The IO Audio Volare was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the IO Audio Volare is $599 and is available from SHENZHENAUDIO.
IO Audio Volare
IO Audio introduces its brand with the launch of Volare, a hybrid in-ear monitor. Instead of opting for a more affordable product, the brand chooses to make a bold statement by debuting with a flagship product. This demonstrates IO Audio’s ambitious goals right from the beginning.
Technical highlights
The IO Audio Volare features a unique nine driver array, incorporating a dynamic driver, four balanced armatures, and four electrostatic drivers. This innovative configuration allows for the utilization of three distinct types of drivers, each catering to specific frequency bands.
The dynamic driver takes charge of delivering powerful low-frequency sounds and contributes to the clarity of vocals. Meanwhile, the four balanced armature drivers work harmoniously to maintain consistent timbre throughout the audio spectrum. Lastly, the four electrostatic drivers excel in reinforcing high-frequency sounds, ensuring a comprehensive coverage of the entire human hearing range.
With this thoughtfully designed driver configuration, the IO Volare guarantees an immersive audio experience that encompasses the full breadth of audible frequencies.
Driver breakdown
The renowned Danish brand Sonion has crafted the four high-voltage electrostatic drivers, which are typically found in much pricier earphones. These drivers possess a distinct sound structure and can deliver an upper high frequency extension of 40kHz, surpassing the range of human hearing.
In order to achieve the desired frequency response, the brand-new balanced armature drivers have been specially designed to minimize their reliance on electronic frequency dividers, unlike traditional balanced armature drivers.
IO Audio invested over 1,000 hours to develop their own top-notch 8mm silica gel suspension, birch dome dynamic driver exclusively for low frequencies. This innovative design effectively reduces bass distortion by half.
The hybrid crossover
The Volare introduces an innovative dual crossover structure, which integrates a 3-way physical crossover system with a 4-way electronic crossover system.
The meticulous design of the sound nozzle and the exceptional precision of the physical frequency crossover technology adhere to the fundamental principle of prioritizing the acoustic structure of the Volare. Through the utilization of cutting-edge micron-scale manufacturing technology, the reliance on electronic frequency crossover is effectively minimized.
The Volare’s electronic frequency crossover incorporates a high-quality PCB design, along with top-notch resistors and capacitors, to minimize any degradation in sound quality resulting from the frequency crossover architecture.
Appearance and fit
The IO Audio Volare is an earphone with a universal fit, featuring a custom-like design that guarantees a comfortable wearing experience, even with its slightly bulky ear-shells. These ear-shells are crafted from medical grade resin using advanced 3D printing technology in collaboration with HeyGears.
The Volare earphones have top-notch manufacturing quality, featuring a stunning design that is both well-crafted and visually appealing. With its creamy silver wavy patterns on the faceplate, all-black main body adorned with tiny silver granules, and gold printed Volare logo, every detail exudes a premium look. Additionally, the passive noise attenuation, despite the venting port, is quite effective, ensuring a satisfying listening experience.
The Volare provides a secure and steady fit, it is both comfortable and lightweight, making it ideal for long listening periods. These earphones are effortless to wear, and they have both a premium appearance and a luxurious feel that rivals even pricier flagship models from other companies.
The Cable
The stock cable is constructed with 8-strands of a mixed braided 6N OFC oxygen-free copper that has been silver-plated, ensuring a high level of quality. Although the cable is slightly thick, it remains soft and flexible, without causing any microphonic noise. Additionally, it offers excellent handling and does not become tangled. Instead of the typical left and right markings, the cable features “I” and “O” markings that correspond to the printed marks on each ear-shell. However, it is worth noting that the cable lacks strain reliefs at the plugs, which may be seen as a drawback.
This cable is designed to be modular, allowing you to easily switch between different plugs. The package includes options for 3.5mm, 2.5mm, and 4.4mm connections. The upper part of the plug has a unique design with three elongated edges that occasionally cause the cable to get stuck. However, aside from this minor concern, the cable itself is well-constructed and does not require replacement. This is a high quality stock cable that matches with the flagship status of the Volare.
Accessories
I rarely pay attention to packaging, but this particular one stands out as it provides a premium unboxing experience with three drawers containing ear-tips, cable, and manuals.
The Volare includes five variations of ear-tips, each available in three different sizes. These ear-tips are branded by IO Audio and are assigned specific code names. The options include F49 wide-bore foam tips, TW43 wide-bore tips, ST50 medium-bore tips with stems, TW45 medium-bore tips, and TT55 small-bore tips. All of these ear-tips are single flange and provide the same level of comfort when worn.
The package comes with an opulent carrying case that resembles a jewelry presentation box. Remember to remove the inner foam sections to create space for storing the Volare along with its cable and a compact USB DAC.
Power requirements and associated gear
The Volare has a rating of 4.8Ω and a sensitivity of 121dB/Vrms, which is roughly equivalent to 98dB/mW. This means that it is not as easy to drive as one might assume from its low impedance. In order to properly power the Volare, you will need a source with a very low output impedance and the ability to deliver ample current without clipping. Unfortunately, not all portable USB DAC dongles are capable of meeting these requirements. They often struggle to provide sufficient current below 16Ω and do not pair well with the Volare.
For optimal performance, it is recommended to use a high-quality DAP or a battery-powered USB DAC. These options not only provide the necessary power, but also allow the Volare to showcase its excellent scaling capabilities. Personally, I have found the iBasso DX260 and the FiiO M15S to be great choices for driving the Volare.
Listening impressions
The IO Audio Volare is designed with a tuning that closely follows the Harman 2019 target curve, while incorporating some intelligent deviations that enhance the overall tonal balance. It features a boosted low-end with impressive sub-bass extension that remains controlled, a slightly recessed yet still noticeable mid-range, and a smooth yet highly resolving treble. The driver integration is seamless, resulting in a cohesive and lifelike sound across the entire frequency spectrum without any discernible timbre differences between the various driver types.
The dynamic driver may not be the largest in size, but it excels in delivering deep and remarkably impactful bass that is both fast and tightly controlled. It possesses a punchy and weighty quality, although it may not be as visceral, thick, or imposing. However, its exceptional definition and crystal-clear clarity greatly contribute to its ability to layer and separate sounds effectively. The driver showcases remarkable skill, offering a textured bass with audiophile-level technicalities that make it ideal for critical listening.
The reality is that the mid-bass is slightly raised above neutrality, yet it does not obscure or cloud the mid-range, nor does it sound significantly tonally incorrect. To achieve more tonal accuracy and a better fit for listening to classical music and similar genres, you have the option to try out the provided ear-tips. Personally, I discovered that the medium-bore ear-tips offer the most well-balanced sound, but feel free to experiment with your preferred ones.
More listening impressions
The mid-range may seem lacking in frequency response measurements, but it is actually quite prominent and captivating. What truly stands out is the natural timbre, colorful and harmonious sound, and the lifelike reproduction of instruments and voices. The Volare skillfully steers clear of an overpowering emphasis on the upper mid-range, resulting in a controlled sound free from any harsh sibilance or loud upper register vocals. This earphone delivers a vibrant, detailed, and crisp sound with a touch of organic and analog warmth, a characteristic typically found in higher-priced earphones utilizing balanced armature drivers for the mid-range. Maybe this exceptional performance is related to the dynamic driver that handles a small portion of the lower mid-range.
The airy treble of the EST drivers delivers exceptional resolution and refinement, creating a vibrant and energetic sound that is both silky smooth and open. Unlike typical EST drivers, the textures are not overly dry or lean, resulting in a natural timbre without any artificiality. Instruments have a full-bodied and weighty sound with a smooth decay, while percussion instruments are reproduced with substantial weight and depth, avoiding a paper-thin or light quality.
The IO Audio Volare offers a resolving and refined sound with excellent extension and precise detail retrieval, without sounding clinical or sterile. The treble is pleasantly natural, devoid of any harshness or excessive brightness, making it ideal for long listening sessions without causing ear fatigue. Instead of forcefully demanding attention with its EST drivers, the Volare gracefully steps aside, allowing the music to take center stage and create an emotional connection with the listener.
And more…
The expansive soundstage offers exceptional imaging and stereo separation along the horizontal axis. While these earphones have a spacious sound, they may fall short in terms of depth and dimensionality. Nevertheless, they allow you to enjoy even the most intricate audio without any sense of congestion or loss of ambient details.
The IO Audio Volare offers an excellent technical performance and a well-balanced tonal output, making it a versatile choice. It is capable of delivering satisfactory results across various music genres, although it may not excel in every aspect, it also avoids any major disappointments. This is true all-rounder earphone that is going to please almost everyone, from the critical audiophile, to the casual listener who demands extra quality in his daily music listening.
In the end
IO Audio has achieved remarkable success with their debut earphones, the IO Volare. These individuals have emerged from nowhere, surprising everyone with their exceptional product. The IO Volare is an outstanding flagship-level earphone, featuring a balanced tuning and impressive technical capabilities. It harmonizes seamlessly with various genres of music and is sure to meet the expectations of the majority of users.
The IO Audio Volare is a remarkable pair of earphones that excels in comfort, craftsmanship, and aesthetics. Its premium appearance is complemented by an extensive range of accessories, making it a truly inclusive package. Offering exceptional value for its price, this earphone easily stands out as one of the top choices in the sub $1K category. I wholeheartedly endorse it and believe it deserves the highest recommendation. With this impressive debut, IO Audio has laid a solid foundation for a bright and promising future.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Balanced tuning + Extended and impactful bass + Excellent bass technicalities + Superb driver integration + Smooth but very resolving treble + Engaging and melodic mid-range + Natural timbre without artificiality + Open soundstage with good imaging + Great for all-rounder use + Attractive and premium appearance + Very well made + Plenty of high quality accessories + High quality modular cable + Exceptional price to performance ratio - The ear-shells are a little bulky - Not the most visceral and weighty bass - Yet another V-shaped tuning (albeit very well executed)
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