FlipEars Legion Review

In the ever-evolving world of in-ear monitors, the FlipEars Legion Tribrid stands as a testament to cutting-edge audio engineering and stunning aesthetics. We’re going to delve into what you can expect from the FlipEars Legion, including its remarkable soundstage, robust low-end response, detailed mids, and crisp highs. Join me as we explore this audio marvel and uncover whether it lives up to its illustrious reputation.

What You Get

• FlipEars Legion Tribrid IEMs
• Zipper Case
• 2-pin 4.4mm Cable
• Drawstring Ear Tip bag
• 6 Sets of Ear Tips
• Cleaning Tool
• Envelope With Warranty Info

Look & Feel

There are a few IEMs on the market that I would say have shells with great art, but FlipEars takes it to a whole new level with the Legion. These jewelry-casted faceplates are the most strikingly detailed component I have ever seen on an IEM. I’m also a sucker for this aesthetic, which takes inspiration from Roman Legion, and medieval knight helmets. It looks like something you’d see in an antique shop and I mean that as a huge compliment. The dimension of the faceplate makes it look authentic, the same quality as a valuable collectible. While you might find the Legion’s design incredibly cool, you might also get the impression that they don’t seem comfortable to wear. For some, this is the case, but for me, they were surprisingly quite comfortable. They sat in my ears with ease and never caused me any noticeable fatigue.

Design

The FlipEars Legion has an interesting tribrid driver configuration. It’s not the typical combination of dynamic, balanced armature, and electrostatic units. You do get a dynamic driver, but the other two are a bone conductor named “Earquake,” and a tweeter named SPARK Electret. Terminating to 4.4mm, the Legion requires a proper DAC device to use it. I used the Astell & Kern HC4, which provided more than enough power to synergize with these drivers.

Soundstage

From the start of my first track, the Legion opened up and revealed an impressive stereo width. My first track was “A Quick One Before the Eternal Worm Devours Connecticut” by Deathconciousness, and immediately the left channel was full of detailed acoustic guitar. It was positioned about shoulder length, and everything outside of it was a big open space. While the headspace has definitive barriers, the soundstage allows everything to breathe, and it highly affects how the Legion images.

There is tons of movement to the Legion, presenting spatial dynamics that are incredibly immersive and holographic. Instrument layering is very graceful, communicating sound elements that appear on top of others while still offering the same level of precision. This creates an impeccable sense of scale that IEMs for less than a thousand dollars have trouble replicating. With the Legion, the soundstage and imaging are identifiably stereo due to its left and right channel balance, but they image so well that it creates this hovering effect that places your head in the middle of everything.

Low End 

This is a bone conductor driver, and that usually means a lot of bass. I won’t beat around the barrel, the Legion slams. I guess they call it the Earquake driver for a reason. The rumbly foundation that the Legion lays in its sub-bass makes a huge impression on the sound signature. It’s a visceral vibration that will take you to basshead heaven. Not only will its impact tell you that, but its definition too. The individual notes are highlighted, even on tracks with a relatively calm bass performance. It tells you that the Legion does more than add this theatrical low-end tone. The Legion can also feature incredible depth, adding shape to plucked bass strings while the texture of the bass sweetens it up with a layer of growl.

Mids

While the midrange might not offer the same impact that the bass does, it’s still able to showcase tons of clarity. Notes don’t have the same finesse or strike to them, but there’s still a fullness to the frequency response that allows for a high level of musicality. I’m missing a bit of edge to certain instruments, but that doesn’t take away from their overall detail and spaciousness. The mids still convey energy too, still managing to reproduce lush textures with its lacking body. Artifacts are still extracted from the sound, and vocals are very crisp, sitting slightly in front of the mix and raised up.

Highs

At first, I thought the treble came in too hot but the sensation went away the more I listened. Even though they gave off this impression of overt brightness, that’s not really the timbre of the Legion’s high frequencies. They have the same amount of drive as the mids, but there’s a more neutral tone to it. There’s not a ton of sparkle or glisten to the tail end of instruments or cymbals, but the sound signature is still very clear here. It has just enough shimmer to raise the height of the treble without featuring much coloration. I wouldn’t call them raw either, so expect a sufficient resolution without much ring to it.

Summary

The FlipEars Legion Tribrid IEMs not only offer an extraordinary auditory experience but also bring a sense of artistry to their design that sets them apart from traditional options. Their innovative driver technology, combined with impressive soundstage capabilities and rich sound fidelity, makes them a worthy investment for passionate music lovers. While they may not be the most comfortable option for everyone, the auditory rewards they provide leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a music enthusiast looking to elevate your listening experience, the FlipEars Legion delivers, proving that exceptional sound quality can indeed coexist with breathtaking aesthetics. Embrace the power of immersive audio and consider making the FlipEars Legion a part of your sound journey.

The FlipEars Legion is available at Audio46.