Packaging, Delivery Content:
The ES100 is delivered in a very small package, which includes the Bluetooth DAC, a short USB cable and a quick start guide, as well as the ES100's USB cable. A complete user manual, which can definitely be very useful, if not indispensable, for various functions and modes of the ES100, can be found on the manufacturer's website.
Unfortunately you won't find a lanyard for the loop on the device itself, which you can get over, though.
Brief Summary:
Actually the following (for me important) sound relevant key points would be sufficient for a description of some important characteristics of the Radsone ES100: hiss-free even with extremely sensitive in-ears, very low output impedance, linear frequency response output, generally good measurements, clean and transparent sound thanks to the use of modern codecs and good implementation of the components.
Intro and Body:
Whoever buys the ES100 will probably know in most cases what and why he bought the device, so the compact Bluetooth DAC with its key data is more aimed towards more demanding hi-fi enthusiasts than the average user, which should not mean, however, that the small, grey "wonder box", whose dimensions, layout and appearance strongly resemble the SanDisk Sansa Clip + or Clip Zip, would not also be suitable for the average user, since only because certain of its technical features are aimed at users of complex multi-driver in-ears, this doesn't mean that it would be interesting for the normal user, which I mean completely free of any rating, because with its smart functions and its equipment it definitely appeals to a wide range of wireless music fans, although fortunately it doesn't hide its roots, which lie in the range of demanding enthusiasts, and thus also represents a good playing partner for very sensitive in-ears with several balanced armature drivers as transducers.
Main Key Points and Pros:
But enough pure plain text, here are a few important key points, characteristics and measured values (confirmed by myself) in key point form, without claim to completeness (it should be mentioned here that I personally use the 3.5 mm jack output):
- Hiss performance with extremely sensitive in-ears (Campfire Audio Andromeda or Shure SE846): extremely good (even with my Andromeda in a quiet environment when playing an empty audio file, the perceptible background hiss is just one ยต above the threshold of perceptibility in a direct comparison - very, very few devices can do that, kudos to the AS100)
- Output impedance (measured and confirmed myself): ~ 0.4 Ohms -> also suitable for in-ears with non-flat impedance response (most multi-BA in-ears)
- Volume: adjustable in fine steps, but too loud for me personally even at the lowest setting (can be fixed by the user by reducing the volume on the Bluetooth transmitter by a few steps)
- Support of most modern Bluetooth codecs (aptX, aptX HD, even LDAC, ...), which are considered to be audibly transparent when well implemented.
- Fully symmetrical design (dual-mono); also via 3.5 mm TRS connection Dual-mono Use of DAC and amplifier components
- Can also be used as a USB DAC
- The volume of the beeps and notifications can be adjusted in the app (nice!)
- The status LED can be adjusted in the app
- 10-band equalizer adjustable in the app (settings remain saved on the ES100)
- Adjustable crossfeed (remains saved on the ES100) (nice!)
- The app shows the used Bluetooth transmission codec including bitrate and sampling rate
- Buffer memory can be set in the app (can be useful in case of latency problems (e.g. picture and sound distractingly delayed during video playback))
- Special battery care mode adjustable (battery is only charged to approx. 80-90%, which should increase service life)
- The ES100 can also be set so that it does not draw any power from the source device when connected as a USB DAC, but instead from the internal battery
- Output power can be displayed in the app
- Microphone sensitivity can be adjusted
- If desired, ambient noise can be passed through the microphone to the headphones (the volume of the ambient noise can be adjusted)
- The firmware of the ES100 can be updated by the user
- Handy clip
Cons:
Small points of criticism:
- The buttons are quite flat
- As already mentioned, no lanyard is supplied, although a loop is present on the device
- The case is made of simple-looking plastic, probably due to the price
- Think what you want about some of the sound-related marketing claims in the app
Subjectively Perceived Sound:
Not much needs to be said about the sound - essential things like the output frequency response, the output impedance and the noise behaviour are great and the other measured values are also good, which is why what you hear is clean and transparent (it might be that one or the other device from my inventory perhaps seems a bit more "transparent" subjectively, but this is hairsplitting, and has little to do with real listening conditions).
Conclusion:
Plenty of sound-related settings possible in the app, very good measured values (noise, output impedance) and correspondingly clean sound, fine volume steps (at the moment, however, the lowest possible hardware volume is not low enough for me, although it can still be achieved via compromises (reducing the source's software volume)), support of all modern Bluetooth codecs, can also be used as USB-DAC.
To sum it up, a very good overall package at a fair/attractive price, and a device that appeals both to owners of diva-esque and normal in-ears/headphones alike.
