I was also able to try out several EE IEM's on Saturday at CanJam. Quick preface to what I was looking for as it undoubtedly provided some subconscious influence. I currently have a set of Spartan CIEM's from early 2016 and use those as my reference point for listing to anything as I find them a very neutral unit providing what is in the source material with little to no coloration. I am looking for it's complimentary friend/cousin/sibling so basically fun, energetic signature that could be an everyday carry for times when I want something special (I currently use iBasso IT01 as my everyday unit and it will not be replaced as 75% it's the sound that works for me on the run).
I listened using the stock FA tips as I am going custom and did not want to flavor anything (I had spiral dots and Bee foams with me but choose not to use them). The songs I listened to were 44.1 khz Communication Breakdown, Imagine, Bleeding Love, Bolero Medley by Tito Puente , 96 khz Heart like a Wheel, Cinnamon Girl, Hard Days Night by Aikio Sasjima , Fly by Night, Sick as a Dog. Pretty wide range to cover everything. Everything was my music, Shanling M1 to Mojo.
I listened to ESR, Phantom, Legend, Vantage and Bravado all searching for the above. I knew consciously or not that ESR and Legend may not give me the signature I was looking for and since I had Spartan and am happy with that neutral approach I honestly did not give them much of a listen but Phantom lives up to it's name s a really neutral, deeply resolving unit and ESR to me was Spartan's fraternal twin so I eliminated those quickly from the search, could not afford Phantom anyhow so that I am sure weighed in on the decision for me.
I next listened to Legend, Bravado and Vantage in that order. Legend was a hit right off the bat, solid gobs of quality sub bass, not really bleeding into the mids nor recessing the highs. Sound stage was as wide as I have ever experienced, easy to pick up the instruments and placement. Organic and just right and did I say gobs of controlled sub bass. All in all the fun signature I was looking for. Price though made me hesitant as if that was not a concern I would have stopped right there.
Since price/budget is an issue with me, I'm cheap no being coy, I have the money just don't want to spend it unless there's no option. I thought let's try entry level Bravado, was I ever surprised seemed like it was the same controlled sub bass not quite the gobs I heard from Legend but definitely present and much in the same not washing out the mid or highs just a little of a feeling but still hearing if that make sense. I was just thrilled that the same control, same engagement similar stage and depth bit less to be honest was there and price was well within self imposed budget of $800.
Should I stop now I would be happy with that unit but something told me go up one level and see. Next up Vantage, very similar to Bravado ticked every box was close to budget had a much more visceral bass feel, not Legend level but could not start to feel the base again a bit more than Bravado but honestly if no one told me and it was a blind test it would be very hard to pick the two apart.
Now really happy but should i listen to Legend again, sure why not. Oh damn so nice, can feel the bass thru my body, clear concise controlled every note every instrument just right.Damn what to do, yep listen to Bravado again, same reaction, big silly smile nice so much fun, not felling the bass the same way but it's there and it compliments what I have, fun fun fun as Brian Wilson said, Sold myself and got a custom Bravado, I'm not flashy person when it comes to things so my choice is pedestrian compared to some of the ones I've seen on here over the years, translucent aqua shell translucent royal blue face plate standard gold EE logo. My Spartan is translucent smoke Black plates same logo.
I just found the Bravado to be so engaging fun and pleasant. i highly recommend, if you can, listen to the whole line and find the place that works for you as I am certain I have and can't wait for my second EE CIEM to be in my hands.
I listened using the stock FA tips as I am going custom and did not want to flavor anything (I had spiral dots and Bee foams with me but choose not to use them). The songs I listened to were 44.1 khz Communication Breakdown, Imagine, Bleeding Love, Bolero Medley by Tito Puente , 96 khz Heart like a Wheel, Cinnamon Girl, Hard Days Night by Aikio Sasjima , Fly by Night, Sick as a Dog. Pretty wide range to cover everything. Everything was my music, Shanling M1 to Mojo.
I listened to ESR, Phantom, Legend, Vantage and Bravado all searching for the above. I knew consciously or not that ESR and Legend may not give me the signature I was looking for and since I had Spartan and am happy with that neutral approach I honestly did not give them much of a listen but Phantom lives up to it's name s a really neutral, deeply resolving unit and ESR to me was Spartan's fraternal twin so I eliminated those quickly from the search, could not afford Phantom anyhow so that I am sure weighed in on the decision for me.
I next listened to Legend, Bravado and Vantage in that order. Legend was a hit right off the bat, solid gobs of quality sub bass, not really bleeding into the mids nor recessing the highs. Sound stage was as wide as I have ever experienced, easy to pick up the instruments and placement. Organic and just right and did I say gobs of controlled sub bass. All in all the fun signature I was looking for. Price though made me hesitant as if that was not a concern I would have stopped right there.
Since price/budget is an issue with me, I'm cheap no being coy, I have the money just don't want to spend it unless there's no option. I thought let's try entry level Bravado, was I ever surprised seemed like it was the same controlled sub bass not quite the gobs I heard from Legend but definitely present and much in the same not washing out the mid or highs just a little of a feeling but still hearing if that make sense. I was just thrilled that the same control, same engagement similar stage and depth bit less to be honest was there and price was well within self imposed budget of $800.
Should I stop now I would be happy with that unit but something told me go up one level and see. Next up Vantage, very similar to Bravado ticked every box was close to budget had a much more visceral bass feel, not Legend level but could not start to feel the base again a bit more than Bravado but honestly if no one told me and it was a blind test it would be very hard to pick the two apart.
Now really happy but should i listen to Legend again, sure why not. Oh damn so nice, can feel the bass thru my body, clear concise controlled every note every instrument just right.Damn what to do, yep listen to Bravado again, same reaction, big silly smile nice so much fun, not felling the bass the same way but it's there and it compliments what I have, fun fun fun as Brian Wilson said, Sold myself and got a custom Bravado, I'm not flashy person when it comes to things so my choice is pedestrian compared to some of the ones I've seen on here over the years, translucent aqua shell translucent royal blue face plate standard gold EE logo. My Spartan is translucent smoke Black plates same logo.
I just found the Bravado to be so engaging fun and pleasant. i highly recommend, if you can, listen to the whole line and find the place that works for you as I am certain I have and can't wait for my second EE CIEM to be in my hands.
