Hey guys 
Finally received my Sleek SA1 after much waiting ;D
Package-
As always, sleek audio's package is always top notch, similar to its sa6 and its wireless kleer W-1, the external of the package is nicely design, making the overall product very stylish, a great combination of red and black, white coloured fonts
Contents-Superb
This is the wired version fyi.
Opening the package, reveals the sa1's cables, which uses a straight plug, whereas the sa6's edition is a 90 degree kind, have not tried the sa1's cables with the sa6 though. They would work together, just that it might be inappropriate since the exiting angle is afterall, different.
It comes with a pair of dual large flange, a pair of dual small flange, a pair of single small flange, a pair of single medium flange(on the iem), a pair of large flange, all made of silicon.
Also comes with a small pouch, with "SA" labeling at the front of the pouch.
Its a small and hard pouch, which I believe is comparable or harder than the standard pouch that westone provides.
A little slip of paper, providing description on how to operate SA1's variable EQ system, directions for use, warning and safe usage, and warranty info.
It seems that the dual flange are meant more for SA6 than the SA1. I had difficulty implementing the dual flanges on the SA1, but their medium single flange suits me well anyway, similarly to SA6's medium dual flange.
The 2009 cables was a great improvement over the 2008 ones.
The jacket/sleeve of the cable was smooth, flexible wires. The y-joint connector was much much lighter and low profile.
Indeed, microphonics was more or less not an issue anymore.
But as shigzeo had pointed out in his review, the strain relief at the jacks seems pretty weak, so I of course, I will be cautious when handling it.
However, the cables seems A bit too thin, thin to the point that it seems flimsy and vulnerable to snapping(never try haha)
But yes, its a great improvement over the 2008 ones.
First and foremost, before I talk about the sound quality, some information about myself.
I was a user of the westone um3x in the past, which I sold away for the sleek audio sa6, which I love dearly.
The balance, enjoyment, clarity, versatility that sa6 offers made it one of my favorite universal iems out there.
However, no matter how good a product is, theres still its short coming.
For the SA6, it would be its bass/lows, which I felt the quantity was lacking at times, and at few complicated passages, it would sound somewhat congested.
Another point to note about the SA6, would be its build quality. I am referring to the 2008's version of the iem and the cables.
The nozzle tip of my sa6's 2008 edition broke off, which I rma for a 2009 edition, which improves the build quality to a large extent.
The 2008 cables were stiff after long period of usage, and at the joint areas, it was visibility weak, and microphonic was an issue.
But most of the issues was solved in the 2009 cables as mentioned above.
For headphones, I am a user of the well known "detail" cans, the love it or hate it cans, the AKG k70x.
I own the AKG k702 with moon audio Black Dragon cables for a period of time, before switching to a stock AKG k701 due to my intentions to go balanced.
My music genres revolves around classical, some jazz, chinese pop, world, some rock, and easy listening pieces.
After switching between the black and the silver treble ports, I decided to go for the silver one for higher level of clarity(Akg k70x user).
And yes, the difference between the 2 ports are audible enough for my ears.
The black brings out more lows, yes, but seems to be boomy and sounded congested, slightly muffled.
My initial impressions on the SA1, at 0 hours burn in(Yes, it uses a dynamic driver)
Rigs using:
ALAC > Hp Elitebook 6930p Laptop > USB > Cambridge Audio DACMagic > RCA > AudioTrak imAmp > Sleek Audio SA1 Wired
The very very first thing that wow-ed me was the soundstage. It was huge, seriously, to the point that it is slightly smaller than my yuin pk2, which is a ear bud.
It still retain the features of sleek audio sound signature, even though it utilises a dynamic driver, which is the balance in its sound.
It sounded very enjoyable at the same time.
Well refined and dynamic.
Instrumental seperation was done very very well, distinctly.
Indeed, it is the little brother of the sa6
Mids being textured and clear.
Vocals sounded clear, trebles was well controlled, not too sharp.
But the lows seems lacking in terms of clarity and separation in comparison.
Instrumental sounded slightly laid back.
Its isolation was very good, with stock medium single flange, similarly to the sa6 with medium dual flange, but I felt the sa6's isolation level to be A bit higher, though both are of a high level themselves.
However, though it retains the pros of the sa6, it "inherited" the cons of the sa6 too, as mentioned above, which is that for its bass/lows, it still doesn't have that "thump" impact, not a subwoofer kind, nor the basshead kind, but I just it slightly too light for my taste.
Okay, thats all for now
I will post pictures when I have the time, and I will do a comparison of sa6 vs sa1 in time to come, but I must say, the sa1 at sub 100 price range is indeed, a very worthy phone, that I can assure
Finally received my Sleek SA1 after much waiting ;D
Package-
As always, sleek audio's package is always top notch, similar to its sa6 and its wireless kleer W-1, the external of the package is nicely design, making the overall product very stylish, a great combination of red and black, white coloured fonts
Contents-Superb
This is the wired version fyi.
Opening the package, reveals the sa1's cables, which uses a straight plug, whereas the sa6's edition is a 90 degree kind, have not tried the sa1's cables with the sa6 though. They would work together, just that it might be inappropriate since the exiting angle is afterall, different.
It comes with a pair of dual large flange, a pair of dual small flange, a pair of single small flange, a pair of single medium flange(on the iem), a pair of large flange, all made of silicon.
Also comes with a small pouch, with "SA" labeling at the front of the pouch.
Its a small and hard pouch, which I believe is comparable or harder than the standard pouch that westone provides.
A little slip of paper, providing description on how to operate SA1's variable EQ system, directions for use, warning and safe usage, and warranty info.
It seems that the dual flange are meant more for SA6 than the SA1. I had difficulty implementing the dual flanges on the SA1, but their medium single flange suits me well anyway, similarly to SA6's medium dual flange.
The 2009 cables was a great improvement over the 2008 ones.
The jacket/sleeve of the cable was smooth, flexible wires. The y-joint connector was much much lighter and low profile.
Indeed, microphonics was more or less not an issue anymore.
But as shigzeo had pointed out in his review, the strain relief at the jacks seems pretty weak, so I of course, I will be cautious when handling it.
However, the cables seems A bit too thin, thin to the point that it seems flimsy and vulnerable to snapping(never try haha)
But yes, its a great improvement over the 2008 ones.
First and foremost, before I talk about the sound quality, some information about myself.
I was a user of the westone um3x in the past, which I sold away for the sleek audio sa6, which I love dearly.
The balance, enjoyment, clarity, versatility that sa6 offers made it one of my favorite universal iems out there.
However, no matter how good a product is, theres still its short coming.
For the SA6, it would be its bass/lows, which I felt the quantity was lacking at times, and at few complicated passages, it would sound somewhat congested.
Another point to note about the SA6, would be its build quality. I am referring to the 2008's version of the iem and the cables.
The nozzle tip of my sa6's 2008 edition broke off, which I rma for a 2009 edition, which improves the build quality to a large extent.
The 2008 cables were stiff after long period of usage, and at the joint areas, it was visibility weak, and microphonic was an issue.
But most of the issues was solved in the 2009 cables as mentioned above.
For headphones, I am a user of the well known "detail" cans, the love it or hate it cans, the AKG k70x.
I own the AKG k702 with moon audio Black Dragon cables for a period of time, before switching to a stock AKG k701 due to my intentions to go balanced.
My music genres revolves around classical, some jazz, chinese pop, world, some rock, and easy listening pieces.
After switching between the black and the silver treble ports, I decided to go for the silver one for higher level of clarity(Akg k70x user).
And yes, the difference between the 2 ports are audible enough for my ears.
The black brings out more lows, yes, but seems to be boomy and sounded congested, slightly muffled.
My initial impressions on the SA1, at 0 hours burn in(Yes, it uses a dynamic driver)
Rigs using:
ALAC > Hp Elitebook 6930p Laptop > USB > Cambridge Audio DACMagic > RCA > AudioTrak imAmp > Sleek Audio SA1 Wired
The very very first thing that wow-ed me was the soundstage. It was huge, seriously, to the point that it is slightly smaller than my yuin pk2, which is a ear bud.
It still retain the features of sleek audio sound signature, even though it utilises a dynamic driver, which is the balance in its sound.
It sounded very enjoyable at the same time.
Well refined and dynamic.
Instrumental seperation was done very very well, distinctly.
Indeed, it is the little brother of the sa6
Mids being textured and clear.
Vocals sounded clear, trebles was well controlled, not too sharp.
But the lows seems lacking in terms of clarity and separation in comparison.
Instrumental sounded slightly laid back.
Its isolation was very good, with stock medium single flange, similarly to the sa6 with medium dual flange, but I felt the sa6's isolation level to be A bit higher, though both are of a high level themselves.
However, though it retains the pros of the sa6, it "inherited" the cons of the sa6 too, as mentioned above, which is that for its bass/lows, it still doesn't have that "thump" impact, not a subwoofer kind, nor the basshead kind, but I just it slightly too light for my taste.
Okay, thats all for now
I will post pictures when I have the time, and I will do a comparison of sa6 vs sa1 in time to come, but I must say, the sa1 at sub 100 price range is indeed, a very worthy phone, that I can assure
