Tforce Audio Yuan Li Review (2) – Do No Harm
Just when the world was needing another $99 DD, newcomer Tforce released its debut model Yuan Li. Nicely designed and machined, with a unique (if oversized) faux-leather case, the Yuan Li looks and feels like a more expensive IEM; comfort, fit and isolation are all fine.
Easy to drive with a mobile, although amping with a modest dongle better controls the slightly tubby midbass region and gives these a bit more crispness. Somewhat tip-sensitive, with narrower silicons giving ‘em a bit more subbass depth.
My more learned colleague describes the Tforce’s tuning as “diffuse field near neutral” (I would have called it balanced), which isn’t to say it’s flat—there’s some added emphasis in the midrange which pushes vocals forward and provides for good clarity.
Coherent, in the manner of good single DDs, with clean instrument separation; tonality is slightly warm and pretty natural, without shrillness or artifacts, while resolution is likewise good though missing some low-level detail and subtleties in drumbeats and acoustic guitar strings.
Analyzed aspect-by-aspect, it’s hard to find fault with the Yuan Li—it’s a capable, professionally-executed phone. However, my visceral reaction is that it opts for safety over excitement—compared to peers like Moondrop Starfield or the Shozy 1.1/1.4, the Yuan Li lacks a bit of high end extension and sizzle and come off not so much as dull but as unengaging.
The Yuan Li would make a good entry drug for someone looking to enter this IEM rabbit hole—it does very little wrong and much right. However, you’d hope that subsequent releases from its maker will amp up the PRAT.
Disclaimer: Borrowed from Durwood who received them free of charge from HifiGo which sells them on their website here and also on Amazon.
