Yes! Finally they arrived but I wasn't able to join in because my internet access has been down all day
What can I say? I've been listening on and off for around 7 hours, and I'm seriously impressed. I'm using the
+ treble and + bass and that seems to be the best combination for me. The vocals are upfront and detailed,
the treble quality is comparable with my beloved C700s, lots of it and pretty damn sparkly! The soundstage is lovely, very expansive for iems and slightly 'bigger' than the Denons.
The bass is something I'd like more of, but that's just greed. I don't really 'need' more bass, I'd just like a bit more thump! I would also be up for a ++++++ bass port. . . and it's good to know that one day Jason and co will no doubt come up with one. That's the beauty of these headphones - they can be upgraded without having to go elsewhere. What a novel idea!
I
love the cable. It's substantial, tangle-free and similar to the Denon C700 which has been my favourite so far for the ability to drop out with a quick shake. I really appreciate a user-friendly cable. Why doesn't everyone do that? Is it too much work or something? And it's so nice to be able to shove the headphones in without getting irritated by the constant unknotting.
Fit. I know it must just be me, since everyone else has no problem getting a good fit - but I'm finding it awkward to maintain a good seal. I'm not sure whether to twist them in upwards or shove them in straight, but I'm going to try the Image gels next. I should point out (like several others) that the bi-flanges are really comfortable and don't hurt or irritate at all. I've never got on with bi-flanges before, so that was an unexpected surprise. I'll perservere with the fit as I'm not giving these up. They sound too good.
Note: The treble tubes came out with the bi-flange, and when I tried to pull the tube out from the sleeve, it suddenly pinged out in mid air and landed next to my cat, who was just about to paw it under the settee when I grabbed it (the tube, not my pusscat!.) I realised why it had been so easy to come out. I hadn't read the instructions!! If I had, I'd have seen that the treble tubes have to be double clicked, which I hadn't done. They haven't come out again since I clicked them properly into place.
Quick Image/SA6 comparison. When I first had the Image I was completely overwhelmed. I'd never heard bass like it, and they sounded really good with the un-eqable (is that even a word??) Zune. But it was the vocals that finally killed them for me in the end as they played right in my brain. It wasn't all vocals that did this, but it was enough to make it it uncomfortable to listen to long term.
The Image has a very very warm sound - the SA6 is more neutral but
very very musical and they just sound much 'clearer' than the Image, especially the vocals which have a more natural tone.
The SA6 cable is nicer and cable noise isn't an issue for me at all. Comfort wise - I'd say (at this early stage) that they're as comfortable as the Image, and that's saying something because the Image were the most comfortable iems I'd ever worn.
All in all, these are excellent earphones. The idea that you can 'make' your own sound is almost futuristic, but it's real. The same pair could appeal to half a dozen people, all with different listening preferences - how amazing is that?
That's it. I'm done. Well done Jason and everyone one involved with these little treats for the ears.
I'm going to review them on cnet as well. Some
real user opinions will soon put their own review into perspective.