Super Audio 6

Hi everyone.
 
Recently I decided to buy headphones that are comparable in quality to the sound UE900, but was much puzzled - among many headphones in the range of 200-300 dollars that I could buy, was not enough balanced options.
 
Travelling across the expanses of the network, I stumbled on Super Audio 6 BA. Worthy of reviews they have not found (except one on this resource), but the number of drivers and the price was very attractive - I decided to buy them.
 
It should say, I was scared. This is a fairly large budget for me, so I had very carefully approach the selection of headphones. Especially because I believe UE900 pretty good in its class and did not want to run into trouble with the new, but lower quality (subjective) headphones.
 
Because review existing already quite informative, I will talk about the most important component - the sound impression.
 
Gear:
Fiio X5 (1st gen)
Hidizs Ap100
Hifiman 603
--
Ue900
Vjjb V1
UM Mentor
 
Lower
It is neutral
Very neutral
This separation into individual components of bass instruments are much better than in Ue900. It appears greater resilience, responsiveness, while retaining some softness supply, why the impression is only strengthened. The number of sub-bass well enough, though perhaps bassgolovam will lack experience. If you do not belong to those - they'll fit, and this part of the audio range is played as great compositions Korn, Metallica, and the heavier than - like Suffocation.
 
Midrange
Perhaps there really is nothing to say. Well, that is all. It seems to me that when the headphones are good - they have nothing to say. In particular, the SA is no exception. If we compare them with the CU - seem brighter, especially noticeable in the upper middle (I use UE with a red filter and a mod on the advice of Rin Choi). Sibilance can be summarized only in bad compositions, in others, like the same Nightwish - Sacrament of Wilderness - not annoying, do not cut the ear, not sawing. The peak in the 2-3 kHz expressed, but tolerable.
 
Treble
Here is a remark. I want to say that it is extremely regrettable that the manufacturer has not supplied earphones filters - you can easily reduce the number by means of them.
What is the problem? The problem lies in the high peak in the 7-10 kHz, which is pretty easy to overcome in three ways - custom manufacturer of headphones, using foam nozzles (available in the bundle), or attempt to use any damping using materials at hand. I take just two - mesh of tea bags and foam packing. If it does not do - Headphone may be too bright players delta-sigma (like Fiio X5). And it's not that it's bad - despite the large volume, I could not find tunes, causing obvious annoyance. However, due to the abundance of sound information on the extraordinary details in due course begin to tire.
 
You listen to samples of UM Mentor? These headphones sound very similar. You either enjoy enhanced detail, or not - this will depend on the impression.
 
I prefer to listen to very fast aggressive instrumentals and vocals, though satisfied with listening to these headphones, I can not listen to them for too long - for such purposes UE900 fit much better.
 
However, the vocal tracks SA battling UE900 spot - without compromise.
 
Conclusion
Subjectively headphones clearly can not be called bad. And, perhaps, I am pleased with the purchase. But selling UE900 also not going to, but slow, and vocal compositions are now completely surrender to the power of the SA. And they sound great pop, electro, chill out and EDM.
 
Thank you for reading.
Find your sound.
Comrade.
 
PS Headphones were purchased for pocket money. I have no relationship with the manufacturer.
PPS Sorry for bad Eng. It's not my native lang.

This is a review of the Super Audio 6 driver IEM.
 
The Super Audio 6 driver (SA 6) was purchased by me from Aliexpress. It’s also available from multiple sellers on Taobao with prices starting from about $160 plus shipping, handling and broker fee for those who need to use a forwarding service.
 

  

 
Here’s one random seller on Taobao, I find it pretty hard to search there but the “similar item” on the bottom of the page will show alternative sellers:
 
http://m.intl.taobao.com/detail/detail.html?id=523860580368&wp_m=double_goods_6744510589&wp_pk=shop/index_845842348_1039905&from=inshop&wp_app=weapp
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Super Audio.
 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The Super Audio 6 driver is a 6 driver BA configuration that sports three double BA drivers (two TWFK 30265 and one 30017). SA6 is the first multi BA only IEM experience for me but my experience so far with different driver configurations is that tuning means a lot more than type or number of drivers.  The SA 6 are available in the colors blue, white or yellow, I opted for the white one.
 
They dos not come with a cable included so you’ll have to purchase one separately or use one that you’ve already got.  I got a LZ A3 replacement cable along with my pair and I find Ii it to be an excellent cable so it’s the one I use daily with them. I’ve also tried some other cables that I’ve got but haven’t really noticed any difference in sound between them.
 
The build in general is very solid. The housings are acrylic plastic and feel really sturdy and reliable. The MMCX cable connector points on the housings seem to be very tight and once the cable is connected it takes quite a bit of power to remove it so it stays in place without any problems. The SA6 are handmade so expect at least one week processing time before they ship. When ordering them you can actually put in a request for MMCX or two pin connectors for your pair, pretty nice feature in my book.  As a matter of fact build quality is actually among the better I’ve ever seen in a pair of IEM’s.
 
There really are no L/R marking on the housings themselves at all and although they only fit one way I’d have preferred some kind of marking on them but it’s not a big deal to me.
 
The retail package is actually not a retail package but just a zippered storage pouch with some tips and the housings inside.
 
The accessories pack is pretty standard and I’ve seen both less and more stuff included at this price point. This is what’s included:
3 pair of silicone tip (S/M/L)
2 pair of foam tips
1 zippered storage pouch
 
The SA6  is quite easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones.
 

 

 

 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the SA6’s to be very comfortable and I’ve got no problem wearing them for several hours. They are over ear wearing style only and they sit quite flush to the ear their size taken into consideration. They’re however not super small (naturally, given the number of drivers in there) so they’re not ideal to sleep on the side with.
 
The stem is quite short and the general fit reminds me a lot about that on the Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS. This is a kind of fit that I personally like a lot and I find it quite easy to find the right tips for this design. I find that the sound doesn’t change much between different tip options so it’s more a question of comfort and level of isolation to me. I’ve got to say that I find it very nice to just be able to push them into my ears without having to worry about driver flex, vacuum or other problems that might occur with dynamic drivers.
 
Isolation is good to very good on them depending on tips used. With the JVC Spiral dots they isolate about average but with Brainwavz double flanges they’re one of the best isolation IEM’s that I own. I’ve used these on a couple of four hours flight and the isolation was excellent and the all BA configuration helped a lot to make these my best IEM’s  to use on flights.
 
In total these are one of, if not the, most comfortable pair of IEM’s I’ve ever tried.
 

 
Sound:
I’ve used them on and off IEM for the last couple of months and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve mainly used them with my LG G3, the FiiO X3/Cayin C5 combo as well as the HifeMe Sabre 9018 USB DAC abut also the Burson Audio Conductor Air and the Mojo well with all sources I’ve tried them with. Despite not being the most revealing IEM’s out there they do most certainly scale with a better source and they sounds absolutely amazing out of  the Mojo.
 
This review is made with double flange tips on them.
 
Demo list:
 
My first thought when I put these in my ears for the first time went to the Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS and Rockets. As already mentioned the SA6 are my first multi driver BA only pair of IEM’s (although I own several hybrids and single BA’s) so I wasn’t really sure on what to expect when I listened to them for the first time. Let’s find out more about what they offer.
 
The overall sound signature on the Super Audio 6 is mid centric, intimate, warm and smooth with a very natural sounding presentation.
 
The sub-bass extension is quite good and does also have a good impact. The bass is ever so slightly on the soft side without feeling disturbingly loose. Mid-bass does also have quite good presence and share the character of the lower bass making the whole bass spectrum sounding full and soft. The amount of mid- and upper bass is actually pretty spot on for my preferences while sub-bass could have had even a bit better extension but these are in no way bass light IEM’s but rather full, lush and slightly dark sounding.
 
The midrange is definitely the star of the show here.  It follows the bass in character and is warm, smooth, full and forward. Vocals stand out in the mix and male voices have a great natural weight to them while female voices sounds lush, intimate and very natural and seductive. The upper midrange is not as forward as the lower parts making me wish for a bit more energy and sparkle occasionally.
 
The treble is quite well extended with good detail and follows line with a full and smooth presentation. There’s not even a trace of harshness here and still it doesn’t feel particularly rolled off, just once again it just sounds very natural and right.
 
The Super Audio 6 has a very coherent presentation despite its large number of drivers. It’s one of the most natural sounding IEM’s I’ve heard. The presentation is very even and non-fatiguing. Soundstage width and height is good while depth is excellent. Despite the intimate presentation the out of head feeing is actually quite good making music like Lil Dicky (thanks @Hisoundfi for the heads up ), Indila and Emika very fun to listen to with sounds popping up all around my head. The SA6 doesn’t have the highest resolution but still manage to be quite revealing of both bad recordings and different sources.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
These comparisons were done listening through my Audinst HUD-DX1.
 
Audio-Technica CKR10 ($200) vs Super Audio 6:
Compared to the Super Audio 6 the CKR10’s have better sub-bass extension and impact, they also got slightly more presence in the mid- and upper bass and peak impact is a bit higher with them. Bass quality is also quite similar with maybe a slight advantage in layering and tightness to the CKR’s.  The midrange is forward on both but the SA6’s actually got an fuller and lusher midrange while the CKR’s got more air. Vocals are even more forward on the CKR’s but the SA6 sounds more even due to being fuller. The pure vocals quality is pretty similar on both with full and seductive presentation of both male and female voices. The treble is also quite similar in both extension and characteristic in these two: full, smooth and yet detailed. The CKR’s does also have a slightly wider soundstage and more airy presentation with a bit more energy while the SA6 are darker, lusher and more even in its presentation. Clarity and micro details are pretty similar with maybe a slight advantage to the SA6’s, the also pulls ahead in 3D presentation. The SA6’s actually sounds like a darker and lusher version of the CKR10’s while still equal, or even better, in details, clarity and 3D feeling.  
 
I find the SA6 to be the more comfortable.
Build in general is great on both but the removable cable puts the SA6 ahead.
 
They’re equally easy to drive.
 
Isolation is quite a bit better on the SA6’s.
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS ($499) vs Super Audio 6:
Compared to the SA6 the 1PLUS sub-bass rolls off a bit earlier and also has less impact. The SA6’s does also have significantly more mid bass presence giving them a much better drive with a lot of music while the 1PLUS ($499) sounds much more airy. The bass quality is quite similar on both but a bit tighter on the SA6. Both of these are mid-centric IEM’s and both have a nice smooth, lush and liquid midrange presentation. The 6BA, with help from its more mid-bass presence, has a even fuller midrange and vocals are also more forward on them. They do both have excellent vocals and I’d put the SA6 ahead for male voices while the 1PLUS pulls ahead with female. The 1PLUS does also have a bit more energy to the upper midrange. Treble extension is slightly better on the 1PLYS and it does also have more a more airy presentation in the treble. Both offer amazing “out of the head” 3D presentation while soundstage width is better on the 1PLUS while the SA6 has better depth. These two are actually pretty similar in their signature being smooth and relaxed without ever feeling fatiguing. None of them are detail monster but the SA6 have a bit higher resolution and clarity. Biggest difference is definitely in the mid bass area where the greater presence on the SA6 gives them more a more intimate presentation while the subdued mid bass on the 1PLUS let them flesh out more in width and with more air. 
 
I find both of these very comfortable with a slight advantage to the SA 6.
 
Both of these have excellent build quality so I’ll call this one a tie.
 
The 1PLUS are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is very good on both but slightly better on the SA6's.
 

SA 6 compared to the ASG-1PLUS

 
Auriosonics Rockets ($249) vs Super Audio 6
These two are definitely more similar than different. They both have the midrange and vocals in focus. The SA 6’s has better extension in the sub bass and slightly better bass quality while quantity through the upper bass range is quite similar. The midrange is thick, creamy and liquid on both but the better resolution on the SA6 makes them ever so slightly more energetic as well as giving them better clarity. The treble extension on the SA 6 is also noticeable better than on the Rockets while still sharing the thick and smooth presentation. Separation and 3D feeling is equally great on both with maybe a slight advantage to the SA 6’s. To me, and this was quite a surprise I might add, the SA 6 is actually pretty much the perfect upgrade from the Rockets for anyone looking for a better extension in both ends while still maintaining, or even improve, on all the strengths of the Rockets.
 
I find both of these very comfortable but I give the nod to the SA6 for easier insertion.
 
The Rockets are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is excellent on both of these (at the top of all mu IEM’s actually).
 
Summary:
At $180-240, depending on where you buy them and if you need to use a forwarding service or not, the Super Audio 6’s are certainly not among the cheapest options when it comes to “unknown” brands from China. Despite from this they do still deliver a solid value for money and their build quality is the best I’ve ever seen from such brands.
 
The Super Audio 6 are one of the most natural sounding IEM’s I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear and its lush, smooth and slightly dark sound may not have the WOW effect that more V-shaped and/or energetic offerings can have when well executed but they hold up very well over time with their non-fatiguing presentation.
 
The Super Audio 6’s to me places itself nicely together with my other top tiers in sound (for my preferences) IEM’s like the CKR10 and ASG-1PLUS making it an easy recommendation for people curious to check out more expensive Chinese offerings as well as multi BA configurations. It’s also quite forgiving in its character making it a great all-rounder.