Does the ST10 have more bass, more highs, more recessed mids, more details and note definition, more expansive soundstage, and better separation compared to ST8B? Does it justify the price gap between them?GS Audio GD3A, ST6A, ST6B, ST8B, ST10 listening impressions ~ mini review
General info
Most of the listening was done on a Cayin N3 Pro as the source. I used the 3.5mm output no tubes. The measurements was done on a iec 711 coupler off of Aliexpress. I am still mostly a noob, so take it with plenty of salt if anything is off looking. I use EQ only went noted for some comparisons, otherwise most of the sets were listened to with no EQ for the main impressions. The sets do appear to take EQ well if you want to play around with it, I only tried 5-10DB swings here and there to check it out.
Overall theme for the iems. As a group they all have a moderately large soundstage. As a group detail imaging and separation was excellent, the quality tends to increase a bit as the price increase. The crossover work was also well done. I had a hard time determining where they were implemented it overall. I am sure someone with a trained ear could, but for someone like me I could not. The size of the shell does increase quite a bit as more is stuff in it. People with smaller ears might find the ST10 or large iems potentially off putting due to size, the ST8B was where the comfort level was mostly there for me. The ST10 did fit, just after a few hours I had sore ears after the fact.
GD3A
The bass is clean, detailed and moderately textured. Compared to the other GS Audio I have, it has the more impact wise(DD). Bass is the slowest in the GS Audio lineup that I have. Quicker then the GK10 LZ A7 showing more of a BA presentation with some of the DD impact. The Mids detail is clear and clarity, male vocals is a bit recessed and female vocals are fine. Some might be seeking more treble extension.
ST6A
The bass is still rather well done. Here it is more of a BA style bass, quicker then the GD3A, also a bit thicker also in the presentation, but you do lose a bit of the impact. It is still well done, just the difference between BA and DD it feels like. It had a feeling where the drivers could not keep up with the track, there was no smearing in faster moving tracks. Probably a good presentation of what BA bass should sound like if someone is curious when compared to the GD3A.
The male vocals are a touch closer to the mix, and the brightness that could be seen as missing in the GD3A is well presented here. Is it worth the increase in price, that can be highly debatable. It is a well done tuning with the extra perks of having more drivers to fill out the sound a bit more. Probably the biggest question do you want the increase technicalities and BA bass or just slightly worse and more of a DD impact.
ST6B
So The big thing is how do you like your treble and upper mids. Due to the recession the bass-lower mids are much more presented forward. Also the sharp increase in the mids lower treble honestly is a bit too hot overall. The ST6B sharp dropoff in the treble also make some instruments just sound a bit too off overall to the overall mix.
Personally the ST6A is the better tuned of the set. Both are close enough tech wise, the soundstage and air is better on the ST6A, the 6B is much more intimate of a presentation.
ST8B
So this is what I would probably describe as the perfect laid back IEM that I have tried so far. Everything is well balanced throughout the mix with some treble rolloff at the end. Nothing is extremely overpowered at all. There is less air and soundstage presence then the rest of the collection here. Technicalities are in-between the ST6A and ST10.
ST10
So the ST10 Yeah, I called it neutral bright, nah its more closer to a V shape after some more time listening to it and not trying to compared it so harshly to the ST8 at first impression. The Treble at first glance is not that bad overall. It is brighter then the ST6A but at least it is not unbearable for me.
From the collection I have it is by far the best technicalities of the sets I have. Also has the largest overall soundstage. I do not find the extra treble energy that poorly done compared to the rest, but it certainly will be probably too much for some.
Comparisons
Geek world GK10
Compared to the GD3A, it has more of a sub bass/bass presence throughout the overall mix. There is a bit more overall impact to the bass, but my set has some subbass bleed. Slightly more soundstage, and the separation and details takes a step back. Treble is a bit farther back and you more air to the overall sound. Personally I prefer the GD3A here more.
Fearless Roland
Is there any Fearless Roland fans somehow still out there? Yes the Roland is Dark. The ST8B could be a potential upgrade path. The ST8B gives you overall a higher level of technicalities and soundstage with giving you some more energy where the Roland is just too dark overall at. You do lose the speed of a DD driver for the bass, but the rest of the presentation would be an overall upgrade. And honestly since the EST drivers are honestly wasted here, the treble has overall much better quality and texture overall. Even when you EQ the treble down to the Roland's darkness.
Conclusion
Overall the GS Audio Line up was a pleasant surprise. The only one I truly did not care for that much was the ST6B. I can overall highly recommend most of the items here. For most people I would lean the ST6A and the GD3A will probably be the most popular. Safe general tunings that works. The ST8B could be the sleeper here for anyone that likes a more relax presentation. The ST10 honestly probably does not do enough to warrant the higher price tag. Yeah it is better then the ST6A, worth the price difference debatable. The ST8 will probably get the most used out of them for me, since it is more relaxed presentation(I deal with migraines/headaches too often sadly) but the ST6A or ST10 is certainly the better sounding sets.
For me it turned out to be ST8B>ST6A=GD3>ST10>ST6B
Also, does the ST8B outclass its peers in terms if balance and technicalities, especially details, stage, and separation? And does the ST10 trump it under 500 USD?
. Also interesting to see 4 x Knowles 33803 full range drivers to cover the presumably lower mids to lower treble regions then those electrets taking over the upper registry.
