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.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Periodic Audio uses the same box as with the Beryllium and Titanium IEMs so once again we see their logo and an exposed drawing of the product at the front.

A few words about the product itself and its manufacturing process is printed at the rear.

The front opens up to reveal two graphs and the features and specifications of the Carbon IEMs.

The bundle is secured in place with by an extension of the box.

Along with the Carbon IEMs Periodic Audio also packs a gold colored aluminum case, gold plated airplane adapter and 9 pairs of earbuds (six silicone and three memory foam ones) in S/M/L sizes (for some strange reason this time the bundle lacks the 3.5mm to 6.3mm gold plated adapter).

THE CARBON

The aluminum carrying / storage case is large enough for both the IEM's and the airplane adapter.

Periodic Audio likes to cover the needs of every single consumer out there so once again they've placed 9 pairs of ear tips (dual and single flange medical grade silicone earbuds and foam earbuds all in small, medium and large).

Once again, we find the same 1.5 meter long silicone coated 4-core cable with butyl rubber strain reliefs used in both the Beryllium and Titanium models (although tangle-proof these are unfortunately non-detachable ones so strain concerns do exist).

The bullet design of the polycarbonate polymer bodies is nothing new since to date all of the IEMs produced by Periodic Audio have featured the same (these may not have the same fit as angled models but they are very efficient in terms of acoustics).

Moving at the rear we find the same grade 304 stainless steel caps used in previous models (however black for the Carbon model).

At the top of the polycarbonate polymer body there's a small vent hole.

As with all previous models these IEMs have no left and right markings, instead the grade 316 stainless steel grilles of the nozzles (6mm in diameter) are painted differently (red for right).

The 1.5 meter long silicone cable has a gold plated 3.5mm jack on its end.

For the majority of this review i used the FiiO M11 Music Player (best one right now in the lab) paired with ear tips by SpinFit (used over 100 lossless FLAC tracks for this review).

CONCLUSION

   The most bass-rich IEM's by Periodic Audio I’ve used to date have been the Be (Beryllium) so the first thing i wanted to check was how the Carbon compared to those and to my surprise they come really close to that (still less which for me is a good thing). However, unlike the Beryllium IEMs the Carbon also produce more accurate and crisp highs which as mentioned earlier for me and the type of music i listen to is far more important (not much bass-heavy tracks in my lossless FLAC collection). Unfortunately, Periodic Audio doesn't seem to want to move away from the fixed silicone cable and the bullet polycarbonate polymer bodies (noise isolation is very good and according to them this design helps with acoustics so these could be the reasons behind that) even though the addition of a detachable cable along with angled bodies would add both to the durability and comfort of these IEMs.

   With less than a day left before 2019 closes its doors the C (Carbon) IEMs by Periodic Audio are currently on sale from them directly for just USD199.50 (GEESE code, valid until tomorrow) a price tag which is significantly less compared to the retail of USD399.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and 471Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk). That being said if you care a lot about bass levels the Be (Beryllium) model could be better for you so do also take that into account. Overall however the C (Carbon) IEMs are among the most balanced audiophile ones I’ve both used and tested to date (certainly the best from Periodic Audio) and for that they certainly deserve our Platinum Award. With that out of the way i wish all of you, your families and your loved ones a HAPPY NEW YEAR, may 2020 bring all of you/us every happiness and success 2019 didn't.

PROS

- Build Quality (Polycarbonate / Stainless Steel Enclosures)
- Audio Reproduction (Rich Bass with Crisp & Detailed Mids / Highs)
- Carbon Layer Diaphragms
- Aluminum Carrying / Storage Case
- 9 Sets of Ear Tips (Silicone and Memory Foam Ones)
- 5 Year Limited Warranty

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- 3.5mm to 6.3mm Gold Plated Adapter Not Included