I Tried Headphone Zone x Tangzu Waner S.G.2 IEMs And Here Is What I Think About Them

There seems to be a fast growing community of audiophiles in India with the emergence of multiple streaming platforms and independent artists. While there are a lot of high-end audio devices that cater

to these users, IEMs or In-Ear Monitors have always been the best way to experience music the way it was recorded. Headphone Zone has been trying to promote these on its platform and has been exploring some interesting collaborations too. One of them is the Headphone Zone x Tangzu Waner S.G.2 — a pair of IEMs that blend Tangzu’s sound engineering with Headphone Zone’s local expertise. They follow last year's successful model and are selling in India for Rs 1,900 right now. That's a great price for a pair of IEMs and naturally I was tempted to test them. I was also curious to check out what this collaboration means and how it shaped the overall experience.Design That Speaks EleganceMy excitement peaked the moment I opened the box. The first thing that caught my eye was the design. The Waner S.G. 2 faceplates carry that golden traditional motifs detailing inspired by India's royal heritage.

They look classy, have an artistic character and are unique in a lot of ways. The inspiration from Indian hertitage extends to the packaging, including the retail box.

The resin shell feels lightweight and sturdy. You get 3 pairs of eartips in the box of different colours that match with the faceplate design.

Also, once I put them in my ears, I didn't have to adjust them again and again. The fit really feels very natural, stable, and simply great. They snug in just perfectly, and I didn't feel any discomfort even after 4 hours of music playback and movie watching. I think these are ideal for long term usage.

So, overall, the design and build quality are impressive and solid.Balanced Sound With Scope For ImprovementThe Waner S.G 2 come with the upgraded 10mm driver on each side with PET diaphragm which Tangzu claims will enhance the audio quality by controlling distortion. I found the sound clean and well-balanced. The vocals and instruments are well separated and distinct. The vocals feel natural and I felt as if I was present at the place where the track was recorded.

Having said that, these are not perfect. I compared them to the KZ Castor EDX Pro which I reviewed a few days back and found that the latter had stronger bass and better tuning. As far as the Waner S.G 2 go,

• The base lacks punch and feels thin. If you are into hip-hop or EDM, then you will not get thump here.
• I could hear a hissing sound in some tracks which can be distracting.
• Sometimes in complex mixes, the sound can feel a little noisy and less refined.

Also, there are two variants — one with a 3.5mm connector for pairing with Hi-Res DACs and another with Type-C for smartphones. I have been using the former so that the experience may differ a bit on the other variant. My Two Cents:The Headphone Zone x Tangzu Wan'er S.G. 2 is a great collaboration in making IEMs more popular and accesible in India. While the association reflects in design, the focus is eventually on the overall audio experience.

If you're an audiophile with a DAC, the 3.5mm version will give you the most out of it. If you want something that plugs directly into your phone without fuss, the Type-C variant is a wise choice. Either way, you get a comfortable, well-built IEM that delivers natural, detailed sound at a reasonable price.So if you want an IEM under Rs 2500, then they are great picks to consider.