I’m always on the lookout for innovative products, and I was excited to get my hands on Strauss & Wagner’s latest offering: a series of bluetooth receivers designed to turn your favorite IEMs into wireless earphones. In this review, I’ll be diving deep into the Sines, Ovar, and Palma models, exploring their design, comfort, and sound quality.
Design and Features
Strauss & Wagner has based the design of these bluetooth receivers around their popular 4-core silver cable, which has become a staple in many of their Hi-Fi products. This design choice immediately sets these receivers apart from many competitors in the market.
One of the most appealing aspects of these receivers is their versatility. They can transform nearly any compatible IEM into a wireless device. I recommend checking the Strauss & Wagner website to ensure your specific IEMs are compatible before making a purchase.
The series offers three distinct models to cater to different IEM connections:
– Ovar: 2-pin 0.78mm connection
– Sines: MMCX connection, with a specific version for Sennheiser IEMs
– Palma: Universal MMCX connection
At the heart of these receivers is the Qualcomm® QCC3084 chip, which supports a sample rate of 24Bit/96kHz. In my testing, I found the audio reproduction to be of high quality and minimally colored by the DAC or cables. There’s only a slight, almost unnoticeable drop in volume compared to a wired connection.
One of the standout features is the impressive 39-hour battery life at 75% volume. The receivers charge via a universal USB-C cable, which I find convenient for travel and everyday use.
I particularly appreciate the decision to use button controls rather than touch controls. While it might not be the most cutting-edge technology, I found the buttons to be more durable and responsive than many touch-controlled devices I’ve tested. In my opinion, this design choice prioritizes functionality over flashiness, and I wish more companies would follow suit, focusing their R&D efforts on audio quality instead.
The receivers utilize Bluetooth 5.4, the most up-to-date version at the time of writing. Throughout my testing, I never experienced any signal dropoffs. Pairing was consistently easy, and the sound quality remained high across various devices and environments.
Comfort and Usability
In terms of comfort, I found all three receivers – Sines, Ovar, and Palma – to be easy to use and well-fitting with all the IEMs I tested. The wire feels durable without being overly thick or cumbersome. I’ve used some cables that feel so substantial they become uncomfortable, but these strike a nice balance between quality and comfort when wrapped around the ear.
I appreciate that the bluetooth receiver units don’t interfere with the cable wrapping around the neck. While I wouldn’t recommend working out with high-end IEMs, I found the cable comfortable enough that it wouldn’t interfere with light physical activity or general movement throughout the day.
Sound Impressions
To thoroughly test these receivers, I paired them with a variety of IEMs:
– Ovar (2-pin 0.78mm): Moondrop Aria II and Thieaudio Monarch MKII
– Sines (MMCX Sennheiser IE Compatible): Sennheiser IE600 and IE900
– Palma (MMCX Universal): Campfire Moonrover and Etymotic ER4
Soundstage
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the bluetooth design had minimal impact on the soundstage of the IEMs I tested. Models known for their impressive soundstages, such as the Monarch MKII, IE900, and Campfire Moonrover, maintained their analytical qualities and width.
The IE900, for instance, retained its revealing imaging and precise response from its single dynamic driver. I found the width to be good for IEMs, with no noticeable change to the height of the soundstage.
The Monarch MKII’s incredibly analytical imaging remained precise, which led me to think it could be a good option for gaming when paired with one of these receivers. As a side note, I believe this accessory would work perfectly for users dedicated to cable management in a gaming setup.
Similarly, the Moonrover maintained the wide stage and analytical imaging that Campfire Audio is known for. Across all the IEMs I tested, I found that the height and width of the soundstage were not negatively impacted by the bluetooth receivers.
Bass Performance
While the cable adds minimal coloration to the sound, I did notice slightly clearer highs coming through, likely due to the silver cable. This clarity in the high end resulted in a punchier quality to the overall sound. However, I want to emphasize that this effect isn’t overwhelming and doesn’t fundamentally change the tuning of the IEMs.
IEMs with strong V-shaped sound signatures, like the Monarch MKII and Aria II, maintained their warmth without feeling overly brittle. Bassy IEMs like the Moonrover kept their texture and the characteristic Campfire sound intact.
To illustrate this, I listened to the bass part on “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was” performed by Ron Carter with the Bobby Timmons Trio. The bass came through deep and impactful, with each stroke presented authoritatively in this uptempo standard. I was pleased to find that the Palma, Ovar, and Sines all retained the fullness of the sound without introducing any unwanted clickiness.
Midrange Performance
In the midrange, I found the receivers to present a forward and distinct sound with a little more body. This quality made voices particularly clear, which I appreciated when listening to podcasts and vocal-heavy music.
The excellent midrange timbre of the Etymotic ER4 remained intact when paired with the Palma. I was impressed by how well the sweetness of synths, guitars, and voices came through.
The Sines bluetooth adaptor successfully maintained the singing quality of the Sennheiser IE series. While the sound remained largely unchanged, I did notice a slight increase in clarity in the high mids, though it never became sharper than it would normally be.
Treble Performance
I found that the most noticeable coloration added by the bluetooth adaptors (Sines, Ovar, and Palma) occurred in the treble range. The Aria II, in particular, exhibited one of the most dramatic differences in its airiness.
To my ears, there’s approximately a 3-5dB boost in the treble region. To test this, I listened to “Moments” by Sadness. The light airiness of the synths came through clearly but not overwhelmingly. While there was a noticeable increase in sharpness, it wasn’t to the point of being uncomfortable, and the sound remained clear despite the heavy reverb present in the track.
Conclusion
After extensive testing, I can confidently say that Strauss & Wagner’s Sines, Ovar, and Palma bluetooth receivers are excellent additions to any audiophile’s toolkit. These products work well with a wide range of IEMs, effectively transforming your favorite hi-fi earbuds into wireless devices.
The implementation of the latest bluetooth technology and high-quality codecs ensures that you won’t miss out on any details in your music. The impressive 39-hour battery life puts these receivers in direct competition with some of the best true wireless earbuds on the market, and they undoubtedly offer superior sound quality when paired with good IEMs.
I found these receivers to be particularly appealing for gamers, offering a perfect blend of quality and practicality. When compared to similar products on the market, I believe these receivers offer several advantages. They’re more affordable than the iFi GO-Pods while providing comparable, if not better, comfort. In terms of sound quality, they significantly outperform options like the Moondrop EVO.
However, it’s important to note that these receivers do introduce some subtle changes to the sound signature of your IEMs, particularly in the treble range. While I found these changes to be generally positive, adding a bit of air and clarity to the sound, listeners who are particularly sensitive to treble or who have specifically chosen their IEMs for their stock tuning should keep this in mind.
In conclusion, Strauss & Wagner’s Sines, Ovar, and Palma bluetooth receivers offer a compelling solution for audiophiles looking to cut the cord without sacrificing sound quality. They provide excellent battery life, solid connectivity, and minimal impact on sound quality, all while maintaining the comfort and fit of your favorite IEMs. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a podcast addict, or a gamer looking for a wireless audio solution, these receivers are definitely worth considering. They’ve certainly earned a permanent place in my audio gear collection.
Get the New Sines, Ovar, and Palma from the S&W Website or Audio 46
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