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BLON BL-05 Review MK1 (2) – A Giant Step Sideways

The uniformly-revered BL-03 had its shortcomings—inefficiency, sub-par isolation—but was inarguably a helluva good sounding piece for $30, with best-in-class timbral accuracy and clarity. You’d expect that BLON would preserve the basic signature of the BL-03 in its new $42 BL-05. Instead, curiously, the Blon BL-05 is quite a different beast.

Solidly built (if a bit garishly designed) and generously (if gratuitously) accessorized with two mega-tangly thin cables and two fabric cases, the Blon BL-05 sports a more ergonomic shape which provides for much deeper insertion and better seal and isolation than its ovoid predecessor. The BL-05 also immediately registers as the beefier-sounding, more energized phone, with a richer note texture; it’s also quite a bit brighter, bassier and more u-shaped than the warmer, Harmonish BL-03, with more recessed mids and more emphasis on the upper midrange. 

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The Blon BL-05’s low end is very well-judged to my ears, with considerably more subbass than the BL-03. While not seismic, the low end has sufficient rumble for bass-heavy genres and deftly treads the line between being boomy and  being over-etched and bloodless.  Acoustic bass, in particular, sounds very good. Mids (and vocals in particular) are less forward than the BL-03’s; male voices in particular lack a bit of body and nuance on some material. Treble is well-extended and detailed—it has a bit of wiriness or coloration on cymbals and vocal sibilants but is free from the shrillness or peakiness of cheap hybrids. As with the BL-03, coherence is very good and I did not find the BL-05 to be fatiguing after lengthy sessions.

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Where the Blon BL-05 really depart from their predecessor is in soundstaging—where the BL-03 presented a very wide stage with meticulous stereo imaging and a lot of space between the performers, the BL-05 create the ambience of playing in a very narrow, irregularly-shaped room. Imaging isn’t exactly smeared—you can still discern separate instruments and overall clarity is good—but there’s not a lot of air and precise location of the performers is harder to discern. The overall effect isn’t unpleasant (before Trump destroyed the possibility, I enjoyed hearing bands play small clubs), and the BL-05 suggest a nice intimate venue for, say, solo piano or jazz trios. However, large-scale orchestral or more complex arrangements are much better sorted-out on the BL-03.

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I can’t categorically state that the Blon BL-05 is an upgrade from the more accurate BL-03. That said, the BL-05 is brawnier, rocks harder and is much better suited for on-the-go use with my mobile. Given my unrefined palate) I’d probably  be more inclined to reach for it over the Blon BL-03. Neither is endgame, but at this price point I wouldn’t overthink it.

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MY VERDICT

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DISCLAIMER

I received these free and unsolicited for review purposes. I like getting free stuff.

Get the Blon BL-05 MKI from Wooeasy Earphones Store. 

Our generic standard disclaimer.

About my measurements.

You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.

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Author

  • Loomis T. Johnson (Chicago, USA)

    Head-Fier since 2014. Based in Chicago, Loomis T. Johnson is a practicing attorney, failed musician, and lifelong music fanatic and record collector. He has frequently contributed to such review sites as Headfi, Sound Advocate, and Asian Provocative Ear (as well as many other far less interesting non-musical periodicals). A former two-channel and vintage gear obsessive, he has sheepishly succumbed to current trends in home theater and portable audio. He’s a firm believer that the equipment should serve the music and that good sound is attainable at any budget level.

Loomis T. Johnson (Chicago, USA)

Head-Fier since 2014. Based in Chicago, Loomis T. Johnson is a practicing attorney, failed musician, and lifelong music fanatic and record collector. He has frequently contributed to such review sites as Headfi, Sound Advocate, and Asian Provocative Ear (as well as many other far less interesting non-musical periodicals). A former two-channel and vintage gear obsessive, he has sheepishly succumbed to current trends in home theater and portable audio. He’s a firm believer that the equipment should serve the music and that good sound is attainable at any budget level.

One thought on “BLON BL-05 Review MK1 (2) – A Giant Step Sideways

  • Al MacDonald

    I have the BL03, but prefer Comply eartips. They have a recommendation for the BL05 but not the BL03. Are the BL05 and BL03 eartips interchangeable?

    Reply

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