Thank you. On your place I would like to test this Fiio before buying. I had also Sabaj DA3 with same DAC (ESS Sabre ES9018Q2C) and was too bright and harsh for DM6. Maybe it will be not in Fiio, application matters, but Sabre usually have digital upper freq.
I will try to explain in a simpler way (if that's even possible for me)
When you bump up the lower frequency relative to the treble (something I've explained with some science here), it would appear to the human ear that the treble is less (because the brain always adapts, and tries to "balance" what we hear), which I believe is something all of you guys/gals know, but perhaps never thought about until now? Anyway.
Here's some basic "illustrations",describing what happened to me with the DM5 when switching from the stock SPC cable to the NICEHCK pure copper one, and why the copper cables will make the DM6 more "pleasing" (again, this is no way accurate, it is a simple "illustration" describing what I perceived when I was doing my tests):
(DM5 FR graph is from DocHoliday's BGVP DM5 review, used as a base point)
As you can see, what happens, is pretty much the frequency response "plane" tilts (as well as some other things, but I'm trying to keep it simple haha). This is what gives the "impression", that the treble is "corrected" when using Copper cable vs. Silver-plated with IEMs like the DM6. But keep in mind, that this will NOT change the overall signature (the peaks), which I think is the main point of confusion when it comes to people arguing about cables. The "Adjusted for conductivity" thing is to show you that I take into consideration cable conductivity, which means more volume for cables with less resistance, like the NICECHK Copper cable.
I think the pictures are simple enough, but if you have questions let me know.
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In conclusion, everybody should try one of the recommend copper cables with the DM6 (they are cheap, so this is not about buying some expensive cables), and listen to it some more to adjust to the signature, especially if you were using IEMs that have peaks at 10k before (10k peaks are not natural, they are usually considered coloration, and the DM6 is considered neutral for that reason).Hope this helps. Cheers.
[EDIT:] I figured that I can recreate the change with illustrator, since this is simply a vector, so here's another image:
[EDIT 2:] Sorry guys, I have made a small mistake with the previous image. I've fixed that, and included graphs for both conductivity compensated and not.
Thanks a lot for your response, this was really helpful and yes it would be great if you could do a mids comparison (fullness, clarity, speed and detail etc) with the 16 core when compared to the stock when you are free. also, I am generally used to iems that are more full bodied and need an iem with good stage and great vocals both male and female.
No worries, Happy to help buddy
Thank you for the detailed comparison!
The huge peak at 16kHz with the DM6 is the reason for the consentient sibilance, mainly the ""ssss" (or the snake hiss as some people call it). I am sensitive to the these frequencies as well, but we shall see if I can "tame the beast", once I have it. I own the TRN V80, which I think it might be even worse, but my hearing can adjust to it after awhile. The problem is, the V80 is not worth the "adjustment" IMHO, because it's worse than the T2 when it comes to detail.
Those tips comes with the KZ AS10, they are actually impressive good and isolate really well, better than the so called Spinfit (CP100, that I definitely didn't like at all on any of my IEMs). BUT, after a couple hours I start to few the star cuts and that annoys a bit. Do you feel the same?Here's a link to the KZ star tips. I've tried them (the mediums), and they fit like a glove.
And about preventing dirt, I'm thinking about using some pieces of "spandex" (this thin, transparent woman socks material). It's very thin and elastic, so the affect on the sound (mainly the soundstage) should be minimal. So yeah, you can try that.
Here's a link to the KZ star tips. I've tried them (the mediums), and they fit like a glove.
And about preventing dirt, I'm thinking about using some pieces of "spandex" (this thin, transparent woman socks material). It's very thin and elastic, so the affect on the sound (mainly the soundstage) should be minimal. So yeah, you can try that.
That's the Snake I'm talking about.
just realised I forgot to mention instrument separation and sound stage. For my taste (mainly Rock, Metal, Hip-Hop) that doesn't have much instruments anyway, the DM6 sounds really impressive for the price compared to the Andromeda, I can tell every beat of the song and where the instruments are. Again, Andromeda's are unbeatable, but the price difference may give some points to DM6. For the price, DM6 is still an amazing buy.
PS.: If you don't mind Sound FX and electronic music, I strongly recommend "Doom - Original Game Sound Track by Mick Gordon". It's freaking amazing to test any Gear. Start with the track "Bfg Division"
I just got my DM6 a couple days ago and I am comparing it to the Andromeda S now and I needed to come here to share my experience in quick words.
(Rig: Tidal hifi + Topping DX7s)
First trying it with Music I like and now how it should sound.
Wiz Khalifa - On my level (or pretty much anything out of the Rolling Paper album) - This album has really good low, mids and "clicks" on high frequency that shows straight away if a gear is Hash.
DM6 - Volume -40dbs - the highs get to a point that "hurts" some times. lows are slight muddy, still really good. Mids slight recessed. Really good imaging.
Andromeda - Volume -50dbs (needs much less power for the same punch) - a bit more neutral and the highs are definitely there and detailed, but doesn't get close to "hurt" as the DM6. Lows and Mids are there and are really detailed, but not muddy or overwhelming. Imaging is amazing and clearly better than DM6.
Guns N' Roses - Welcome to the jungle (Master) - Guns has a lot of mids and highs
DM6 - Volume -40dbs - Again, the highs are really present here and detailed, but too much for me that overcome everything else. Lows are there, but not the best song to test lows, still really good. Mids more forward than the Andromeda. Really good imaging.
Andromeda - Volume -50dbs (needs much less power for the same punch) - a bit more neutral and detailed high that don't "hurt". Lows as per DM6, not the best song to test Lows. Mids are definetely there, but a bit recessed compared to DM6, but still really detailed. Imaging is amazing and clearly better than DM6.
(tried other things too) Overall DM6 is a really good IEM, but I can't ignore the "S" problem (singer using S or drum plates) on the highs that gets a bit too much sometimes., much better than my KZ AS10 though, but Andromeda S is still a better all around, but for the price difference and if you are not as sensible to Highs as myself, is definitely a great buy.
Agree with fiio. Me too wanted to test fiio m6 first. But i think it's not so dependent on the exact dac than on it's implementation. But i could imagine that fiio usually a little bit too neutral and for dm6 i want warmer source as armatures compensates this. I heard topping from cheaper Chinese manufacturers has good reputation. One of my possible buys in the future their portable dac nX4 dsd. Don't think that such as chord mojo are worth bigger investment. As i am more mobile phone + dac than separate dac user. The 9038 chip used in NX4 is possibly better than 9018 with dx6. But no one will say till experience this with my own ears.
