CCA Pianist Review – 1DD+2BA Budget IEM Which Actually Sounds Good
The inspiration for CCA Pianist is derived from respect to the classic film “The Pianist on the Ocean,” with the intention of returning to the original aspiration, distancing from worldly clamor, and fully enjoying the purity and freedom of music. CCA Pianist is equipped with 10mm dual-magnetic dual-cavity dynamic drivers, combined with the power of 29689 balanced armature and 30019 balanced armature drivers.
The common configuration of 1DD+2BA in the market is usually a combination of one dynamic driver and two 30095 BA units, or one 30017 BA unit. Their dynamic driver is usually responsible for low, mid, and high frequencies, while the balanced armature compensates for the ultra-high-frequency part. In contrast, the configuration of the CCA Pianist utilizes a 10mm dynamic driver, with 29689 BA, and 30019 BA drivers.
The 10mm dynamic driver handles mid and low frequencies, the 29689BA handles high frequencies, and the 30019BA takes care of ultra-high frequencies. Compared to the regular 1DD+2BA IEM, this combination of hybrid has a more reasonable acoustics crossover processing. It maximizes the advantages of dynamic drivers and balanced armatures.
Unlike ordinary 3D printing, the Pianist model employs the new generation DLP 3D printing technology to achieve high-precision printing of the intricate internal structures of the cavity, reducing harmonic distortion and enhancing acoustic transmission accuracy.
Specs
- Frequency: 20-40000Hz
- Impedance: 18±3 ohm
- Sensitivity: 106±3dB
- Pin Type/Plug type: 3.5mm/0.75mm
- Cable Type: Silver-plated cable
- Cable length: 120±5cm
- Price: $29.99
I would like to thank KZ Audio for providing me with the review sample of Pianist.
Sound
The CCA Pianist has a balanced, clean sound signature with good coherency and an organic feel.
Lows
The CCA Pianist boasts a bass response that is nimble yet solid. With its fast and punchy delivery, it produces a bass experience that is both exhilarating and satisfying.
Listeners can expect to hear kick drums that are snappy and precise, with ample impact and weight behind them, giving a sense of power and energy to the music. The bass guitar, which many recent IEMs delegated to the back corner of the room, is brought to the forefront thanks to the upper bass not being excessively scooped out. The result is a more immersive listening experience.
The CCA Pianist’s bass is a perfect balance of power and restraint. It feels powerful without being overpowering, allowing other elements of the music to shine through without being dominated. The bass notes are rich and full, with a natural decay that adds warmth and depth to the music.
Mids
The CCA Pianist’s midrange is delightful, with a balance of clarity and richness that is hard to come by at this price. The mids sound pristine, letting all the details of the music shine through, but without sounding too lean or thin.
Vocals, whether male or female, sound lush and full-bodied, yet also articulate and detailed. You can really hear the nuances and emotions in the singing, making for an immersive listening experience. The spacing between instruments and vocals is also noteworthy, creating a sense of space and depth that adds to the realism of the music.
Midrange notes sound organic and smooth, without any harshness or roughness. At the same time, they have a light and refreshing quality that makes the music feel airy and lively. This balance of warmth and liveliness is what sets the CCA Pianist’s midrange apart and makes it a standout feature.
Highs
CCA Pianist’s treble is a nice balance of lightness and detail. It’s light and airy, with good extension that allows it to shine in the higher frequency ranges. It’s also detailed and precise, allowing for clear and crisp hi-hats and cymbals. The treble is also notable for being smooth and non-fatiguing, making for a comfortable listening experience even over extended periods of time.
The subtle treble lift is one of the key elements of CCA Pianist’s clarity. It provides clean transient attacks, giving instruments such as cymbals and percussion a sense of immediacy and realism. The leading edges of percussion instruments are clean and precise, adding to the overall realism of the music. While it might not dig up every micro detail, it still offers a good amount of information.
Technical Performance
The CCA Pianist offers a notable improvement in soundstage. The V-shaped signature, while not universally favored, is executed well in the CCA Pianist, providing a sense of depth and width to the overall listening experience.
The additional bass fullness enhances the depth of the stage, while the crisp highs contribute to a wider soundstage. The positional cues are accurate and the instrument separation is above average. The level of detail retrieval is commendable for the price point, providing a reasonable amount of information without any significant loss. Overall, the CCA Pianist is a well-rounded in-ear monitor that is on par with its peers in a technical sense.
vs CCA DUO
The CCA DUO and CCA Pianist both pack a punch in the sub-bass department, but the CCA DUO has a slightly fuller mid and upper bass. The CCA DUO’s kick bass has sharp transient attacks and a defined leading edge. But, the CCA Pianist isn’t one to be underestimated, with its smooth and rounded notes.
The CCA Pianist’s added upper midrange lift gives it the edge in clarity. The CCA DUO might have a slight edge in resolution during complex passages, but both IEMs have great detail retrieval for the price.
The CCA DUO and CCA Pianist are two IEMs that are similar in many ways but with unique flavors each. The CCA Pianist is cleaner and more aggressive, while the CCA DOU is slightly less aggressive with more rounded notes.
Sum-Up
In conclusion, the CCA Pianist offers a cohesive and organic listening experience with its balanced and natural bass, midrange, and treble. The bass is nimble, punchy, and well-textured, providing a sense of power and energy to the music. The midrange is rich, clear, and detailed, with a good balance of warmth and liveliness. The treble is light, airy, and non-fatiguing, adding to the overall clarity and realism of the music.
The soundstage of the CCA Pianist is noteworthy, with a good sense of depth and width, and accurate positional cues and instrument separation. Overall, the CCA Pianist is a highly recommendable in-ear monitor that offers great value for its price.