In terms of sound, I'll start with a bit of a spiel here. If you're in need of copper cables and operating within a budget that doesn't stretch to Orpheus, then opting for FIRST TIMES is a no-brainer, inclusive of PW's own 60S and 50S, both of which fall slightly short in overall experience compared to FIRST TIMES.

Ambient-Acoustics' MAD16, the difference after switching to FIRST TIMES is quite noticeable. When listening to GARNiDELiA's "Gokuraku Jodo" and "Miume" with the PAW Gold Touch (Titanium) as the source, the original sound felt slightly blurry and muted. However, after the upgrade to FIRST TIMES, even with lively tracks like these, MAD16 now sounds more natural. The quality of the low-end has improved, there is better cohesion, and a greater sense of depth in the atmospheric ambiance. Compared to the previous inexpensive original cable with MAD16, FIRST TIMES has significantly enhanced the low-frequency performance, despite both being copper wires. Vocally, FIRST TIMES also delivers. For example, in the Cantonese song "Sad Lover" by Christopher Wong, the performance is outstanding, striking a perfect balance between maintaining vocal texture and control without any harsh edges. In Mandarin pop music, FIRST TIMES provides a smoother sheen compared to regular copper cables, with improved overall details and exquisite refinement. It feels tangible, emotionally rich, and engaging. Particularly memorable are songs like Hebe Tien's "A Little Happiness" and Cyndi Wang's "The Day You Went Away," each with their own unique emotional resonance. FIRST TIMES injects MAD16 with a youthful vibe, evoking memories of carefree moments and nostalgic feelings. This is why I initially ventured into the realm of hi-fi headphones—to be immersed in different scenarios with quality equipment. In terms of high frequencies, my preferred test tracks often include songs by Ayako Ishikawa like "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" and "Never Ending Story Meets Canon." I'm pleased to say that FIRST TIMES exhibits excellent high-frequency extension—bright yet not piercing. Overall, I find it exudes a touch of elegance.


The regular version and the shielding version of FIRST TIMES don't carry the same upgrade relationship as seen with 50S. Rather, they feel more like two distinct variants—the regular FIRST TIMES tends to offer a wider and more expansive soundstage, creating a relaxed listening experience. Conversely, the shielded version enhances density, cultivating a deeper black background, improved vocal clarity, and richer detail representation. For those inclined towards pop music, the shielded version may be the better pick. According to PW's own statement, FIRST TIMES, both in the regular and shielding versions, are more suitable for pure balanced armature and hybrid electrostatic IEM, as opposed to dynamic driver IEM where the performance might not be as exceptional compared to other earphone types in this category.

--------------- Click here for detailed post (originally in Chinese) ---------------