[aaf evo]

Just did a quick comparison of XE6 bass to A12t. A12t sub bass is more present in the signature but it cannot compete with the sub bass depth the XE6 can reach. It’s quite staggering. The way the XE6 bass originates and extends just sounds so much deeper in comparison.

 

[Onurb8690]

I have listened and compared KR5 and XE6 with my m5 directly in Moscow showroom and I personally found M5 to be much better (more organic, natural and overall pleasing) than KR5, which had kinda unnatural tuning with exaggerated upper mids.
For me XE6 is an upgrade to M5, they both have a similar tonality, but XE6 is pushing it even further in terms of naturalness and holographic presentation. I also don't find XE6 as a basshead iem.

You now surprised me with your comment.
So do you think in terms of upgrading for those who have the M5 to go to the XE6?

 

[Layman1]

I have listened and compared KR5 and XE6 with my m5 directly in Moscow showroom and I personally found M5 to be much better (more organic, natural and overall pleasing) than KR5, which had kinda unnatural tuning with exaggerated upper mids.
For me XE6 is an upgrade to M5, they both have a similar tonality, but XE6 is pushing it even further in terms of naturalness and holographic presentation. I also don't find XE6 as a basshead iem.

I have no skin in this game as I haven't yet heard the Kr5 or Xe6 (although I certainly hope to as soon as I can), but I just want to mentioned a caution to other Head-Fi'ers reading this.

I'm not in any way disagreeing with @ILyaX and it's great to have someone posting new impressions.

Just to mention that when I 'A/B test' 2 or more IEMs directly against each other, I've personally found that it can lead to some pretty skewed immediate impressions, particularly if there are significant differences in the tunings of each IEM.

For example, if I go from something like Solaris 2020 or EE Phantom (both quite dark, warm, rich and with elevated bass) to something like UM Fusang or MEST Mk I, I'll hear the latter two IEMs as sounding a bit anaemic and weak in the mid-bass and lower mids.
But I wouldn't think of them in that way (at all!) if I'd just spent an hour listening to them without listening to Solaris 2020 or Phantom first.

Ditto going directly from (e.g.) Odin to Solaris 2020; weird/skewed impressions result.

I don't know how similar the sound signatures of the M5 and Kr5 are, but I'd speculate based on your impressions that you might have been encountering this effect I'm describing? What do you think?

 

[robbi22]

I have listened and compared KR5 and XE6 with my m5 directly in Moscow showroom and I personally found M5 to be much better (more organic, natural and overall pleasing) than KR5, which had kinda unnatural tuning with exaggerated upper mids.
For me XE6 is an upgrade to M5, they both have a similar tonality, but XE6 is pushing it even further in terms of naturalness and holographic presentation. I also don't find XE6 as a basshead iem.

As i know you heard prototypes. Not final version of Fir iems.

 

[Gasdoc]

The XE6 looks amazing. Love my a12t though...

 

[aaf evo]

The XE6 looks amazing. Love my a12t though...

They can coexist

 

[mvvRAZ]

Kr5 finally ordered and getting sent out today! Woop woop excitements

 

[Onurb8690]

Kr5 finally ordered and getting sent out today! Woop woop excitements

Custom version??

 

[mvvRAZ]

Custom version??

Just universal for now, I was very tempted by the design and shell. I have a small concern it might be too bright but let’s see. If I love it I might add a Xe6 to my collection as a CIEM, I’d like a FiR custom eventually

 

[Onurb8690]

Just universal for now, I was very tempted by the design and shell. I have a small concern it might be too bright but let’s see. If I love it I might add a Xe6 to my collection as a CIEM, I’d like a FiR custom eventually

Waiting for your impressions as I'm undecided between Kr5 and Xen 6

 

[Skullar]

Just universal for now, I was very tempted by the design and shell. I have a small concern it might be too bright but let’s see. If I love it I might add a Xe6 to my collection as a CIEM, I’d like a FiR custom eventually

Im 1 finger on pulling the trigger too. Not sure whether to go for Ne4 or KR5.

I lile elevated upper mids but there must be a decent compensation in bass. So not sure about its quantity.

 

[twister6]

I have listened and compared KR5 and XE6 with my m5 directly in Moscow showroom and I personally found M5 to be much better (more organic, natural and overall pleasing) than KR5, which had kinda unnatural tuning with exaggerated upper mids.
For me XE6 is an upgrade to M5, they both have a similar tonality, but XE6 is pushing it even further in terms of naturalness and holographic presentation. I also don't find XE6 as a basshead iem.

As it was mentioned already, those Frontier series units in Moscow showroom from last year were early prototypes that didn't even look like final shells. And the tuning has been changed as well, even Bogdan confirmed that.

 

[mvvRAZ]

Im 1 finger on pulling the trigger too. Not sure whether to go for Ne4 or KR5.

I lile elevated upper mids but there must be a decent compensation in bass. So not sure about its quantity.

I can enjoy elevated upper mids but I need very significant treble compensations myself - otherwise I feel like vocals become overemphasized compared to instruments, while a forward treble response tends to bring things back to level. I also really enjoy really fast and detailed bass with good punch, which is where the Kr5 might shine

 

[Skullar]

Hey

I can enjoy elevated upper mids but I need very significant treble compensations myself - otherwise I feel like vocals become overemphasized compared to instruments, while a forward treble response tends to bring things back to level. I also really enjoy really fast and detailed bass with good punch, which is where the Kr5 might shine

Fair enough. Im a bit different. If treble is taking over upper mids, i find it too splashy.
That said. I dont mind good treble. But certain area peaks are really bothering me even on lower quantities.

Bass wise. I would love something closer to Z1R texture just with better speed and extension. Just not some BA like bass.

Thats why im tossed between. NE4 and KR5.

I dont mind smoother treble. But im worried that neon will have too laid back upper mids. Which was a deal breaker for me on EXT for example, no matter how good the treble was.

Could @twister6 chime in a bit?

Do you think Neon has pulled back upper mids?
Taking Indigo as reference point which model has closer mids presentation, between KR5 and Ne4?

 

[Burakk]

Hey guys, I'm selling my beloved M5 to fund XE6. the ones who interested may check my classified.