Introducing CL2 Planar (Impressions Thread)

[Kitechaser]

Not yet, but they don't have as wide a stem as the CL2 bore from what I can see, contrary to the Tennmak.



I haven't heard Andromeda, but I have owned for a long time (almost two years) both Vega and IE800, as well as IE800S.

Both Vega and IE800 have more bass presence than the CL2, mainly because the CL2 has « cleaner » bass with no mid bass boost. This being said the CL2 has great bass kick and it probably extend lower or anyway has more control and detailed bass with more texture. I don’t see the CL2 as a basshead IEM (from the sources I have used so far, YMMV), but as a neutral detailed IEM with a lot of energy both down low, in the mids (thanks to the upper mids) and up top.

There are commonalities with IE800. They both have very energetic signatures (this is much less the case with IE800S), but contrary to IE800 there is no harshness and no treble peak on the CL2. Soundstage is very similar, wide but the CL2 is airier and imaging is more precise. They both feature great clarity and transparency. The CL2 is more natural sounding although I think the IE800 has better timbre but let’s see how it evolves as the CL2 burns in and also how it does with other cables. I think if you liked IE800 you’ll like the CL2 as it basically is a more mature tuning of the same philosophy of exciting tuning. The only thing right now I would say IE800 has the edge is the mids, but that’s for my taste as I prefer warmer mids. The CL2 mids are quite neutral and accurate.

The Vega is nothing like the CL2. It doesn’t care about being neutral although the mids are fairly accurate. But its massive bass presence is overwhelming and it needs a good source to have some kind of control over that huge power. There is much more mid bass than CL2. The highs can be harsh at times although not as hot as IE800 famous peak.

Last but not least CL2 is fast, very fast all across the range this makes for great PRaT. The CL2 has a great sense of rhythm.
It’s speedier than both IE800 and Vega and by a big margin, more akin to top balanced armature IEMs.

Stem on the spiral dots is 4 mm, and bore is 5 mm wide.
Anyways, I'll let you know when I get them. .

 

[beaniebaesha]

Yes, I did have the ie800 at one point in my audiophile journey and mids were great, just a little thin sounding to me but had great clarity,I did listen to the vega for a short time (the vega just sounded kinda decent to good level , there was a good amount of bass but the mids were kinda of compressed and the treble was a bit annoying, it did have more emotion though which I liked more compared to andromeda and it was more natural i guess ) I used to be a bass head and am now I am a midhead of sorts, most of my music is triphpop, hippop and rnb, so I need bass, in the current few years there have only been a few iems that have ever blown my mind, first being the andromeda (only issue being that it is a little clinical but still great sounding), hifiman re2000 nice balance and fitear togo 334 for the vocals which were great and nice natural sort of bass not overly done just emotional, so these iems are my sort of reference, if any one has the andromeda please do a comparison because I am so tempted to get these iems

 

[davidmolliere]

More on tip rolling with the CL2... I found interesting options to the Tennmak.

Sony Hybrids : pretty good, balanced with good bass impact
Ortofon : Deepest insertion, very good seal, average bass and boosted highs (stem is narrower than bore, approx 1mm...)
Flares Pro Tips : Best bass by a wide margin, also no surprise, best seal... you can get them here (those are the large ones, if you order make sure your size is right)

The Flares PRO tips are winner right now in my book, for my taste and ear morphology.

 

[Joseph Lin]

I found them on amazon.com and they ship to europe, good to know it will improve even further, can't wait to get Hansound Audio Zen 4 wire balanced to try them with the CL2



I don't have another DAP but I still have to try with Mojo. DX200/AMP8 is a killer combo, bonus now is the upgrade to Android Oreo (8.x)

How does DX200/AMP8 compare to Mojo?

 

[davidmolliere]

How does DX200/AMP8 compare to Mojo?

If I had to sum it up Mojo is warmer and smoother than DX200/AMP8 (let’s go with the flow and call it DX208), with more weight and body, DX208 is neutral warm with a much wider, taller and deeper soundstage and provides much more detail. DX208 bass is cleaner with less mid bass emphasis, and it extends better both ways especially up top.

 

[Joseph Lin]

If I had to sum it up Mojo is warmer and smoother than DX200/AMP8 (let’s go with the flow and call it DX208), with more weight and body, DX208 is neutral warm with a much wider, taller and deeper soundstage and provides much more detail. DX208 bass is cleaner with less mid bass emphasis, and it extends better both ways especially up top.

Are you saying both are comparable but with different signature? When I listen to Mojo right after WA8, Mojo sounds muddy, mid bass mess up low and mid. High is good but not great. Less airy. WA8 is great but I need something portable and I don't like Mojo. iFi iDSD Micro is too large to carry around.

 

[davidmolliere]

Are you saying both are comparable but with different signature? When I listen to Mojo right after WA8, Mojo sounds muddy, mid bass mess up low and mid. High is good but not great. Less airy. WA8 is great but I need something portable and I don't like Mojo. iFi iDSD Micro is too large to carry around.

Not comparable to me DX200/AMP8 is on another plane field, in fact when I auditioned SP1000 Cu and Hugo 2 I didn't think DX200 was lacking just that those where different signatures. During that meetup those who discovered DX208 were pretty impressed. You won't get the same you get from WA8 as tube and desktop amp are well, a different ball game!

A very portable and capable alternative from what I have heard is DX120, it's cheap highly portable and quite a surprisingly good SQ

 

[Joseph Lin]

Not comparable to me DX200/AMP8 is on another plane field, in fact when I auditioned SP1000 Cu and Hugo 2 I didn't think DX200 was lacking just that those where different signatures. During that meetup those who discovered DX208 were pretty impressed. You won't get the same you get from WA8 as tube and desktop amp are well, a different ball game!

A very portable and capable alternative from what I have heard is DX120, it's cheap highly portable and quite a surprisingly good SQ

Guess I have to try DX208 then. Thank you!

 

[Benz-Fi]

From what I've read so far these are very intriguing for me and I think the price for the package is fair, however I wish there was a way to lower the price by removing some of the accessories that are bundled in. Personally I have no use for the Bluetooth portion of things and could do without one of the 2 included cables, if that would save me $200 I would be all over it.

 

[davidmolliere]

From what I've read so far these are very intriguing for me and I think the price for the package is fair, however I wish there was a way to lower the price by removing some of the accessories that are bundled in. Personally I have no use for the Bluetooth portion of things and could do without one of the 2 included cables, if that would save me $200 I would be all over it.

I can tell you the price is quite fair, the main competitor with a very similar bundle (AKG N5005) is quite a bit pricier.

This comparison not withstanding, from a performance perpective it does compare quite well to the two TOTL customs I own who are between 2 and 3 times pricier as well... it's quite engaging too, a very natural energetic signature.

I am currently listening to Maceo Parker "Up and down East Street" and my foot is tapping in rythm

Jazz just sings with the CL2! Oh my...

 

[AManAnd88Keys]

Most of my review is going to be ready today (working on it now!), but I would like to try out how the CL2s sound when driven by the Corda Jazz connected to my DDDAC 1794 before I post it. I also need better pictures and more time to check spelling, grammar etc., as I am 1) not a native speaker and 2) someone who likes to do a decent job, even when I don't get paid for it. In other words, I will take some more time.

For those of you who mainly read the bottom line and don't really care about the rest when they check reviews, I can tell you this right away:
I think the CL2s are amazing. Regardless of cable, the sound is great from top to bottom. The CL2s prove without doubt that planar technology works beautifully well for IEMs. With a clean, understated aesthetic design, excellent sound quality, useful accessoires and under 1k€ price tag, in my eyes - and ears - the CL2 has what it takes to be a modern classic. RHA has done a hell of a job, congratulations!

 

[davidmolliere]

@AManAnd88Keys I look forward to your review

I share your opinion on the CL2, I have crossed the 20 hours burn in mark and consider me very impressed, things remain highly detailed and natural, yet smoother and fuller. Tip rolling was highly beneficial so fit, seal and insertion are key for the CL2. There is something that reminds me of... the Flamenco, no less!

This is a highly engaging IEM, someone saw me toe tapping while shopping it was so good that I forgot where I was And yes, I might be the exception but I consider the bluetooth neckband a very well thought out and very well implemented the SQ is for me just as good as the lightning cable for the LCD i4 and iSines and that's no small feat IMHO. Side benefit, watching a movie or tv show wireless with them is well, pretty nice

 

[Kitechaser]

@AManAnd88Keys I look forward to your review

I share your opinion on the CL2, I have crossed the 20 hours burn in mark and consider me very impressed, things remain highly detailed and natural, yet smoother and fuller. Tip rolling was highly beneficial so fit, seal and insertion are key for the CL2. There is something that reminds me of... the Flamenco, no less!

This is a highly engaging IEM, someone saw me toe tapping while shopping it was so good that I forgot where I was And yes, I might be the exception but I consider the bluetooth neckband a very well thought out and very well implemented the SQ is for me just as good as the lightning cable for the LCD i4 and iSines and that's no small feat IMHO.

Just ordered the pro tips. Look promising.
These need wide tips, no doubt.

 

[davidmolliere]

Just ordered the pro tips. Look promising.
These need wide tips, no doubt.

I am not sure those will be for everyone, different shape so YMMV, the ortofon are pretty nice as well high grade silicon, deep insertion and a more balanced signature. The flares PRO tips are bassier and smoother sounding overall.

 

[Kitechaser]

I am not sure those will be for everyone, different shape so YMMV, the ortofon are pretty nice as well high grade silicon, deep insertion and a more balanced signature. The flares PRO tips are bassier and smoother sounding overall.

Only one way to find out