TangzuWan'er S.G II

The Wan’er 2 puts voices at the front of the mix and keeps them smooth. That one idea shapes everything about this set, for better and for worse. My pair is the Jade Dragon finish, and I’ve spent enough time with it to know exactly who it’s for, and why it isn’t quite for me.

Build & fit

On paper the Wan’er S.G II is simple: a single 10mm dynamic driver with a PET diaphragm, 19 Ω impedance and a detachable 0.78 mm 2-pin cable. It’s an easy load, so my JCALLY JM6 Pro drives it without any trouble, and the 2-pin connector means a cable swap is easy if you ever want one.

Fit is where it falls down for me. The shells are too big for my ears and never felt comfortable, even after trying both Tangzu Sancai Wide Bore and Dunu S&S tips. If you have larger ears you may have a completely different experience, but it’s worth knowing before you buy.

Bass

The low end is the weakest part of the tuning to my ears. There’s enough quantity, but it sounds muddy. Bass notes blur together instead of landing cleanly, and that haze spills into the rest of the mix. If you like a clean, controlled low end, as I do, this is the first thing you’ll notice.

Mids / Vocals

This is the Wan’er’s whole personality. Singers sit forward without turning sharp, which makes it a natural pick for vocal-led playlists. The catch is that the vocals don’t just lead, they overpower. On a track built around a voice that’s the point, but on a busier band mix the guitars and drums end up behind the singer, and I find myself wanting a more even balance.

Treble

The treble is smooth. Nothing in the top end turns sharp or hot, which matches my preference: I’d rather have a relaxed treble than an exciting one that tires me out. It isn’t the star of the show, but it never gets in the way.

Detail & stage

With the vocals pushed forward and the bass on the muddy side, separation suffers. It’s harder to pick individual instruments out of a dense mix than on my other sets, and the stage feels crowded around the singer. For around $20 that’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s the reason this set doesn’t climb higher in my rankings.

Value

At around $20, it’s hard to argue with what you get: a distinctive vocal-first tuning, a smooth top end, a detachable cable and a finish that looks far more expensive than it is.

Even if the shells don’t suit you, the Wan’er S.G II keeps its value. The included cable and ear tips are worth having on their own, and they’ll happily move over to other sets. That’s why its value score stays high even though its other scores don’t.

That said, the Truthear Gate costs only slightly more, and I like it better than my Wan’er S.G II. It’s more balanced, cleaner, and it fits me.

Verdict

The Wan’er S.G II is a vocal specialist. If you listen mostly to vocals and the shells suit your ears, it’s an easy recommendation at this price. If you want one set for everything, or you have smaller ears, start with the Gate instead.