I have had this saturday the opportunity to listen my Zeus XR A (G1 module), universal version, versus the Zeus XIV, universal version too.
Same DAP (Aune m1s), same tips (Sedna eartips M/L :
an absolute must have imo), same cables (Penon GS849 and O.A.O Gold Twelve).
Same music... same... all same lol.
And to my taste, I found the XRA with G1 module (tunning XIV) a little above the XIV in term of pure SQ.
Not "night and day" as I sometimes read it, but substantial differences I guess :
- XRA more airy, more refined, and... a little more definited (because of more air and refinement ? I found definitly the definition/resolution a bit better than the "standard" XIV universal version). Better instrumental separation. Bass more precise and tight and articulate. Same extension, same impact. If I have to summarize, technically a bit better than the "standard" universal version. Not by far, this said.
- XIV a little more denser (texture is the same) but not by far too, and intimate (less airy and separated). Maybe a very (very) few much bass quantity.. but less precise, tight and articulate...
But the two signatures are very close. It's remind my the key differences between an open design and a closed design, but with a very little magnitude (as the isolation is good with the Adel option too).
The fit is not the same because of the size of the Adel version, and the 5 bores design vs 4. With my morphology, the fit is a little better with the XR Adel version.
It was very interesting, and thank's God
, I prefer the Adel version in G1 that I already have. So... no changes.
My 2 cts