3 questions before buying Sleek SA6 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

firefly767 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-18-2009, 03:40 AM

Hi everyone! New to the forum here and I have some questions regarding SA6:

1. will i run SA6 through my sony mp3 player (NWS705) unamped? will this affect SQ much?

2. I am buying from soundearphones.com and they have the 2009 version. Does this version have improved bass port as well as the new cable? Does the new cable have better quality than previous ones? (i am just worried there is only 3 month warranty on them)

3. what are the steps in getting a replacement? I am from Canada and I am afraid it is costly to get a replacement etc. do I have to send the old ones back for new ones or do they just ship me a new one?

Thanks!

tacitapproval · #2 (**permalink**) 08-18-2009, 02:06 PM

1. The SA6 sounds very good unamped out of my Fuze or D2.
2. The 2009 should have the new bass ports and cable. The cable is a vast improvement over the original. It is thinner but stays flexible (the earlier one would harden and crack), is less microphonic, and has a bump to indicate "right side." Also, the shell has been improved over the earlier version. I have had some problems in the past with my SA6, but with the new versions, none thus far (knock wood).
3. You will have to send items to Florida for warranty service, which has always been handled promptly, in my case.

Beyerfan70 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-18-2009, 05:17 PM

Let's hope the 09 version is more professional in build.
The Sa6 isn't that bad an iem but after my original broke in less than 3 days i wasn't at all impressed.
Nice sound but i personally would advise caution.

kirtar · #4 (**permalink**) 08-18-2009, 08:45 PM

1. Should be fine. I run mine off of a Rio ce2100.
2. Has the new ports and the new cable as far as I know. Not sure about the comparison to the old cable since I've only had the one with the 2009 (UPDATE: nevermind, apparently I have the old cable). Haven't had any problems at all with it. However, I would note that mine seems to like to retain bends from wrapping the cable (when putting it in a case, not the one it came with). Also, I see no "bump" unless you mean the embossed R and L, which are impossible to see in low-light.
3. What tacitapproval said.

Also a note, for me, the ideal size of the tips would be somewhere between the medium and the small. The small cannot seal due to a quick turn in my ear canal not allowing it to get deep enough to seal. The medium causes the thing to stick out more than I would like. Isolation and sound is still nice though.

tacitapproval · #5 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirtar

2. Has the new ports and the new cable as far as I know. Not sure about the comparison to the old cable since I've only had the one with the 2009. Haven't had any problems at all with it. However, I would note that mine seems to like to retain bends from wrapping the cable (when putting it in a case, not the one it came with). Also, I see no "bump" unless you mean the embossed R and L, which are impossible to see in low-light.

Does your cable have an "L" shaped plug or straight plug? If it is the former, it is the old cable. Lack of "bump" (which solves the low light problem)and tendency to retain bends lead me to believe you have the old cable. If so, the new one is a huge improvement.

Also, you might want to try the Shure "black olive" foam tips. I find them to be much more comfortable than the silicone ones included.

kirtar · #6 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 07:53 PM

Yeah, has the L shaped plug. Hmmm.. interesting. When did they change the cable? I got it a little bit after they released the 2009 refresh (got it from soundearphones in late March)

tacitapproval · #7 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 01:11 AM

I think the new cables came out this Spring.

kirtar · #8 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 02:06 AM

yeah, I just did search through the forum. It seems that they got the new cables in June (Sleek cables quality issues - again). w/e, doubt I'll get the new cable unless I have problems with the one I have, which so far, I haven't (although it sometimes comes off from around my ears, but otherwise it's alright). Really the only thing I have a problem on is the size of the tips. The mediums are a bit too big (sometimes lose seal by pushing out of my ear... Also very shallow insertion), and the smalls are too small (can't actually put the things in far enough for them to seal). Know of any tips that would work somewhere between these? I've heard that the Klipsch ear gels are nice, but I don't know how the size compares.

tacitapproval · #9 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 03:12 AM

As I said, I like the Shure "black olive" tips with the SA6. I haven't tried the Klipsch gels, sorry.