Review of Malaysia’s answer to TWS earbuds
The Vinnifier Momento 2
I don’t really think much sonically of Vinnifier, a homegrown brand where I live in my middle age -Malaysia, that once proud Asian Tiger, floored by financial machinations. But I am glad VF didn’t go the AirPods homage route (I bought some of those to test their look and feel).
Having also the Sony wfc500, I can say that I prefer the design of the Momento 2 by VF the best for its ASMR. All the TWS buds I have tested sound perkier than the VF. But it was the Momentos that picked out that gentle and subtle cajon on a track from an old vinyl by Joan Baez. I think it was her debut album.
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It did have a lot of articulation, low end and some good stereo separation on various tracks that delighted me. As I said, sonically rather mediocre and a bit like going on an Easter egg hunt if you like Hi-Fi. “Life’s like a box of chocolates”.
Back to the ASMR. These are some of the snazziest looking buds I’ve handled. They could be the Victoria’s Secret of audio gear. Spherical and shiny in dark purple against a matte case with polished jet black cavities, in which they ride high, inviting one to fantasize.
With a flick of my wrist, the case shuts. And for a moment all that goodness is hidden within a thin-walled, sand blasted plastic case. Much different from the heavy duty polycarbonate used in the AirPods. But one can’t ask that much for $17 vs $125.
Being middle aged, I bought a stool from IKEA so I could sit in the shower for a good 15 minutes a day and relax. With IPX5 water resistance, I could technically wear my buds in the shower. Or am I increasingly bourgeoisie?
Being in love with the design of the Momento 2, I strove to get my money’s worth. Installed Foobar2000 on my phone and EQ-ed / Replay gain-ed it. I also used bigger tips with a tighter seal. The effect was very pleasing. I found “big”, multi-layered albums like Meteorites by Echo and the Bunnymen and Dirty by Sonic Youth easy to listen to. And I can say with caveats, that the VF buds can be among the best wireless you ever heard.
