The Night Oblivion Butastur review sample was kindly provided free of charge. I didn’t receive monetary or any other kind of compensation and I don’t use affiliate links. The price of the Night Oblivion Butastur is $599 and is exclusively available from Penon Audio.
Night Oblivion Butastur Review
Night Oblivion Audio is a recently launched brand that is exclusively distributed by Penon Audio. Their inaugural product is an earphone called Butastur, which is inspired by a genus of prey birds consisting of four species. With one of their main habitats being in North and South China, the name of the earphone may have been influenced by this. The Butastur earphone is a result of a collaboration between Night Oblivion Audio and a community member who played a significant role in the final tuning process.
Technical highlights
The Butastur features a complete balanced armature design, boasting 10 drivers on each side. The setup includes 2 Sonion drivers for the low end, 2 Knowles drivers for mid-low frequencies, 4 Knowles drivers for mid-high tones, and 2 Knowles drivers for ultra-high pitches. Unfortunately, details on the exact model of each driver are currently unavailable.
The drivers are united using a three-way crossover featuring two tuning switches. One switch boosts the low frequencies while the other enhances the high frequencies. By turning both switches to the ON position, you can elevate both bass and treble at the same time.
The Penon website provides details on the Night Oblivion Butastur, which features a 110dB air-pressure balancing vent system to prevent resonance and shield against stimulation from high frequencies. Additionally, this system helps to release specific frequencies, safeguarding the ears from potential hearing damage. It ensures prolonged comfort during wear without pressure build-up, acting as a natural air pressure reserve to produce natural lower-mid and bass resonance.
Design and wearing comfort
The Butastur’s ear-shells are crafted using 3D printing technology and a skin-friendly resin material. They have a sleek faceplate with an appealing black and white, wavy design. These earphones are anatomically shaped, compact and lightweight despite housing an impressive 10 drivers each.
When it comes to comfort, the Butastur earphones excel, providing a superb wearing experience. They are ideal for extended listening sessions, and their passive noise attenuation is actually good, when properly fitted. However, it’s important to note that individuals with deep ear cavities may encounter difficulties achieving a secure fit due to the relatively short sound nozzle. Fortunately, the package includes double-flange ear-tips, although triple-flange options would be even more advantageous.
Cable and accessories
The Butastur is equipped with a detachable cable measuring 1.2m in length and featuring a 2-pin design. The cable is designed with an interchangeable plug system and includes three straight plugs made of high-quality aluminum (2.5mm, 4.4mm, and 3.5mm). It is constructed using a 4-strand, 6N single crystal copper LITZ cable, ensuring exceptional quality. The cable is robustly built, minimizing microphonic noise and preventing tangling. However, it is slightly heavier and thicker than the average cable. The cable’s outstanding performance justifies its separate sale by Penon Audio for $49.90.
The package additionally contains a pair of silicone options and a single collection of double flange ear-tips, available in three different sizes. Moreover, it comes with a lavish carrying case that features a magnetic lid. It would be greatly appreciated if some additional ear-tips were included.
Power requirements and associated gear
The Night Oblivion Butastur has an impedance rating of 30Ω and a sensitivity of 107dB, making it easy to drive and less susceptible to source noise. Extensive testing with different sources has shown that it scales remarkably, meaning that the performance improves with higher-quality sources. Personally, I primarily used the FiiO M15S and iBasso DX260 during my testing.
Listening impressions
The Night Oblivion Butastur stands out for its exceptional integration of the ten drivers and speaker-like sound quality, making a lasting impression upon first listen. With refined and resolving characteristics, this earphone offers supreme sound cohesiveness, good tonal balance, and a mostly natural timbre that allows for an immersive and continuous listening experience. Its overall sonic performance is top-notch, surpassing many competitors and rivaling more expensive earphones despite its price point.
The tuning of Butastur is generally well-balanced with a subtle emphasis on mid-bass, which brings a pleasant warmth to the sound without introducing any significant tonal inaccuracies. While the bass may not be completely neutral or critical, it remains in tune and sufficient for enjoying classical music. The overall low-end balance is suitable for a wide variety of music genres, avoiding any major flaws or excessive emphasis on specific frequencies. The sub-bass extension is highly satisfying, and you have the option to slightly increase its amplitude using the first crossover switch. This adjustment adds a bit more bass and mid-bass, making the Butastur more enticing for bass enthusiasts while still maintaining respect for the other frequencies.
More listening impressions
The technical aspects are impressive, showcasing tight and controlled bass that is fast-paced and well-defined with crystal-clear clarity. Despite a slight emphasis on mid-bass, the layering is excellent, allowing the listener to focus on different bass instruments or even the faintest notes within a busy bass line. While the Butastur may not have a critical tuning, it is still a solid choice for enjoying large-scale classical music. Although the low-end textures lack weight and impact compared to dynamic drivers, the earphones surprisingly deliver a good physical impact and dynamic response with their two Sonion drivers handling the low frequencies. It is also worth noting that the bass reproduction is free from unwanted resonances or excessive reverb.
The mid-range is expertly calibrated to deliver an incredibly authentic, melodic, and captivating sound that effortlessly taps into the emotional essence of your favorite songs. It strikes a perfect balance, neither subdued nor overpowering, offering a smooth and harmonious experience without any harshness in the upper mid-range frequencies. The audio is characterized by its seamless flow, vibrant harmonies, and rich tonal nuances, faithfully reproducing vocals and instruments with remarkable naturalness and the characteristics of a high-quality speaker. The Butastur earphone exudes liveliness and realism, while maintaining a refined and courteous demeanor. The mid-range is exceptionally detailed, lush, expressive, and well-defined, with substantial and precisely crafted notes. This earphone is designed to deeply resonate with your emotions and leave a lasting impression.
And more
The default tuning of the treble is mellow and forgiving, with a somewhat limited extension. However, it still maintains a decent level of energy and excitement, although it may not be as bright and lively as some prefer. Fortunately, the second switch can be utilized to provide a significant boost in the presence and brilliance regions, enhancing the overall tuning by adding more energy and extension in the higher frequencies to balance out the warmer sound signature of the default setting.
Whether the treble is boosted or not, the texture of the higher frequencies remains smooth and rich, free from any metallic or artificial tones often associated with balanced armature drivers. The treble response of the Butastur is natural and effortless, with notes that possess depth and weight, ensuring that cymbals, high hats, and bells sound true to life rather than thin or artificial.
The timbre remains authentic and organic, allowing instruments to sound like their real-life counterparts without any metallic harshness, roughness, or dryness. While detail retrieval is excellent, it is more geared towards creating a cohesive sound rather than highlighting individual elements for analytical or monitoring purposes.
The Butastur’s soundstage may not be very expansive or deep, but it offers ample airiness and spaciousness, avoiding congestion even with complex tracks. While it may lack in width and layering depth, it makes up for it with remarkable imaging and a holographic feel.
Variety is always welcomed
Another tuning possibility involves activating both switches of the crossover, resulting in a combination of the aformentioned mild bass boost and the generous treble emphasis. This maintains the balanced mid-range tuning without compromising its presence, allowing you to experience the captivating mid-range of the Night Oblivion Butastur with added bass and treble enhancements.
In the end
The Night Oblivion Butastur offers a mature tuning that may not be attractive to individuals who enjoy flashy, but fleeting fireworks. Its target audience is listeners with a discerning ear who prioritize authentic sound quality and musicality over trendy or unconventional tunings. This earphone is designed for those who prefer to unwind and fully engage in the music, allowing themselves to be captivated by their favorite songs without sacrificing technical excellence.
The Butastur stands out in a crowded market, offering a unique tuning that dares to be different. It strikes a perfect balance between technical precision and musical enjoyment, providing a listening experience as comfortable as its fit. This debut product from Night Oblivion Audio is impressive, and I hope to see more from them in the future.
Copyright – Petros Laskis 2024.
+ Musical and captivating
+ Cohesive sound signature
+ Timbre and tonal balance
+ Bass technicalities
+ Resolving and refined
+ Outstanding mid-range
+ Smooth and relaxed
+ Images very well
+ Easy to drive
+ Crossover tuning switches
+ Comfortable, compact and lightweight
+ High quality cable with interchange plugs
+ Nice carrying case
- Bass could be more dynamic and impactful
- Bass textures not that weighty and visceral
- Mid-bass not tuned for critical applications
- Not that transparent and energetic
- Rather intimate soundstage
- Limited selection of ear-tips
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