Tempted. Dang. Wish these were out now in Japan
Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
Gamerlingual
Queen6
Excellent post and review, highly informative as ever. Thank you for taking the time & effort.
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YAGIZ
Great review. Thank you!
Redcarmoose
Thank-you!
The pleasure writing it was all mine. They were once again a very special listen today while I used them. I can fully stand by my review and recommend them to anyone. Cheers!
The pleasure writing it was all mine. They were once again a very special listen today while I used them. I can fully stand by my review and recommend them to anyone. Cheers!
Queen6
Bought today, went in to audition the new Moondrop Illumination, left with Dunu SA6. I already have the DK-3001 Pro so well aware of Dunu's capabilities, with both set's of IEM's complementing one another beautifully.
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Redcarmoose
The Illumination must have looked amazing in person? The SA6 is just that........very complementary to stuff, as it’s somehow both different and correct as well as comfortable. So then, if you purchased it in a shop you must have been able to choose your color!
Queen6
Illumination is truly beautiful to the eye being exactly what it is, a single DD reference IEM. Those seeking a big bass response or more musical tuning may be somewhat disappointed with Moondrop's own KXXS presenting far more of the former. Illumination is beautifully balanced for a single driver, with the IEM being a little harder to drive than you would think, needing to push the volume into the 80/90 region on my WM1A. To make a more detailed assessment of the IEM's signature I'd want to try Illumination for a longer period with a more powerful DAP than Sony's WM1A.
IMO for the asking price Moondrop needs to do a little more; the cable has an interchangeable header similar to Dunu, however feels and looks to be a cheaper affair. TBH something I would rather expect to be included or as an option with the KXXS for just a little more. I may consider Illumination again, for the asking price at launch Illumination has a lot of steep competition such as SA6.
Q-6
IMO for the asking price Moondrop needs to do a little more; the cable has an interchangeable header similar to Dunu, however feels and looks to be a cheaper affair. TBH something I would rather expect to be included or as an option with the KXXS for just a little more. I may consider Illumination again, for the asking price at launch Illumination has a lot of steep competition such as SA6.
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Queen6
Same lottery as an online brother, as all SA6 boxes are sealed from the factory 
SA6 is very much one of those IEM's that just works with everything and scales beautifully. Sounds tremendous on the WM1A (both stock & custom firmware) with a DAP offering more power the SA6 blooms evermore. Very impressive, IMO one would need to break four figures to surpass the SA6. Spoilt for choice as had the shop to myself with the vast majority of TOTL HP, IEM & DAP's for the entirety of the afternoon.
I also thought that the SA6's packaging was on point, having all you need in the package without a ridiculously ostentatious oversized box as is sometimes the case. The omission of the 3.5 Pro header jack versus the inclusion with Dunu's DK-3001 Pro not that this will present an issue for the vast majority the rest is as expected well packaged with equal quality to the IEM's.
Q-6
SA6 is very much one of those IEM's that just works with everything and scales beautifully. Sounds tremendous on the WM1A (both stock & custom firmware) with a DAP offering more power the SA6 blooms evermore. Very impressive, IMO one would need to break four figures to surpass the SA6. Spoilt for choice as had the shop to myself with the vast majority of TOTL HP, IEM & DAP's for the entirety of the afternoon.I also thought that the SA6's packaging was on point, having all you need in the package without a ridiculously ostentatious oversized box as is sometimes the case. The omission of the 3.5 Pro header jack versus the inclusion with Dunu's DK-3001 Pro not that this will present an issue for the vast majority the rest is as expected well packaged with equal quality to the IEM's.
Q-6
Redcarmoose
Right, those who want 3.5mm balanced have the option of simply buying the plug as a single extra stand-alone purchase directly from DUNU.
While the Illumination MUST be quite the “thing” in person, it may be kind of a curiosity. IMO
Where the SA6 is possibly based on known and respected technology.......ending as a refinement. In many ways the SA6 also offers a conservative and calculated excitement which is never over-the-top but ends well rounded......at least to me? After all this time the SA6 now almost seems like a comforting IEM? Lol
I sincerely wish you the best with it!
While the Illumination MUST be quite the “thing” in person, it may be kind of a curiosity. IMO
Where the SA6 is possibly based on known and respected technology.......ending as a refinement. In many ways the SA6 also offers a conservative and calculated excitement which is never over-the-top but ends well rounded......at least to me? After all this time the SA6 now almost seems like a comforting IEM? Lol
I sincerely wish you the best with it!
Pepocoyo
Nice review!! But does SA6 sound good with metal genres, especially prog metal?
Redcarmoose
It somehow does, and that’s the primary music I use it for.
