Introduction
Belief. Letmusicburn. Oppoty. Nevergiveup.
These were the words used to market the company BLON, and has since become the warcry of the BLON fanbase after the phenomenon that was the BL-03. The world clamoured for a successor and BLON finally delivered, with an all-new shell that addressed the issues of the old one at an MSRP just $5 more than its predecessor.
Build improvements aside, the BL-05 is now BLON’s ultimate test to determine if they are worthy of an established reputation, or simply fluked their way into a one-hit wonder like so many others before them.
Product page: https://www.linsoul.com/products/blon-bl05
MSRP: $43
Driver configuration: single DD
This BL-05 was kindly provided by Linsoul.
Non-audio opinions
My unboxing posts are pretty much the only times I’ll ever talk about build quality, accessories and the like. I’m not really the person to ask about these things as I don’t really care about them that much.
Accessories:
- Canvas bag
- Tips
Cable: same as the BL-03. 4-wire, tight round braid, heavy curvature in the memory hook. Removal of the memory section is recommended.
Connection: extruded 0.78mm 2-pin connection. Should work with existing 2-pin, but it will be in a flush configuration at that point.
Build: full metal shell, good heft, no complaints.
Fit: the memory hook screws with the fit the most. The shape of the shell is fine for the most part, but a cable swap/modification is basically mandatory for the BL-05.
Isolation: below average, would not use outdoors.
Initial impressions
- Noticeably thinner than the BL-03.
- Clarity is improved significantly
- Overall tonal balance sounds worse, or at least “less pleasant”
- Resolution and detailing doesn’t seem that much improved over the BL-03.
- Sounds very “generic”, a V-shaped signature that I’ve heard a million times before.
- Doesn’t quite fulfill any partcular niche, unlike the BL-03 which can at least be recommended as a largely safe tuning.
Measurements
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