Chaconne came in, thought they were DOA because apparently as I inserted one of them I must have flexed the driver. I pressed it up further into my ear canal and heard a click, then suddenly I had some bass response. Is this normal with this kind of design? Not inspiring confidence lol. For how well built they seem to be built, and how hefty they are, they also feel like delicate or I need to baby them. I can get them to fit but not at an optimal angle for the best seal when worn wires down. They're fine worn over the ear but I worry about the longevity of the cable at the base of the housing, given this is a non-replaceable cable at $330 USD x___X
Immediate impression is that their resolution, detail retrieval, airiness, soundstage, separation beats the EBX21 and ME80. Beats EBX21 at low end extension and some rumble, I think it doesn't sound as thick as ME80 but I'd have to go back and test that more thoroughly. Midbass is fast, clear, precise, has enough impact but doesn't feel aggressive or thumpy. I don't want to say it's restrained, but I will say it doesn't interfere with clarity of vocals and doesn't feel overpowering.
Forgive me here as I lack the experience and vocabulary to articulate some of this but.. the vocal presentation seems forward but not in a shouty way, but in an intimate way, with an organic quality to it, like a sense of air or breath, intent and emotion (like
Joyce Wrice here at 2m39s). I think things only get fatiguing to listen to with female vocals and a treble heavy arrangement/lots going on in the song, it might be because of the clarity or separation but it's a lot for my two brain cells to process on some tracks (
Chloe x Halle - Don't Make It Harder on Me). Male vocals are similarly clear and natural with that sense of air and emotion. Again, not sure of terminology here but I would say vocals are neutral in tone and natural in timbre as in, it sounds accurate and realistic and lifelike? In any case. vocals are great. I think this quality extends to instruments as well, for better or worse, like being able to hear the squeak of fingers sliding up and down a guitar neck.
I know it's cliche and at risk of being placebo because I paid like $30 -> $160 -> $275 upgrading from ME80 -> EBX21 -> Chaconne but I "hear things I've never heard before in my favorite songs." Just like twinkly/sparkly sounds like bells or piano keys in the production were more clear and separate in the Chaconne. I also notice very faint echoing/reverberation effects on female vocals in some r&b and ballads that I didn't hear before in buds with worse resolution and separation.
To sum this up, it performs like someone who takes their job seriously and wants to deliver precise, detailed, accurate work but doesn't want to come off as flashy or trying too hard. Things are balanced and clear and if you listen closely you'll know that person is passionate about their work and a master at their craft, but doesn't want to let their ego get in the way or impart their personality in the work. Keeping with this analogy it's hard to describe the Chaconne as having its own interesting character, but it doesn't seem cold or analytical in that sense. It's not like a robot or AI taking your job, it's still a (probably) nice coworker who keeps to themselves. It's not boring to listen to, maybe the opposite -- you are so engaged and impressed with how accurate things sound that you just want to keep listening. You know how some people think they're so interesting and won't shut up and you just want to ignore them (like maybe me writing this) vs someone who's quiet and mysterious but so insightful and truly engaging without trying? The Chaconne is like the latter.
My complaints are probably going to be not sound related. Fit is better than EBX21, maybe about same as ME80, not as easy/comfortable as plastic MX500. The weight of Ti/Brass can be mitigated by wearing over the ear, but again, that raises concerns for longevity of the cable. In fact, I feel immediate fatigue wearing them wires down. The driver flex thing is worrisome also. I guess I also worry about keeping the polished ti from scratching, since Ti is still a soft metal. I'm finding a single full foam works well for fit, comfort, low end and clarity.
Anyway, don't take this as a proper review or anything, it's literally just me typing as I listen at my desk after unboxing them. I'll see how I feel about them once the honeymoon period is over, but let me tell you, going into this I was so very hoping I wouldn't hear any difference from my EBX21 and ME80 (which, by the way, between the two, the jump isn't that big. From ME80 to Chaconne is another story) so I could return them haha.
edit: oh god i am hearing backing vocals and other sounds that my other buds could not distinguish before, i feel like i am being haunted by ghosts using paranormal monitoring equipment
BTW also check DIY Earbuds thread from time to time 
