AFUL Audio surprised us earlier this year with the launch of the Performer 5 and is back again with its latest release, the AFUL Performer 8. Taking its name from the eight drivers (one dynamic, seven balanced armatures) in each side, the Performer 8 dials up everything that we like about the P5 and delivers a sound that’s outstanding for music and games and is comfortable (and stylish) to wear over long listening sessions.
We would like to thank HiFiGo for providing the sample for this review and the photography used throughout.
Specifications
- Current Price: $369.99 (Amazon, HiFiGo)
- 7BA+1DD High-Performance Hybrid Configuration.
- 8mm Dynamic Driver With Biological Diaphragm.
- Customised High-Performance Balanced Armature Drivers.
- Enhanced 3D Printed Acoustic Tube Structure.
- Ultra-Long Low-Frequency Acoustic Tube
- RLC Network Frequency Division Correction Technology.
- High-Damping Air-Pressure Balance Technology.
- Balanced Sound Tuning With Tight Lower-End, Clear Midrange, and Extended Treble Response.
- Ideal for Most Genres of Music.
- Exquisite New Looks With Eye-Catchy Face Covers.
- Ergonomic & Lightweight Cavities.
- High-Purity Monocrystalline Copper Silver-Plated Cable.
- Impedance: 30Ω.
- Sensitivity: 115dB@1kHz.
- Frequency Response Range: 5Hz-35kHz.
- Passive Noise Reduction: 26dB.
- Standard 2-pin Connectors.
- Single-Ended 3.5mm Termination Plug.
AFUL Performer 8 - First Impressions and Key Features
The AFUL Performer 8 are the second-ever pair of IEM (in-ear monitors) released from AFUL Audio. The company, founded in 2018 and whose name means “prosperity” in Chinese, has a mission of delivering exceptional sound quality at more accessible price points. Its first product, the Performer 5, was released near the beginning of this year at $219.99 and is now $199.99. It’s clearly choosing the middle of the pricing range to deliver its accessibility and in doing so sidesteps the incredible competition below $200 that has sprung up over the last several years.
The Performer 8 takes its name from the eight drivers embedded inside each earpiece. For the bass, it uses an 8mm dynamic driver (DD) with a “biological diaphragm.” I believe this refers to a biocellulose driver, which is known to have excellent speed characteristics, perfect for high-quality bass. There are also seven balanced armatures in each side. Two support the DD in the bass region and cover the mids. Two more focus explicitly on the mids. The final three are dedicated to the treble.
A common question to IEM newcomers is why an IEM would need so many drivers. The first thing to know is that IEMs don’t need masses of drivers to sound good. There are plenty that use one single driver and sound fantastic. Some use that many drivers because it allows each driver to specialize and focus on a particular frequency range that it excels at. Using multiple drivers also allows the manufacturer to fine-tune the sound and tuning in a way that’s much more difficult with a single driver.
The eight drivers in the Performer 8 are controlled using a number of interesting and innovative technologies. Electronically, the frequencies are directed using a four-way electronic crossover, or signal-splitter. This interprets the sound hitting the earphones and sends the right frequencies to the right drivers.
The P8s also use an innovative acoustic tube system to physically separate the bass, mids, and highs. The bass drivers feed into a long 62.55mm tube, the mids into a 46.77mm tube, and the highs into a 10.61mm tube. These tubes ensure the different frequencies don’t collide and create phase distortion and also assist in tuning the sound of each. Longer passageways for different frequencies are similar to some designs we’ve seen in the tower speaker space and have a noticeable impact on overall sound quality for each register.
The sound is further tuned using a specialized series of resistors and capacitors in a system AFUL calls RCL Frequency Division. This system works to smooth out some of the sharpness that would otherwise be present in the treble. Like the Performer 5 which also used this system, the Performer 8 offers excellent, smooth treble and is honestly a hallmark of what it has to offer.
The earpieces themselves are gorgeous. The faceplates are a flame-infused Mica or foil texture with a golden AFUL logo on the bottom of each. Unlike the magma-esque appearance of the Performer 5 and Thieaudio Monarch MkII, these have a rock-like, crystalline appearance that’s no less fiery. The inner portion is a simple, glossy black.
Also included in the package is a nice faux-leather carrying case, a selection of narrow and wide-bore silicone tips and a 3.5mm single-ended cable. The cable is made of 98 wires bound into four strands and is made of monocrystalline copper. It connects to the earbuds with metal-jacketed 0.78mm pins. Both the jack and the pins and gold-plated for added durability. It’s soft, not microphonic, and though it had a bit of memory out of the box, that faded within just a couple days of use.
AFUL Performer 8 - Fit and Comfort
The AFUL Performer 8 is a very comfortable pair of earphones. It’s smaller than you might expect based on the number of drivers in each side, though P5 fans should note that there has been a size increase. Still, in my medium-sized ears, I found them to fit very well without even needing to change the stock tips. That’s a rarity and a direct result of their smaller-than-average nozzles and UIEM (Universal In-Ear Monitor) design that’s curved and contoured to match the outer ear. I think most people, small-eared friends included, should find these to be a comfortable fit.
AFUL Performer 8 - Listening Impressions
The AFUL Performer 8 is an excellent IEM that balances high-quality bass, energetic mids, and some of the best treble you can find at this price. It definitely leans toward sub-bass over mid-bass, so you can feel (tangibly) how low it reaches but things like kick drums don’t necessarily “slam.” The treble on the other hand is well-extended and oh-so-smooth, offering plenty or detail and range. They are fantastic for both games and music.
At its current price, the most natural counterpoint is the Moondrop Blessing 3. Both IEMs are great in their own right and go tit-for-tat in a number of ways. I think the Performer 8 is the more capable set of monitors, however, as they have more body to the bass and an airier, more detailed treble response. Still, at $50 less, the Blessing 3 are still an outstanding choice if you’re on a tighter budget. You can’t go wrong with either, especially if you’re willing to EQ.
Bass: The bass leans toward sub-bass for rumble but there’s plenty of low-end all around to fill out bass guitars and explosions in games. Church by Tom MacDonald is a great example of the low-end extension and the quality of the bass provided. There’s lots of texture and its deep reach gives a tangible feeling to the lows. My Stress by NF is another, as the synth bass and piano overlay on each other. The bass is wide, deep, and tactile.
This tuning is excellent for gaming. Tactility in the lows makes action-filled moments more immersive and fun. You can’t play a shooter with these and not feel drawn in by the bass response. It’s also great for single players games as atmospheric effects and cinematic scores are bolder and more lifelike.
Mids: Vocals come right forward and sound lively and fun. Both male and female singers have a lot of energy and have bite. The midrange is detailed, so singers sound realistic pop right out of the track. Guitars and other instruments live in this range and sound fantastic also. The intricate clean guitarwork of Rozeskin by Manuel Gardner Fernandes rises above, allowing you to hear very detail from the atmospheric reverb decaying from each note to microdetails like his fingers moving across the fretboard.
Like the bass, the mids tuning is very good for gaming. Footsteps live in the upper mids and the Performer 8 draws them out, even in very chaotic moments. It also allows you to hear a lot of background details, like echoes, breaking glass, and distant teammate callouts where traditional gaming headsets would otherwise mask them.
Treble: The Treble on the Performer 8 is some of the best I’ve heard under $500, full stop. It’s wide and airy, increasing the sense of space they provide. There’s lots of detail, so cymbals ring with realistic attack and decay and you can pick out individual differences with how a drummer hits each cymbal. It really is that high detailed. At the same time, it’s very smooth and isn’t fatiguing. It’s truly something special.
Technical Performance, Soundstage, and Imaging: I’ve already established that the Performer 8 is a great IEM for detail retrieval. The drivers used here are very capable, and I think that the reduced amount of mid-bass even helps make details pop out a bit more than they otherwise would.
The soundstage is wide enough to feel immersive and natural, though won’t wow you with how exceptionally wide it feels. It’s not constrained or distractingly congested, but isn’t the widest in its class. Imaging is only decent and seemed to vary by song or game. I found these to have good stereo separation, but it’s really left, right, and center versus a wider, 360-degree scope most of the time.
Gaming: The AFUL Performer 8 is a great IEM for gaming with an important caveat. The tuning is great. The stereo imaging is great. But the soundstage and imaging feeling hit-and-miss means that you’ll still want to use Dolby Atmos or Windows Spatial Audio with these. Thankfully, they respond very well with it, instantly sounding wider and more expansive with better directionality. You don’t have to: I was able to have some really enjoyable matches of Apex Legends with these completely stock and didn’t feel disadvantaged (stereo is what game engines are based on, remember) but adding that extra dose of spatial goodness definitely enhances the gaming experience.
Overall Impressions and Final Thoughts
The AFUL Performer 8 are anything but awful. They’re a noticeable improvement over thePerformer 5, which were quite the surprise find back in January of this year. AFUL has one-upped itself, clearly and inarguably. At $369.99, the Performer 8 is competing in a different, highly competitive price bracket. Against the likes of the Moondrop Blessing 3, things are much closer, especially if you’re willing to EQ. But the Performer 8 manages to impress none the less and has earned its place as another excellent release from the team at AFUL, whether you’re jamming out to tunes, logging into your favorite game, or using them for all of your listening needs. This is absolutely a brand to pay close attention to.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Articles may include affiliate links from which we may earn a small commission to help support the site. Authors do not earn affiliate revenue or commissions.
