Yinyoo V2

Disclaimer:  I purchased the Yinyoo v2 for the purpose of review at a slight discount from Wooeasy Earphones via AliExpress.    I have no affiliation or financial interest in either Yinyoo or WooEasy and my notes are exactly that, mine.

Unboxing / Packaging:

The V2 comes in a white slip cover box with graphics of the earpieces, the Yinyoo Logo, the model name etc on the front and the details in both English and Chinese on the reverse.  Inside the slip cover, a clear plastic top shows the Yinyoo branded soft case.  Underneath the case is the warrantee card, all other items are inside the soft case.   The standard SML silocone tips are included in both gray/green and white/clear.  While it is nice to have color choices, additionals sizes of tips or some double flanged or foams would be a welcome addition.

Build/Fit:

The earpieces are of a barrel design with the nozzle protruding directly from the center with no rake.  The connector is at the rear of the connector and If held with the lettering (L/R) right side up, is to the rear of the barrel.  It resembles the Tin Audio T2 in both shape and layout excepting the connector difference and the venting.   A single pin hole vent on the inside is of the nozzle at the 5 o’clock position.  On the faceplate, a stylized Y serves as a vent with a silver metal screen that offsets the flat gunmetal shell.   The nozzle takes the standard 400 sized tips and has a pronounced lip to hold tips in place.  Fit between the plastic bi-pin connector and metal housing shows some minor gaps and is not perfectly smooth to the touch, but is a very solid arrangement that does not seem susceptible to breakage as easily as some other designs.   In the overall, the earpieces are on the small side and with the straight in design will likely not cause fitment issues regardless of ear size.

 

Internals:

The v2 sports a single 9mm (best I can tell) dynamic driver with a compound diaphragm.  The driver is extremely low impedance at 16Ω with a sensitivity of 108dB.   I found the v2 to be very easy to drive and at times easy to overdrive as it tended to distort at high volumes when run using an amp.  Low gain settings seem to be the best pairing for the v2.  I found a particularly good synergy with the Cayin N3 on low gain.

 Cable:
I chose the cable without the mic as that is my preference, a mic’d cable is available for those who prefer it.   The cable is very well made.  It is 4 core silver plated copper in white casing.  Beginning at the jack, you have a standard TRS 3.5mm gold plated connector with a straight grey metal housing and a short strain relief.
From the jack to the splitter (also matching gray metal) you have a tight 4-wire twist.
Above the splitter, a looser 2 wire twist runs to the .78mm bi-pin connectors which also have a matching gray housing that mates nicely with the earpieces.
L and R designations are clearly marked on the connectors and pin-orientation is marked with blue dot at the rear of the connector.  Note that on my cable the L on the barrel of the connector is on the inside with the blue marker aligned to the rear while the R is to the outside.   This may throw some people off as it would seem logical that both the markers would be to the outside.   If there is a single complaint about the cable, it is the lack of any strain relief at the connectors.  With these being designed for tip down wear, an earhook is not appropriate, but some strain relief would be beneficial.  Otherwise the cable is very pliable and quiet and of higher quality than those found at lesser price points even within the Yinyoo product line.

 

Sound:

All sound notes were taken using the provided Large size tips.

Bass:

The V2 exhibits good punchy sub-bass with roll-off below 45Hz.  Mid bass is solid but not overly forward and the biocellulose driver has better than average attack and decay speed which gives the bass a tighter clearer sound than average.    Mid-bass texture is also above average in this price range making bass guitar a real star.

Mids:

There is mild bass bleed into the mids that colors the lower mids and gives the signature a bit of warmth.  The true mids are mildly elevated and climb as you go into the upper mids . This gives male vocals a little extra thickness without losing any accuracy.  Female volcals are also fuller than average without any tendancy toward stridency.   The mids are well textured and gives electric guitar a very natural sound and distorted electric guitar a very gutteral growl.

Treble:

The V2’s lower treble continues the climb of the mids and plateaus at just slightly below the level of the mid-bass.  the plateau carrys into the treble until you reach the 7kHz mark.  Roll-off begins above 7kHz but a couple of  bumps at 11kHz and 18kHz give some air and sparkle back to an otherwise very polite treble.   The treble mirrors the rest of the signature in that it is very polite and avoids any stridency.

Soundstage / Imaging:

Soundstage is wider than deep which may sound familiar as many budget earphones exhibit this.  The difference between the V2 and others is the V2 has a much wider than average stage and better than average depth for its class.  this is one place where the phrase gets used a lot and can mean different things so to qualify, good depth, better width, some height.  Instrument seperation is very good and layering is better than average making instrument positioning on the stage very clear and precise.

 

Comparisons:

V2 vs T2 (Tin Audio)

Since these two look alike, and cost about the same thing, its a natural comparison.    The similarities don’t end with looks either.  The V2 can be thought of as a thicker T2 with a bit more bass which will be a welcome to many T2 fans as the one knock on the T2 has been the lack of bass.  The V2 does have a bit more warmth while the T2 is closer to neutral.   The T2 focuses a bit more energy in the upper treble while the V2 has a bit more lower treble focus.

V2 vs Kc2 (BQEYZ)

Another obvious comparison.  Same price point, similar signatures.  the Kc2 has a bit better sub-bass depth compared to the V2 but the V2 has a bit better attack and decay in the mid-bass and sounds a bit more natural in the mid-bass.   Mids are similarly detailed but texture is a bit better on vocals on the V2.   The Kc2 has a bit more air and sparkle than the V2 and the upper registers feel a bit more natural on the Kc2 with cymbals being better rendered on the Kc2 than on the V2.

V2 vs BQ3 (BQEYZ)

The BQ3 has a more V shaped signature with more energy in the mid-bass and the lower treble regions with similar rolloff of the sub-bass.     The Bq3 rolls off a bit higher up in the treble and provides a bit more forward and aggresive treble as a result.   For those who want a near neutral the V2 will be the call, for those after the same level of detail with equally good texture  but with a bit more fun mixed in, the BQ3 is a solid alternative.

 

Thoughts / Conclusion:

When I started purchasing headphones years ago, the general concensus was that to get something anywhere close to neutral, you needed an open-backed over-ear design from one of the big names and you were going to spend on them.    Then as things progressed it was possible to get an in-ear that was near neutral but again you needed a lottery win to afford it.   Then came Chifi which was fun if you liked the big V signatures but everyone knew Chifi couldn’t make a neutral earphone.   Then came 2018 and we have several Chinese made, sub-$100, near neutral in-ears with great build quality and features to suit all tastes.   The V2 is a clear sign that the big Chinese makers are listening to what people want and are increasingly producing really good products at phenominal prices.   If you like the T2 but want a bit more bass – the V2 should be on your short list.   If you like the Kc2 but don’t like the form factor, the V2 should be on your short list.   If you want a near neutral in-ear that is comfortable and won’t break the bank, the V2 should be on your short list.    I tend to give away a lot of in-ears to local students when I am done reviewing them,  the V2 is staying with me.  That is the highest praise I can give it.