The CVJ Freedom is a $74.99 IEM that comes with an interesting box design and a generous amount of accessories included. But beyond the unboxing experience, how does it actually sound? And is this the right IEM for you? Read on in my review to learn more about the CVJ Freedom – from its sound quality and comfort to who it might appeal to most. I’ll give you the full rundown on whether these IEMs are worth a listen.
Disclaimer: Reviewing audio gear is highly subjective. There are many factors that influence the sound characteristics of a product, such as ear tips, fit, music choice, prior experience, and more. What I experience may not reflect what you experience, and vice versa. So please take everything I say here with a grain of salt, and always cross-reference reviews. So now, let’s proceed.
Summary
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Weighty and substantial bass
- Good amount of accessories
- Modular cable
- Above average technicalities
Cons:
- Mids are a bit recessed
- Treble lacking in definition
- Leaning on dark sound
About the CVJ Freedom
Company Overview
CVJ hi-fi is a Guangdong-based audio company that offers IEM earphones and other add-on accessories at decent prices yet delivers quality products.
Specifications
- Impedance: 22Ω±15%
- Sensitivity: 113dB±3dB
- Frequency Response: 20hz-20kHz
- Cable Length: 1.2m
- Pin Type: 0.75mm 2-pin Connectors
- Plug Type: Modular cable (3.5mm, 2.5mm, and 4.4mm)
- Driver Unit(S): (1) Dynamic Driver + (4) Balanced Armature
What’s Inside the Box
- Brown velvet pouch
- Modular Cable (3.5mm came preinstalled)
- Ejector Pin (For the switches)
- Eartips
- Manuals
- Cable Organizer
- 2.5mm jack
- 4.4mm jack
- IEMs
Review
This is going to be my first time testing out a product from CVJ. I’ve heard about them for years but never got the chance to try their offerings until now. I tested these without knowing the price, since Neil from Practiphile sent them to me right away without telling me anything about this model beforehand. I believe not knowing the value helps avoid biases when reviewing.
The IEMs came with a switch option but I don’t really like switches on IEMs, so I just left them as I received them in the “DU” configuration close to the stock tuning.
Frequency Graph
Frequency response courtesy of Practiphile. All 4 tunings.
Experience
Unboxing the CVJ Freedom was a pleasant surprise. At first I was scratching my head trying to figure out how to open the main compartment looking for the accessories, but later found out it has a separate drawer for them – gotta give CVJ credit for that unboxing experience. It’s my first time encountering such a box design.
The fit of these IEMs is so good, they fit my ears like a glove on my hands. No long session fatigue.
The cable is a 4-core copper that has interchangeable jacks – it came with an extra 4.4mm and 2.5mm balanced jacks, which is a nice addition. I did find the cable a bit stiff though. The shells are made of green plastic resin with a matte green faceplate, which makes them light and ideal for longer listening.
Music
Before testing the CVJ Freedom, I had taken a break from listening to IEMs for a while, preferring my speakers instead as I barely had the motivation to use any earphones. But after some busy weeks, I was ready to try out some IEMs again. The CVJ Freedom were my first pair back.
Right away I played Sleep Token’s “Chokehold” on the Freedom. Having become so accustomed to hearing this track through my Edifier R2000DB speakers, I anticipated the kick and impact after the build up. However, I was underwhelmed by the cymbals, which lacked energy and excitement during the post-drop section. That said, I have to credit the Freedom’s full, impactful bass – though the overall tuning sounded darker than my preferences.
Switching over to Daniel Caesar’s “Ocho Rios”, I could hear the nuances of the acoustic guitar clearly, but it came across colored and unnatural. Daniel’s vocals however were full and well-placed.
For jazz vocals, these IEMs are not ideal in my opinion. Listening to Laufey’s EP “Typical of Me”, I found them dull and taking away the emotion from the music. The vocals are a bit back in the mix, whereas I prefer them slightly forward.
That said, the Freedom would likely work well for rock music where clarity is not the priority.
Gaming
For gaming, these aren’t too bad, I’d say it performed really well. They feel immersive and I can feel the intensity of the game, especially during opposing team encounters.
The good thing too is they’re easy to drive – basically any source can power them. I even had to turn down my volume, as setting it at 50/100 (my normal loudness) made them too loud. I had to drop it down to around 30/100.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you prefer a darker sounding IEM, this is a good pick. But if you prefer a clear, open sound with sparkling, engaging highs, I’d say you’re better off searching for other IEMs.
As for me, this isn’t my preferred sound signature, though I can see it appealing to some listeners. I did enjoy using the Freedom during my game time with it – it provided a pleasant experience.
Huge thanks to HiFiGo for sending this review unit and to Practiphile, who always supports this website by facilitating these units.
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