Earsonics Grace Platinum Review

I’ve listened to my fair share of high-end IEMs, and I’m constantly being surprised by new brands and what they have to offer. Earsonics is a French company that I have not had the pleasure to try anything from until now. One of their high-end models is the Grace Platinum, which goes for $2,099. Does it impress for such an extraordinary price?

What You Get

• The GRACE Platinum
• 1 HR 4 core cable (3.5mm, 0.78 2-Pin)
• 1 Symmetrical 8 core HR cable (4.4mm, 0.78 2-Pin)
• 2 pairs of Comply tips of different sizes
• 2 pairs of silicone tips of different sizes
• 1 cleaning tool
• 1 Jack adapter (6.35mm)
• Carrying case
• Manual

Look and Feel

Earsonics don’t call this the Grace Platinum for no reason. The outer shell of this IEM is handcrafted using a platinum foil while using a 3D design to perfect its measurements. When the earpieces are in your hand, they feel premium, like their build is worth the price alone. However, a well-constructed build doesn’t always mean an ergonomic fit. Thankfully, the Grace Platinum is not one of those IEMs, as their fit is comfortable and secure. The housing has a bit of weight to it, but I wasn’t bothered by it. They sit comfortably, with plenty of support in the ear cavity.

Design

There are a whopping 20 balanced armature drivers inside of the Grace Platinum, ten on each side. Two armatures are used for the bass signal, while four units are given to both the midrange and high frequencies. A 3-way HQ impedance corrector is also implemented to help make sense of the signal flow, and help reproduce the highest amount of detail possible.

Soundstage

You may be expecting a lot from the Grace Platinum due to its high-end price, and you would be right for doing so. These IEMs completely live up to any expectations you might have. Starting with the soundstage, the Grace Platinum immediately sounds like an IEM from the highest grade. Its width extends far beyond the limits of the earphone’s outer shell, and it culminates in a stereo field that encapsulates the imaging in an expressive bubble of spatial enjoyment. Instrumentals are given the proper height and depths to clearly localize their positioning and use complex layers to demonstrate their articulation.

The Grace Platinum presents a good amount of airiness between its layers that provide the soundstage with a more vivid presentation, setting all of the sound elements with proper distancing. It helps compliment the IEM’s dynamic response as well, offering the soundstage an effective balance between the softest and loudest sounds you put through it. This makes the Grace Platinum capable of reaching a grander image, with the right tracks feeling gargantuan for an IEM.

Low End

In the bass response, the Grace Platinium presents a fine combination of texture and purity. It definitely leans more towards purity though, as the more clinical elements of the timbre are what’s most consistently on display. Clean and articulate bass outshine a thick and punchy one, but that doesn’t necessarily mean some coloration can’t make its way through. In fact, one of my favorite aspects of the bass tonality is that it can actually deliver some deep rumble at points, as it blooms into the sound field rather naturally, and with great effect. The content of the frequencies is exceptionally smooth and gives its great sense of clarity an even greater impact.

Mids

You can expect a similar amount of sonic fidelity from the midrange, supplying the sound signature with transparency and refined clarity. There are some rich spacious details happening within these bands, and they always appear full. I felt like the detail retrieval here makes it feel like nothing about the timbre is missed, as the Grace Platinum hits every note with an equal level of resolution. Their extension doesn’t result in a commanding presence, but the evenness of its tone helps portray more accuracy. The details might not be as emphasized, but they’ll always take a clear shape in the frequency response. busy classic rock tracks are a good standout, but film scores play to the Grace Platinum’s strengths quite well. String and brass sections sound huge, and when you add a dramatic choir to the mix, you would mistake these IEMs for a pair of over-ear headphones.

Highs

The treble response helps complete the sound signature with a sufficient amount of high-frequency bliss. Although quite smooth in tone, the Grace Platinum doesn’t miss out on some fulfilling top-end sparkle, adding a delicate clarity to the overall timbre. Going along with a major theme of this sound signature, the treble extends itself in a wholly realistic way. It’s more concerned with presenting a life-like aura rather than an artificially bright or piercing one.  The frequencies feel like they have the right amount of definition, all while being easily digestible for those who are more sensitive to treble.

Summary

The Earsonics Grace Platinum is simply one of the best IEMs out there right now. Everything from its platinum build to its serene sound signature is impeccable and rivals that of some of the top IEMs of the market today. It’s still a hard sell if you’re on a budget, but if you’re looking to seek out the best that IEMs have to offer, the Earsonics Grace Platinum might be what you’re looking for.

The Earsonics Grace Platinum is available at Audio46.