Academia or Liberalism? This is a question. Human nature determines that we are inherently free-spirited, with many renowned artists being staunch supporters of liberalism, believing that imaginative creativity drives societal progress. On the other hand, for many, rules and regulations bring elegance, etiquette, and temperament, which are treasures accumulated through centuries of evolution.
This is my true feeling after experiencing the Canpur 74E for half a month.
The most familiar product from Canpur is the CP622B. As a newcomer brand in China, their top flagship product, priced at 25,000 RMB, received generally positive feedback, which is quite remarkable. Nowadays, it's impossible to establish a foothold in the 20,000+ market without something genuinely impressive.
In terms of product naming, Canpur is straightforward and clear: for example, 622B has 6 balanced armatures + 2 electrostatic + 2 bone conduction drivers; 54E has 5 balanced armatures + 4 electrostatic drivers. Thus, the configuration of 74E is evident: 7 balanced armatures + 4 electrostatic drivers, all from Sonion, including some custom-made units.
The price of the 74E is 20,999 RMB, making it easy to subconsciously see it as the latest sub-flagship. However, compared to the 622B, the types and architecture of the units are different, and the tuning focus is vastly different. It's more accurate to see the 74E and 622B as dual flagships under different tuning philosophies.
OK, the usual practice, let's start with a simple unboxing.
This is my first proper unboxing of a Canpur product (last time I wrote about the 622B without the packaging). I must say, it still holds the dignity of an ultra-flagship: outer paper box + inner leather case, with a separate display stand for the earphones, giving a strong sense of ceremony that befits an ultra-flagship.
Key Selling Points of the 74E Include but Are Not Limited to:
- **5-tube, 5-way crossover: 2 ultra-low frequencies, 2 mid-low frequencies, 1 mid-high frequency** (in a word: fine! The more crossovers, the better the theoretical layering and connection, which also proves the brand's strength and confidence).
- **ELETECH custom high-quality monocrystalline copper wire** (a hot brand in wire, the charm of collaboration lies in strong alliances).
- **Ergonomic design with skin-friendly resin, the panel is a mix of resin, luminous materials, and artistic paint that emits a gentle light in the dark after absorbing UV light** (the size is reasonable, not exaggeratedly large, hard to imagine fitting 11 units inside, and comfortable to wear).
- **Impedance of 9.4Ω and sensitivity of 107.7dB/mW** (earphones that require high-end equipment to drive are unreasonable! The easy-to-drive specs mean even a small phone tail can effortlessly drive the 74E, though it might not fully feed the information).
Sound
In broad terms, the 74E is a flagship product focusing on balanced, clear, pure, realistic, and natural sound. The first impression is that the 74E has strong impact and energy, vibrant and lively, very captivating, but not aggressive, remaining safe and comfortable. Upon closer listening, whether it's the dense solidity, intricate details, or precise positioning, the 74E exhibits complete playback capability, with tuning close to reference-grade.
The 74E impressed me mainly in two aspects:
**First, impeccable detail handling.** Everything is well-organized, integrated seamlessly, and in every aspect, it's textbook standard, akin to the balance of Tai Chi: clear lines and substantial force combined with fluid emotions and enduring charm.
The low frequency of the 74E is the most similar to the 622B, but only in style, not quantity. To establish a reference-grade image, you can't expect the 74E's low frequency to be as thick and relaxed as the 622B. However, the rapid speed, solid impact, and realistic deformation still make one exclaim, "This low frequency is impressive, like the representative of orthodox martial arts from Shaolin and Wudang, combining beauty and practicality without any unnecessary extravagance." In short, even for someone like me who cares about low-frequency quality and quantity, this balance is just right.
**Mid-range vocals are the absolute strength of the 74E.** The 622B's rich and pleasant style makes its vocals thick and flavorful, hard to create ethereal natural charm. The overly smooth sibilance is pleasant but lacks interactive presence.
Perhaps to prove that it can not only produce a perfect listening experience through sound coloration with the 622B but also meet high-fidelity and detail-focused needs with the 74E, Canpur significantly thinned the imaging thickness with the 74E, making it more neutral and reasonable without being thin. With considerable mid-frequency energy and closer positioning, coupled with sweet and moist sound, vocal lovers will enjoy a smooth experience. Breathing and nasal sounds are clear, satisfying the need for both clarity and fullness.
High Frequency
With 4 Sonion electrostatic units, the presence, extension, and finesse are naturally excellent. Compared to the 622B, I feel the 74E performs even better: the 622B's high frequency is relatively restrained, noticeable only in songs with explosive high-frequency details. The electrostatic flavor is present, but the listening experience tends to be restrained; the 74E's high frequency is relatively flamboyant, emphasizing connection and order, with no gaps in frequency bands, achieving a sky-high effect step by step, somewhat lingering in the air. Crucially, this high frequency continues Canpur's tuning philosophy of not being irritating or tight, performing so well that there's no discomfort even after long listening, showing real skill.
**Second, the courage to break through itself.** With the exemplary 622B, reducing some units, maintaining consistent tuning, and lowering the price to around 10,000 RMB seems like something a cautious brand would do, but Canpur didn't. As seen in the comparison, the 74E's sound style is not entirely different but unrelated to the 622B: the 622B is like a flawless artificial young woman, understanding and tender, never making you sad or wronged; the 74E is like your strong-willed girlfriend, occasionally temperamental but knows the limits, never making you embarrassed or awkward. It's hard to judge which is better. From my personal experience, I lean towards the 74E's vibrant style, as having edges and corners is what life should be.
Overall, in my definition, compared to some uniquely tuned, niche super flagships, the 74E is exceptionally upright. It seems incredible, considering the 20,000 RMB cost and still potentially failing, not being all-encompassing! Who would have thought that staying true to correct sound and products can actually beat most opponents? That's a fact. From this perspective, I recommend the 74E to enthusiasts with ample budgets who want to understand where a super flagship's strength truly lies, even with minimal risk of disappointment.
To summarize my approval of the 74E in one sentence: once you listen, you know that strong quality and gentle listening experience are not in conflict, you can have both!
Credit: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/aTyxfgyiEl9k1VByIzgJEw