I don’t know if everyone else has thoughts racing through their minds in the middle of the night, but I certainly do. My head is filled with all sorts of things, whether it's a report I read before bed, unfinished work from today, contemplating what the world will be like in ten years, or pondering what my true dreams and aspirations are. Honestly, from childhood to now, I feel like I’ve never had a great passion for anything, so I’ve always admired those who can stick to their passions. The founder of Canpur is such a person.
With nearly 30 years of band performance experience, he clearly shows his love for music. Even after leaving the music scene, he continues to pursue his passion in another way, aiming to bring purer and more natural music to more musicians and music enthusiasts. Last year, the release of the CP622B garnered considerable attention in the industry. Now, a year later, the new flagship CP74E has brought Canpur back into the spotlight. A year may seem short or long, but it has been enough time for Canpur to refine and research the sound of their new product. I still remember the endearing video sent by the Canpur founder to congratulate us on the opening of our new store at the end of last October.
It has been over a year since my last review of Canpur’s headphones. The new CP74E has already participated in two headphone exhibitions this year, receiving a lot of positive feedback from friends. Speaking of headphone exhibitions, I recall that during the Shenzhen exhibition, many enthusiasts specifically came to Canpur’s booth to listen to the CP74E. During the exhibition, Canpur's booth was bustling with visitors.
## Design and Comfort
I often see many friends saying that while Canpur sounds great, they aren't very particular about the design of their headphones. I have to address this. Canpur’s headphone housings are all made from medical-grade resin. If you look closely at the faceplates, the dark parts resemble the shape and texture of raw crystal, or like the aurora borealis appearing at the edge of the world, shimmering with a glassy brilliance—both beautiful and mysterious.
Medical-grade resin is often used in medical restoration due to its excellent biocompatibility and stability, ensuring no harm to the human body. The shell of the 74E is also 3D printed from a large collection of ear canal data, making it fit very well. Some might find it slightly large, but considering it houses 11 units, it needs sufficient internal space.
Good accessories can enhance the performance of headphones, and the cable of the 74E serves this purpose. Co-developed with ELETECH, this cable is custom-made for the 74E, featuring single crystal copper wire. It looks somewhat like ELETECH’s new Raphael from last year, but in reality, it produces a slightly thicker and more robust sound compared to Raphael.
## Sound
Those familiar with Canpur will immediately associate the CP74E's name with its driver configuration. Indeed, Canpur names its headphones with a series name followed by the number of drivers. This time, it’s designed with 11 drivers per side, consisting of 7 balanced armatures and 4 electrostatic drivers. With an extremely low impedance of 9.4 ohms and an ultra-wide frequency response range of 20-70 kHz, the 74E offers endless possibilities for its sound.
The sound characteristics of the 74E primarily include a sense of atmosphere and immersion, focusing on the natural rendition of songs without losing detail. With the 74E, you can feel Canpur's extreme pursuit of sound detail and resolution. Listening to the same song with the 74E, you can catch notes that you hadn’t noticed before. The rich variety of details are laid out before you, making the word “muddy” non-existent for the 74E. The instrument separation is just right, allowing you to sense the positioning of instruments on stage when you close your eyes. Its expansive soundstage further enhances the presentation of music, making the comfortable and natural sound difficult to fault.
Among the three frequencies, the low and mid frequencies are Canpur’s forte, as always. They are swift and powerful, akin to riding in a supercar—fast and strong, yet enjoyable due to the ample energy. For a popular song, the quality of the performance is often most perceptible in the low frequencies. The CP74E's ability to create an incomparable atmosphere with its rumble makes you feel like you’re at a live concert. When switching to electronic music, the precision and detail that electronic music demands are perfectly rendered by the 74E, making the experience more enjoyable. The power and clarity are captivating, especially when listening to pop-rock music. The impact of the drums is strong, providing excellent dynamics while maintaining a natural imaging.
However, the strong bass does not overshadow the brilliance of other frequencies. The midrange, especially the vocals, is the highlight of the 74E. It perfectly compensates for the lack of sweetness in the vocals of the 54E and 622B, with the vocals being noticeably closer compared to the 622B. The midrange has increased density, offering rich details and dynamics in both instrumentals and vocals. The vocals are more intimate, allowing you to capture very subtle nuances, whether it’s breathing or other sounds. The clearer sense of positioning and separation acts like a microscope for the sound, making even the slightest details evident. The vocals and instruments are not overly bright, but clear enough for a vivid experience. The overall midrange tuning is neutral with a warm tilt, enveloping you in emotional overtones that captivate your ears.
The treble is handled just right. It's not necessary for treble to be overly bright to showcase details better. Sometimes, excessive brightness can create "noise" like in a photo. Thus, moderation is key. The four electrostatic drivers manage small-scale pop music excellently. The sound remains natural, with the treble being non-aggressive and relaxed, allowing for long listening sessions without fatigue.
Comparing it to the CP622B, the CP74E’s bass has more refined imaging and stronger transient response. Due to the four electrostatic drivers, the treble clarity is noticeably better than the 622B. On the flip side, the CP74E’s dynamic performance isn’t as effortless as the 622B, nor does it have the vast, expansive soundstage of the 622B. The emphasis on texture and transient response in the low end doesn’t have the same thickness as the 622B, but it is powerful and robust. Therefore, the CP74E complements the 622B perfectly, forming a dual flagship lineup of earphones.
Looking at the pricing, many might consider the CP74E as a little brother or a secondary flagship to the CP622B. However, that’s not the case. The CP74E matches the CP622B in overall quality, with both offering different sound signatures. The perceived difference in price could be due to the stock cable not being as expensive as the Socrates cable, and the absence of two specialized bone conduction drivers that add to the assembly complexity.
It’s clear that the sound style and quality of the CP74E make it a standout in its price range. The impressive details, powerful and atmospheric bass, and appropriately relaxed treble have genuinely captivated me. New users might initially find the 74E warm, but spending time with it reveals its detailed capabilities, gradually adapting to Canpur’s tuning style. The lifelike sound portrayal makes it difficult to find a comparable alternative, making it a beloved choice.
Time flies. Finding what you love is not easy, and maintaining that passion is even harder. The founder of Canpur has mastered the art of channeling his love for music, and the 74E is a testament to their efforts. With its combination of balanced armature and electrostatic drivers, delivering vigorous bass, sweet and emotionally resonant vocals, and high-resolution detail, the CP74E achieves the quality expected at its price point. For fans of this sound signature, the CP74E is a worthwhile investment. Even those who already own the 622B will find that adding the 74E is a decision they won’t regret.