This review is a special one, as it marks the beginning of my journey with the Tangzu brand and their most memorable series to date. When we talk about budget earphones, a common question often arises: "Is the bass aggressive?" Or, in my native language, "Malakas ba bass nyan at malakas ba volume?" These phrases are quite typical, especially since we’re used to V-shaped sound signatures.
However, with the rise of Chi-Fi technology, we now have a wide range of options within reach. When the Wan’er was released, it quickly became a star in the market and even earned an award. The Wan’er has multiple versions, including the SG, SE, and SGEN. The SG is the first generation, the SE leans more toward a monitoring sound signature, and the SGEN represents the second generation.
The main question now is: Is the second generation worth its price, and has it truly improved and become more refined compared to the SG?. or it is still the same but more on the fancy looks.
Disclaimer
I personally bought this unit from Tangzu’s official shop on Shopee. This review is entirely based on my own experience—Tangzu did not provide me with any incentives or discounts. Therefore, you can expect my review to be quite direct, and it may include both subjective opinions and objective observations.
This will be a combination of my identity learning throughout the years, as Drive type audio, Audio Symphonic
History of the Wanner series
First Generation
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| Tangzu Wanner SG |
In the mids section of the Gen 2, it is still similar to the Gen 1, but I consider this a "time skip arc" or a "high school phase," since the vocals have more expressiveness and emotion, especially the female vocals. It reminds me of a heroine saying she loves the male main character in a story.
From another perspective, the instruments here are presented well for the price range, though I am not saying that it's the best of the best, since there are a lot of new contenders in this price bracket. From an anime and rhythm game player's perspective, instruments can be heard clearly in the track and have great clarity and depth; this helps you hear the timing of the instruments as well as the timing of the vocals.
In the Treble section of the Gen 2, I notice that Tangzu sound engineers boosted the overall extension; this is very evident in some tracks, especially if the track is poorly mastered. This also occurs when the volume is too high or if the source output is bright.
I tested the treble performance of the Gen 2 with Phantom Siita’s latest release, "Bot Baka." When I cranked the volume up, the extensive treble boost was prominent. If you are sensitive to it, my advice is to lower the volume. Although I am also a treble-sensitive kind of guy, I can still endure it due to my experience with my old instrument, the violin.
Let's talk about the soundstage, honestly this terminology is usually subjective but sometimes can be an objective one. Now back to the main topic, The Gen 2 has some decent perception and field depth, but for its price, it's acceptable, the counter part of this one is the SE verison since that has a more perception and field depth.. The details are spot on, since micro and macro can be heard in the track.
Drive Type Synergy
Basically just a compatability with my audio sources. The Gen 2 benefits more in sources that are less bright and to bassy. While doing my synergy testing, out all of my sources, The Tempotec E44 and FA4 are the best match, since they both exhibit some neutral aspect tonality. Even I have the First Tangzu Dongle, It's not that Compatible with the Gen 2,since it makes the treble too energetic and to spicy..
Eartips Synergy
The best combination in my eartips collection, The Harmonic Empire Sonic and Of course the SanChai, which is already included out of the box. For best comfort get the eartips that you like.
Conclusion
