Softears RSV - Reference Detail with Musical Warmth
The RSV pairs the focus of a reference monitor with a full-bodied approach to everyday listening. Part of Softears’ Reference Sound series, these wired in-ear monitors use five balanced armature drivers per earpiece and a carefully integrated three-way crossover. Their tuning brings together substantial bass, expressive vocals and controlled treble, preserving the energy of modern recordings while keeping individual musical parts easy to follow. Developed with more accessible driving requirements than the RS10, the RSV brings the brand’s acoustic expertise to a compact, versatile listening setup.
Five Balanced Armatures, Three Dedicated Frequency Bands
Each earpiece contains two balanced armature drivers for bass, one for the midrange and two for treble. This arrangement gives the different frequency regions dedicated resources while allowing the acoustic system to remain compact. The bass drivers provide weight and rhythmic definition, the midrange unit concentrates on vocal and instrumental texture, and the paired tweeters reproduce upper-frequency detail. Together, they are designed to preserve the fullness of a performance without losing clarity when the arrangement becomes more complex.
Carefully Coordinated Crossover and Acoustic Design
The RSV combines electrical filtering with acoustic damping and precisely configured sound tubes. Its crossover uses six components, including a third-order LRC bass filter, impedance and low-pass filtering for the midrange, and a film capacitor in the treble circuit. These elements work alongside the internal acoustic chamber to shape the response and coordinate the output of all five drivers.
Particular attention is paid to phase consistency through the crossover regions. Smooth transitions help voices and instruments retain a coherent character as their notes move between frequency bands. The result is a design focused on stable imaging, natural tonal relationships and clearly organised musical layers.
Tuning Inspired by Loudspeakers in a Room
Softears developed the RSV’s tonal target with reference to the way high-quality loudspeakers interact with a room and the listener’s hearing. This approach informs its bass contour and overall balance, aiming to give recordings a convincing sense of body and space. Vocals remain central to the presentation, supported by a substantial low end and a measured approach to treble energy.
The manufacturer specifies a frequency range of 5 Hz–40 kHz, with an effective response of 20 Hz–20 kHz measured using an IEC 60318-4 ear simulator. Total harmonic distortion is rated below 1% at 94 dB SPL. These specifications support a listening experience intended to combine detail retrieval with satisfying dynamics and tonal fullness.
Handcrafted Carbon Fibre and Gold Foil Faceplates
Black medical-grade resin housings give the RSV a smooth, sculpted form, while handcrafted faceplates add an individual finish to each pair. Carbon fragments create depth beneath the surface, while scattered gold foil catches the light. The arrangement varies between earpieces, giving the monitors a distinctive appearance that reflects the hand-finishing process.
The contoured shells are designed for an over-ear fit, with shaped nozzles and interchangeable tips helping establish a secure seal. The enclosed construction provides passive isolation, allowing the listener to hear more of the recording in environments with background noise. Supplied silicone and foam tips in three sizes offer different fit options.
Detachable Cable and Practical Source Compatibility
The RSV is supplied with a flexible, approximately 1.2-metre braided copper cable, fitted with 0.78 mm two-pin connectors and a 3.5 mm stereo plug. The detachable connection allows the cable to be replaced independently of the earphones, while the over-ear routing helps keep it securely positioned during use. A compatible headphone output provides a direct connection; phones without an analogue socket require a suitable DAC adapter.
Nominal impedance is 8 ohms, and sensitivity is specified at 125 dB for a 1 Vrms input at 1 kHz. The RSV was developed to deliver satisfying performance from everyday portable sources, although a source suited to low-impedance earphones remains an appropriate match. This makes it a practical option for listening at home, at a desk or on the move.
In the box:
- Softears RSV in-ear monitors,
- detachable cable with 0.78 mm two-pin connectors and a 3.5 mm stereo plug,
- silicone ear tips - small, medium and large,
- foam ear tips - small, medium and large,
- protective carrying case,
- individual protective pouches - 2,
- cleaning cloth,
- cleaning tool,
- user documentation.
