If you bought the Shimin Li Encounter Edition IEMs, you might be entitled to compensation. Here’s why.
TangZu Audio’s most recent IEMs, the Shimin Li Encounter Edition, became the subject of online debate after YouTuber Hi-Fri claimed that they don’t meet the advertised product specifications. In response, TangZu issued an apology promising customer compensation.
Shimin Li Encounter Edition Drama: A Summary
In a video posted on March 25, Hi-Fri states that the Shimin Li Encounter Edition driver is “almost identical” to the one found in TangZu’s Wan’er IEMs.
According to TangZu, the Shimin Li Encounter Edition should boast a “new 10mm dual cavity dual carbon nano dynamic driver” that improves the audio experience.
Towards the end of the video, the user also points out that the Shimin Li’s shell and the Shimin Li Encounter Edition’s shell are also very similar.
As a follow-up, Hi-Fri details his findings on Facebook as well. In one post, he shares detailed pictures of the two drivers, prompting users to guess which is which.
In another post shared a few days later, he alleges that the company used “the absolute least amount of carbon they could have used in the driver and still call it “nano carbon”.” He then denounces TangZu for “deceptive marketing.”
TangZu Claims Manufacturing Error
A day after Hi-Fri posted the original YouTube video, TangZu released a statement apologizing for what they called an “unfortunate incident” and owning up to an error in manufacturing.
TangZu goes on to explain that the Shimin Li Encounter Edition and Shangguan Wan’er IEMs were produced at the same time. This led to batches being mixed together due to “human error caused by excessive production error.”
The company then reaches out to customers, promising proper compensation for the mistake.
TangZu doesn’t disclose details about the new products but mentions they are called Changle Princess and Tang Sancai.
Alternatively, you can return your Shimin Li Encounter Edition IEMs and receive a refund.
As a side note, the company indicates that the error occurred while manufacturing the first batch of IEMs. They state that they eventually addressed the issue, implying that subsequent batches of Shimin Li Encounter Edition IEMs should meet marketing claims.
Clients Are Divided on the Issue
After reading TangZu’s statement, some users are still willing to give the Shimin Li Encounter Edition IEMs a try.
Others are left wondering whether it may be worth buying the product just to get the upcoming releases for free.
Meanwhile, some TangZu clients are disappointed with the proposed compensation.
Shimin Li Encounter Edition Details
The Shimin Li Encounter Edition IEMs hit the market on March 2022 as a collaboration between TangZu and SeeAudio. Priced below $50, they are marketed to users keen to enhance their audio experience at an affordable price.
The IEMs feature a red dragon scale design and, according to the product description, 10mm dual cavity carbon nano dynamic drivers with N52 magnets that promise to increase volume and reduce impedance.