Astrotec Lyra Nature Limited Edition Review – Full Bloom

Driveability –

Output Impedance Sensitivity

Being a single-driver earbud with a very high impedance, I wasn’t expecting much change between sources with varying output impedance and this is indeed what I experienced. Switching between the Shanling M2X (1-ohm) and the Hiby R6 (10-ohms) revealed minimal tonal shift beyond the colouration of the sources themselves. This is not something buyer should be concerned about and it means the Nature LE can be paired happily with high impedance sources such as tube amps.

Driving Power

The earbud showcases a high sensitivity, meaning portable sources provide ample volume and is a big step up in this regard relative to the 150-ohm Lyra Collection too. Comparing between my Shanling M2x and THX789 desktop amp revealed minimal changes in driver control and dynamics. The biggest change was soundstage dimensions and slightly more treble texture and detail on the THX.

Switching to the headphone jack on my Xperia 5 II revealed the limit though, with a marked loss of dynamics and bass extension. It was far more intimate altogether. With a 150 Ohm impedance, one would think driving power is of far greater concern than it actually is. It is more a consideration but so long as you have some sort of dedicated source – and this can even be something like a decent dongle such as the Hiby FC3 – the Lyra Nature LE will deliver a good experience.

Suggested Pair Ups

The Nature LE tolerates a high output impedance well and also high source noise. It is not the most sensitive design but surprisingly so given its impedance. With regards to driving power, you will not receive the ideal experience from the lowest powered sources. This means smartphones, low-end BT receiver and hyper-portable DAPs like the Hidizs AP60. However, a step up such as any decent ESS-based dongle or medium sized DAP will work almost as well as a fully-fledged desktop stack. In terms of colouration, the Nature LE sings from a neutral source and does benefit from a sharper note presentation which aids separation and detail presentation.

Comparisons –

Astrotec Lyra Nature ($169): The Lyra Nature sounds best without foams and offers an even-handed midrange and treble but a diminished bass. The Nature LE immediately offers better extension, it has more mid-bass body and a far more assertive impact. The Nature has better separation and a quicker note presentation in return, sounding more defined. The midrange tells a similar story. The LE is fuller and smoother, lending towards greater coherence. The Nature has the same voicing but less body and a smoother upper-midrange. Though it is more forward in the midrange relative to its leaner bass, it isn’t any more fatiguing.

Rather, its presentation is simple a little cleaner and more defined. It has a bit more obvious warmth given body is reduced where the LE is defined more by its full-bodied note structure than its warmth imbued by its bass. The LE has a bit more extension in the upper-midrange but doesn’t necessarily sound clearer as it is also fuller. The treble is crisper and more energetic on the regular Nature sans covers. The LE has a smoother but also more even response. Though more laid-back and not as crisp, its treble uncovers more fine detail. The LE has the biggest advantage above, however. It has clearly more extension and its soundstage is larger and much more layered in turn.

Astrotec Lyra Collection 150ohm ($299): The Collection 150ohm is flagship preceding the Nature LE, VE Monk+ foams suited my preferences best here. Immediately, we can see Astrotec have taken a good step forward both tonally and technically. Both showcase a similar linear character, but the Nature is more articulate, more resolving and slightly cleaner tonally. Neither extend exceptionally in the sub-bass, but the Nature does offer a slightly more affirmative mid-bass punch and a more even-handed response. The Collection has flatter dynamics, it’s a bit faster but less tactile overall, it seems to offer a very similar tuning but less extension. The midrange is also of similar character on both.

The Collection sounds natural too but a little dryer. The Nature LE has a bit more upper-mid presence that gives it more range and clarity. I find this better balances out its fullness and warmth where the Collection sounds coherent but also a little truncated. The Nature LE has better definition without sacrificing timbre. The lower-treble is actually a little more forward on the Collection, giving it a bit more energy. However, though smoother, the Nature LE is noticeably more detailed with more instrument body and extension above. In terms of presentation, this permits the Nature LE to sound more spacious with improved imaging and layering especially.

Fiio EM5 ($299): The EM5 offers a Be driver and has the greatest note definition I’ve heard on an earbud. Its tuning is more U-shaped with higher contrast, having both greater bass warmth and greater top-end zing. The EM5 has slightly more bass and noticeably better extension. It has a warmer mid-bass while the Lyra Nature LE is a bit more even with a cleaner tone and slightly better separation. The EM5 has a slightly faster driver but the Lyra Nature LE does sound a bit more defined albeit less dynamic. The EM5 has a more sculpted midrange with greater upper-mid bias. It is warmer with more bass colouration but has less body so separation and definition are slightly higher here relative to the Lyra.

The Lyra has a more even-handed response, it has more vocal presence that is better balanced with its bass and it sounds much cleaner and more accurate in timbre while the EM5 is more vivid. Treble is markedly more linear on the Lyra too, however, it is also quite a bit smoother which means it can sound a bit blunt relative to the energetic EM5. The EM5 has a sharper transient response and a crisper lower-treble tuning that brings details more to the fore. It has greater fine detail retrieval but a thinner instrument body that doesn’t sound as textured and natural. The Lyra has a bit more extension with greater background detail retrieval. While both are very spacious, the EM5 does have more depth and its imaging is sharper albeit it is less layered than the Lyra.

Verdict –

Really, if you’re looking for a high-end earbud in 2021 you will note, as above in my comparisons, that Astrotec’s Lyra earbuds have a rather dominating presence. This is because Astrotec are one of the only companies that have continued to produce high-end earbud designs; where other fan favourites like Yuin, Shozy and even Moondrop have long since ceased that endeavour. Earbuds are renowned for being the most difficult form factor to develop due to the unreliable way they communicate with the outer ear in addition to the general lack of research out there relative to in-ears per say. A lot of the development process, therefore, becomes empirical and time consuming. So, in the absence of much competition, it’s admirable that Astrotec hasn’t resorted to cash grab refreshes, each generation demonstrates a step forward in tonal and technical performance.

I think they’ve achieved an admirable balance here with the Lyra Nature LE. It exemplifies the beloved qualities intrinsic to earbuds – the huge soundstage and excellent wearing comfort – whilst maximising build quality. Where “analogue” tonalities were previously necessitated by treble roll-off instigated by the need for foam covers, the Nature LE is able to achieve good headroom and excellent layering even with them. In addition, it offers a much cleaner and even-handed midrange presentation relative to past models and current premium competitors. Perhaps its prime weakness, and the main reason it cannot be unanimously recommended, is its bass response. It offers neither the extension nor the agility of Fiio’s market-leading EM5. If you don’t mind this and the smoother treble, the Lyra Nature LE is the new go-to option for earbud enthusiasts wanting the most accurate midrange reproduction and layered soundstage.

The Lyra Nature Limited Edition can be purchased from Astrotec for $399 USD at the time of review. I am not affiliated with Astrotec and receive no earnings from purchases through this link.

Track List –

AKMU – SAILING

Billy Joel – The Stranger

Bob Seger – Night Moves

Cream – Wheels of Fire

Crush – OHIO

Daryl Hall & John Oates – Voices

Dire Straits – Communique

Dirty Loops – Next To You

Eagles – Hotel California

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

H.E.R – I Used To Know Her

Joji – Sanctuary

Kanye West – Ye

Radiohead – OK Computer

TALA – ain’t leavin` without you

The Beatles – Abbey Road

The weeknd – After Hours