Lime Ears Anima V2 Review

In today’s article, we review the new Lime Ears Anima V2, a hybrid IEM from Poland. It is selling for $3,750 USD.

 

Disclaimer: Lime Ears sent the new Anima V2 IEM in exchange for our honest opinion. We are not related to Lime Ears in any way.

Lime Ears, a Polish IEM company, has evolved significantly since its founding. Initially focused on professional sound engineers and musicians, the brand has, in recent years, shifted its attention toward the audiophile community. Emil, the founder, shares the company’s origin story:

“The company started in 2010 when I was an acoustic designer and active bass player. After discovering CIEMs (custom in-ear monitors) and teaming up with audiologist Karolina, we spent two years experimenting with prototypes. In 2012 we officially launched Lime Ears, slowly gaining recognition among Polish musicians and, eventually, audiophiles worldwide.”

Emil emphasizes his interest in tuning CIEMs by altering the sound path, using acoustic filters, and adjusting canal shapes to unlock unique sonic qualities. Today, Lime Ears is known for its innovation and craftsmanship in IEM design.

It’s been a long while since we reviewed the original Anima IEM. The predecessor of this Anima V2 was posted on HFN back in 2022, and Lieven liked it pretty much:

You might want to check out my Pneuma V2 and Terra from Lime Ears as well, which was posted just two weeks ago:

Also, I reviewed the mid to high-range Terra IEM from Lime Ears recently, which provides great performance amongst other 1000-ish universal IEMs. You should check that one too:

Anima V2

The Anima V2 is Lime Ears’ continuation of the Anima V1 and it’s a TOTL hybrid IEM with a whopping 11 drivers inside. The configuration is as follows:

• 7mm Titanium-Diaphragm DD for infra-sub frequencies
• two BA for subwoofer frequencies
• two BA for low frequencies
• two BA (vented) for midrange
• two BA for high frequencies
• Dual New Generation BA for ultra-high frequencies

The main features of the  Anima V2 include:

• HornCraft™ Stainless Steel Nozzle Design
• BADD™ Hybrid Low-End Technology
• HERO™ Super Tweeter
• Custom Tribrid Cable Featuring Pure Copper, Silver-Plated Copper and Pure Silver

V2 Upgrades

The new version of the Anima has some key factors distinguishing itself from the V1. These are;

• 25% smaller IEM shells than Anima V1
• BOSS Faceplate Design Upgrade (Bello Opal™ with new Stainless Steel Ring Frame)
• Driver count reduced from 13 to 11, replacing the quad-EST drivers of the original with the Dual Sonion Balanced Armature driver

The new Anima V2 can be purchased from Lime Ears or the partner company Effect Audio, which offers a cable upgrade bundle.

Packaging

Lime Ears Anima V2 is a partnership IEM with Effect Audio. So the package and its contents are provided by EA for this release. The package includes:

• Stock Silver Plated Copper Cable from Effect Audio
• Premium Leather Carrying Case
• Silicone
• Owner’s Manual
• Cleaning Kit
• Cotton Pouch

You can also get the Anima V2 with two bundle options from Effect Audio. You can get it with EA’s Cleopatra II Octa or the Chiron for enhanced performance. About the package itself, I think for the price you get a pretty good package, but the provided ear tips could’ve been better with more options available. Indeed, a better selection of tips would’ve been nicer because they influence Anima V2’s sound drastically, but more on that later.

Design & Build Quality

The ANIMA V2 stands out with its striking Bello Opal faceplates, crafted from GIA-certified synthetic opal. The intricate manufacturing process gives each faceplate a unique and captivating play of colors, impossible to replicate in any other material. This precision-engineered opal, composed of orderly silica crystals, displays a variety of shapes and sizes in each piece, ensuring that every unit is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. The vibrant interplay of colors and light on the faceplate brings an exclusive touch, making the ANIMA V2 visually distinct in the IEM market.

On the build quality front, the ANIMA V2 lives up to expectations for its price. The shells are perfectly molded, with seamless faceplate closures and expertly finished silver nozzles that offer impressive depth, achieved through a combination of 3D printing, jewelry-grade wax printing, and precision metal casting. These nozzles have no protective grill, showcasing the impressive craftsmanship. The sturdy, non-recessed 2-pin connectors add to the robust build, ensuring durability and reliability for extended use.

Fit

The Anima V2 offers a significantly enhanced fit compared to its predecessor, owing to its 25% reduction in shell size. This refined design allows for a more ergonomic fit that sits snugly and flush within the ear, providing a secure and comfortable wearing experience. Emil’s thoughtful design choices are evident in the new shape, which, paired with the lightweight shells, makes the Anima V2 well-suited for prolonged listening sessions.

Overall, the fit is remarkably comfortable and stable, addressing nearly all fit-related needs and ensuring an enjoyable, fatigue-free listening experience.

Click here to go the second page of this article, or use the jumps below.

Page 2: Sound Quality

Page 3: Technical Performance, Comparisons, Conclusion