Today I will be showcasing the AFUL Performer 8 Review. The Performer 8 IEM is a hybrid IEM with 7 Balanced Armatures and 1 Dynamic Driver. The Performer 8 is currently AFUL’s flagship IEM as of writing. I am part of the tour of the AFUL Performer 8 and I would like to thank HifiGo for giving me this opportunity.

It is my first time reviewing an AFUL product. I have read some reviews about the AFUL Performer 5. AFUL decided to improve the Performer 5’s tuning and released the Performer 8. An 8 Driver hybrid IEM for $369.99. The AFUL Performer 8 Review is yours to enjoy.

Source: Astell and Kern SR15

Files: DSD, 24bit, and 16bit FLAC files.

Specifications:

Impedance: 30Ω.
Sensitivity: 115dB@1kHz.
Frequency Response Range: 5Hz-35kHz.
Passive Noise Reduction: 26dB.

Unboxing experience:

The packaging of the Performer 8 is reminiscent of the Performer 5—a simple box with a flip-flop cover. You will see a foam-like AFUL printed cover to protect the insides. As you open the lid you will see a foam compartment with the pleather case (inside you will see the IEM cables) and the IEM itself. Underneath the foam, you will see the ear tips and the manual. Almost the same unboxing experience as the Performer 5, the difference is the pleather case.

Packaging and Build Quality:

The packaging consists of a cardboard box. The IEMS are well-protected and secured with foam inserts. There is a case, the IEM itself, and six pairs of ear tips. The shells are made out of acrylic and have a glittered brown faceplate. It is well made with no problems with the molding. The lack of lip in the nozzle is quite a deal breaker for me. The ear tips got loose on the nozzle and got stuck in my ear.

Accessories:

I expected more from AFUL at this price point. There should be more ear tip options and the case should be more rugged for protection of the IEMS. Though I am not a fan of the pleather case, it is sufficient enough for daily use. There are 6 pairs of ear tips which I found enough for its price point. The cable is a High-Purity Monocrystalline Copper Silver-Plated Cable as AFUL claims. The build quality of both the cables and the IEMs is excellent, with no inconsistencies with the silicone mold. The design of the Performer 5 and 8 are almost identical. The faceplate is the same with a different print on the back of the silicone.

Comfort and Isolation:

The comfort is excellent and it bears no fatigue to my ears. Comfort is always a subjective matter. It might be uncomfortable for smaller ears. The isolation is above average because it seals well. But due to a vent near the edge of the faceplate, the isolation suffers a little.

Tonality:

I would describe the Performer 8 as a Harman-like tuning with sub-bass elevation. It is a mild U-shaped tuned IEM. A slight typical cold balanced armature timbre is present with the Performer 8. It has a wide soundstage but lacks depth. Macro and micro details are very good for the price. The PRaT is decent but could use a little more speed.

Bass:

Bass is more sub-bass focused than midbass in addition, bass speed is good and bass texture is excellent. The bass is tight, might be too tight for some. The midbass is very neutral and lacks punch. Though it does not suffer any bass bleed like other warmer-sounding IEMS. In Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, disco drums lack a little more punch.

Midrange:

The midrange is quite good. Male voices sound clear yet it lacks body. It sits back in the mix. I would have preferred male voices to stand more. In Josh Groban’s rendition of Pure Imagination, his voice is clear but lacks thickness. The Performer 8 has its bias on the female voice. With Melissa Menago’s Traveler, her vocals are forward and distinctively clear. Piano and guitars sound clear with detail and free of wonkiness. The Performer 8’s midrange performance is one for the books though it lacks the wow factor.

Treble:

The AFUL Performer 8 review unit’s treble performance is good moreover, no annoying peaks or sibilance. It is well-extended and has air. Though it lacks the last word of detail that flagship IEMs have. It is forgiving of poorly mastered tracks. In Toto’s Till the End, cymbals are clear, and present, and do not suffer from any splashiness.

Synergy:

The stock ear tips are unusable on the Performer 8. I advise you to tip roll and use wide bore tips such as the TRI Clarion or Azla’s Sednaearfit Vivid. It opens up the soundstage and midrange. Wide bore tips also improve the bass performance. Regarding sources, Performer 8 would prefer a warmer source such as Shanling or Sony Walkman DAPs. The Astell and Kern SR15 and Performer 8 combo is decent but lacks dynamics. Warmer-sounding sources will make the slightly thin midbass and male voice thicker and with more presence.

Conclusion:

The AFUL Performer 8 is a lucky performer. It is a jack-of-all-trades IEM. Quite a well-tuned IEM that you can hardly find any faults. One of the caveats might be the lack of lip on the nozzle. The tuning might be too safe for me but I know a lot of people will like it. This might be one of the purchases that are worthy of a blind buy.