SoncieMeory SW500H
Comfortable Excellence with Controlled Bass and Treble
The SoncieMeory SW500H delivers a refreshing mid-forward tuning that places vocals front and center in your music. This hybrid IEM, featuring a single dynamic driver and four balanced armatures (1DD+4BA), creates a sound signature where vocals truly pop out of the mix, making it an excellent choice for vocal enthusiasts and perfect for pop or rock music.
Priced at $72.99 ($78.99 with mic), the SW500H comes in 3 colours and offers a distinctive tuning option that stands out in a market often dominated by V-shaped or Harman-tuned IEMs. For those who prioritize vocal clarity and presence, this IEM provides a compelling listening experience with well-controlled bass and treble that support rather than overshadow the midrange.
I would like to thank Shenzhenaudio for providing the SoncieMeory SW500H for the purposes of this review.
If you are interested in finding more information about this product, you can check it out here.
Shenzhenaudio also provided the excellent SA500 dongle, which I’ve reviewed separately. They bundle both for $125.99 which offers excellent value, as the SA500 is easily worth $70 on its own.
Overall, I have been listening to the SW500H for a few weeks, and as someone who likes to mix sound signatures with different IEMs (life would be boring if every IEM was Harman, V-shaped, or JM1), I really enjoyed the SW500H. The unusual ‘wooden’ nozzle is probably the most distinctive aspect of the design, and the sound signature, while not for everyone, is very enjoyable for particular genres of music.
Read on to find out more.
Unboxing and Accessories
The SoncieMeory SW500H comes in a clean, professional package:
The back of the box:
Opening the box reveals the IEMs nestled securely inside:
A closer look at the IEMs in their packaging:
The package actually includes lots of extras with replacement nozzle filters, a good range of eartips, and even a little usb-c adapter:
- SoncieMeory SW500H IEMs themselves
- Detachable cable with 2-pin connectors
- 2 sets of ear tips
- 6 replacement filters
- a brush and a pick tool for the filters,
- pouch
- USB-C DAC
- Some documentation
The included cable is of good quality for the price range with no tangling or micro-phonics issues:
With secure 2-pin connectors:
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There are 2 sets of nice ear tip selection provides:
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USB adapter and nozzle filters:
Overall, the accessory package is good at this price point, offering everything needed for a quality listening experience right out of the box and enough replacement filters to keep you sorted for many years.
Design and Comfort
The SW500H features a very well-designed shell with a comfortable mid-sized form factor, the wooden nozzle is pretty unique, and while nobody will see it in your ear, it definitely stands out when you are swapping eartips:
The shell shape is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in the ear. It is not ‘opinionated’ about your ear shape, which should mean it should work with the majority of people. Though this also means that it might not be as secure as other designs:
One of the standout aspects of the SW500H for me was its comfort. The mid-sized shell strikes an excellent balance - large enough to house the hybrid driver configuration while remaining comfortable for extended listening sessions. I am not sure if the ‘wood’ softens it in your ear, but I found it very comfortable and for me created a stable fit that doesn’t cause fatigue even after hours of use.
Some comparisons of the SW500H with other IEMs - hopefully the wooden nozzle makes the SW500H stand out compared to these others:
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Sound Quality
The SoncieMeory SW500H offers a distinctive sound signature that prioritizes the midrange, particularly female vocal clarity, while maintaining a controlled bass and treble response.
Bass
The bass response is well-controlled and precise, providing a solid foundation without overwhelming the midrange. While not bass-heavy so not for bass heads, the low-end extends well and offers good texture and detail. The dynamic driver delivers clean bass notes with minimal bloat, allowing for clear articulation of bass instruments.
Midrange
The midrange is where the SW500H truly shines. Vocals are presented with exceptional clarity and presence, positioned slightly forward in the mix to create an intimate and engaging listening experience. Both male and female vocals benefit from this tuning, though for me the female tracks in my collection sounded exceptional with lots of subtle detail retrieval.
While this forward midrange doesn’t feel shouty or aggressive, it creates a sense of immediacy and connection to vocal performances. Instruments that occupy the midrange, such as guitars and pianos, also benefit from this tuning, displaying good body and natural resonance.
For vocal enthusiasts, this midrange presentation will be the SW500H’s most appealing characteristic, offering a refreshing alternative to more recessed midrange tunings.
Treble
The treble is well-controlled with a notably recessed 6kHz region that effectively eliminates sibilance issues. This makes the SW500H a fatigue-free listening experience, even during extended sessions. While some might find the treble a bit too safe or lacking in sparkle, this tuning choice complements the vocal-forward presentation by ensuring that high frequencies never become harsh or distracting.
Detail retrieval in the treble region is good, though not class-leading. The balanced armature drivers handling the high frequencies provide clean reproduction without artificial brightness.
Soundstage & Imaging
The soundstage is moderately sized with good height and width for an IEM in this price range. The vocal-forward tuning naturally creates a more intimate presentation, but there’s still enough space for instruments to breathe. Imaging is precise, allowing for accurate placement of elements within the soundstage.
Separation between instruments is good, though complex passages can occasionally feel slightly congested due to the forward midrange presentation.
Measurements
The measurements were taken using my 711 clone coupler, and you can find the full measurement data here.
Frequency Response
The frequency response graph clearly shows the mid-forward tuning of the SW500H:
In the graph I have highlighted the controlled bass response, prominent midrange (especially in the vocal ‘presense’ region), and the well nice treble extension that provides detail without being too siiliance.
Overall, the SW500H might be described as having ‘mid forward yet comfortable tuning’
Comparisons
When compared to other popular IEMs, the SW500H’s unique tuning becomes even more visible:
This comparison shows how the SW500H offers a tuning similar to the Truthear Gate but with more relaxed treble, creating a more comfortable listening experience for those sensitive to higher frequencies.
Another comparison with different IEMs:
This graph shows how the SW500H compares to 2 of my favourite ‘mid-forward’ IEM’s, the FiiO FD15 and Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite. The SW500H has a even more vocal forward tuning, but then this is paired with a more relaxed 2–4kHz region providing a nice contrast to those other IEMs.
Distortion
The SW500H shows impressively low distortion levels across the frequency spectrum:
When viewed as a percentage, the distortion remains well controlled:
These measurements confirm the clean, detailed sound presentation experienced during subjective listening.
Rating
I’ve given the SoncieMeory SW500H a 4-star pragmatic rating for several reasons:
- Sound Quality: The mid-forward tuning is executed well, creating an engaging listening experience for vocal enthusiasts
- Build Quality: Solid construction with good accessories for the price point
- Comfort: Excellent ergonomics with a stable, fatigue-free fit
At $72.99 ($78.99 with mic), the SoncieMeory SW500H offers good value for its build quality, accessories, comfort, and distinctive sound signature. However, the bundle option with the SA500 dongle at $125.99 deserves special mention.
The SW500H doesn’t quite reach 5 stars due to its somewhat specialized tuning that may not appeal to all listeners and treble that some might find too safe. However, for those who appreciate a vocal-forward presentation, it’s an excellent choice.
Conclusion
The SoncieMeory SW500H offers a refreshing alternative in the crowded IEM market with its mid-forward tuning that places vocals at the forefront of the listening experience. With well-controlled bass and treble that support rather than compete with the midrange, it creates a cohesive sound signature that vocal enthusiasts will particularly appreciate.
The comfortable fit, good build quality, and accessory package add to the appeal, making this a solid option at its price point. The recessed 6kHz region effectively eliminates sibilance issues, creating a safe fatigue-free listening experience even during extended sessions.