[Review] Creative Aurvana InEar3

Talk about computer audio and one of the topics that come up will be about Creative. This truely Singaporean company revolutionized the computer audio industry with their SoundBlaster sound cards, which remained popular well into the 90s. They are also well known for their ZEN series of MP3 players. Now their Creative Aurvana Live! headphones are known for delivering great sound at an affordable price point, but the Aurvana series of IEMs do not receive much attention.

The Aurvana InEar series all utilize balanced armature drivers. The Creative Aurvana InEar3 is the third model of the lineup, featuring two balanced armature drivers, utilizing dual bore technology (something like what is seen in the UE900) which acts as a mechanical crossover that separates the woofer from the tweeter. Now with so many dual BA IEMs around, can it stand up to the rest of the competition?

The Creative Store at Marina Square is closing down, and so there is a closing down sale, with products like the Creative Gigaworks T3 being priced attractively. Seeing the Creative Aurvana InEar3 fall to a price of 109SGD, I went ahead and got it.

The packaging is really good, in fact it is one of the best I have seen. Despite the extensive use of plastic, it never fails to portray the elegance of the Aurvana InEar 3. The packaging makes the Aurvana InEar 3 look like an art piece rather than part of an audio setup.

The accessories are excellent too. There are 3 pairs of silicone tips, 2 pairs of foam tips, airline adapter, cleaning tool, hardshell case with integrated cable winder, and an acrylic case that can be used to display the Aurvana InEar3 like an art piece.

Build quality is decent, though there are some questionable areas. The shells are glossy and made of plastic, and I wonder whether the gloss of the InEar 3 will hold up over time. The design itself seems to remind one of the Shure SE535. The strain reliefs are actually really soft and flexible, in fact the most flexible I have ever seen. The wires are soft but a little too thin, which does not really give one confidence when it comes to the durability of the wires itself.

Comfort is very good due to the over the ear design like the BA200. With rounded housings and soft cables, it would feel comfortable in most ears. However, its large shells may be uncomfortable in smaller ears compared to say, the BA200.

Unlike most Dual BAs which utilizes a passive crossover, Creative seems to be using their dual bore technology to act as a mechanical crossover. So how does their earphones sound? Let us find out.

Bass is accurate and controlled. It is tight, punchy and has good texture to it. It is not particularly prominent though with the forward midrange. Also, it tends to roll off slightly at the lower end, causing it to have less of a subwoofer feel compared to say, a Klipsch X10.

The mids are very smooth and thick. They are also forward, giving the InEar 3 a mid-centric signature. Comparing with the BA200, the BA200 has a thinner note presentation and a less forward midrange. At the same time the BA200 carries a bit more detail compared to the InEar 3. The InEar 3 has a thicker, creamier midrange that is extremely smooth. Those looking for a monitor-like signature might find themselves craving for a little more detail.

The treble is very laid back, even more so than the BA200. This makes it a very non-fatiguing IEM. Also, there is no harshness or sibilance present, making it an enjoyable listen for long hours. However, compared to other IEMs with crisper top ends, like the TF10 or Quadbeat Pro for example, the Aurvana InEar 3 seems veiled. This is also due to the attention grabbing midrange, which results in the treble being less focused on.

The presentation is good for its signature. While not particularly out of the head like the Quadbeat Pro, it has good layering and separation. However, compared to other models like the BA200, it feels less airy due to the lower treble presence.

With regard to efficiency, I find this one of the most efficient IEMs I ever have. It is really meant to be powered by portable players. With my iPod Nano 7G, I can run it at 4 volume notches lower than my BA200. Thus people who purchase the InEar 3 need not worry about their players being unable to power the IEM to sufficient volume levels.

The Creative Aurvana InEar3 is a great monitor that can be mistaken as part of the Shure lineup. At the current street prices, it is one of the cheapest dual BAs around. I can see it as an introductory IEM to the world of balanced armatures, and a good introduction to the Shure lineup. While not very impressive at first listen, its smooth and inoffensive signature makes for an enjoyable listening experience.