Sleek SA6

[tstarn06]

Actually, I am not sure which non-flange silicone tips you could use that would turn the SA6s into more of a canalphone. They really are made for sound isolation, and I don't think there is a tip that can change that. Any of the typical silicone tips for canalphones have a much wider base/hole, and would be too large for the SA6 treble tubes. One possibility is the Shure Soft Flex (NOT the olive), which are gray. But they also pretty much seal off your ear, just like the foamies and flanges that fit the SA6.

So the short answer is, no, I don't believe you can hear ambient sounds with the SA6s while walking, at least not like you can with canalphones or ear buds.

[AndrewF]

Got my SA-6's the other day (very fast shipping and excellent customer service- outstanding, really). Too soon to give a really detailed review, but they are very, very nice. With the bass + port they have perhaps a tiny bit less bass than the UM2, but seem to have greater clarity over the midrange. The bass is very good, though- you would have to be a really serious basshead to complain about these at all. Very focused and tight bass, definitely tighter than the UM2. i haven't experimented with the treble + adapter yet, but am curious to see whether it gives just a bit more sparkle to the highs. At the moment, I would say that they are at least as good as the UM2, and maybe a bit better overall.

They're very comfortable, well made IEM's. I am using the largest biflange, and I get an outstanding seal. I actually don't have to push it super far into my ear to get a great seal with the large biflange. Being able to have the cable over and under my ears is very nice- over for exercise, under for normal listening. I tried them with my modded Shure tri to biflange, and they stuck out too much- the Sleek ones have a much shorter nozzle, and look and feel much, much better with the SA-6 (whereas the Shure works great on the UM2).

The only unfortunate aspect of the SA-6's is that they reveal the less than optimal sound quality coming out of the 2G Shuffle, even using 320AAC files. There's a noticeable difference using them with the 2G Nano, and a big difference using them off the Nano-Tomahawk setup. I don't think they need additional amplification, but I think they reward a really good source.

Andrew

[elnero]

Originally Posted by AndrewF

The only unfortunate aspect of the SA-6's is that they reveal the less than optimal sound quality coming out of the 2G Shuffle, even using 320AAC files. There's a noticeable difference using them with the 2G Nano, and a big difference using them off the Nano-Tomahawk setup. I don't think they need additional amplification, but I think they reward a really good source.

Andrew

Yes, they are very revealing and yes you will be rewarded even more when paired with a decent source... and amp for that matter. The bulk of my listening has been with a HeadAmp Pico and it's a very noticeable improvement over the iPod's headphone jack.

I did a little experiment here comparing the older 9V version of the Micro Stack to my Pico as well as both the Micro amp and the Pico's amp using my Oppo DV-980H as a source. The SA6's were very revealing of the differences, surprisingly so in fact.

[AndrewF]

Listening to them now with the (+) treble, the (+) bass, Nano lineout via ALO cable to Tomahawk- just fantastic!

(A Place to Bury Strangers- To Fix the Gash in Your Head is just totally awesome with this setup)

Andrew

[Mush]

anyone here a current/previous super.fi 5 eb user who can compare them to the SA6?

[ClieOS]

Originally Posted by VelJharig

I'm still a bit concerned about the overall insertion depth... when you say "as most of its class required" are you referring to the class of headphone in general (IEM) or the class of the specific type of tip (the flanges) used by default with the SA6?

I mean IEM in general.

Assuming your ear canal size is about normal middle size, the bi-flange insertion is about 1/2 into the second flange, which is roughly 6~8mm in. Foam actually insert deeper in (generally the whole length, about 10mm).

Don't worry too much cause it takes sometime for your canal to adapt to the insertion. Once you get pass that, your won't really pay much attention over it any more.

Also, I updated this info to my review of SA6:
If any of you ever found that the bass seems more dull in one channel when using the Bass+ port, most likely the tiny hole is blocked. Remove the Bass+ port and use a small pin to clear out any clot. The massive bass will come right back.

[VelJharig]

Alright... I've given in to temptation. Thanks for all the helpful feedback folks - I ordered a pair of the SA6's today. I also ordered a spare cable and will be trying ClieOS' suggestion of trimming it down to create a half-length cable for them.

They should be arriving around the same time as the Pioneer SE-CLX9's, and one of the two pairs will be going back after evaluation (thank God for 30-day eval policies...). I'm hoping that I will find a way to work with the greater insertion depth of the SA6 and find a good setup for outdoor situations, as I really do like what I've read so far about the phones' quality, the company, and the development they are doing with the community here. Once I've had them for a bit, I'll try to offer some inexpert feedback on my thoughts comparing the Pioneers and Sleeks.

Cheers, and thanks again for the help.

(Insert mandatory Surgeon General's warning that reading Head-Fi is life-threatening to wallets here... )

[tstarn06]

Welcome. Yo La Tengo sounds pretty damn good right now through the Sleeks.

[Th3 KAS]

Originally Posted by VelJharig

Once I've had them for a bit, I'll try to offer some inexpert feedback on my thoughts comparing the Pioneers and Sleeks.

Interested in your comparo...

[Griedus]

Hello all, I'm currently using some Mylarone X3s and am interested in an upgrade.

The Sleek SA6 has certainly caught my attention. I like the customizable aspect of it, and there seem to be good recommendations for it here. However, I'm a bit concerned about the build quality. For example, is there any chance that the bass port would fall off while in-use? Or, does it feel sturdy enough that none of the parts would come apart while in-use?

[Th3 KAS]

No chance whatsoever. Build is very solid and secure.

[Kees]

Originally Posted by Th3 KAS

No chance whatsoever. Build is very solid and secure.

X2.
Build quality is top notch.

[PeterDLai]

Originally Posted by ClieOS

Also, I updated this info to my review of SA6:
If any of you ever found that the bass seems more dull in one channel when using the Bass+ port, most likely the tiny hole is blocked. Remove the Bass+ port and use a small pin to clear out any clot. The massive bass will come right back.

I regret not testing them right before I used a staple to open up the hole a little, but listening to them now, they sound like they have bigger, more explosive bass. This tip will hold me off until a bass++ port is released.

[Th3 KAS]

Originally Posted by PeterDLai

I regret not testing them right before I used a staple to open up the hole a little, but listening to them now, they sound like they have bigger, more explosive bass. This tip will hold me off until a bass++ port is released.

Did you have to shave off any plastic? If not, how much force/alteration was needed to change the sound?

[tstarn06]

yeah, sounds interesting, but I don't want to do any damage to the bass port. I never even bothered to look to see how large/small the hole actually is. But if it can be modded a little, why not? You can always buy a replacement, which is why the Sleeks are so much fun.