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An Introduction to SIAS
Welcome to Shenzhen, the most famous city for the “Made in China” tag on electronic devices and the source for all of your IEM dreams. For the 18th time, Shenzhen invited audio fans and especially IEM nerds to the SIAS (Shenzhen International Audio Show) event. Just recently, I visited CIHE (Chinese International Headphone Expo) hosted in Beijing for the 6th time. Though some exhibitors were the same, the overall show had a very different feeling. Next to audio, SIAS also advertises cosplay, coffee and computer keyboards.
Friendly note: Do not mistake SIAS for SIAV! SIAV (Shanghai International Audio & Video Show) is held in April and is mostly about hifi and high-end audio speakers. (BTW, I also visited SIAV this year.)
If you haven’t yet, read my previous post about thoughts on the CIHE event.
Same as with CIHE, I did not travel to China to attend the show and I did not know if I could make it. My agenda was different, but I could still make room for half a day to attend SIAS and I am happy that I did. However, the first day, September 20th, was only a “preview”. Some exhibitors arrived late, the stage was empty and (most) cosplayers would not show up until the weekend. But even the preview day had lots of energy, many visitors and a very inviting atmosphere. BTW, the venue is Tencent’s workspace, an office building hovering over a food street, on top of a huge shopping mall. I would have enjoyed walking around and having a good time even without audio gear, but this was much more impressive than the usual hotels that serve as venues.
Size Comparison
As for size, both CIHE and SIAS listed 201 exhibitors. Somehow, I doubt this is a coincidence and more of a showing of respect towards each other, with neither wanting to claim that it’s bigger. SIAS felt like it had more tables, but maybe I am mistaken. I was told they’d expect 4.000 visitors over the weekend, so either that is very optimistic or my assumption for 2.000 at CIHE is wrong. One thing is for sure, the audience in Shenzhen is younger and the exhibitors are as well. While talking about exhibitors, hosts and main sponsors were MoonDrop and Leiyin Audio, both of which I have known since 2018 or even earlier. (As far as MoonDrop and I are aware, I was the first to feature and recommend MoonDrop in the West.)
Brand and Product Features
Prominent at the Show: MoonDrop and Shenzhen Audio
If you are not familiar with the name Leiyin, it’s the company behind Shenzhen Audio. Leiyin does more than sell internationally at a price advantage, they also handle the marketing for many of your favourite Chi-Fi brands and run their socials too. This especially helps new brands to manage their resources. When I discovered MoonDrop, I learned that Leiyin were handling their marketing and distribution, and I think this partnership still stands today. 水月(Shui Yue)’s success is exemplary and a big inspiration for fellow audiophiles. This was quite apparent to me and that is why I chose the title “Celebrating the Success of Chi-Fi”. Over the years I’ve seen both parties grow and nearly dominate the market. They have a very good understanding of the younger audiophiles and deserve all the success they have.
Official Websites: MoonDrop & Shenzhen Audio
MoonDrop
I find the expansion of the MoonDrop brand fascinating. They started with traditional IEMs and earbuds. They also have full-size headphones, TWS, cables, DACs, a smartphone, portable CD players and now also speakers! Yes, that is correct. At the show, MoonDrop prepared a listening room for their ultra-compact, 2-way, 3-driver, MTM-designed, passive near-field monitors. As the biggest woofer is only 4 inches, these narrow vertical speakers have the optimal size for a (gaming) desktop. The setup used an RME ADI-2 DAC to equalize room reflections and an amp in cooperation with SMSL. It looked very professional, like a mini home studio, though I can’t quite imagine this setup in pro-audio quite yet. Anyway, I am sure the product will be a success and another important stepping stone for the further expansion of the brand and the Pedo-Fi subcategory (reference to the CIHE article).
Truthear & I\O Audio
While on the subject of underage anime audio, this was the first time I listened to Truthear. I was presented the Gate. The build quality immediately reminded me of the toys you’d find in a Kinder Überraschungsei, but the bass and midrange tuning were excellent. The treble and resolution were lacking to me, but I had never expected a price as low as 19,99 USD!!! Truthear also asked me to try the IEM on the neighbouring table: INO, IVO, or 1\0? FYI, it’s I\O and a terribly unfriendly name for search engines. (Shenzhen Audio lists them as IOAUDIO.) I think it’s supposed to be I/O for Input/Output, but I will promise to find out more. To make it short, I listened to the Sogno and fell in love! I also prefer it over the Volare, which I found to be slightly veiled and lack the treble energy that I am used to from near-field monitoring.
Product page on Shenzhen Audio: IOAUDIO SOGNO
iBasso DX260
Since iBasso didn’t show up in Beijing, I took the chance to try the DX260 in Shenzhen. The preview day was silent enough to get some first impressions with my custom-fitted RS10. The DX260 was so energetic, precise and detailed that I would consider using it as a daily alternative to the Chord Mojo 2. Just as with the IO Sogno, I feel like I need to have it. (As I am writing this, I just ordered both.)
I do have some issues with the Android UI, though. It doesn’t look like a DAP at all, but like a castrated smartphone and it‘s not inviting to browse music. I will see how Mango OS fares or how the UI can be customized.
DUNU Akashi
The DUNU Akashi left me very impressed in Beijing, so I had to give it another listen. But this time it sounded very different to my ears. Gone was the natural and tight warmth I immediately agreed with, instead it sounded shouty and heavy on the treble this time. Again, I couldn’t play my own tracks so I can’t say which tuning impressions are correct. Or maybe it’s because IEMs have objectively better tuning nowadays that I am more critical of the Akashi after checking out new IEMs, whereas in Beijing I listened to headphones first. Also, other headphones, especially the Liric II, left me very unimpressed that day.
Softears
You know I am a fan of the Softears brand. I don’t need to mention any products here since I feature them way too much already. But for those that were scared about the Enigma price tag, I think they can relax as the next two products will be a lot more affordable. However, interestingly, the Softears booth was also covered in anime girls this time. They were also separated from the MoonDrop booth, which I think might have to do with them not being represented by Shenzhen Audio. Maybe they adjusted to Shenzhen, the booth design was handled by someone else or in the future we will see anime girls on Softears too. Who knows…
Keycaps
Yes, sorry, I know nothing about this market but the colorful keyboards keep showing up everywhere. They had their separate space at the show. Basically you customize your keyboard and make every key unique. The booth featured here is by Keymoji and at the table were two guys previously involved in IEMs. I found that to be very interesting. If you are interested, you can head over to their website to find out more because I won’t.
Outro
That’s all the impressions I want to share today. It was a fun yet short trip and I would recommend SIAS over CIHE based on this year, but if you want to check out an audio show in China, you should consider the Guangzhou event in November first. And don’t forget that Hong Kong is way more inviting and easier to get around as a foreigner, which is just a 14min train ride from Shenzhen.
Personally, I met a lot more familiar faces in Shenzhen due to my strong interest in IEM and past review career. I probably spent more time chatting with likeminded people than trying out products. I really wish I would have had more time as I know I ran past a few people I wanted to say hi to later, but I guess I have to come back next year for that.
