergy

FiiO Q7

The beast of FiiO’s portable DAC/amplifier the Q7 is a transportable powerhouse when it comes to driving power and they are packed with all the main features you will need. They have superb driving power and also a well controlled sound for in-ears and can bring out a lot of details for some IEM.

The bass the Q7 provides here is cleaner and clearer with a slightly more present lift in the mid bass and it adds some rumble in the sub-bass region. The bass also does sound more fun and It has added some resolution into the bass response.

Midrange sounded slightly cleaner and had better overall performance with vocal notes clearer with a more balanced presentation. The overall midrange sounded a little more natural in terms of sound and they are more spacious.

High range has been polished out a little and they seemed to be more natural while retaining strong highs. Their overall high stayed mostly the same.

Soundstage is more holographic and accurate placement while increasing their width mildly.

Questyle M15

The Questyle M15 is my daily portable DAC/amplifier with Questyle’s signature direct current amplification and they are a neutral to bright sounding device suitable for most outing usage as well as for critical listening. The M15 does possess a great extension jammed packed with details on both ends displaying none of the Sabre chip glare.

Bass sounded clearer with added details and clarity. The bass has a slightly leaner presentation and has a cleaner decay that gives the overall bass more natural. Sub-bass depth remained mostly the same but they do sound cleaner.

Midrange does sound thinner than usual but it does give the midrange a more natural sound and they possess better transparency producing a cleaner sound while retaining the warmth and their clarity. Vocals sound more natural and balanced with a more controlled mid high range.

High range has a less spiky treble and better sparkle with a less metallic. Treble has slightly toned down in intensity and they are still very well controlled retaining their airiness and extension.

Soundstage seems the same in their width and height but they do add some spaciousness.

Who Is It For?

The Aful Performer 8 is a well balanced IEM indeed and for those who want great technicalities along with a wide frequency response , the P8 might be for you. They are a fun IEM with a thick and warm sound that is well suited for a wide range of genres. Lush, intimate vocal lovers will find the P8 great as they are soulful. Treble lovers and bass heads might want to pass on these as they aren’t strong in those areas but rather have a nice sweet spot of being true to music. They are suitable for gamers or movies for their immersive sound but for monitoring as they are a little unnatural in their timbre due to their slight metallic sound from their balanced armatures.

Final words

While Aful is not really well known, they have proven themselves with their mind for innovation and audio breakthrough from time to time and the P8 is actually a good product as they are indeed an IEM that is tuned meticulously. They are tuned more towards a fun, energetic sound signature that is slightly warm with a thickish, smooth presentation that is well suited for everyone. Their innovations here surely aren’t gimmicks as they do provide wonderful results especially with their extended sound tubes that widens out their dynamics. Though their pricing is a little high and there is some balanced armature timbre present, they are still able to give a solid competition to the seasoned IEM makers. A great job indeed.

I would rate this product a 4 over 5 stars.

• Decent technicalities
• Good casted resin body with a beautiful design
• Great tuning with a warm tone
• Decent overall details and clarity
• Superb dynamic range and separation
• Textured dynamic bass
• Sub-bass extension
• Thick, intimate midrange
• Smooth, extended high range
• Airy sound
• Superb resolution
• Above average soundstage
• Nice packaging and accessories
• Easy to drive

• A little shouty at the higher midrange
• Bass a little flat (preference)
• Midrange do lack transparency
• Balanced armature timbre
• Up with stiff competition in this price range
• Not suitable for monitoring purposes