LOAK-PROTOTYPE 02 (LP02) has been released. Detailed information about the product is available on 634EARS’ product page (the following page). In this blog post, we will delve into the specifics of LOAK-PROTOTYPE 02 (LP02), compare its sound with other models, and provide insights into the wood materials used for the rear housing.
Details of LOAK-PROTOTYPE 02(LP02)
The LOAK-PROTOTYPE series is a new iteration of LOAK that emerged during the prototyping phase of LOAK2 production. LOAK-PROTOTYPE 02(LP02) takes the sound of PROTOTYPE 01(LP01) and enhances it by making it thicker and mellower, while also infusing it with a more passionate, resonant sound.
Housing:
The housing configuration is also detailed on LOAK-PROTOTYPE page of our website but it consists of the following components:
Front Housing: Titanium
Body Housing: Titanium
Rear Housing: Various types of wood (Stainless steel, brass, copper for LP01 model, brass only for LP03)
PROTOTYPE has a front housing made of the same titanium material as LOAK2, and the body housing is also titanium. The body housing is made with 3D printing technology. The use of titanium as a material allows for fast and large compression and repulsion of air in the rear housing. This allows the diaphragm to move quickly and significantly, reproducing dynamic, wide-range sound with a quick, sharp response.
As with the LOAK2, the front housing incorporates thin stainless steel where the drivers are fixed. Titanium and aluminum are excellent materials for transmitting the sound emitted by dynamic drivers to the tip of the nozzle, but they are less effective in damping vibrations. Therefore, by incorporating stainless steel into the driver contact surface, the vibration of the dynamic driver is effectively suppressed, resulting in powerful bass and clear sound without distortion.
The diaphragm of the dynamic driver is now made of carbon material. It is rigid but responds well to deformation and can move quickly and significantly. The result is quick response, sharp and accurate sound, and a wide dynamic audio range.
Sound Quality
PROTOTYPE 02(LP02) further enriches the musicality of LP01, resulting in a thicker and mellower sound. The mid-bass, in particular, resonates beautifully, creating a more relaxed atmosphere, characterized by a sense of passion and liveliness.
Comparison with Previous Models :
It significantly differs from the old LOAK models. The closest comparison might be LOAK-TC, but the sound is even richer. Unlike the old LOAK’s tight and rigid sound, it offers a softer, mellower, and warmer sound.
Comparison with LOAK2:
The sound is quite different from LOAK2. It offers a fat sound with excellent resonance in the mid-low range. It’s mellower and warmer compared to LOAK2(CL). However, despite its rich sound, it has good sound separation and is pleasant to listen to. Similar to LP01, it provides an open soundstage and a well-balanced bass. Moreover, the unique resonance in the mid-range enhances the emotional quality of vocals, especially jazz and male vocals in the lower frequency range. It delivers a musical and enjoyable sound rather than a monitor-like one.
Comparison with other PROTOTYPE models
LP01 has a sharper and more detailed sound, with clear contours. In contrast, LP02 offers a thicker, warmer, and slower sound. When compared to LP03, LP02 has more openness but slightly weaker bass.
In terms of fundamental audio performance, LP01 outperforms LP02 in many aspects. However, LP02 possesses a unique richness and resonance in the mid-range that is unmatched. It captures the emotions of vocalists and performers exceptionally well. This IEM fully reflects my personal sound preferences and makes jazz and soul music, which I frequently enjoy, sound incredibly moody. While LP02 may have lower resolution and less sharpness compared to LP01, it compensates with its distinct personality, which I highly appreciate.
About the Wood Material for the Rear Housing :
Because this model is open-back, the choice of wood for the rear housing does not affect the sound to any great degree. No matter which wood is chosen, the sound of the LP02 is consistent, and the material chosen will not cause significant changes that would cause it to resemble other models. However, if one listens carefully there are slight differences in sound.
LP02 has a thick, warm, and mild sound, so using very soft wood could overly soften the sound and make it lose definition. Therefore, it’s recommended to opt for wood with a certain level of hardness.
I crafted my LP02 using African Padauk, which, while not exceptionally dense, offers adequate hardness. This choice of wood balances LP02’s mild and thick sound, ensuring that the contours remain distinct without excessive blurring. African Padauk tends to produce a relatively lightweight sound, and it provides well-balanced bass, a bright and open tonality, and delightful color and resonance in the sound. If you desire a more contrasting and dense sound, selecting a denser wood may be more suitable.
