Gizaudio × Binary Chopin: The Most Versatile Hybrid under $200

Pros

• Lightweight yet well built
• Surprisingly comfortable fit (Subjective)
• Very versatile tuning
• Powerful yet very well controlled bass
• Clean, natural midrange
• Slightly forward, engaging female vocals but never shouty
• Inoffensive, smooth treble 
• Decent, natural treble extension
• Good technicalities

Cons

• Accessories could be better for a product in this price range
• Weird shape with thick and long nozzles, fit may not be for everyone (Subjective)
• Bass tuck
• Male vocals lacks a bit of lushness
• Lack of "wow" factor

Disclaimer

• Huge thanks to Hifigo for providing the opportunity for me to review the Gizaudio × Binary Chopin. I really do appreciate it. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own, and are not influenced in any way. 
• Please take this review with only a grain of salt, as everyone's hearing, fit, and gears may differ, so our experience may be different.

Price(MSRP)

• $199.99

Source(s)

• Truthear Shio
• FiiO KA13

Ear tips

• Dunu S&S

Packaging

• IEM.
• Hard case. 
• Quality is subpar.
• Feels very cheap, plasticky and lightweight
• 3 pairs of genetic silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
• High-Purity OFC Silver-Plated Litz Cable
• Comfortable and lightweight
• Tangles a little sometimes, but not the worst.

(I forgot to take out the ear tips from the package so here is an extra shot)

Build Quality

• Acrylic resin shell with a metal faceplate, very lightweight and solidly built

Fit

• Nozzle is very thick and long.
  
• Surprisingly very comfortable despite its weird shape.
• However, do be cautious if your ear canal is small, as the nozzle size may not fit for everyone. 

Tonality

• Harman

Bass

• Sub bass is more prominent and focused compared to mid bass
• Sub bass is quite rumbly, slams super hard and goes sufficiently deep as well
• Mid bass has decent body and texture, with enough punch to it
• Overall a very satisfying listening experience. A lot to love about it: Well defined, has decent speed, and super well controlled.
• Quantity is on the bassy side, may even satisfy some bass heads. Fun and engaging but remains super clean. 
  
  

Midrange

• Midrange is very clean with a hint of warmth so it is not too recessed.
• Male vocals sound average, doesn't sound particularly lush and forward but it is not overly thin and pushed back, takes a more neutral state. 
• Female vocals have a good forwardness which makes them sound engaging yet never too shouty or in your face. 
• Instruments and timbre is very natural considering that this is a hybrid IEM, almost no sign of BA timbre can be heard. At most its only a very slight hint of it sometimes but I doubt that it can affect the overall listening experience.
• Note weight and density is on the neutral side, which doesn't come off as overly thin or thick, its just the right amount. 

Treble

• Treble is overall quite smooth, with enough sparkle and energy to make everything lively and exciting but never too harsh or sharp.
• There is some air in the upper treble but it is not an excessive amount to make everything unnatural and overdone, it is just an adequate amount to make it sound slightly airy and open while keeping it natural.
• Details can be perceived without too much effort and is not overly emphasized.

Technicalities

Resolution

• Resolution and detail retrieval is good, but it isn't anything outstanding like the planar IEMs in this price range. 
• However, it definitely isn't lacking details in any way, and is good enough as a $200 hybrid. 

Soundstage

• Soundstage is decent in terms of width, depth and height. 
• Nothing impressive but doesn't sound intimate at all. 

Imaging

• Imaging and accuracy is good, I can track and pinpoint where the sound is coming from with ease.
  

Separation

• Separation and layering is good. Instruments and vocals is well separated among each other. 

Comparison 

$200 Showdown: My Personal Favorite Hybrid (Yume 2) vs The Most Versatile Hybrid (Chopin)

• Accessories: Chopin offers only 3 pairs of different ear tips sizes while Yume 2 offers up to 5, but both are still only generic ear tips, nothing special. Chopin also has a much better cable which doesn't tangle as often as Yume 2's stock cable, but Chopin's carrying case is built a bit worse than Yume 2's case. However, Chopin does come with 2 protective wrappers for the IEM.

• Bass: Chopin's bass is slightly better in terms of quality, also comes with a larger quantity. It packs a little more slam with a more natural decay, while Yume 2's bass is a touch faster and punchier. 

• Midrange: Yume 2 takes the win here. Yume 2 has that extra bit of warmth to make male vocals a little more lush and natural, with a more energetic and airy presentation for female vocals. However, this does come down to preference, as the Chopin has a cleaner and smoother/relaxed midrange presentation.

• Treble: Chopin's treble is smoother compared to Yume 2, but lacks that extra bit of airiness. However, the extra airiness may make it sound less natural.

• Technicalities: Yume 2 has a slight advantage in technicalities, providing a slightly wider stage and slightly higher resolution. However, both are not very far apart in terms of technical capabilities.

• Overall, I would personally prefer the Yume 2, it is still my favorite hybrid in this range due to my preference. However, I do think that the Chopin would be the more versatile choice here with how well it performs throughout all the sections, and the Yume 2 might be a touch too spicy in the treble and air region for some. 

Conclusion

• As a conclusion, I think the Gizaudio × Binary Chopin is another hit for Timmy from Gizaudio. A truly well rounded IEM with no major flaw. 

• Very fun and engaging bass, super clean midrange, non fatiguing treble with enough sparkle and decent extension, good technicalities for the price.

• The only compromise that I can possibly state is the lower midrange can be a bit too clean, which makes it a little sterile and boring, but even this is up to personal preference. 

• Some may say this type of tuning is too boring and does nothing special, while I agree to a certain extent especially if you're a veteran in this hobby and owns a bunch of IEMs in your collection ... but I would say that the Chopin is a perfect blend of fun and safe and is extremely recommended for people who are looking for an inoffensive yet engaging IEM, only if you can fit them in, of course!

Non Affiliated Link

• If you are interested after reading the article, feel free to check out the non affiliated link below.

• HiFiGo Web: 
• https://hifigo.com/products/gizaudio-binary-chopin

• Aliexpress:
• https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006135789174.html

• Amazon US: 
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL6LNF82/binary+gizaudio+chopin/

• Amazon JP: 
• https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0CL6MRTW9/binary+gizaudio+chopin/

　

Thanks for reading!