Great review and keep them coming!
Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
DrSheep
dulty
Great review man, thanks! Can you compare with the Noble 4?
PinkyPowers
This is the first time I've heard the K10 described as "bright". Is this a new signature due to the aluminum housing?
twister6
@PinkyPowers : it's all eartip dependent (universal vs custom) and based on subjective hearing perception. My ears are sensitive to upper frequencies, and K10UA captured FR has a noticeable 6kHz peak which adds better sound definition. That 6k peak is also around sibilance area. The sound is definitely not warm/smooth but rather bright. But the level of brightness is not harsh or grainy, but rather more revealing and high definition. For the reference, lately I can't even tolerate DN2kJ because it's way too bright, hitting sibilance level to my ears. Also, EL-8C - metallic bright sheen irritates my ears as well 
A83 hybrid can hit it hard with upper mids/treble where sometime I have to lower the volume, and the same with T-Peos A200. K10UA is NOWHERE near that brightness.
A83 hybrid can hit it hard with upper mids/treble where sometime I have to lower the volume, and the same with T-Peos A200. K10UA is NOWHERE near that brightness.
Vaanres
could you please compare the size of k10ua with universal roxxane ?
regit
Good stuff! Good info on the sources comparison and made me thinking about the the X5ii
Looking at the pic showing the fit, would that be the deepest you managed to get? My experience is that a shallow fit will tend to sound bright (and to me K10U is more on the warm side). Deeper fit may reduce that brightness and correspondingly giving you that added subbass.
Talking about a having a blend of warm and analytical sound signature in one C/IEM, have you tried the TG334? To me, the fitear fit the bill, though the sound it produce on some tracks may sound a bit "odd" or unnatural. So, the K10u remains for me the more versatile IEM.
Looking at the pic showing the fit, would that be the deepest you managed to get? My experience is that a shallow fit will tend to sound bright (and to me K10U is more on the warm side). Deeper fit may reduce that brightness and correspondingly giving you that added subbass.
Talking about a having a blend of warm and analytical sound signature in one C/IEM, have you tried the TG334? To me, the fitear fit the bill, though the sound it produce on some tracks may sound a bit "odd" or unnatural. So, the K10u remains for me the more versatile IEM.
twister6
@regit : K10U has a relative short nozzle, so I can't imagine pushing it any further into my ear What's sticking out is a the actual deep shell of the monitor. For example, Savant is nearly flush with my ear while having a similar nozzle length, but it also has a shell which is 2/3 in depth. I do agree, with a deeper insertion sound signature would be different and that explains why so many people with K10 CIEM have a different take on the sound - better isolation, deeper insertion of the nozzle, and thus a different perception of the sound. Keep in mind, additional weight also weights it down, thus my comment that you need a cable with an earhook to keep it secure. But I still LOVE the sound of K10UA. It's addictive!!!
What's sticking out is a the actual deep shell of the monitor. For example, Savant is nearly flush with my ear while having a similar nozzle length, but it also has a shell which is 2/3 in depth. I do agree, with a deeper insertion sound signature would be different and that explains why so many people with K10 CIEM have a different take on the sound - better isolation, deeper insertion of the nozzle, and thus a different perception of the sound. Keep in mind, additional weight also weights it down, thus my comment that you need a cable with an earhook to keep it secure. But I still LOVE the sound of K10UA. It's addictive!!!
Music2move
Thanks, great review. I use older K10u ( black acrylic) with stock cable, fed from Chord Hugo mostly. I find this combo very natural, slightly rich/ warm and musical, not at all over-bright, but then my hearing has also aged over time, so my sensory aural experience probably different. Personally love the combo: the Final Heaven 6, and 7,, are close but K10u my favourite, however YMMV.
Happy listening, M2m
Happy listening, M2m
twister6
@Music2move : Yes, I heard its a great pair up with Chord dacs (Hugo and Mojo) which are smooth organic in tonality. I actually didn't find K10UA to be over bright either, but the combination of extra weight and maybe a slightly looser fit, and 6k peak makes them sound skewed more toward the brighter side.
Music2move
Yes, I see your point, thx for clarifying. Are keeping your pair, or satisfied w Savant alone.
Music2move
Also, have u had chance to listen to the newer ones, e.g. Django?
twister6
@Music2move : The new universal line was just introduced and revealed at SoCal CanJam, unfortunately I wasn't able to attend it, but maybe will get a chance to review more of their models in the future. Regarding K10UA and Savant, those were sent to me for review purpose, I didn't purchase them; and both are definitely at the top of my review sample collection and in constant listening rotation.
twister6
@nvtdien : I already posted a detailed comparison between K10U and U12 in my review above. Is that what you mean? Or do you mean which one has a better retrieval of details? They are both very resolving and have an excellent retrieval of details, just that some might perceive K10U more detail oriented due to its relatively brighter signature in comparison to U12. As I mentioned, U12 is warmer and smoother while K10U is brighter and more revealing.
punit
Great Review
glassmonkey
I admire your style. If you see some of it in my reviews going forward take it as a compliment. Excellent review. The K10U is definitely on my listen list for Canjam London.
