INTRODUCTION

   It's no secret that I enjoy listening to music both while at home or the office/lab and while on the road (whether that's in my car or on foot and by public transportation) so I’m always on the lookout for new headphone models regardless of type (in/over the ear). It's also no secret that most high audio fidelity models are usually offered by well-established manufacturers with many years in the market (not to mention large fanbases) so when a new "player" releases a really impressive headphone set that's all the more reason for me to get involved and check it out. Periodic Audio is one such player and so when I learned of their outstanding (always according to the audiophile community) Be (Beryllium) In Ear Monitors I just had to get a pair in the lab.

   Founded in 2016, Periodic Audio is led by the seasoned team of Daniel Wiggins, Mike Kim, Zeke Burgess, and Ben Webster. Collectively, they have more than 140 years of consumer electronics experience in electronic, mechanical, firmware, acoustical, and industrial design for a wide variety of brands, including Apple, Blue Microphones, Event Electronics, Flextronics, Harman International, Mackie, Microsoft, SONOS, and Starke Sound.

   As the name of the IEMs clearly states Periodic Audio has used two dynamic drivers with diaphragms of 100% pure beryllium foil which is not only light and stiff (helps maintain its structural integrity under load) but it also allows for sound to travel with far higher efficiency compared to other materials such as Titanium and Aluminum. Because of that the Beryllium IEMs by Periodic Audio sport impressive specifications including a frequency response of 12Hz-45kHz, 32Ohm impedance, 100dB sensitivity (123dB peak SPL) and a continuous power handling of up to 200mW. The Beryllium IEMs also feature housings made out of polycarbonate polymer, rear logo caps made out of grade 304 stainless steel (18% chromium - 8% nickel) and grilles made out of grade 316 stainless steel (16% chromium - 10% nickel - 2% molybdenum). A silicone coated 1.5 meter long cable (not detachable) with a gold plated 3.5mm plug on its end completes the product. Periodic Audio also seems to be very confident about the quality of the Beryllium IEMs so they cover them with a 5-year limited warranty.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Periodic Audio packs the Beryllium IEMs inside a medium sized box that has their logo and an exposed drawing of the product at the front.

A few words about the product and the manufacturing process are printed at the rear.

The front opens up to reveal the features and specifications of the Beryllium IEMs.

The bundle is secured in place with a cardboard extension of the box.

Aside the Beryllium IEMs the bundle also includes a gold colored aluminum case, airplane adapter, 3.5mm to 6.3mm gold plated adapter and 9 pairs of ear tips (six silicone and three memory foam ones) in S/M/L sizes.

THE BE (BERYLLIUM)

Periodic Audio ships the Be (Beryllium) IEMs with a total of 9 sets of ear tips (silicone and memory foam ones) so you will definitely find a pair that works for you.

The 1.5 meter long silicone cable is not only more than enough but it also is tangle-proof.

As mentioned earlier the largest part of the housings is made out of polycarbonate polymer whereas the rear caps are made out of grade 304 stainless steel.

A small air port is placed at the top of the Beryllium IEMs.

The grilles are made out of grade 316 stainless steel and are colored (red for right and black for left).

A 3.5mm gold plated plug is placed at the end of the 1.5 meter long cable.

CONCLUSION

   We tested the Be (Beryllium) IEMs for a total of 23 days with various devices (FiiO M6/M7 - Samsung S8 - SONY XZ2) and with very interesting results. Now the very first thing you'll hear/notice when using the Beryllium IEMs (in-ear monitors) is the amount of bass which for their size is overwhelming (at least when listening to music at high volume). As a matter of fact, to date no other in-ear headphone set we've used and/or tested comes even close to the bass levels of the Beryllium IEMs and that's actually both good and bad (depending on whether or not you enjoy bass). Personally, since I always like testing in-ear headphones at almost full volume I did find it slightly annoying at first but a few hours later that changed and now let's just say that we all agree that this is one of the best models we've ever used. With that out of the way it really goes without saying that the Beryllium IEM's also offer accurate, clear and crisp mids and highs but it's evident from the very first second of use that Periodic Audio focused more on its lows/bass (which is also why at times and at high volumes the latter mask the former). For the most part build quality is very good but we'd still like to see some changes in the next Be version (if Periodic Audio comes around to making one) including a sleeved or braided detachable cable with an angled 3.5mm plug on its end (also angled housings for better fit would be nice – not that we had any issues with fit).

   The Be (Beryllium) are nothing less than audiophile grade in-ear monitors and that’s not something that really goes hand to hand with the word affordable. More specifically at the time of this review the Be (Beryllium) IEMs retail for no less than USD299 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 345Euros inside the EU (Amazon.co.uk) a price which although hefty accurately reflects exactly what you are getting (especially if you happen to enjoy strong bass). Overall the Be (Beryllium) IEMs may be a tad overzealous when it comes to bass levels and they may not stand out in terms of design (although we never did care much about that) but they are still among the top 5 best models we’ve used and/or tested to date and for that they certainly deserve our Platinum Award.

PROS

- Build Quality (Carbonate / Stainless Steel Enclosures)
- Audio Reproduction (Overwhelming Bass with Crisp & Detailed Mids / Highs)
- Beryllium Foil Diaphragms
- Aluminum Carrying / Storage Case
- 9 Sets of Ear Tips (Silicone and Memory Foam Ones)
- 5 Year Limited Warranty

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Bass Levels (For Some)