BGVP is a company I’ve been increasingly impressed by. My first experience with them was the NS9, followed by the DM7, which I reviewed here. Today, we’ll be looking at the DM8, which runs for $349, an increasingly common price range for IEMs in the current market. Based on the less expensive NS9 and DM7, I had high hopes for the DM8. Let’s talk about how it performs along with how it compares to the DM7.
What’s in the Box
- BGVP DM8
- Carrying Case
- Ear tips (Foam and Rubber)
- 2.5mm MMCX Cable
- 3.5mm adapter
- 4.4mm adapter
- Cleaning tool
Look and Feel
The standard DM8 model we have here comes in silver. However, for a little bit of extra cash, you can purchase the unique woodcarving version for $379. As for the silver model, it’s a simple but sheik and modern design. The glimmering metal backing adds a stylish touch, while the clear body makes for a classic high-tech IEM look. Fit wise, these have a standard universal shape to them with smooth edges that into the ear nice and snug, settling in quickly.
Design
These use 8 balanced armature drivers: two Sonion drivers for the bass, one Sonion and one Knoweles for the mid range, and then two more Knowles drivers for the Treble and “Super Tweeter.” The DM8’s cable uses high purity OFC silver plated wire, which is covered in an insulating sheath “making it more efficient in transmission.”
These have a frequency response of 10Hz-40kHz and an impedance of 27 Ohms
Soundstage
The soundstage on the DM8 is far above average for its price range. What struck me most about it was its sound separation, which had incredible accuracy even with the most complex compositions. Instruments are dispersed across quite a wide sonic expanse, a sign of the growing abilities of IEMs in more accessible price ranges. Their depth was equally impressive, with a sense of live performance created through the placement of vocals and surrounding instruments in a very natural feeling formation.
Low
The DM8 has a very analogue sound to its low end. On more synthetic productions, it’s able to add some extra warmth and flavor to the lows, taking away some of the rather impersonal electronic timbres that can come from other IEMs. The punch of the low end feels focused lower down, which will give a nice floor thudding sensation, but will not spend a lot of its energy on the upper-low “slap.” I personally prefer a lower set impact and like the light rumble it offers. These have an overall bass boost on them, but not an extreme one. The sub frequencies feel present too, but are not going to grab your attention immediately.
Mid
The mid range on the DM8 is very smooth and serene. The high mid feels a bit cut, but this cut creates cleanliness more than it does emptiness. I’d recommend these for someone who wants a subtle V-shape. The high mid is boosted a bit in very particular areas, giving us a series of small pockets to create a more groomed, refined sense of presence. The low mid is neutrally leveled, cut back a few decibels but still positioned more forward than the high mid, helping it to build off of and blend with the heightened lows.
High
The DM8’s high end is clearly extended, but the area boosted (somewhere around the 10-15kHz range) is clearly quite small. This is a good way to bring about brightness in my opinion, as a large, plateaued high end boost is more likely to lead to harshness or hiss. This thin layer of crispness adds a delicate sheen to the sound of the DM8, which is a nice complement to its thumping lows and groomed mids. The high end on these is a good mid point that could definitely please a wide range of tastes for brightness, as it keeps things fairly tame while still bringing out those essential textures.
DM7 vs. DM8
The DM7 has a bit of a less controlled punch from the bass, so it will be better suited for those who want more intensity and are ok with a more dominant low end. The DM8 has a more subdued low mid than the DM7, which has more coloring and body to its low mid, making for a flatter mid range response. The DM8 is a fair amount brighter than the DM7, giving it a stronger shine and overall silkier sound. Their soundstage are comparable, with the DM8 outdoing the DM7 in width at times. I’d say the DM7 is for those who want heavier attack and darker highs, while the DM8 is for those who want an extra cleaned up sound and boosted but contained low end response.
Overall
The DM8 are yet another impressive IEM from BGVP, a company who is on their way to competing with the biggest names in high fidelity audio. These have expert handling and a well-thought out tuning that holds a lot of versatility in its style. The DM8 set the bar higher for the $200-$400 price range, and are unlikely to disappoint your ears.
You can purchase the BGVP DM8 IEMs Here.
