Back in January, AFUL (that’s pronounced “ay-ful”) unleashed its very first product, the AFUL Performer 5 on the world and it was met with wide acclaim, including here at MMORPG.com. Using a combination of five different drivers, it offered a tuning and sound quality that punched above its class, leaving us impressed. This week, it has finally pulled the cover back on its successor, the AFUL Performer, available now for $369.99.
The Performer 8 brings with it an array of different improvements, as well as many of the patented technologies and designs that were introduced with the Performer 5. The biggest change is in the name: there are now eight drivers per side, up from five with its predecessor. The low end is handed by a large 8mm dynamic driver (DD) with a custom biological diaphragm AFUL promises delivers a stronger low-end response. Seven custom balanced armatures (BAs) come alongside it, split across the frequency spectrum with a new four-way electronic crossover. Two of those BAs work to alongside the DD for bass response, two more handle the mids, and a final balanced armature covers the highs.
The pair has a tightly-controlled, hard-hitting bass response that complements the other frequencies with its speed and punch. The midrange has clear and crisp detailing with absolutely amazing vocals and instrument clarity. AFUL has tuned the treble to be open and has an airy presentation with a smoothly extended response even over the 10kHz mark.
The design also brings with it a number of other improvements, including the innovative acoustic duct system applied on the Performer 5. This system uses custom tubes to physically channel the sound and prevent distortion. AFUL has the following to say about the technologies baked into its new set.
Enhanced Acoustic Duct Structure:
AFUL has featured its patented 3D Printed Acoustic Tube structure on the Performer 8. Compared to the Performer 5’s design, this structure has an enhanced implementation with an ultra-long and ultra-thin bass tube design. The bass tube here is 64.55mm in length. The length has been increased to enhance the bass response with a stronger, deeper, and more refined lower-end presentation on the Performer 8. The pair also has a 46.77mm mid-bass tube, and a 10.61mm mid-range tube for enhanced sound output!! The primary purpose of this 3D-printed acoustic tube structure is to get the best out of each driver unit with a precisely designed acoustic cavity structure.
High-Damping Air-Pressure Relief System:
Now some people might ask why there’s a high-damping air pressure relief system on the Performer 8. The main purpose behind this is to balance out the air pressure build-up inside the ear canal caused by wearing the IEMs for long durations. The high-damping air pressure relief system also reduces any wearing fatigue helping the users get a comfier experience with the pair. It also helps in enhancing the lower-end response with a more elastic and deep lower-end presentation.
RLC Network Frequency Correction Technology:
RLC Network Frequency Correction Technology was first implemented in the Performer 5. This technology uses a number of resistors and capacitors arranged in a precisely designed electronic frequency crossover to adjust the sound out of each driver unit and tune them precisely. AFUL has implemented the same in the Performer8 so as to enhance the performance of 8 drivers and treat the users with a clean and precise sound response. It also enhances the BA driver’s treble response making them easily comparable to the performance of an EST driver!
Exciting New Looks with Hand-Painted Face Covers:
While the community praised the beauty of Performer 5, the new Performer8 is even enhanced to be great looking set. Despite a whooping 8-driver configuration, the pair has a compact and lightweight build in an ergonomic shape. The ear shells have solid resin built with beautiful hand-painted face covers. The face covers here are made using multiple layers of hand-painted aluminum foil giving the pair a stunning look!!
High-Purity Stock Cable:
In order to get the best out of Performer 8, AFUL has bundled the set with a high-purity stock cable. It’s a 4-strand cable with 98 cores on each strand. It is made up of high-purity monocrystalline copper silver-plated material that treats the users with top-quality sound with clean signal transmission. This cable enhances the sound of the pair with a deep-diving bass response and an open-wide sound stage presentation.
Chris cut his teeth on MMOs in the late 90s with text-based MUDs. He’s written about video games for many different sites but has made MMORPG his home since 2013. Today, he acts as Hardware and Technology Editor, lead tech reviewer, and continues to love and write about games every chance he gets. Follow him on Twitter: @GameByNight
