iBasso Gelato

A Sweet, Laid-Back Treat for Your Ears

Much like its namesake, the iBasso Jr Gelato offers a refreshingly smooth and indulgent listening experience, perfect for those moments when you want to relax and savor your music. This entry-level dynamic driver IEM combines comfort, affordability, and a laid-back sound signature that pairs well with extended listening sessions.

Retailing at $40 and coming in 2 colours black and white, the Gelato is iBasso Jr entry into this very competitive budget IEM Market. But does it have what it takes to make it into your collection?

Read on to find out.

Unboxing Experience and Box Contents

The unboxing experience of the iBasso Jr Gelato is straightforward with a nice waifu on the cover (Z Reviews would approve):

The back of the box has some useful specifications and I do love when a company provides the frequency response on the box it shows some confidence:

Sliding the box out of the cover you get:

But then opening this you get the Waifu again but finally see the Gelato shells:

You get a nice set of eartips, I especially liked how the large tips are more like XL size:

The detachable 0.78mm 2-pin cable with a 3.5mm plug is basic and functional, but we are seeing offering in this price range with higher quality cables.

Overall it is a nice looking and comfortable IEM:

Design and Comfort

One of the standout aspects of the Gelato is its stainless steel shell, which not only feels durable and much higher quality than similar priced IEMs but also adds a touch of elegance to this budget IEM.

It is also shaped well in my opinion and should fit comfortably in most ears.

iBasso provided a nice diagram of the internals, and I am sucker for this level of detail:

The shell housing design is compact and ergonomic, offering a comfortable fit for extended listening sessions.

I have a few videos below comparing the Gelato shells to some other IEMs in my collection, the Gelato are next to the purple Kiwiears Quartet, and you can hopefully get an idea of the shape and size of the Gelato relative to these other IEMs from these 2 videos::

The overall build quality of the IEM is very good for its price range with more premium feel than say the Truthear Zero Red and almost as premium as the metalic FiiO FD15 which is next to the Gelato in these videos.

Sound Quality

The iBasso Jr Gelato delivers a warm mildly v-shaped signature perfect for a relaxing evening or even listening while working (which I was doing for about a week with the Gelato).

The Gelato might actually have the wrong ‘desert’ name for its tuning, maybe I would subjective call it a ‘warm sticky pudding’ of an IEM, something of an indulgent ‘warm’ treat.

But while it is not as aggressive or detail-forward as more expensive offerings, it performs exceptionally well as a V-shaped tuning its price range, especially for an “all day” listening. But here are the specifics:

Bass:

The bass response on the Gelato is warm and slightly rolled off so if you are a sub-bass head this is not the IEM for you. It doesn’t have the overwhelming punch found in bass-heavy IEMs, but instead offers a more refined low-end with a warm texture. Tracks like “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson reveal a good bass presence that is felt rather than overstated.

Midrange:

The midrange is clear and smooth, making vocals sound natural without becoming overly forward. This tuning suits acoustic and vocal-heavy genres well, providing a natural presentation. On tracks like “Hello” by Adele, the Gelato captures the richness of the vocals with warmth and clarity, allowing for a pleasant listening experience.

Treble:

The high frequencies are somewhat detailed, but I did not experience any harshness or sibilance. While the treble lacks the sparkle found in higher-end models, it’s well-balanced and avoids fatigue, making it ideal for listeners who prefer a smoother sound profile.

Soundstage and Imaging

For an entry-level IEM, the Gelato offers a surprisingly decent soundstage. The imaging is respectable, allowing listeners to place instruments within the soundscape with reasonable accuracy. While it’s not as expansive as higher-priced IEMs, it’s impressive given the budget-friendly price tag.

Specifications and Measurements

• Model: Gelato
• Driver Configuration: 10mm dual magnetic coil with beryllium-plated diaphragm
• Frequency Response: 20Hz - 40kHz
• Impedance: 18Ω
• Sensitivity: 108 dB/mW @ 1kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.5%
• Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
• Cable Plug: Gold-plated 3.5mm stereo plug

The Gelato’s 18Ω impedance and high sensitivity make it an easy-to-drive IEM, suitable for use with any mobile device or portable audio players.

Measurements

Let check the frequency response first:

Frequency Response

The frequency response of the Gelato shows a mild V-shaped sound signature with a warm mid-bass boost balanced by a little treble peak. Basically a fun sounding sound signature.

The Channel Balance is reasonable good, ensuring a cohesive soundstage with precise imaging.

Comparisons

To illustrate this sound signature, here is the Meze Alba (which is an excellent recent IEM from Meze) and Truthear Gate :

I hope these comparisons illustrate that mild v-shape you can expect with the Gelato where there is a mid-bass peak balanced with a treble peak with a slightly recessed midrange.

But here is are some similar measured IEMs (and the original Apple Airpods Pro):

In this comparison V-shaped comparison Gelato show an excellent midrange, so if you like an exciting v-shaped sound signature but do not want to sacrifice the midrange the Gelato is an excellent choice. This I feel is the strength of the Gelato.

Distortion

Distortion is low, showing good driver control across the frequency range:

And as a percentage it looks good also:

Rating

The iBasso Jr Gelato scores well in terms of value, comfort, and build quality, earning a 4-star pragmatic rating. While the cable quality is average and simplicity of features keep it from achieving perfection, it remains a good option in the entry-level category, particularly for those who appreciate a nice warm sound signature, it might be said to be a “desert” for your ears though not as “cold” as a typical Gelato ice cream “desert”.

Conclusion

The iBasso Jr Gelato IEM offers a good entry point for those seeking a warm mildly V-shaped sound signature with a durable stainless steel build. For under $40, it brings a comfort and a sound quality typically found in more expensive IEMs, With a more balanced mid-range that typical V-shaped sound signatures, the Gelato offers a nice balance and like its namesake is an ideal treat for your ears and an impressive addition to the entry-level IEM market.