AFUL Performer 8 - Unleashing Acoustic Brilliance...again?

AFUL, a relatively young company founded in 2018, made its entry into the Chi-Fi market with their initial product, the Performer 5, which elicited mixed reactions from enthusiasts. While some praised its performance, others even made puns referring to it as the "AWFUL Performer 5." Today, we will be reviewing AFUL's latest offering, the Performer 8. Will this be better or nah?

DISCLAIMER

• I have no affiliation with AFUL and have not received any monetary compensation during or after writing this review.  This unit is provided by HiFiGo in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
• As a non-professional reviewer, I aim to use simple terms that can be understood by both beginners and experts in the hobby.
• Please keep in mind that the opinions expressed in this review are subjective and based on my personal experience with the unit. I encourage you to try the product yourself to form your own opinion.

PACKAGING

What's in the box?

• AFUL Performer 8 IEMS
• Cable
• 6 pairs of silicone eartips (I did not include the other tips, it's a pain to take them all out)
• Some paperwork
• Faux-leather case

The packaging of the Performer 8 remains identical to its predecessor, the Performer 5. However, there is a distinct change in the color scheme, as the box now sports a sleek greyish-black hue. In terms of contents, the quantity and quality remain consistent, with one notable difference. The case included with the Performer 8 utilizes a faux-leather material. The case is also more spacious compared to the Performer 5. The included eartips continue to leave a sense of disappointment, giving off a cheaper and underwhelming impression for a product that carries a price tag of nearly $300.

BUILD QUALITY

The shells are nearly identical to the Performer 5; in fact, without the model name on the shells, it would be difficult to discern any differences. However, the drivers are lightweight, which contributes to their overall design. Additionally, the cable appears to be sturdy and reliable.

SOUND

The Performer 8 stands out with its natural and warm tonality, setting it apart from the Performer 5. It can effortlessly drive any device I connect it to, even managing to drive an old Nintendo DS without a hitch. Personally, I find this tuning preference preferable over the Performer 5 any day. While the Performer 5 offers thumpier bass, livelier vocals and an airy treble extension, the Performer 8 boasts a noticeable warmth, striking a well-balanced sound signature that proves versatile across different genres. It successfully avoids the harsh treble extension that I found displeasing in the Performer 5. 

BASS

I would describe the lower frequencies as well-balanced, with neither overpowering the other. The sub-bass offers impressive depth and extension, while the mid-bass is tight and delivers a satisfying punch. The bass, as a whole, demonstrates decent dynamics and precision. However, it's worth noting that this is not a bass-heavy earphone, as the extension is mild rather than overwhelmingly heavy.

MIDS

The mids are pleasing and warm sounding. The vocals sound natural, rich, and immersive. They never sounded thin or too warm. At no point do they sound thin or overly warm, maintaining a euphonic timbre that allows an emotional and powerful performance on the vocals.

TREBLE

The Performer 8 has an outstanding treble reproduction. Compared to the Performer 5, the P8's treble has been noticeably improved and offers a much more pleasing touch to my ears. The treble has a smooth and delightful "zing" and "zesty" texture, reminiscent of the qualities found in Piezo or EST drivers.

TECHNICALITIES

The soundstage is not that spacious but it makes up for its outstanding performance, as it not only met but exceeded my expectations when it came to detail retrieval. The level of precision and clarity it provided was truly remarkable. Every intricate and subtle micro-details were captured with remarkable accuracy. The separation of the Performer 8 were commendable, allowing me to easily discern the precise position of individual instruments and vocals within the sound stage. In my observation, during busier tracks, like the "National Anthem" by Radiohead, I noticed a slight decrease in resolution with the Performer 8, which occasionally resulted in a slightly unrefined quality for certain instruments.

TEST TRACKS:

Lately, I've been neglecting to include my test tracks in my reviews. However, I have decided to change that moving forward and will once again include them in my reviews. I always use these test tracks initially on my reviews before I shuffle my playlist. I make sure that I handpick and research the best test tracks that covers all genres.

CONCLUSION

Pros:

• Decent balanced signature
• Non-offensice compared to Performer 5
• Tight bass texture
• Natural sounding mids
• Smooth, inoffensive treble
• Decent imaging
• Very easy to drive

Cons:

• Inclusions are underwhelming for $370 (at this price range, you have a set including modular cables, high-quality eartips, some cleaning tools, etc.)
• Lacking in midbass thump
• Average soundstage

For those seeking a slightly warm and balanced IEM within the sub-$300 price range, this option stands out as a superior choice. However, it's worth noting that some inclusions in the package such as the ear tips might give off a slightly cheaper impression. Nevertheless, swap this out with some better ear tips and you'll be good.

I must acknowledge and commend the significant improvements made in the Performer 8, which builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, the Performer 5. It is important not to overlook the fact that the Performer 8's excellence owes much to the advancements introduced in the Performer 5. The Performer 5 set the stage and provided the groundwork for the Performer 8 to excel and deliver an exceptional performance. The evolution from the Performer 5 to the Performer 8 showcases the continuous commitment to refinement and innovation, resulting in a truly remarkable product by AFUL.