I'm using it with a Macbook Pro and an iPod touch. I've had two V6s so far (both made in Thailand in 2012).
Packaging
The headphones, the cable, and the puch don't really fit in the box, and as a result they all show signs of stress out of the box. The puch was folded twice to fit and got creased, the cable got small dents and the straight sections got crooked, the headband got asymmetrical, the earpads got also slightly squashed. Both units were new, purchased from different sellers, same story. The gold colored box and shiny red cloth make the false and pretentious statement that they accomodate a premium product, but it's really just money wasted on masquerade. A more spacious and simpler packaging is needed.
Sound
After three weeks (about 100 hours) it has finally burned in and the upper midrange harshness that was so apparent in the first two weeks is now gone. The bass is punchy and generally dominant at lower volume levels, the mids are always a bit recessed. From about 1/3 volume, the lower treble and upper midrange starts to come foreward and overpower and from 1/2 i can hear some distortion.
I find its sound signature most suitable for electronic dance music, and least for symphonic orchestral music.
Headstage / soundstage: Everything sounds to come from either inside my head or behind and lower than my head.
Sensitivity and volume
It's easy to drive, even by an iPod. On the Macbook Pro, 25-50% is plenty loud. On the iPod touch it's ideal: 50% is about a medium volume.
Isolation
Seals properly all around, but surroundings are hearable at low volume levels. To the outside, in a quiet room, there is very small leakage at 1/3 volume (driven by Macbook Pro).
Comfort
After a week of getting used to, it's only slightly tiring after a dozen-hour stint. Sometimes i barely feel they're on, which is ideal. The clamping force is optimal, it doesn't hurt my head and it won't fall off when i tilt my head forward (it's slowly sliding off when i look up).
The cups aren't big enough though: the width is barely ok, but they're not tall enough and so the pads press my ear lobes against my head, which makes them sweat. Otherwise it doesn't make the rest of my ears sweat, but they itch sometimes due to the lack of ventilation. It's warm but not hot. These apply for January weather with low humidity and 21℃ inside; I still have to see what it's like with these on in humid summer 35℃.
Design and build
The only metal parts of the whole framework are the inner part of the headband; and the smaller covers of the cups (with the writing and the label), which is misleading because it's only cosmetic: the inner side of that cover is still plastic.
The steps of the headband don't hold strongly enough and so the band tends to gradually contract on my head over the course of hours, effectively pulling the cups upwards. This movement is not noticeable per se, but when i check i can feel it has moved out of setting and have to readjust.
The articulating parts between the band and the cups make small plasticky clicking and knocking sounds for slight movements, sometimes even when i don't move my head; it's very annoying and distracting. Both V6s i owned did this (this could be similar to the creaking issue of the V700 and V55 i've read about). I needed to make the joints tighter with some stickers to make them shut up.
The cable entry on the left cup (where the cable goes into the strain relief), also made noises when moved, as if they were sticking to and unsticking from each other. I had to disassemble the left cup, move and clean the cable and strain relief to eliminate the issue, which was only on the second unit.
Cable and plug
Both the coiled cable and the straight plug are big, heavy and look durable.
Overall
For the money, the V6 sounds good, and i really appreciate sturdy and utilitarian design in general. But it's just too sloppy, they clearly don't make these so well they originally used to in Japan in the 1980s.
The small can (with the writing and the label) is metal outside, plastic inside.
It's all plastic inside. There's a safety loop. I thought there are thicker wires inside that thick cable.
Hinge mods (white).
Hanger mods (white).
Strain relief
Strain relief
Bonus: the register on the left cup came creased and screwed in, on the right cup it was folded. That's 2 out of 2 — made in Thailand. :-/
As for Doberman, can't tell if you're messing or not since you yourself have a pair lol
Well anyways, if you've been into the headphone hobby for a while, you'll surely know of the qualia and r10 soonr or later :)
However, add a pair of Velour AKG earpads, and I love My V6's, no headband or cable dramas to report here
Hutnicks, i might have got a ****ty unit. :)
The Amazon.ca returns policy is worded differently. I would contact CS to clarify.
I'm wary of buying a V6 again, and i'm wary of trying something delicate like the Creative Aurvana Live (read about wire failures). I feel like i figured out the sound of the V6 and am ready to move on but only to something durable.
I'd mostly like a durable IEM under $150. Checked Innerfidelity's wall of fame, Head-fi's summer 2012 guide (pdf), recommendation threads. Often i hit a wall because of significant discrepancies in prices and availability between the US and UK, or frail designs.
I forgot to say i only like in-ear and circumaural headphones, for their comfort and isolation (if they're closed). Which Etymotics do you have?
When I ordered from the UK, i was charged the 19% UK VAT (collected by the seller) but no customs in my country because it was a commerce inside the EU.
I didn't even know about Superlux, i'm going to read the reviews.
The Superlux are getting very decent reviews. Bang for buck they are hard to beat. I was set to pick up a pair of 681s when a deal on a pair of T20's came up. I still want to own a pair of the 681 and more than likely the 330 or 660 closed back phones. That will have to wait. Here is a link to a German Dealer http://www.thomann.de/gb/superlux_hd660.htm