Sleek SA6

[tstarn06]

Doesn't sound like SA6 is a FOTM candidate, but I hope to find out today. And my humble collection is light years away from UE11 and its brethren. So to me, this is very exciting stuff - a tremendous combo of sound quality and value (relatively speaking) in an IEM.

Now where the heck is that Fedex person?

[EyeAmEye]

Originally Posted by tstarn06

Doesn't sound like SA6 is a FOTM candidate, but I hope to find out today. And my humble collection is light years away from UE11 and its brethren. So to me, this is very exciting stuff - a tremendous combo of sound quality and value (relatively speaking) in an IEM.

Now where the heck is that Fedex person?

You will be enjoying my current setup soon enough (SA6 and Zune)

[tstarn06]

Wow, a very weird review. First, they rate it four out of five stars. Then, the review is very positive, all along the way. And yet, somehow, the reviewer rates the sound out of the SE210 as superior? Huh? At least say the SA6 doesn't match the 530 for SQ. But the 210? It's as if he/she plucked a model out of the air. Notice, the reviewer also mentions Shure's tip selection as well. Could be a Shure bias in play.

Let's face it, reading these reviews (in either direction) is a waste of time until you try the SA6s first-hand. I know, there are/were plenty of accolades for some FOTM phones on Head-Fi too (I might have even contributed to the Vibe anointment early on), but it all depends on who is dishing out the praise. So far, the Head-Fiers who have used and praised the SA6s are not exactly rookies. That says something, in my view.

When the SA6s arrive, I try them out for a couple of days and if they are truly prove to be the sound nirvana early users have said they are, I will at least post counter-reviews on some of these sites.

Originally Posted by PeterDLai

Not that I would trust a magazine called Computer Shopper (though they claim to be "Britain's Biggest Technology Magazine") but it seems interesting that reviews outside of Head-Fi seem to be so mixed.

"The SA6's sound quality was good, but doesn't quite match that of Shure's cheaper SE210 sound-isolating earphones. Still, Sleek deserves praise for innovation, and we look forward to seeing new models in the future."

Source

Of course I trust you guys more, but it still irks me when I read such conflicting opinions.

[antonyfirst]

Originally Posted by EyeAmEye

Yes, it's unfair, but what makes it interesting is the UE11's single flaw (at least to me). The bass of the UE11 is monstrous, and while that's fun the majority of the time, it tends to overshadow the highs and mids. Everything is there, and in great detail, but you have to weed through the bass to catch them. The bass adds a tremendous weight and body to the sound that is unrivaled in anything I've heard so far (IEM wise), and makes anything else sound very thin in comparison. The SA6 with the bass+ and treble+ offer enough body to not sound thin and give a more neutral sound.


Sorry I'm not much for the technical speak, but I would sum it up like this:

SA6- brighter, more neutral sounding. Mids, highs more forward. Bass is well presented, never overpowering, nice bass slam. Good detail across the spectrum. Highs sound splashy in direct comparison to UE11. Vocals are pushed forward. Soundstage is narrower and flatter than UE11.

UE11 - Very warm sound. Heavy and detailed bass that creates a "big" sound. Very authoritative sound. Bass has tendency to overshadow mids/highs, has slam and/or bloat (depending upon recording). On heavy bass recordings, this is a problem, but for most, makes the UE11 a very fun listen. Mids and highs are extremely accurate and detailed. Treble is extremely smooth and delicate, can be drowned out by bass. Mids seem a tad recessed, but are very detailed and natural. Vocals blend more with the music. Soundstage is wider.

Hope that helps. I will say this, from a sound perspective only, the SA6 is a better value. The UE11 justifies it's cost mainly in unparalleled comfort. The sound difference is not as huge as one would think.

Thanks for the great comparison. Would you say the Sleek can be sibilant at times? In addition, where the UE11 can sound as full size cans, can the SA6 give the same impression, or do they present MUCH narrower soundstage? Are they equally transparent/detailed/picky towards source?

For last, would you care to describe the shortcomings Triple fi have compared to the UE11? This will let me (and others) put your UE11-SA6 comparison in perspective, having owned (and liked) the Triple fi 10 Pro.
Also a comparison between the the SA6 and E500 would be extremely appreciated, even if based on memory.

At last, would you say the SA6 are better value over UE11 even for a 550$ iMod setup thought to bring out the best sound from a portable?

Thanks!

[cn11]

Originally Posted by antonyfirst

Thanks for the great comparison. Would you say the Sleek can be sibilant at times? In addition, where the UE11 can sound as full size cans, can the SA6 give the same impression, or do they present MUCH narrower soundstage? Are they equally transparent/detailed/picky towards source?

Tony-
I will chime in here on the sibilance question. I would say a big hearty no on sibilance... none, zero. Vocals are smoooooth & natural. I'd say they're on par with the Atrio for amount of sibilance (or lack thereof), but with a ton more detail (if that makes sense).

Of course I cannot make any comparisons to the UE11.

[soozieq]

Originally Posted by cn11

Vocals are smoooooth & natural. I'd say they're on par with the Atrio for amount of sibilance (or lack thereof)

But they're definitely not recessed at all?? I know the Atrios are considered to have slightly recessed mids (which some people like and some people don't) - and that's the reason I didn't buy those before the Denons. I like clear forward vocals. I definitely don't like a recessed midrange

[antonyfirst]

Great great. Love in my chest is growing bigger.

[epithetless]

Originally Posted by cn11

Tony-
I will chime in here on the sibilance question. I would say a big hearty no on sibilance... none, zero. Vocals are smoooooth & natural. I'd say they're on par with the Atrio for amount of sibilance (or lack thereof), but with a ton more detail (if that makes sense).

Good god...That settles it. I'm getting 'em. Looks like you and I may have identical setups when the smoke clears, cn11...

By the by, has anyone here heard the Goldring GX200? Any thoughts on how they compare to the SA6, especially on the sibilance front? I'm still interested in a fatigue-free canalphone to complement whatever IEMs are in my stable.

[cn11]

Not at all. They're right there where they should be, without any harshness. I think you will very much enjoy the vocals & mids after what you described not liking on the Images. They are the antithesis of what you described there. The vocals & mids on these are just right without harshness.

Originally Posted by soozieq

But they're definitely not recessed at all?? I know the Atrios are considered to have slightly recessed mids (which some people like and some people don't) - and that's the reason I didn't buy those before the Denons. I like clear forward vocals. I definitely don't like a recessed midrange

[tstarn06]

Originally Posted by epithetless

Good god...That settles it. I'm getting 'em. Looks like you and I may have identical setups when the smoke clears, cn11...

By the by, has anyone here heard the Goldring GX200? Any thoughts on how they compare to the SA6, especially on the sibilance front? I'm still interested in a fatigue-free canalphone to complement whatever IEMs are in my stable.

Goldring GX200 Headphones Review review at AVForums.com

Some food for thought.

[elnero]

Originally Posted by antonyfirst

Also a comparison between the the SA6 and E500 would be extremely appreciated, even if based on memory.

I know this wasn't directed at me but I will really try to get the review and comparison with the E500's I've been working on done this weekend. Unfortunately since I got the SA6's I've had two head colds, had to work a few evenings and when I have been home my wife has taken over the computer most nights for her work all of which has delayed the review I had planned.

Edit: I was also kind of hoping I get the new bass ports and the ++ treble tubes beforehand as well but so far there's been nothing in the mail. I don't want to bug Jason about right now though because I know what it's like with a new baby in the house. If I can get it done this weekend I'll post further impressions of new ports and tubes as the arrive.

[tstarn06]

Wow, a family suffering from computeritis singulitis. That's such a rare disease these days. Highly treatable, though. Just kidding.

[epithetless]

Originally Posted by tstarn06

Goldring GX200 Headphones Review review at AVForums.com

Some food for thought.

Thanks for the link, tsarn06. I'd actually read that review before, and though the reviewer's positivity is promising, he doesn't really approach the subject of sibilance or harshness...aaaand his point of reference is a Skullcandy headset... I've dropped a post in the "GX200 Impressions" thread, so we'll see where that leads.

[tstarn06]

Originally Posted by epithetless

Thanks for the link, tsarn06. I'd actually read that review before, and though the reviewer's positivity is promising, he doesn't really approach the subject of sibilance or harshness...aaaand his point of reference is a Skullcandy headset... I've dropped a post in the "GX200 Impressions" thread, so we'll see where that leads.

Sure you know this, but it looks like it would be tough to even buy one in the U.S. Amazon has one listed at $119, and the seller rating is 87 percent, pretty low.

[EyeAmEye]

Originally Posted by antonyfirst

Thanks for the great comparison. Would you say the Sleek can be sibilant at times? In addition, where the UE11 can sound as full size cans, can the SA6 give the same impression, or do they present MUCH narrower soundstage? Are they equally transparent/detailed/picky towards source?

For last, would you care to describe the shortcomings Triple fi have compared to the UE11? This will let me (and others) put your UE11-SA6 comparison in perspective, having owned (and liked) the Triple fi 10 Pro.
Also a comparison between the the SA6 and E500 would be extremely appreciated, even if based on memory.

At last, would you say the SA6 are better value over UE11 even for a 550$ iMod setup thought to bring out the best sound from a portable?

Thanks!

No, the SA6 is not sibilant, it's only in direct comparison to UE11's high end that it can seem splashy. You experienced some of the UE high end with the Triple.Fi, the UE11 is very similar in that regard. Very smooth and delicate

The SA6 does not give me a full-size can sound, not at all. Naturally being an IEM, the soundstage is fairly narrow, but the biggest difference with the UE11 is the depth, not really the width.

From memory:
SA6 vs. E500 (SE530) - E500 has more bass (slightly bloated), recessed high end. Smooth midrange, a bit better than SA6. SA6's high end is more present. SA6 is more forward, E500 is laid back. SA6 is more neutral. Detail across the spectrum is about equal. The E500 was boring to me, SA6 has more energy, much more fun.

UE11 vs. Triple.Fi - UE11 has FAR more bass. Triple.Fi was bass light, IMO. Midrange on the Triple.Fi was recessed, not so on the UE11, though at times the immense bass can overshadow it. High end is roughly equal, both have great detail without any sibilance. UE11 is warmer, more powerful. Soundstage on UE11 is wider and deeper. Much more robust sound, Triple.Fi sounds thin in comparison.

Hard to comment on source because at the moment I am only using a Zune80. I have no home setup.

I have owned the Imod (5.5G) when I bought the UE11. I tried the Imod with a Supermacro, Ibasso D2 and a Minibox-E. The Ibasso D2 was a horrible pairing, the bassy and warm signature of the D2 with the UE11 was unbearable. The Supermacro and Minibox-E were better, very similar presentations. Didn't tame the UE11 bass, but didn't amplify the problem, either.

Guess what I'm saying is that unless you are a true basshead, you might be better served with the SA6 for your Imod, or maybe, should you choose to go custom and liked the UE sound, you should look into the UE10. Going by the impressions of others, the UE10's bass is not as overly prevalent as the UE11.