DISCLAIMER
This is a loaner unit from DITA. It will be returned after this review.
The DITA Project M can be gotten here:
https://ditaaudio.com/products/project-m (no affiliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS
Driver configuration: 9.8 mm PM1+ dynamic driver + 1 x Knowles balanced armature driver
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20KHz
Impedance: 32 Ω @ 1kHz
Sensitivity: 107 dB/mW @ 1kHz
Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; 16 strand; with 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm modular terminals
Tested at: $325 USD
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 5 pairs of Final E ear tips (SS/S/M/L/LL)
- Systainer hard carrying case
- Cable
- 2 modular plugs (3.5 mm single-ended and 4.4 mm balanced)
The accessories are quite princely, and are befitting of a $300ish IEM, perhaps other than the lack of foam tips.
Nevertheless, the highly sought after silicone Final E tips are included here, and they are one of my favourite eartips (confession, I have about 20 pairs of Final E tips at home haha). These tips are very comfortable and slightly tame the treble - this is a good pairing for the Project M, which lies on the brighter side. DITA has included 5 pairs of Final E tips here, from SS sizing all the way to LL.
Achtung! The Final E tips provided here glow-in-the-dark, so the significant other might notice that there is a new IEM in town (this can't be hidden!)
The stock cable is a MOOCA cable by Cardas. While we have no info on the cable materials, it is sheathed with PVC, and is a 16-stranded cable. This is very well-braided and supple, though slightly tangly. Sadly there is no chin cinch, but microphonics are minimal.
It is much appreciated that this cable is modular, with a 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm distal terminal, with a screw-on cover to protect it from dislodging. I've seen other simple plug-in modular cables with no screw-on protection cause the connected DAP to drop off! With a modular concept, users can decide which modular terminal to use, depending on whether you utilize single-ended or balanced sources.
Last but not least, we have a Systainer carrying case made by Tanos. This case is quite hard and tough, which promises to cushion the precious contents inside. This case is stackable in a lego-like configuration, so that's something cool to play with for owners of more than one case.
The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock Final E silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
The Project M is downright one of the most beautiful IEMs I have encountered in my audio journey. Fashioned from transparent resin, one can see the inner workings of the Project M in all their glory. The resin shells are not just pretty wallflowers, as they are tough as nails and extremely solid.
Due to the prism-like function of the transparent resin, at some angles, the Project M's shells are illuminated with a rainbow!
The housings are very light, with top-notch ergonomics. There's a concha protrusion for added grip, with no awkward edges to poke the ears. I have used the Project M for hour long sessions without issues.
I did not encounter any driver flex on my set, which is a sign of well-implemented acoustic airflow. Isolation is average, and this IEM is suited for outside use.
INTERNALS
The Project M is a 2 driver hybrid, comprised of a 9.8 mm PM1+ dynamic driver and 1 Knowles balanced armature driver. These are nested in a stainless steel chamber, with sound tubes leading to an aluminum nozzle.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Project M with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA11 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone
The Project M is moderately easy to drive. While it can be driven off a weak phone, the Project M scales beautifully with amplification (for soundstage, dynamics and bass tightness). Amplification is recommended to get the most out of this IEM as such.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
Graph of the DITA Project M via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.
The Project M is a sub-
bass focused IEM. Having said that, it isn't the most extended in sub-bass rumble, with bass quantity is just a hair north of neutral. The Project M aces bass quality handily, with a nimble bass-line heard, coupled with nice texturing and not an ounce of mid-bass bleed.
The
midrange is very transparent and clean, with no bass encroachment. Instruments and vocals are easily palleted on a dark background. With just a 5 dB ear gain, the upper mids are fowards without shrillness, which is a refreshing change from the usual shouty upper midrange in most modern day IEMs.
The Project M is a
treblehead's dream. Treble is well-extended with good sparkle and air. We are greeted with astounding clarity and micro-details as such, though there is a slight sprinkling of sibilance. I'm treble-sensitive and personally find this set a tinge bright, but the Project M is one of those sets that is tuned bright but not overly harsh - I'm sure consumers have encountered some other CHIFI that are steroid boosted in the treble to give "fake clarity", but sound like an ice-pick in the ears!
There's a hint of BA
timbre, with note weight a tinge on the lighter side, but nothing too egregious.
This set is a very
technical and resolving midFI hybrid, which is all the more surprising considering it is just a 1 BA + 1 DD design. Micro-details are solidly captured, and layering and is very well done, with pinpoint imaging and an above average soundstage in all 3 dimensions.
COMPARISONS
Comparisons were made against other midFI hybrids. Planars, single DD and pure BA IEMs are omitted, as the different transducers have their own pros and cons.
Penon Fan 2
The Fan 2 is a warm neutral hybrid, with a thicker note weight. It has a lusher midrange with a less airy treble.
In technicalities, the Fan 2 is weaker, with a smaller soundstage and it is also worse in micro-detailing and imaging.
The Achilles' heel of the Fan 2 is its super long nozzles, which may cause consumers discomfort (this is in contrast to the ergonomic Project M). The Fan 2 is more easy to drive.
QOA Aviation
The Aviation is a U-shaped hybrid which is bassier. However, the bass isn't as tight, with smearing and bleeding noted. The Aviation has a less extended treble with poorer clarity.
In technicalities, the Aviation is a league behind, with inferior micro-detailing, imaging and soundstage. It sounds very veiled compared to the more resolving Project M. Timbre is a bit more natural on the Aviation, and it is easier to drive.
CONCLUSIONS
DITA has released a solid and elegant Mid-FI hybrid in the Project M. Incidentally, I believe this is DITA's pioneer hybrid release, and it is also the cheapest IEM in their stable as of the time of writing.
In terms of external tangibles, the Project M has one of the most beautiful shells in the industry, with a robust transparent resin housing that even allows a prism effect of rainbow colouration! We also have a generous accessory line-up, melded with great comfort during usage.
When evaluating it for sonic performance, the Project M furnishes a neutral bright tuning, with excellent resolution and technical chops. Bass is clean and fast, with no mid-bass bleed, and the midrange is as clean as a whistle. Treble is well-extended with great air, and this should please analytical-junkies and trebleheads.
The Project M may lie on the brighter side of the spectrum, with a bit of BA timbre and a thinner note weight, but otherwise, even for my treble-sensitive preferences, I can use it for extended sessions, and really enjoyed my time with this IEM. Verily, I would be sad to send it back after the tour!
This set will recommend for folks looking for a technical masterpiece with eye-catching looks!