[GiullianSN]

Fellow Cleopatra gang

In current prices Cleo is a great (hard to beat) mid range cable.

 

[So11rek]

In current prices Cleo is a great (hard to beat) mid range cable.

Looks like it is a Cleo Octa not a regular 4 wire Cleo cabel.

 

[NYanakiev]

Hi all,

Pretty tempted by KR5 and XE6- based on the reviews I have seen the KR5 seems like the better all-rounder versus the more coloured XE6. It also seems to have a bigger soundstage and bass too.

It is quite difficult committing with no option to audition either in advance...any thoughts from people that heard both?

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Hi all,

Pretty tempted by KR5 and XE6- based on the reviews I have seen the KR5 seems like the better all-rounder versus the more coloured XE6. It also seems to have a bigger soundstage and bass too.

It is quite difficult committing with no option to audition either in advance...any thoughts from people that heard both?

Hence why the Kr5 is on the top of the list for me as well. personally!

 

[aaf evo]

Eh I don’t really hear Kr5 as the best all rounder - I’d give that to the NE4. Kr5 mid range lacks resolution because the upper mids are borderline non existent. On some tracks it just doesn’t sound good at all. For me it’s the most specialist set of the trio. The Xe6 works well as an all rounder but it’s a very colored sound, if you don’t like the warmth and body in the lower mids then it won’t be for you.

I think the Kr5 has the widest stage from the bunch but I do not hear great depth on it compared to the Xe6. The bass on it is very nice, not sure “bigger” is a good way to describe it though.

 

[NYanakiev]

This is why I decided to hold off until I can listen to both XE6 and KR5 myself.

Both are pretty expensive for a blind buy!

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Eh I don’t really hear Kr5 as the best all rounder - I’d give that to the NE4. Kr5 mid range lacks resolution because the upper mids are borderline non existent. On some tracks it just doesn’t sound good at all. For me it’s the most specialist set of the trio. The Xe6 works well as an all rounder but it’s a very colored sound, if you don’t like the warmth and body in the lower mids then it won’t be for you.

I think the Kr5 has the widest stage from the bunch but I do not hear great depth on it compared to the Xe6. The bass on it is very nice, not sure “bigger” is a good way to describe it though.

This is why I decided to hold off until I can listen to both XE6 and KR5 myself.

Both are pretty expensive for a blind buy!

Same. I have a chance to try them out in a few weeks am waiting till then to reserve a decision.

 

[twister6]

Anybody else using red Atom X module? For some reason I thought it will attenuate XE6 bass too much, but to my surprise, it hit the sweet spot for me. The sub-bass still extended and mid-bass still slams with authority. I think that is my new favorite atom module with XE6 CIEMs

 

[Onurb8690]

Anybody else using red Atom X module? For some reason I thought it will attenuate XE6 bass too much, but to my surprise, it hit the sweet spot for me. The sub-bass still extended and mid-bass still slams with authority. I think that is my new favorite atom module with XE6 CIEMs

What would you say in brief summary compared Xe6 and Jewel?

 

[twister6]

What would you say in brief summary compared Xe6 and Jewel?

We are talking about night and day difference, going from warm, bassier, thicker, full-bodied sound to lean, transparent, faster, and more revealing sound. They are not exactly in a category of should I get this or that, but rather of getting both to complement each other and to use depending on your craving at the moment

 

[hAbIrAbI]

I've just received the Xe6 demos and am currently directly comparing them to my A18s.

Here a few initial observations.

As expected bass and lower mids are a bit much for me. I think this was to be expected since I already find the A18s mid bass to be a bit much for my taste.
But on the positive side I understand why people prefer DD over BA bass and I have to say I agree with them. I definitely would also prefer the way the DD presents the bass over the BA as long as it is fast enough to keep up with quick metal sections. Now if it could be a bit more tamed that would be perfect .
I'm not 100% sure what I expected of kinetic bass but I hope my understanding of what it is doing is right. You don't seem to hear it as much as feel it.

Isolation is definitely too low for me. I use my IEMs mostly on the train and the isolation is lower than the A18s. When music isn't playing you hear outside noise clearly through the IEMs. And even when I have music playing I can hear the tactile switches of my mechanical keyboard through the music. And that even though these are Cherry browns which are relatively low noise compared to other switches.

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

Anybody else using red Atom X module? For some reason I thought it will attenuate XE6 bass too much, but to my surprise, it hit the sweet spot for me. The sub-bass still extended and mid-bass still slams with authority. I think that is my new favorite atom module with XE6 CIEMs

I have not tried that red module yet - haven't seen it around too much in general. I'll see if I can grab one from team FiR when I see them at NAMM.

I've just received the Xe6 demos and am currently directly comparing them to my A18s.

Here a few initial observations.

As expected bass and lower mids are a bit much for me. I think this was to be expected since I already find the A18s mid bass to be a bit much for my taste.
But on the positive side I understand why people prefer DD over BA bass and I have to say I agree with them. I definitely would also prefer the way the DD presents the bass over the BA as long as it is fast enough to keep up with quick metal sections. Now if it could be a bit more tamed that would be perfect .
I'm not 100% sure what I expected of kinetic bass but I hope my understanding of what it is doing is right. You don't seem to hear it as much as feel it.

Isolation is definitely too low for me. I use my IEMs mostly on the train and the isolation is lower than the A18s. When music isn't playing you hear outside noise clearly through the IEMs. And even when I have music playing I can hear the tactile switches of my mechanical keyboard through the music. And that even though these are Cherry browns which are relatively low noise compared to other switches.

Thank! More comparisons the merrier.

Yes, DD bass is quite special and it's a hard thing to go back to BA bass (especially when it's done right like FiR knows how-to).

Even with my VxV, which is incredible in itself for being an "EDC" level IEM, I've never heard something so tactile in custom form.

It's even better with our xBass on!

 

[rofflemywaffle]

@aaf evo, I saw you got the new Sony WM1ZM2 DAP. How does it pair with the Xe6 and Kr5?

 

[aaf evo]

@aaf evo, I saw you got the new Sony WM1ZM2 DAP. How does it pair with the Xe6 and Kr5?

I think the N8ii is a better match for both. It’s brighter and more revealing in the upper mids and treble which helps the tonality of the XE6 and the upper mids of the KR5. The M2 is still great with both too but it’s more musical and bodied which already adds to their sound signature, whereas I feel N8ii helps balance them out a bit. With both 5/6 on M2 I go down an atom module.

 

[littlexx26]

I think the N8ii is a better match for both. It’s brighter and more revealing in the upper mids and treble which helps the tonality of the XE6 and the upper mids of the KR5. The M2 is still great with both too but it’s more musical and bodied which already adds to their sound signature, whereas I feel N8ii helps balance them out a bit. With both 5/6 on M2 I go down an atom module.

so n8ii+xe6 is end game？