The Final A2000 and Tipsy M1 make for an interesting comparison because they are both small and extremely light single-driver IEMs priced just below 99 USD.
The A2000 uses Final’s 6mm “f-Core DU” dynamic driver placed inside an ABS plastic housing; the Tipsy M1 uses a 10mm dynamic driver with a bamboo fiber diaphragm placed inside a resin shell. The M1 weighs in at 4g per shell, the A2000 is around the same.
The A2000 comes with a simple and very thin black cable with detachable rubber earhooks, while the M1 comes with a more fancy-looking twisted cable with more typical “built-in” ear hooks. Both cables are detachable with a 0.78mm 2-pin connector and come with a 3.5mm termination.
FINAL A20000 SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: single driver IEM
- Driver: 6mm Dynamic (f-Core DU)
- Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW
- Impedance: 19 Ohms
- Housing: ABS resin
- Cable: Black OFC cable (1.2m)
- Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Termination 3.5 mm angled jack
- Type B ear hooks
- Silicone ear tips: 5 sizes
- Weight: 20 g
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Final Store
TIPSY M1 SPECIFICATIONS
- Drivers: 10 mm dynamic
- Diaphragm: Bamboo fiber
- Impedance: 24 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW
- Cable: Detachable, quad-braided high-purity alloyed copper with anti-torsion
- Connectors: 0.78mm 2-pin
- Cable termination: 3.5 mm jack
- Adapter: 3.5mm to 6.35mm
- Weight: 4 g per side
- Metal travel case included
- Tips: 4 Pairs (S, M, L silicone & memory foam)
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: Tipsy M1
COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- Tips: SpinFit CP145
Impedans by Erlend Apneseth Trio
The M1 delivers rich, punchy bass and a generally warm presentation. The A2000 sounds quite different and is much brighter. Bass quality is high on both, though. The main difference lies in the mids and treble. The A2000 is crisper, more forward, and more energetic, while the M1 is more laid back and toned down.
Summer 3 Vivaldi Recomposed by Max Richter
On this track, the M1 is darker and sounds a bit muffled compared to the A2000, which is much cleaner and also brighter – in a preferable way. This track generally sounds better with brighter earphones, since it is a quite dark recording.
Sandermosen by Maridalen
They’re quite different in character. Moving from the A2000 to the M1, the A2000 feels cleaner and clearer, sharper-cut and tighter. The M1 immediately feels a bit muddy. However, after getting used to the M1’s character, it’s actually very nice – in a lusher and more laid back manner.
Sujet Tabou by Renaudin and Cahours
The M1 sounds very nice, a bit warm and cosy, with a more rounded character. The A2000 is much crisper and sharper.
Spontaneous Compositorius by Thomas Agergard
Here, the M1 has a richer, thicker saxophone timbre. The bright percussion is definitely more laid back, it’s a bit sharp with the A2000. Bass quantity is not too different, although the M1 is a bit richer.
In The Mountains by Espen Eriksen Trio
The A2000 is surprisingly warm-sounding here, not as sharp and thin as it can be. The M1 is, however, always richer and darker sounding. Mids are darker and thicker, the highs are less sharp.
The Hidden Camera by Photek
Very nice bass on the M1, percussion isn’t as dry as it can be. The A2000 has got much less bass presence, sounds crisper and drier. I definitely prefer the M1 here.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The Final A2000 and Tipsy M1 have very different sound signatures. The A2000 is often crisper and sharper than what I would consider neutral, while the M1 is darker and thicker. However, on some tracks they can sound surprisingly similar, while on others they differ so much that I struggle to find the appropriate words to describe it.
Treble
The A2000 has a more upfront and sometimes quite sharp treble, while the M1 is more laid back and unlikely to offend anyone.
Midrange
The midrange is very different. The A2000 has more energy in the upper midrange, giving it a more energetic and more textured feel; the M1 has more energy in the lower midrange and feels thicker and richer.
Bass
Although the M1 is generally bassier, I would not consider it an especially bassy earphone. The A2000 typically has leaner bass, but which one has more bass depends on the track and which frequencies are most prominent. However, more often than not, the M1 has more bass.
Both have good bass quality.
Soundstage and Imaging
The A2000 has a more open and wider-sounding soundstage.
Imaging is more difficult to describe. At first, the A2000 seems better, as the M1 can sound more muffled in direct comparison. However, once you adjust to the M1’s sound signature, its imaging is actually quite good.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
If you are after up-front and articulate detail, the A2000 is the obvious choice. The M1 offers quite a lot of detail as well, but in a much more toned-down manner.
Dynamics are also equal but very different. The A2000 has stronger articulation and microdynamics across the board, but macrodynamics are more similar and often even better on the M1, helped by a stronger bass.
The timbre is generally very different. The bass is thicker with the M1, but the difference is bigger in the midrange and treble. The A2000 is bright and sometimes sharp, with a textured delivery that can sound dry. The M1 is much darker and also warmer, often more natural-sounding, but also sometimes too dark to feel neutral.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I regard neither the A2000 nor the M1 to be typically neutral, and they’re on opposite sides:
The Tipsy M1 is warm, full-bodied, and slightly darker in tuning, with more bass and thicker mids. It can come across as a bit muddy at times, but also more relaxed, smooth, and forgiving, especially enjoyable for bass-driven or groove-heavy tracks.
The Final A2000 is clearer, sharper, and more energetic, especially in the upper mids and treble. There’s a tighter and drier presentation with less bass, but often higher perceived resolution and precision.
In essence, when coming from the A2000, the Tipsy M1 offers more warmth and body. It is more forgiving but can sound a bit muffled. When coming from the M1, the Final A2000 can often sound more clinical and sharp, but also more precise and clear.
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- Amazon: Final Store
- Amazon: Tipsy M1
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