Show off a new design – the world glimpses; include fancy accessories – the world still glimpses. But create new technology and the world will watch, such is what Custom Art did. To audiophiles spanning the globe, the introduction of new of a design and the inclusion of fancy accessories in audio gear is a common sight, but the development and introduction of exclusive and singular technology always stirs not only the mind but also the curiosity of hobbyists who are eager to either verify or vilify something new.
Custom Art is one of the many members in the high-end CIEM/UIEM pool of sharks which if you happen to lack the chomps will surely shatter your dreams of making it big or if lucky, relegate you to the calmer seas where as it implies, calm, but dull. Custom Art was founded in May 2012 by Piotr Granicki in Warsaw, Poland and oddly enough, also a reviewer of portable audio equipment while also being a DIYer which eventually took hold of him to create his own series of earphones.
I was sent a choice of either a CIEM or UIEM review unit for the FIBAE Black and as my area has minimal Custom Art presence, I opted to go for the UIEM version in exchange for an honest review with no monetary involvement which the Custom Art Overseer is quite familiar with.
The FIBAE Black is one of the new models from Custom Art which was released on the Black Friday of 2018. The FIBAE Black as the name implies highlights Custom Art’s FIBAE technology which stands for Flat Impedance Balanced Armature Earphone, a design which provides the Black model with a flat impedance and phase that provides an assurance of being driven easily by various sources. The FIBAE Black currently retails for 450 EUR and you can check their official Custom Art and FIBAE Black website for more product offerings and details.
Custom Art FIBAE Black spec sheet:
Packaging and Build Quality
I’m not certain if the FIBAE Black’s packaging is the standard Custom Art packaging for all its products but if it is, it is one of the brands biggest areas of improvement. The FIBAE Blacks’ came in a plain rectangular matte black box with no tags or identification that it hailed from Custom Art and at both a consumer and reviewer standpoint, it’s a lost marketing opportunity. The minimalist approach also has its appeal and would please some though.
Inside the box is where things starts to take off, starting with a nice black elliptical leather case. Right next to this leather case is the FIBAE Black’s Iron curtain, Maginot line and Great Wall; call it whatever you like but this one is the Pelican 1010 Micro case. I’d trade the fancy packaging all day every day for this specific case to accompany and secure a CIEM/UIEM designed to provide the best possible sound. Since the Pelican 1010 Micro case is transparent up top, Custom Art chose to add their trademark brick-colored manual disguised as a greeting card with a sole “Hi” statement upfront and since I have the UIEM version, it came with a set of black silicon ear tips (S, M and L) with one double-flange black silicon ear tips in the medium size. A drying pellet and wax pick cleaning tool is also included in the FIBAE Black package.
The FIBAE Black’s overall shell and faceplate is made of 3D printed acrylic which is standard on the UIEM/CIEM market now. There were no cosmetic issues on my review unit and the entire surface came out smooth and polished, do note that the FIBAE Black only comes in a solid black color for the shell and only the faceplate design, internal wiring color combo and serial number colors can be customized. Feel free to contact Custom Art directly for any specific requests that you have to get that ultimate customized experience.
All the default configurations for the FIBAE Black was used on my review unit except for the added Audio Realviews logo and the clear faceplate for the left ear piece along with the Custom Art logo which looked great for showing off the internal wiring. The 2-pin sockets are flushed and secures the connection excellently. The FIBAE Blacks’ nozzle has a single bore which is linked directly to the lone BA driver’s tubing, there is also a nozzle lip available for the UIEM version which worked flawlessly when I tried several 3rd party ear tips.
The FIBAE Black’s stock cable features an SPC cable with clear plastic insulation that allows for a more detailed look on the cables internals. There is also great strain relief on all joints and utilizes a right-angled, gold-plated 3.5mm plug along with a .78mm 2-pin at the other end which has an over-ear memory ear guide reinforced with a thin strip of metal.
Tonality and Isolation
Convenience has always been one of the aspect of a gadget that is often swept under the rug and only comes up when actual day to day usage are factored in after that honeymoon phase where a consumer gets over the excitement of owning what they used to covet. The Custom Art FIBAE Black is currently one of the best products with regards to convenience that I’ve ever tried in this audiophile hobby. This is my 1st experience with Custom Art’s FIBAE tech and so far it has delivered its actual promise being an acutely versatile, it has yet to encounter any impedance issues resulting to any annoying hiss that makes usage of the FIBAE Black to be relegated for storage.
Black is often associated with being filthy but with the FIBAE Black, this outlook takes a complete 360 turn. The FIBAE Black is indeed black with its ability to create a black background from the get go with the subsequent occurrence of sound frequencies to still be controlled well. Isolation is great as well and does an excellent blocking out noise while still being comfortable, pairing it with your desired ear tips would only improve the result. The FIBAE Black is carelessly a warm sounding set with strong emphasis on clarity. The Sony CAS-1 desktop setup off an MSI GF 62 8RE laptop via Foobar2000 v1.4 and the Sony A46HN DAP along with stock medium ear tips was used for the whole duration of the realview.
Lows
The FIBAE Black’s low frequency performance was tested with a collection of Marshall Mather’s greatest hits along with Foster the People’s Lotus Eater all in 16/44 FLAC. The Black’s bass is rendered in a lean yet robust presentation with great body and soft approach. It delivers not the fastest attack resulting in an enjoyable lingering feel. The Lotus Eater track showcased the FIBAE Black’s strength in the low end. There is sufficient rumble in the sub bass as well and just the right amount of thump, not the most powerful but not weak in the long run too. Not being a bass lover myself, this sits well with my preferred bass performance.
Midrange
Jason Mraz finally debuts in Audio Realviews for the FIBAE Black’s midrange performance test. The Black’s midrange is close to reference sounding with a slightly forward take on the lower midrange which made the overall midrange sound fuller especially the male vocals which in turn renders accurate vocal tones that are far from being off timbre. The distinctly clear instrumental tones coordinates well with the lower midrange. The upper midrange is easy to the ears while still being able to handle with controlled attack on various instrumental tones. A totally engaging and lively approach on the midrange is the FIBAE Black’s mantra.
Highs
Conservative and always stays close to home is the game for the FIBAE Black’s high frequency performance. Although there’s load of clarity and articulation to be observed, the evident lack of added oomph and kick for that sweet treble bite that tickles an audiophile would have been great, for me personally that is. If you are after that distinct high frequency delivery without the risk of fatigue then the FIBAE Black is a nice companion for your listening sessions.
Soundstage and Imaging
The FIBAE Black’s soundstage is all about intimacy. It provides a great deal of separation performance in a black background that results in another great performance for the imaging. Although depth gets more of the favored son treatment with how Custom Art tuned the Black, the width still performs well, just not at the level that you’d die for. There is great panning and detail retrieval to be observed as well. This gets a thumbs a double thumbs up for me.
Conclusion
The FIBAE Black does all the things a great set of IEM should, from sounding accurate to being right on point with tonal timbre. It’s a sound that I would enjoy for the most part of the day and the week except when that treble head of mine comes up. It does lack the treble extension and bite that I personally prefer but that doesn’t mean it’s a weakness, it’s just a matter of handling the higher frequencies properly at a signature that borderlines to being massively mainstream. The one thing that I will definitely take sides with for the FIBAE Black is its inherent versatility and comfort, I’ve had a great time carrying it around and pairing it with various sources and still be free of impedance issues, that’s FIBAE for y’all. This will definitely stay on my desk for actual use rather than being on that Pelican case.
