Introduction
Advanced is an audio company with their headquarters situated in New York. They have a wide range of products to cater to different needs. The Advanced M4 is an iem with a single dynamic driver. I would like to thank Advanced for this review unit. At the moment, you can purchase the Advanced M4 from https://www.adv-sound.com/collections/all-collection/products/m4 .
Specifications
- Drivers: Custom-tuned single dynamic driver
- Impedance: 16 Ohm+/-15%
- Sensitivity: 92dB+/-3dB at 1kHz
- Frequency response 20Hz – 20kHz
- Rated power input: 1mW
- input power: 5mW
Unboxing & Accessories
The Advanced M4 comes in a black package that has the brand name printed in white at the top. There is a transparent film to see the iem. At the back of the package, there is description on the iem. After opening the package, there is the Advanced M4 iem, 1 pair of comply foam tips, 3 pairs of black dual-flange tips (S/M/L), 3 pairs of black silicone tips (S/M/L), 3 pairs of white silicone tips (S/M/L), 1 premium carrying pouch and 1 shirt clip.
IEM Build & Design
The M4 has a silver surface to its shell. There is “ADV” printed on both sides at the other end of the iem. There is a vent at the top of the iem. The shell is made of aluminium and it is light weight. The nozzle is straight with a silicone material for earwax prevention. It is circular in shape and small. The fit is excellent as it sits in my ears comfortably.
Cable Build & Design
The cable is 4 core braided and it is black in colour. It is not detachable and there is strain relief. On the strain relief to the iem, there are L & R markings to differentiate between left and right respectively. There is no memory wire area section and the cable is rather soft and supple. There is a microphone and y-splitter black in colour. The jack is 3.5mm gold plated right angled with strain relief and the housing is constructed well.
Sound Analysis
Lows
The M4 has a good amount of quantity for its sub-bass and the extension is good. The sub-bass stretches with a good depth. The mid-bass has quite a lot of quantity and I feel the slam provides a strong punch to the overall sound. The bass dynamics is at a high level as there is a constant engagement. Decay is speedy and each bass note is being presented in a clean approach. Each time a bass note hits, there is impact. Bass texture is rather smooth in general. The bass articulation has finesse and control which makes the bass presentation natural sounding.
Mids
The midrange on the M4 operates in a transparent and clean approach. The lows transit smoothly to the lower mids. The midrange body is not sufficient enough to be classified as the thick and lush kind of mids. The lower mids has quantity and male vocals do not sound hollow. The upper mids are forward and boosted greatly for the maximization of female vocals intimacy. Overall, the midrange leans towards brighter side and the definition is presented well.
Highs
The treble is extended rather well and it operates in the brighter approach. I find the treble gives a lot of energy to the overall sound. It is not the smooth type but it is presented rather cleanly and precisely. There is slight sibilance and harshness at times. The control on the treble does not have a high level of mastery. Crisp on the M4 is existent and there is a good definition. The air present is quite good in quantity and there is space. Details retrieval has a good standard.
Soundstage
The M4 has a good expansion in its stage width and congestion is reduced. The positioning of vocals and instruments is rather accurate with a good separation. The depth is not close in and there is space. The soundstage of M4 is open.
Comparisons
Advanced M4 vs TFZ Exclusive King
The M4 has less sub-bass quantity than the King but there is more extension. The sub-bass reproduction from the M4 is being presented with more articulation. This precision allows each bass note to hit with confidence and authority. Mid-bass on the M4 has more quantity and slam. The mid-bass slam on King may be more soothing for some. Bass texture on both is rendered rather smoothly. Decay on the M4 is slightly quicker and there is more engagement. It is able to keep up with faster tracks. The bass note on the M4 is more agile. For the lower mids, the King has more body and there is thickness to the male vocals rendered. For upper mids, the forwardness on both is very similar. In the treble section, the M4 has slightly more extension. The King has better control and there is mastery. The energy shown from the King is more obvious. There is slight sibilance on the M4. In terms of soundstage, the King has the better width and depth. Vocals and instruments positioning is better on the King. Resolution of the King is slightly better.
Advanced M4 vs Mee Audio Pinnacle P2
The M4 has similar sub-bass quantity as the P2. The extension on the P2 is deeper and the bass on the P2 hits with more impact. Mid-bass on the M4 has more weight and there is more emphasis. Slam is being presented more. Bass texture on the M4 is rendered more smoothly. Decay on the P2 is slightly faster with more pace in its rumble. The bass on both is very clean. Moving on to the lower mids, there is more body in the M4 and the thickness helps to improve male vocals. The upper mids on the P2 is more forward and there is crisp. Definition on the P2 is more sharp. Female vocals are presented in a more intimate manner. In terms of treble, the P2 is more extended and the depth it reaches is better. Treble articulation on both is rather accurate. Details retrieval on the P2 is slightly better. For soundstage, there is similar width in the soundstage and P2 has the better depth. Layering and separation is approximately the same. Resolution is similar.
Advanced M4 vs Final Audio E3000
The M4 has more sub-bass quantity than the E3000. The extension on the E3000 stretches further out and the bass is more clean with definition. The mid-bass on the M4 has more weight and there is slam to it. The dynamics on the M4 is slightly better. Bass texture on the M4 is smoother and decay on the E3000 is faster. The finesse that M4 presents is at a higher standard. The lower mids of the M4 is thicker than the E300 and male vocals are presented better. The upper mids of the E3000 is more detailed and crisp. E3000 renders the upper mids section with more excitement that increases the overall engagement. On the other hand, M4 operates in a smooth laid back manner. In the treble section, there is more sparkle and energy in the E3000. There is crisp. M4 has a smooth treble with a good control. For soundstage width, E3000 has an edge while M4 excels in the depth. Vocals and instruments positioning on the E3000 is more accurate. Resolution on the E3000 is slightly better.
Conclusion
The Advanced M4 is a great iem by Advanced. It provides a slight v-shaped sound with emphasis in the mid-bass section. The level of finesse is excellent and with a clean approach in sound presentation, the M4 is certainly nice to listen to. In addition, the cable is constructed well and accessories are rather sufficient. Overall, the Advanced M4 has great value for its sound and overall packaging.
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