Today I am sharing my thoughts on SIMGOT EM6L Phoenix, a new and very interesting hybrid in-ear monitors from the company.
SIMGOT EM6L Phoenix is a hybrid IEM that features 5 drivers per side (1 dynamic driver and 4 balanced armatures). The IEMs closely follow Harman’s 2019 target curve, have attractive 3D-printed shells with all-black design and de-attachable cable.
Disclaimer: I would like to thank Simgot for providing a sample for this review. I am not paid to make this review or offer any specific opinions about this product, and all thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
First impressions matter, and the packaging of the SIMGOT EM6L doesn’t disappoint. Housed in a beautifully designed carton box, the front displays SIMGOT’s branding alongside an illustration of a phoenix, while the rear provides a frequency response graph and a comprehensive list of technical specifications.
In the box:
- SIMGOT EM6L IEMs
- Detachable 0.78mm 2-pin QDC cable
- 3 pairs of silicone ear tips
- Carrying case
- And a user manual
Impedance of EM6L is 26 Ohms, sensitivity 119 dB
Design & build
The IEM shells consist of two parts: a 3D-printed resin housing and a CNC-machined faceplate. However, one drawback of this design is that both parts are black and glossy, making them fingerprint magnets. This finish, while visually appealing, might require frequent cleaning to maintain its aesthetics.
The left faceplate carries the SIMGOT logo, while the right features an illustration of a phoenix, a nod to the product’s name and its auditory aspirations. On the inner part of the shell shell, there is a clear channel indication marks and the model name.
One notable design element is the presence of a single vent hole on the faceplate, thoughtfully covered with a mesh to prevent dust and debris from entering. The nozzles, made from metal, measure 6mm in diameter, but their shorter length might pose a fit issue for some users. Notably, there is no typical lip at the nozzle’s end to aid in ear tip retention.
Overall, the build quality is commendable, with the only potential drawback being the glossy finish’s susceptibility to wear and tear.
Fit & comfort
An essential aspect of any IEM is its comfort during prolonged use. The SIMGOT EM6L shells, crafted from resin, are polished and devoid of sharp edges. However, the fit might not be ideal for all users.
While the IEMs boast a medium size and ergonomic shape, the shallowness of the fit may cause discomfort for some. Personal ear anatomy plays a significant role in this regard, and my own experience reflects this. I have larger ears and wider ear canal openings, and IEMs with wider and longer nozzles typically provide a more secure fit for me.
However, the SIMGOT EM6L, with its shorter nozzle length, tended to dislodge from my ears even when using the appropriate ear tip size. My solution was to switch to DUNU’s Stage & Studio ear tips, which significantly improved the fit.
In terms of weight, the EM6L is light, but due to its shallow fit, it was still irritating my ears on occasions during long listening sessions.
Cable
The cable included with the SIMGOT EM6L measures 1.2 meters in length, striking a balance between practicality and usability. It features a straight 3.5mm connector on one end and two QDC 0.78mm 2-pin connectors on the other. While functional, the connectors lack color markings for easy channel identification, a potential inconvenience for some users, including myself.
The cable also incorporates a metal splitter, soft pre-molded ear hooks, and a metal chin slider. On the whole, the cable is characterized by its softness and low microphonics. However, the pre-molded ear hooks may be too aggressive for some users, so if you are struggling with a fit, swapping a cable might be a good idea too.
SIMGOT EM6L sound overview
Please note that all the sound impressions I’m sharing in my reviews are completely subjective, so please take them with a grain of salt.
At 26 Ohms of impedance and 119 dB of sensitivity SIMGOT EM6L is easy to drive, and I had no issues driving it from my Samsung Galaxy S10. But I noticed that this pair could benefit from additional power so pairing it with sources that are slightly more powerful than my phone has yielded a very positive result.
EM6L was tuned to closely follow Harman 2019 target and I need to say SIMGOT was quite successful with the tuning.
Bass
Starting with the low end, the sub-bass extension is impressive, diving deep and faithfully following the Harman 2019 in-ear target. The sub-bass possesses authority and a rumbling quality that adds depth to the overall audio profile. The mid-bass being even warmer than Harman target brings in a lot of mid-bass punch and impact that introduces a lot of dynamics in the sound.
While the bass’s detail may not be class-leading, it remains commendable, characterized by moderate speed, precise control, and respectable resolution. This balance ensures that bass enthusiasts and audiophiles alike will appreciate the quality of the low end.
Midrange
Moving on to the midrange, as there is still some bass bleed into mids, the midrange here is warm, lush, and full. Vocals and instruments are upfront, have a good note weight and there is enough body and warmth. Lower mids don’t sound thin which is great, and upper mids are even more energetic and pronounced in comparison with lower midrange.
Upper mids, generally, exhibit even more energy and prominence, contributing to an engaging and lively auditory experience. Still, the upper mids don’t sound harsh at all even at high volume, they have a lot of clarity and resolution, and I was pleasantly surprised by this fact.
Treble
The treble extension of SIMGOT EM6L is good, and the treble is energetic, detailed, and airy without any hint of brightness. It’s got a nice amount of sparkle and energy that will make treble-sensitive people a bit nervous, though it has never been harsh or grainy in my case.
At the same time due to such treble extension, the details and micro details are surprisingly good for a pair of affordable hybrid IEMs and this fact perfectly complements the overall sound of EM6L.
Sound stage, imaging, details
The sound stage is another aspect that pleasantly surprised me here. The soundstage is wide, but not too deep, still, it offers a spacious presentation. I enjoyed EM6L with my music and gaming, especially the competitive gaming, and I must admit it was rendering a gaming sound landscape well.
The imaging is excellent, offering a good sense of distance, and separation of instruments is also very good at this price point. While EM6L may not redefine the standards for technicalities, they undeniably hold their own as capable hybrid IEMs with commendable resolution and detail retrieval.
Conclusions
SIMGOT is on a roll lately. The EA500 single DD IEM that I also reviewed on my channel was a very successful release so it now sits on my list of best IEMs you can get for under $100.
In the case of SIMGOT EM6L, I need to say SIMGOT did a good job too. While there are other hybrid IEMs in this price range with similar configurations, EM6L stands out for one simple reason – it punches above its weight.
Pros
- Solid build quality
- Good coherency in sound
- Quality bass with precise control
- Impressive treble extension with ample energy
- Engaging and lively tonality
- Remarkable technical capabilities for its price point
- Includes a convenient storage case
Cons
- Shallow fit may not suit all users
- Glossy shells are prone to fingerprints and require frequent cleaning
- And IEM can be lacking a bit in dynamics on ocassions
Despite a few cons, I think SIMGOT EM6L is a good hybrid IEM. It has an organic, lively, and engaging sound signature, good sub-bass extension, sparkly treble, and good technical abilities for its price.
I can easily recommend it to those who are looking for affordable and well-tuned hybrids that closely follow the Harman target curve.
I hope this review has been helpful and if you’d like to see more content like this, consider subscribing to my YouTube channel for future updates. Thank you for reading, and happy listening!
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