HeadphoneZone x Tangzu Wan’er SG 2 review

HeadphoneZone’s collaboration products usually switch up the styling from the original, and the Tangzu Wan’er SG 2 gets this treatment as well. There’s a change in colour and styling, with ‘desi’ motifs and patterns surrounding the HPZ logo. The casings are see-through, and the detachable cable is the same. The earphones look good, and will definitely attract attention. 

The loops go around the top of your ears for a secure fit, while the earphones fit snugly in your canals for decent noise isolation. Usefully, you get to choose between 3.5mm (Rs. 1990) and USB Type-C (Rs. 2190) connectivity; I had the latter for review, and the cable comes with a single-button remote and microphone to enable use on calls. 

ALSO SEE: HeadphoneZone x Kiwi Ears Cadenza review

The 3.5mm variant is a better pick for purists and those who intend to use a DAC of their own, while the USB Type-C option is good for those looking for convenient connectivity with a modern smartphone, most of which no longer have 3.5mm sockets. Regardless of what you pick, the cable is detachable and the earpieces support standard 0.78mm two-pin connectivity. You can therefore get aftermarket cables for future customisation if you like.

The HPZ x Tangzu Wan’er SG 2 is, at its core, the same as the standard Tangzu Wan’er SG 2. You get 10mm dynamic drivers, the earphones have a frequency response range of 20-20000Hz, a sensitivity rating of 113dB, and an impedance of 19Ohms - simple enough for an entry-level audiophile headset and easy enough to drive with even a smartphone as a source device.

Budget audiophile IEMs tend to play it safe as far as the sonic spectrum goes, keeping things simple in an effort to deliver detail. This often also goes with a bass-forward presentation, and that’s perhaps why the first-generation Wan’er SG was popular for the price. The SG 2 doesn’t deviate too much from this, although the difference in refinement is noticeable straight away. 

The sound isn’t too forward or aggressive, instead offering a bit more in terms of overall warmth and presentation. Listening to Kaliyuga by Engine Earz Experiment, the bass of this dubstep track was scaled back in favour of providing more definition to the haunting Indian tones and instrumentals. This is a busy track, but the Wan’er SG 2 keeps up with the different elements admirably and without letting anything feel overpowering.

ALSO SEE: Sony WF-C710N review

Switch up to the slower and more gently progressive Answers by Astropilot, the HPZ x Tangzu Wan’er SG 2 feels laid back, yet not late to the party either. The focus remains on the detail and keeping an all-pleasing approach to the sound, giving it just a hint more refinement and a slightly different and more purist character than its predecessor. 

The HeadphoneZone x Tangzu Wan’er SG 2 can get quite loud, so you’ll want to keep the volume down and gradually increase to a comfortable level. Pushing it too high will cause audible distortion, but I found that even volume levels of 35-40 percent were louder than what most earphones achieve at close to full volume, and the SG 2 sounds just fine without any issues even at that.

The Tangzu Wan’er SG 2 is Chi-Fi at its core - bright and flashy to look at, carefully tuned to sound good, and priced sensibly too. What really stands out here is the option to get USB Type-C connectivity straight out the box, since this will appeal to those looking at convenience alongside an affordable and capable entry point to better sound. This could also be the perfect gift to turn someone into an audiophile.