Introduction
Toneking is a Chinese company that produces in-ear monitors and earbuds. I will be reviewing the Toneking 150 ohms earbud, TO180. I would like to thank Penon Audio and Toneking for this opportunity to review this earbud. At the moment, you can purchase the Toneking 150 ohms earbud at https://penonaudio.com/toneking-65150200ohm-earbud.html or https://toneking.aliexpress.com/store/3216145 .
Specifications
- Driver unit: 15.4mm dynamic driver
- Impedance: 150 ohm
- Rated power: 111dB/mW
- Frequency Response: 13 Hz – 33 Khz
Unboxing & Accessories
The earbud comes in a simple matte black package with the Toneking brand name in silver on the front. After opening the box, you will see a black soft carrying case sporting the Toneking brand name in black on the front. Inside the case, you will get the Toneking 150 ohms earbud, 1 shirt clip and 8 pairs of foam. There is a wire mesh in the case for separating the earbud and other accessories.
Earbud Build & Design
The earbud has a plastic shell and is rose gold in colour. There are L and R markings on the left and right shell respectively for differentiation. On each of the shell, there is a silver vent and below it, there are the Toneking logo and model name. There is a vent at the bottom of the earbud. This earbud features a detachable mmcx cable. The earbud construction is rather good and just like other earbuds, it is lightweight and sits in my ears comfortably. The rose gold finish on the earbud is aesthetically pleasing to look at.
Cable Build & Design
The material being used to make this cable is silver-plated oxygen-free copper. The cable is quite flexible and soft. It has a shiny look. There are markings on both connectors to indicate left and right. The y-splitter is glossy black with a silver stripe at the bottom of the housing. The jack is a 3.5mm straight gold plated and has a glossy black housing with a silver stripe at the top of the housing. There is strain relief.
Sound Analysis
Lows
The TO180 has a great sub-bass extension which provides a rather impactful punch. The sub-bass has a good depth to it with a moderate rumble. Rumble packs pace and the speed allows the sub-bass to be presented in a very lively approach. Bass decay is moderately fast and each bass note is being portrayed with finesse. The bass texture on the TO180 is not the smoothest around. There is a good amount of body to its sub-bass. Mid-bass has a moderate slam. The bass exerts itself with a strong authority without sounding too aggressive. There is a nice transition from the lows to the lower mids.
Mids
The midrange has a nice forward approach and female vocals shine with confidence. There is a nice quantity in the midrange. The lower mids has sufficient body to tackle male vocals. There is no dry feeling here. The upper mids on the TO180 is being presented with a nice magnitude of forwardness and female vocals benefit from it with a tinge of sweetness. There is crisp and definition for an organic vocals performance.
Treble
There is no restriction on the treble and it has a great extension to it. There is no sibilance and harshness. In addition, there is no grain in the treble. It packs details and there is a great level of clarity to it. The amount of air has a good amount and it gives a very open presentation to it. The treble complements well with the midrange. There is a good bite to it too and with such an energetic approach, the treble is enjoyable.
Soundstage
The TO180 has a fantastic stage width and it gives a great surround feel. It is capable of tackling busier tracks and congestion is reduced. The positioning of instruments and vocals is precise. The depth has great space and the overall stage is excellent.
Comparisons
Toneking TO180 vs Toneking TO200
The TO180 has more sub-bass quantity but the TO200 extension is greater with more depth. The sub-bass reproduction on the TO200 is clean and accurate but the TO180 is not very far behind. The bass articulation on the TO200 is slightly more refined. The TO180 has slightly more speed and its rumble is more agile. The mid-bass on the TO180 has more slam and with a greater dynamics, the bass is more engaging to listen to. Bass on the TO200 takes on a laid-back approach instead. The midrange on the TO200 is more controlled than the TO180. The lower mids on the TO180 has slightly more quantity than the TO200. The upper mids on the TO180 has more forwardness and female vocals benefit especially. The transparency and details retrieval is better on the TO200. Next, in terms of treble, I find them to have similar extension. There is slightly more clarity on the TO200 with mastery. There is no sibilance and harshness on both. The air rendered on the TO200 is slightly more. For the stage, TO200 has the edge in width and its expansion is slightly more natural. The depth is pretty similar. Overall, the TO180 has a lively sound while TO200 approaches it in an analytical way.
Toneking TO180 vs TY Hi-Z F300M
The TO180 has similar sub-bass quantity as the F300M. The extension on the F300M has slightly more depth with a clinical take on it. The bass decay on the TO180 is more agile and the speed of it allows the TO180 to deliver an engaging rumble. Bass articulation on both is very accurate. The mid-bass on the TO180 has slightly more weight to it. There is more slam but the mid-bass presentation on the F300M is quicker. The lower mids on the F300M has more quantity than the TO180. The upper mids on the TO180 has better forwardness and control. There is more mastery on the TO180. Female vocals are better expressed. Next, for the treble, the F300M is presented with more air and they share similar extension. There is slightly more aggression on the F300M with a high level of details retrieval. Lastly, the stage width has similar magnitude. The depth on the F300M is better with more space rendered. The positioning of instruments and vocals is more precise on the F300M. Resolution of F300M is better.
Toneking TO180 vs Ourart TI7
The TO180 has more sub-bass quantity than the TI7 and it has more extension. The depth is significantly better. Impact provided by the TO180 is greater. TI7 approaches it in a smooth and laid-back manner. Decay on the TO180 is quicker and each bass note is being expressed with extra agility. The dynamics on the TO180 is better but the texture is very smooth on the TI7. For mid-bass, the TI7 operates in a heavier approach with more slam. The pace is faster on the TO180. The lower mids on the TI7 has more body and it is fuller as such. On the other hand, the TO180 is not as dense sounding as the TI7. There is a good balance. The upper mids on the TO180 is more crisp with better definition. Female vocals are sweeter and more organic. The treble on the TO180 has more air with more details. For stage, the TO180 is superior in all aspects. Resolution on the TO180 is better.
Conclusion
The TO180 is a lively and fun sounding earbud that has a visceral bass impact and organic midrange. It delivers female vocals in an exciting approach and the sweetness is being expressed well. Coupled with the immense stage, it is an immersive experience. In addition, it features a detachable mmcx cable and the build quality is great. The ToneKing TO180 is an impressive earbud that has a good combination of excitement and crisp.
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