Special thanks to Linsoul Audio for providing this unit for review.
Build
When I took the IEM out of its packaging, I was first struck by how well-packaged the IEM was for $25. The next thought I had was "oh crumb, the cable," and this thought did not leave me throughout the hours I spent reviewing this IEM. While not really microphonic, the cable manages to combine all of the faults of poor cabling into one (except wearing out quickly and transmitting sound poorly). The cable is stringy in construction and manages to twist itself remarkably easy. It has strong memory of the original box coil and this means that even the task of wrapping the cable around the ear is well-nigh impossible. The manufacturer did think of this problem and include a rubberized protector you could put over the cable to help it hold rigidity long enough to get around your ear, but in my experience the rubber cover didn't hold the small-diameter cable well-enough to be used. The connectors to the IEM itself seem quite sturdy. To wrap things up on the cable front, the connector on the 3.5mm jack is not gold-plated and the splitter is massive (although sturdy).
The IEM itself, on the other hand is well built and generally there's not too much to say about it. I like the design on the side much more in person than in pictures because the simplicity of the embedded name works well with such a small IEM. Speaking of which, if you have remarkably large ear canals (as I do, I can take Blessing2s and fit them in my ears relatively well with large tips), then you may want to purchase separate tips. I ended up using KZ x Crin ZEX Pro medium tips for the review since they fit better for some reason. My only complaint about the IEM build is the nozzle flare, which prevents you from changing tips quickly. The flare is so much wider than the actual IEM stem (even part of the body) that I found it possible to overinsert the alternative tips I tried. This affects fit and, of course, sound.
Sound
The sound of the Lea is surprisingly resolving for its size. The bass impact is pleasant without being too punchy and the mids are present without losing impact to the bass. On a song like A.M. radio by The Lumineers, I was able to hear the subbass hit fairly well in the introduction. The only point where someone might take difference with this IEM is the treble. There is a forward rise around 1.5k to the 5k mark which brings vocals into sharp focus and adds a bit of sharpness to instruments like cymbals. I think it is tastefully done since there is no direct peak to offend. I do not mind a bit of treble as long as it is not sharp in a particular point, but if you listen primarily to electronic music (like CHVRCHES), you may find the sound fatiguing over time. Past the 5k mark, the sound signature is unremarkable.
For technical abilities, this IEM performs very well for the price point, carried in large part by the reasonable tuning. There is a slight "grainy" quality to a few songs (again, focusing on electronic genres) where finer details are blurred a bit and some instrument strokes seem a bit blunted on classical pieces like Serenata in C Major, Op. 69: I. Allegro spiritoso performed by Paganini. But again, this would be comparing this IEM to significantly higher-priced items like the Blessing 2. Under $100, it is a standout, and at $25, it is a stand out.
Conclusion and Value
I really like the Tripowin Lea and I've been recommending it to people looking for a budget IEM. I imagine that it will sell very well and I'm proud to say I own one. My only hesitation is when it comes to the value proposition. At $25, there really isn't much competition for this IEM given what it's doing and how well it is tuned. But...but...the cable is really lacking. Normally I'd give them a pass and just assume that they couldn't do better, but Tripowin themselves make quite decent "cheap" cables in the Zonie cable set. I have a pair and, once I get done with the review portion where I kept the cables the same, I will probably switch cables or buy another one. By the time you add in the $20-25 for another cable, this becomes a $50 IEM. That's a much more competitive price bracket. All of that being said, I think this is still a fantastic option at $50 when compared with my ZEX Pros. I would probably pick this over ZEX Pros just because the tuning is comparatively inoffensive to my ears. If Tripowin would just change out that cable for one with a built in ear loop (like many other IEMs have) and maybe upgrade their connectors a bit, I think they could get away with charging $30 instead of $25. Good IEM, 4/5 stars from me.
