AFUL Performer 5 1DD + 4BA IEMs Review
A five-driver hybrid IEM with one dynamic driver and four balanced armatures per side, listed from $210.99 with 35Ω, 110dB@1kHz and 26dB passive noise reduction on the page. It suits buyers who want a stated passive noise reduction figure and 0.78mm 2-pin connectors.
Our verdict
Pitched at buyers who want one dynamic driver and four armatures from $210.99 with listed impedance, sensitivity, frequency range and passive noise reduction. Look elsewhere if you need the plug type settled by the page, since the specification section and the option names disagree, or numbers from the third-party curve its note mentions, which the page text does not give. The main caveat is the page's note that damping can differ within a pair and between colors.
- Best for
- Shoppers wanting one dynamic driver with four balanced armatures and a stated 26dB passive noise reduction figure.
- Skip if
- You need the page to agree with itself on the plug type, since the specification section says 3.5mm and the options say 4.4mm.
Why 3.6/5: Lifted by specification figures listed in the page text. Held down by the store's own contradictory terms and by no independent test of this model having been checked for this review.
Five drivers sit in each shell of the AFUL Performer 5: one dynamic driver and four balanced armatures, two for mids and two for highs, per the page. It is listed from $210.99 with a crossed-out $219.99. The specification section gives 35Ω, 110dB@1kHz, 5Hz-35kHz and 26dB passive noise reduction, with 2-pin 0.78mm connectors.
Specifications
| Spec | Page says |
|---|---|
| Drivers per side | 1DD+4BA (2 BA for mids, 2 for highs) |
| Impedance | 35Ω |
| Sensitivity | 110dB@1kHz |
| Frequency response range | 5Hz-35kHz |
| Passive noise reduction | 26dB |
| Connectors | 2-pin 0.78mm |
| Termination | 3.5mm |
| Acoustic tubes | EnvisionTEC 3D printed; 60mm bass tube, 30mm mid-bass duct |
| Frequency division | RLC network correction technology |
| Pressure relief | High-damping air-pressure balance system |
Options and pricing
Two options are listed: Performer 5 4.4MM at $210.99 and Performer 5 4.4mm+3.5mm Cable at $240.99, with crossed-out prices of $219.99 and $249.99, both orderable when the page was read. The option names suggest the second adds a 3.5mm cable to the 4.4mm one, and the page text gives no description of that extra cable. The specification section lists the termination as 3.5mm.
How it compares
The Binary 1900 10mm DD + 6mm Passive Diaphragm + 4BA Hybrid IEMs are $230 and also list 4BA, with a 10mm dynamic driver and a 6mm passive diaphragm in the name. The TRN Mermaid 1DD+1BA+2Planar Drivers In-Ear Monitor starts at $199.99 with 1DD+1BA+Dual Planar Driver Hybrid Configuration, and the AFUL MiracleOne 6mm LSR Diaphragm Dynamic Driver IEMs from the same maker are $189.99 with a single dynamic driver by their spec line. The Performer 5 suits buyers who want one dynamic driver with four armatures; the Mermaid suits those who want planar drivers, and the MiracleOne those who want one driver only.
Shipping, returns and warranty
HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.
Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.
HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.
On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.
What we liked
- One dynamic driver and four balanced armatures per side (two for mids, two for highs), per the page
- Specification section lists 35Ω, 110dB@1kHz, 5Hz-35kHz and 26dB passive noise reduction
- Sensitivity comes with a 1kHz test point
- Acoustic tube lengths are stated: a 60mm bass tube and a 30mm mid-bass duct
- 0.78mm 2-pin connectors with a 4.4mm option or a 4.4mm plus 3.5mm cable option
Worth noting
- The specification section lists termination as 3.5mm while the options are named 4.4MM and 4.4mm+3.5mm Cable
- The page text gives no reference level for the 110dB@1kHz sensitivity figure
- The page text gives a package weight of 0.5kg and no weight figure for the earphones
- A note says damping direction may vary within a pair and damping material may differ between colors; the page text gives no detail on which pairs or colors
Questions before you buy
What drivers does the AFUL Performer 5 use?
The page lists one dynamic driver and four custom balanced armature drivers on each side, two for mids and two for highs, with an RLC network frequency division correction and a 3D printed acoustic tube structure.
What impedance and sensitivity does the Performer 5 list?
The specification section gives 35Ω impedance and 110dB@1kHz sensitivity, with 5Hz-35kHz and 26dB passive noise reduction. The page text gives no reference level for the 110dB@1kHz figure, though it names 1kHz.
Which cable does each option include?
Performer 5 4.4MM is $210.99 and Performer 5 4.4mm+3.5mm Cable is $240.99. The specification section lists the termination as 3.5mm, and the page text gives no description of what the second option adds.
Where does HiFiGO ship from, and how long does it take?
From its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after the order. The shipping policy gives 1-2 weeks to the US by Priority (6-10 days by Premium), both with duties and taxes prepaid, 2-3 weeks to Canada, 1-2 weeks to the UK and 10-15 days to Australia. Express couriers take 3-7 days, but the buyer pays any duties.
Can I send it back if I change my mind?
HiFiGO gives 7 days to report an item that arrives dead, damaged or wrong. Its policy also describes 30-day returns, but requests 7 to 30 days after delivery lose 30% of the MSRP plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same page says no refund or exchange after 7 days. Ask [email protected] before you open the box.
What warranty does HiFiGO give?
One year from the order date for parts and labor, for faults in build or materials (the policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles; cables and adapters get three months). HiFiGO chooses repair or replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and a faulty item is serviced rather than refunded. Claims go to [email protected].
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- AFUL Performer5 / Performer 5 1DD + 4BA IEMs product page: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping policyShips from China in 1-3 business days; US 1-2 weeks by Priority or 6-10 days by Premium, duties prepaid; Express buyers pay dutiesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping and order tracking pageA second shipping text: Premium also for Canada and Australia, Canada free shipping from $99.99, lost-parcel rulesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO refund policy7-day dead-on-arrival cover; 30-day returns minus a 30% restocking fee; its FAQ says no refund after 7 daysRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO warranty and refund policyWarranty by product class (1 year; cables and adapters 3 months); 30% fee for resealing an opened productRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO terms of serviceOperator named only as HiFiGo; governed by the laws of China; contact [email protected]Read October 28, 2026
Independent
- HiFiGO reviews on Trustpilot4.6 of 5 from 378 reviews (91% five-star, 5% one-star); the store has not invited reviews recentlyRead October 28, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- The specification section lists the termination as 3.5mm, while the options are named 4.4MM and 4.4mm+3.5mm Cable; the page text gives no explanation of the difference.
- A note says damping direction may vary within a pair and damping material may differ between colors, and claims the factory standard is above the industry average; the page text gives no figures for any of it.
- The store's tags list Balanced Sound, Bassy Sound, Mid-Forward Tuning, Neutral Tuning and Warm Sound together, and the text claims a response without peaks or irregularities; a note says the curve is measured by a third party and is for reference only; the page text gives no name or figures for it.
- HiFiGO's policy pages contradict each other: 30-day returns with a 30% restocking fee in one place, no refund or exchange after 7 days in the FAQ.
- HiFiGO's pages name no company, street address or phone number; the only contact given is [email protected].
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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