Kurt evaluations the CVJ MYTHERA, a 7-driver common IEM that includes a single 9.5mm dynamic, 5 customized BA, and a micro planar driver configuration. It’s presently priced at $368.00.
Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in trade for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or companies. I thank the groups at Linsoul and CVJ for giving me this chance.
Click on right here to learn extra in regards to the Linsoul audio merchandise we now have beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.
Be aware that this text follows our newest scoring guidelines, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.
CVJ MYTHERA Evaluate
Abstract
The bass is the place the hybrid 7-driver CVJ Mythera IEM makes its loudest argument, delivering an all-consuming and energetic low finish that provides each observe a robust sense of physicality and drive.
Efficiency & Options
8.3
Professionals
Energetic and all-consuming bass that makes each observe really feel vigorous and bodily.
Nice match and luxury for a seven-driver dynamic driver hybrid.
Cons
Bass bleed is noticeable and muddies the midrange.
Sharp and harsh treble with sibilance points.
CVJ has been constructing its repute within the chi-fi area with reasonably priced fashions just like the CS8 and Aria. Their focus has steadily shifted towards extra formidable configurations, inching nearer towards flagship territory with every new launch.
Now comes the CVJ MYTHERA, priced at $368, bringing a seven-driver tribrid setup per facet that mixes a 9.5mm DLC dynamic driver, 4 customized balanced armatures, one Knowles balanced armature, and a micro-planar unit.
With this degree of {hardware}, can the MYTHERA ship the whole flagship expertise it’s aiming for? And the way does it examine to rivals such because the ZiiGaat Luna and the InAwaken Twilight-DS? I discovered in my full overview beneath.
Options
The CVJ MYTHERA runs a seven-driver tribrid configuration per facet, combining a dynamic driver, balanced armatures, and a micro-planar unit in a single shell.
A four-way crossover manages the array, utilizing each an digital circuit and bodily acoustic tubing with damping filters to maintain every driver working in its personal window.
On the core of the low finish sits a 9.5mm customized dynamic driver with a Diamond-Like Carbon diaphragm, combining stiffness and inside damping to withstand driver flex with out introducing resonance.
CVJ additionally cites a golden-ratio routing method for the acoustic tubing paths, geared toward enhancing part coherence between drivers.
4 customized balanced armatures deal with the midrange, organized in two pairs, with a devoted balanced armature sitting above them for the higher vary.
A customized micro-planar unit sits on the prime of the stack, described by CVJ as a BA-type design that stays compact and simpler to drive than full-sized planar implementations.
A dual-damping scheme with pressure-relief venting can also be constructed into the configuration to stabilize diaphragm movement and preserve background noise in examine.
CVJ doesn’t disclose the producer or mannequin numbers for any of the drivers used within the MYTHERA.
Design
Every faceplate on the MYTHERA tells half of a narrative, with the left facet carrying a coiled dragon and the best facet that includes a phoenix in full unfold, each rendered in deep gold and amber tones towards a darkish textured background of scrolling floral patterns.
The paintings is utilized via CVJ’s coloration micro-engraving course of, giving every determine a layered, virtually relief-like depth that catches mild otherwise relying on the angle.
The Gilded version swaps the darkish background for a pale cream base with scattered gold flake, placing each figures in matching gold reduction for a extra uniform and ornate look.
The unit being reviewed right here is the Obsidian version, the place the darkish background provides the dragon and phoenix significantly extra distinction and visible weight.
The shell is CNC-machined aluminum alloy with a matte black end, and it feels stable and unmistakably steel in hand.
Its form is large and rounded, formed via 3D ear modeling, with the faceplate sitting as a definite panel separated from the primary physique by a visual seam working alongside the sting.
Channel identification is simple as soon as you understand the important thing, because the dragon all the time sits on the left and the phoenix on the best.
Past that, L and R markings are additionally printed in white on the inside face of every shell, sitting alongside the 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, that are housed in a small raised rectangular port close to the highest of the inside face.
A single vent gap sits on the other facet of the shell from the connectors, dealing with stress reduction for the dynamic driver inside.
The nozzle is brief and angled with a correct lip on the tip to maintain ear suggestions locked in place, completed with a gold mesh filter pressed into its opening.
Consolation & Isolation
The CVJ MYTHERA sits surprisingly small within the ear given its seven-driver-per-side configuration, touchdown nearer to medium-small in precise dimension as soon as worn.
It sits flush towards the ear and covers many of the opening, which interprets straight into robust passive isolation that blocks out an excellent quantity of ambient noise.
The match goes deep with none fuss, locking in with a safe and comfy seal that doesn’t shift or slip out throughout regular motion.
Stress is properly managed too, staying mild sufficient that mendacity down with them in stays a sensible possibility relatively than an uncomfortable one.
Weight is a non-issue right here, because the aluminum shell retains issues noticeably mild on the ear regardless of the steel development.
That lightness additionally makes the MYTHERA a sensible journey companion, even when the eye-catching faceplate makes it something however discreet.
It ranks as some of the comfy dynamic driver hybrids I’ve worn, hitting a stability between a safe match and easy wearability that almost all IEMs at this dimension and driver rely don’t handle.
The mix of its compact shell, deep match, and light-weight weight makes lengthy periods really feel utterly pure.
Ear Ideas
Two units of silicone suggestions are included with the CVJ MYTHERA: a wide-bore set with a black stem and a balanced-bore set with a crimson stem.
Neither set stands out as distinctive, however they every behave otherwise sufficient that the selection between them issues extra for consolation than for sound.
The large bore suggestions are on the shorter facet, which works towards MYTHERA’s already quick nozzle relatively than complementing it.
The fabric can also be very skinny and smooth, collapsing simply below mild stress and leaving the nozzle feeling prefer it’s urgent straight into the ear relatively than the tip doing its job.
The balanced bore suggestions are a greater match, sitting at a medium peak that provides the MYTHERA simply sufficient extension to land comfortably within the ear canal.
The fabric seems like commonplace silicone however with a stiffer development, which retains its form higher and makes it the extra usable of the 2 choices.
Neither set makes a significant distinction to the sound, with consolation being the extra noticeable variable between them.
The balanced bore suggestions are the clear selection right here, and most will possible discover them adequate with no need to achieve for aftermarket options.
Inventory Cable
A 1000-core Furukawa copper cable ships with the CVJ MYTHERA, constructed from eight strands with 125 individually woven cores every, a development CVJ credit for maintaining resistance low and sign transmission clear.
It’s a genuinely premium materials selection for a inventory cable, and Furukawa copper will not be one thing you usually see included at this degree with out paying further for it individually.
Visually, the braid is a mixture of gold and darkish blue strands twisted collectively, giving it a definite and attention-grabbing look that enhances the Obsidian version properly.
The braiding is executed properly, staying tangle-free and draping naturally with out the stiffness or reminiscence that plagues a number of inventory cables.
Regardless of its development, the cable stays impressively light-weight on the ear, including no noticeable drag or pull throughout put on.
The {hardware} all through is matte black with the CVJ brand printed on the plug housings, maintaining the branding delicate with out disappearing fully.
Modularity is dealt with via a screw-lock system for attaching the included 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs, locking each firmly in place and eradicating any concern about unintended disconnection throughout swaps.
The 0.78mm 2-pin connectors are completed in an identical darkish blue, tying the cable’s coloration scheme collectively from finish to finish.
Packaging & Equipment
Arriving in a big, weighty field completed with a tone-on-tone blind embossed floral sample throughout its floor, the MYTHERA’s packaging instantly indicators that CVJ is treating this like one thing greater than a typical IEM launch.
The flowers are pressed into the black cardstock utilizing the identical black, making the design seen via texture and shadow relatively than coloration, and the linen-like background provides the entire floor a cloth really feel that sits nearer to luxurious items than audio packaging.
A separate outer cardboard sleeve wraps the field, carrying the dragon motif in gold on the entrance with the CVJ brand, MYTHERA title, and technical specs unfold throughout the remaining sides.
Sliding that sleeve off reveals the primary field beneath, which opens via a magnetically secured flap that swings out cleanly.
Opening the flap exposes a pull-tab compartment taking over roughly half the field depth, with the IEMs seated in foam cutouts on the prime and a labeled Wire Field part beneath them housing the cable.
Each sections sit comfortable and well-protected, maintaining every thing organized with none free motion inside.
The pull-tab compartment homes a big hard-sided leather-based carrying case embossed with the CVJ brand, which holds the ear suggestions inside a separate flip-open plastic case.
The Wire Field accommodates the cable, a cleansing material, and a pair of gloves, which is a primary in my expertise with any IEM packaging.
These gloves have a evenly hatched texture that feels comfy on the palms. CVJ is clearly framing the MYTHERA as one thing like jewellery to a level, and the gloves make that assertion extra straight than anything within the field.
Sound Impressions
The next sound impressions of the CVJ MYTHERA had been accomplished utilizing a mixture of the Heartfield R1 and the Colorfly CDA-M2 dongle DACs.
Bass
The low finish on the CVJ MYTHERA is heavy, large, and all-consuming, pushing firmly into basshead territory with a presence that makes itself felt on almost each observe no matter style.
It doesn’t sit quietly within the background; it covers the combination with a way of vitality that some will discover thrilling and others will discover overbearing.
Deep and bodily weighty, the sub-bass delivers a robust rumble that provides every observe appreciable momentum and drive.
It isn’t the cleanest presentation, although, feeling free and uncontrolled at instances, carrying that chaotic and unrestrained high quality that devoted bassheads are likely to gravitate towards.
That very same vitality carries into the mid-bass, which hits with a ‘groovy and slammy’ method that retains issues feeling vigorous and rhythmically all the time pushed.
The difficulty is that it doesn’t know when to step again, and on tracks with minimal bass content material, the low finish nonetheless asserts itself, pulling focus away from vocals and different components that deserve the highlight.
Regardless of the surplus, the feel stays surprisingly articulate, and the dynamic vary throughout the bass itself is correctly communicated, with quieter and stronger notes touchdown with the best distinction in weight. It exhibits that management exists throughout the low finish when the tuning permits for it.
Drums don’t profit from any of that management, although, sounding blunted and tonally off with a man-made high quality that strips them of the reasonable physique and snap they need to carry.
Bass guitars comply with the same path, falling wanting sounding pure, although the variations between particular person string plucks do come via with sufficient distinction to stay followable.
Mids
Vocal forwardness is an understatement for the midrange right here, as vocals and devices push proper to the entrance of the combination in a means that’s instantly noticeable.
Bass bleed from the heavy low-end seeps into the decrease midrange, although, including undesirable heat and thickness that muddies the presentation and makes the mids really feel much less outlined than they need to be.
What that bleed prices most is male vocal efficiency, which lands flat and lifeless regardless of the ahead positioning, missing the physique and weight wanted to sound convincing.
They’re current within the combine however carry a boring high quality, as if the muse they should stand on has been swallowed by the bass beneath them.
Feminine vocals push even additional ahead and carry robust brightness, however the sheer quantity of bass protection takes a number of the edge off, stopping them from changing into as sharp as they could in any other case be.
Timbre sits in an uncomfortable center floor, with bass bleed dulling the pure tone whereas a gentle BA coloration provides a slight artificiality that turns into extra noticeable on devices.
Readability is the midrange’s greatest casualty right here, because the bass masks a big quantity of element and nuance that merely doesn’t floor by itself. These finer components are technically recoverable if you happen to hear for them intentionally, however that defeats the aim fully.
Treble
The treble on the MYTHERA struggles to ship an ideal efficiency, sharp, brilliant, and finally underwhelming is how I’d describe it.
Even with element retrieval, that needs to be a power given the micro-planar unit on the prime of the stack, the overwhelming bass presence buries a lot of the combination that making a good evaluation turns into genuinely tough.
Surprisingly, sibilance will not be the primary concern right here regardless of every thing else going towards it. There’s sharpness current, and the treble carries an aggressive edge, nevertheless it stops wanting being persistently sibilant, which is arguably the one factor working in its favor up prime.
Airiness is the place expectations fall hardest, as the highest finish feels closed in and slim regardless of the devoted planar tweeter within the configuration.
Cymbals and hi-hats share the identical blunted and synthetic high quality discovered all through the remainder of the presentation, sounding tonally off relatively than correct and metallic.
Fortuitously, fatigue is oddly stored at bay, not as a result of the treble is well-behaved, however as a result of the bass protection absorbs sufficient of the sharpness that the highest finish by no means absolutely turns into grating or insufferable by itself.
Staging & Dynamics
The soundstage of the CVJ MYTHERA affords nothing however a slim and closed-in expertise throughout width, depth, or peak.
Transferring from it to something with even modest staging makes the distinction instantly obvious, as every thing stays pulled tight and intimately centered relatively than spreading outward.
Imaging holds as much as a useful diploma, putting sounds with acceptable precision, nevertheless it by no means rises above common or makes positional cues really feel notably convincing.
Separation retains sounds fairly distinct below regular circumstances, although busy mixes begin pushing it previous its limits as layering breaks down when too many components compete for a similar area without delay.
Dynamics are current however closely one-sided, with scaling benefiting the bass virtually completely relatively than lifting the general presentation.
The low finish responds to extra energy with added weight and physicality, however the remainder of the frequency response features little from it, leaving MYTHERA’s dynamic ceiling feeling as slim as its stage.
Click on on web page 2 beneath for my really useful pairings and chosen comparisons.
