AFUL PERFORMER 5 Review – Lost In Translation

The AFUL PERFORMER 5 is a technically innovative earphone that does not quite hold up to the the company-generated hype.

The AFUL Performer 5 was provided by HifiGo for my analysis – and I thank them for that. You can get it from HifiGo.

Introduction

It was only three months before this writeup that AFUL – coming seemingly out of nowhere – launched a gigantic promotional campaign and hype, presenting themselves as a a leading player in the earphone market. From 0 to 100 in a few seconds. To achieve this would be nothing short of sensational (Sennheiser have been at it since 1945).

We at audioreviews.org love dissecting claims and hype – and put the Performer 5 happily on our work bench. OK, ok, the name alone…we have heave heard the jokes about it already…it is apparently pronounced “A-foo”. L is silent. It means “prosperity and fortune” in Mandarin. Nothing wrong with that.

From AFUL’s self presentation:

Aful Acoustics has always targeted a strong and experienced acoustic R&D Team. They have adhered to the simple concept of “Only Real Progress in Technology can bring Tangible benefits to the Consumer”.

Four Years Ago, AFUL Acoustics was founded to bring a change to the HiFi Audio industry with class-leading IEMs and Headphones at pocket-friendly prices. After painstaking research by the team for over two years, Aful Acoustics matured the basic technology in 2020. Ever since then they have got several different technologies such as EnvisionTEC Medical-Grade 3D Printed Acoustic Tube Structure, 3D Air-Pressure Balanced Relief Technology, etc.

Aful Acoustics has always targeted innovative Acoustic Technologies to produce crisp, high-resolution sound quality with IEMs that outperform the competition by a huge margin. We have always aimed to design quality products that deliver high-end performance while coming at a mid-range price tag.

Source: HifiGo

To be fair, the Performer 5 does incorporate some good innovative technical ideas. KopiOkaya told me that the pressure-relief vent has similar principles to 64Audios ADEL, just that it is built into the shell design. They also seem to be serious about the coherence. Not often you see separate sub and mid-bass tubes, especially the coiled ones that tend to extend sub-bass rumble. Moondrop Blessing2 does it around $300, but not many others. 

Specifications AFUL Performer 5

Physical Things and Usability

In the box are the earpieces, cable, eartips, metal storage case, and paperwork. The shells are bulky but light and comfortable, and the isolation is good – with SpinFit CP145 eartips, the stock tips are too small for my teutonic ear canals.

The cable is pliable with sturdy metal connectors. Very good. Overall haptic and build are commensurate with the price tag.

Tonality and Technicalities

The AFUL Performer 5 was hyped as somewhat different sounding from the rest – and this is actually true. It offers a relaxed, laid back presentation with a mild BA timbre. Tuning is quite good but the technicalities are more in the category of a $100 earphone. The Seeaudio Yume comes to mind.

I always pick out the bass first in my listening sessions, which, unfortunately is the Performer 5’s weakest point: midbass is mushy and muffled to a point that my eardrums start ringing after a short while. And that, although it does not have a lot of kick. This lack of bottom-end focus may be compared to hitting a drum with a somewhat loose skin.

If the bass had more pizazz, this mush would be unbearable. Needless to say that the bass resolution is not satisfying, basslines are sloppy and lack composure. Extension into the sub-bass is average and there is not much rumble down there at all.

The soft midbass partially covers the vocals which are actually well presented. Note definition is good, note density is ok but not the fullest, vocals come across with a reasonably natural speed. Nothing shrill and there is also zero shoutiness (a new trend across the board). But I find the midrange somewhat splashy and fluffy. It lacks discipline.

Treble extension is also good with middling resolution. I find the cymbals a bit on the lean side and high violin notes somewhat muffled.

Timbre is as you expect from a “multi”, resolution is best in the midrange and poorest in the bass. In less bassy pieces, the midrange has lots of air, once bass sets in, it is getting muffled to various extents. Soundstage is average but can be narrowed by the bass smear.

Separation, layering, and headroom do hold up to its class.

Overall, the Performer 5 lacks cohesion and composure to justify its price. It could be more refined in its presentation.

There is no comparison to top notch $200-250 iems such as the JVC HA-FDX 1, which have much better tonal balance, tonal accuracy, and cohesion…to name but a few criteria…which add up to much more enjoyable listening experience.

Concluding Remarks

The AFUL Performer 5 is another example of an unjustified hype of a prematurely released product. You can evaluate this statement yourself: where is the Performer 5 three months later? While the R&D may justify its price, the result does not.

We are now waiting for the “Pro” model addressing the initial toothing issues. And, I am sure, it will be a good one. The early adopters as guinea pigs? That’s not how it should work – but unfortunately that’s how the game goes. Again and again.

Until next time…keep on listening!