iBasso Exemplar Hybrid Universal IEMs

The iBasso EXEMPLAR is a ten-driver hybrid in-ear monitor that uses four kinds of driver: bone conduction, dynamic, balanced armature and planar magnetic. iBasso’s idea is that every driver type has its strengths and limits, so instead of asking one driver to cover everything, each handles the part of the range it does best. The drivers sit in a 3D-printed shell with a colour-shifting chameleon finish, and the copper cable comes with three plugs: 3.5mm, 4.4mm balanced and USB-C for phones.

Ten drivers, five ways

Each side has 1 bone conduction driver, 1 dynamic driver, 6 balanced armatures and 2 planar drivers, split into five bands:

iBasso sums up each type: the dynamic driver gives a natural, air-moving impact; the planar drivers’ light diaphragms keep harmonic detail and build an open, spacious soundstage; the balanced armatures respond quickly for precise imaging, layering and detail; and the bone conduction driver adds acoustics beyond the sound carried through the air, so music is felt as well as heard.

A 10mm brass bone conduction driver

Ordinary earphones carry sound through the air. A bone conduction driver uses mechanical vibration to pass low-frequency energy to the ear. iBasso is clear that it does not artificially boost the bass: the sound stays natural, and drums and bass guitar gain the kind of physical energy you feel at a live performance.

A 3D-printed shell with a chameleon finish

In a multi-driver IEM, the position and angle of each driver, the acoustic chambers and the space inside all shape the sound. The EXEMPLAR’s shell is 3D-printed, so each driver is placed precisely. On the outside it has the same chameleon paint finish as iBasso’s flagship Epitome, which changes with the viewing angle and the light. Each earpiece weighs 8.3g without the cable.

A fine-stranded copper cable, three plugs

High-purity copper is known for a warm sound but can lose some treble. Because of the skin effect, high-frequency signals tend to travel along the outside of a conductor, so iBasso uses 88 ultra-fine 0.04mm strands, giving more paths for the treble and, it says, keeping the harmonics and reverberation: copper’s warmth with extended treble. The cable is 120cm long (±5cm) and plugs into the earpieces with standard 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, so popular upgrade cables fit too.

The plug end is interchangeable: 3.5mm single-ended, 4.4mm balanced and USB-C plugs are all included. Each screws on with a threaded retainer ring over a 4-pin connector. The USB-C plug has a CX31993 DAC chip inside, so it works straight from a phone without a separate dongle.

Specifications

Music, films and games

iBasso designed the EXEMPLAR for music first, but says its dynamics and wide, natural soundstage also make it immersive for films and games.

Good to know

• It comes with 12 pairs of silicone eartips and 2 pairs of foam eartips: try a few sizes, as the right fit seals the ear and gives the full bass.
• The USB-C plug has its own DAC, so it plugs straight into a phone, tablet or computer.
• iBasso’s warranty is one year from purchase, not including the accessories.
• For iBasso’s flagship with the same chameleon finish, see the iBasso Epitome; for a balanced source, the iBasso DX270 player or the DC07 Pro dongle.