Had them for about 4 months and they still blow me away, such a tremendous set.
FatFreq Maestro SE - The King of Top of the Line Bass?
- Thread starter Sebastien Chiu
- Start date
-
- Tags
- fatfreq
Had them for about 4 months and they still blow me away, such a tremendous set.
Had them for about 4 months and they still blow me away, such a tremendous set.
Favorite track to listen to? Starting my order process this week.
Oh wow, I’m not sure. I don’t ever buy IEMs to work for specific genres so I just shuffle my entire library and I enjoy it all haha. Sorry
Benno1988
1000+ Head-Fier
Got my Maestro SE for sale if anyone keen. Market rate. List soon.
I had when i owned the maestro SE but had to sell them off because the shells hurt my ears. I still own the CE-5 and always come back to them for how perfect the bass response is to my ears.
Maestro SE has a lot more bass in quantity and is insane in the rumble and slam dynamics but there’s something about the tightness and clarity of the CE-5.
SE has way more mid bass which is a ton of fun but the bass guitars on CE-5 are leaner with a sense of feel i think is unique to the Hyla house sound.
Both are incredible but i personally prefer the CE-5.
I haven’t heard the Grand Maestro but want to see if my ear impressions with work for custom!
Sorry to hear you decided to let it go!
Look forward to your GM thoughts when you get to try it out.
I would say it is worth the upgrade as the Grand is essentially a more open-sounding SE due to the vent technology. There's also a vocal switch that boosts the mids that makes vocals sound much more foward than the SE, whilst still retaining that bass shelf. If you have the opportunity, you should demo the SE and the Grand together. It's quite the experience.
TheMiddleSky
Headphoneus Supremus
For me SE is a bit limited in genres selection with the V-Shape tuning. GM, on the other hand, excellent for vocal jazz and acoustic music very well. While bass is definitely good, Vocal is one of the strongest point of GM as well. Not to mention GM deliver more texture, detail, and more structured imaging.
If you are looking for a generalist one iem to rule them all, then yes, GM is the iem you want. For me, I wanted a specialist and MSE fit that bill and I am so happy with it that I am converting it to CIEM.
Guys, the whole story with the "not quite like that" sound of MSE is connected exclusively with the source...
I tried 3 sources with MSE:
1. DAC\AMP Shanling H7: The hi-gain was enough, but the sound was pretty simple. At the same time, the bass was good (DD had enough power to open up).
2. Hiby r6pro2. The sound is an order of magnitude better than that of the Shanling H7. More air, a wider stage. But because of the low power, jelly-like, sluggish bass and screaming treble and upper frequencies. Vocals in the face.
3. I almost took the Cayin N7, which I would have greatly regretted, because it will not reveal the MSE properly and it has a lil darker sound.
4. Astell&Kern Futura SE300. And that's when I finally got what I was looking for! Hallelujah. MSE breathed deeply on hi-gain. It is switching to hi-gain that enlivens MSE, especially immediately it becomes audible that the bass is going, it becomes clearer, EST gives more air, scenes. All sound is better. MSE and SE300 are a damn cool company! The SE300 is now one of the best players on the market in terms of sound stage size. Perhaps even the best!!! Yes it is and he gives it to MSE making the MSE scene very big. Gives maximum accuracy, clarity, speedy on the bass. And it makes the middle frequencies velvety, pleasant to the ear, as well as enhances the attractiveness of vocals. At high frequencies, EST is played smartly. Nothing gets out anywhere, does not stick out, sounds as harmonious, melodic and engaging as possible. The music shimmers, flows like a river. Oh, that's amazing! At the same time, sometimes in different melodies you seem to rediscover some instruments for yourself, they sound different, more natural, it's natural to hear R2R. I really liked this bundle and I can advise it to anyone who is considering a source for themselves under MSE and under GM. I'm absolutely thrilled! If you have the opportunity, listen, evaluate. And electronics sounds fantastic and jazz, I didn't think I would achieve such a sound.
I tried 3 sources with MSE:
1. DAC\AMP Shanling H7: The hi-gain was enough, but the sound was pretty simple. At the same time, the bass was good (DD had enough power to open up).
2. Hiby r6pro2. The sound is an order of magnitude better than that of the Shanling H7. More air, a wider stage. But because of the low power, jelly-like, sluggish bass and screaming treble and upper frequencies. Vocals in the face.
3. I almost took the Cayin N7, which I would have greatly regretted, because it will not reveal the MSE properly and it has a lil darker sound.
4. Astell&Kern Futura SE300. And that's when I finally got what I was looking for! Hallelujah. MSE breathed deeply on hi-gain. It is switching to hi-gain that enlivens MSE, especially immediately it becomes audible that the bass is going, it becomes clearer, EST gives more air, scenes. All sound is better. MSE and SE300 are a damn cool company! The SE300 is now one of the best players on the market in terms of sound stage size. Perhaps even the best!!! Yes it is and he gives it to MSE making the MSE scene very big. Gives maximum accuracy, clarity, speedy on the bass. And it makes the middle frequencies velvety, pleasant to the ear, as well as enhances the attractiveness of vocals. At high frequencies, EST is played smartly. Nothing gets out anywhere, does not stick out, sounds as harmonious, melodic and engaging as possible. The music shimmers, flows like a river. Oh, that's amazing! At the same time, sometimes in different melodies you seem to rediscover some instruments for yourself, they sound different, more natural, it's natural to hear R2R. I really liked this bundle and I can advise it to anyone who is considering a source for themselves under MSE and under GM. I'm absolutely thrilled! If you have the opportunity, listen, evaluate. And electronics sounds fantastic and jazz, I didn't think I would achieve such a sound.
Attachments
This is all great advice here and pretty spot on with what I would say about the Grand vs the SE
Thanks for the feedback on the R6Pro2. It's heavily considered as my first DAP purchase. I'm looking at the Caryin N7 too.
Nice to see the SE300 was your preference, loved my KANN MAX while I had it on loaner.
What cable are you using with it?
Curious about this pairing as well!
It seems like Fatfreq is avoiding the subject of sensitivity and impedance for some reason. As a rule I do not buy any audio gear when the manufacturer refuses to disclose common specifications. Similar to an amplifier manufacturer who refuses to disclose output in watts @ ohms. I sent Fatfreq a message earlier today asking for impedance and sensitivity specs. Below is their very quick response:
"thanks for reaching out to us. We do not release our technical specifications for our models, though among our range the Maestro SE and Grand Maestro will require a bit more power to drive due to the nature of the Electrostatic drivers used."
and my reply:
"Thank you for the reply. I guess I will have to pass on them then."
Last edited:
Users who are viewing this thread
