INTRODUCTION

   Listening to music while using public transportation, working out or right before i go to sleep has been a way of life for me for as far back as i can remember so really i doubt it will ever change (at least not without a serious reason). Because of that as I’ve stated numerous times in the past I’m always open to testing/reviewing earphones which i can use for that exact purpose and even though there's no way i can ever get around to testing them all i try my best. For the past 3 weeks I’ve been working on 4 things, our giveaway (which ended a few days back and the details of most winners have already reached the manufacturers participating in it), reviving our GPU reviews section (several such reviews coming up in the following days), building an 9900k/Z390 test rig (dedicated for dual-channel RAM reviews) and finally testing the latest IEM flagship by Periodic Audio, the Carbon (C).

       Founded in 2016, Periodic Audio is led by the seasoned team of Daniel Wiggins, Mike Kim, Zeke Burgess, and Ben Webster. Collectively, they have more than 140 years of consumer electronics experience in electronic, mechanical, firmware, acoustical, and industrial design for a wide variety of brands, including Apple, Blue Microphones, Event Electronics, Flextronics, Harman International, Mackie, Microsoft, SONOS, and Starke Sound.

   Exactly like the Titanium (Ti) and Beryllium (Be) In-Ear Monitors the latest Carbon (C) take their name from the diaphragm material used for the two 10mm drivers which in this case is a lab-grown diamond layer (8 microns) from their very own proprietary high-temperature polymer substrate. Honestly this is probably the very first time I’ve such material used for a driver diaphragm (according to Periodic Audio diaphragm-based distortion doesn’t happen with this material) so i didn't know just what to expect but the numbers provided by Periodic Audio are very impressive. Purely for comparison purposes the Ti (Titanium) IEMs again by Periodic Audio sport a frequency response of 16Hz-30kHz with 32Ohm impedance and 96dB sensitivity (117.5dB peak SPL) whereas the C (Carbon) IEMs feature a frequency response of 12Hz-38KHz with 32Ohm impedance and 98dB sensitivity (121dB peak SPL). In terms of exterior quality Periodic Audio has once again used the same polycarbonate polymer bodies (just painted matte black for the Carbon model) complete with rear caps made out of grade 304 stainless steel (18% chromium - 8% nickel) and front grilles made out of grade 316 stainless steel (16% chromium - 10% nickel - 2% molybdenum), butyl rubber strain reliefs and the same 1.5 meter long silicone cable (not detachable) with a gold plated 3.5mm plug on its end. Of course, this wouldn't be an audiophile class product if it wasn't covered with the same 5-year limited warranty as their past models.