So after a few more days of burn-in I would like to do a comparison mini review of the Eros S 1st AE.
I am still finding the 1st AE to be cleaner sounding than the OG Eros S mainly due to the smaller amount of diffusion in the background which I actually prefer but the two cables have the same DNA and I expect them to sound very very close in the end maybe after a month of use I guess?
Bass
In general it is a cable with more emphasis on the lower end than the upper end of the spectrum but it's never dark at all thanks to the use of mixed material. I find the bass to have great elasticity instead of a more blunt and direct impact presentation and it is on the slower side so giving a warmer feeling. Such presentation allows more width and depth to be created and I find it especially good for classical music like violin concerto. My favourite EDM music tracks also benefit from this kind of bass which are presented in a more relaxed yet fun and big sound.
Mids
The mids are not scooped nor bloated and work in harmony with the bass and the treble. I find it to be slightly more energetic in the middle-mids but still it's not enough to call it forward. The presentation is smooth as a result and never intrusive.
Treble
The treble has a rounder and smoother presentation supported by the wetter sound in the background overall and it is slightly not as pronunced as the bass. It is relaxed yet it responses very well to tracks with brighter instruments or sound effects but it is still a warm sound overall.
Staging, Imaging and Resolution
It is able to create an excellecnt sense of width and depth followed by height. When listening to live recording tracks, it is most obvious that the lower part of the spectrum is enlarged so creating a very good imaging and staging. However since the notes are rounder and slower so in this regard it is a tad behind the Fusion 1. Overall the frequencies work in harmony with a warm and smooth tone. It has great resolution but I find it to be more about a more relaxed and musical experience. And due to such characters it is a very versatile cable which I find it sounding good with any IEM and any kind of music.
VS other cables in the Signature Series (that I own 
)
Ares S
I always regard the Ares S as a standard benchmark cable in such price range. The most noticible difference I find between them is the size of the stage (this also depends on the stage information imprinted in the track, when comparing stage size it is much easier to tell the difference with live recordings). The Eros Ses simply have noticibly bigger stage. The Ares S on the other hand has a faster speed and a more holographic sound but the resolution falls behind with the background details harder to pick out.
Cadmus
The Cadmus has a very similar stage size as the Ares S so Eros Ses win here. The bottom end impact of the Cadmus is stronger and faster. Again, the background resolution is not as good but the Cadmus presents the notes faster and sharper and it's a cable packed with more fun factors. However It also has a bit less note weight so similar to the Ares S it sounds a bit more holographic.
Ares S 8W
The Ares S 8W is another benchmark cable I regard as but in a upper price range. In terms of stage size I find them to be presented similarly in size but in two vastly different ways. The Ares S 8W has more treble emephasis and the stage size is more focus on the upper end while the Eros S' stage is more created by the bottom end of the spectrum. Since we associate a bigger bottom end as a bigger foundation of the sound, so overall the Eros S actually has a bigger, warmer and more immersive stage. Again, I find this quality very good for classical music. In terms of resolution I find them to be similar and then the Ares S has a faster and dryer presentation.
To sum up, I find the Eros S 1st AE to be a great update of the original. It simply looks and feel nicer. Soundwise it's cleaner than the OG but I will update my review if I later find it to have undergone some changes in the sound.
Thank you
@JordonEA for allowing me to participate in this review campaign again!
Is that real good there that inlay?
I am not hearing any change in the sound of the Eros S 1st AE yet and it is still cleaner than the OG. Maybe there is some dampening due to the new skin material so there is better control?
