jSatch
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2005
- Posts
- 701
- Likes
- 10
[size=medium]
I won't go into a review of either of these phones, or post pictures, as that has all been done before, and I'm just too lazy a sod to bother. Instead I though it important for people to realize the potential of these phones, their chameleon nature, just by swapping tips. So I decided to start a new thread as I don't believe this has been touched on before for these phones. And yes, I do understand the importance of ear tip fit, and how even different compositions of ear tips can alter the sound sig (I've written before on the topic). The difference here is that different tips transformed these modest, seemingly ordinary phones to a very happy place.
So here my story begins.......
I purchased the M9 as earlier reports suggested it and the highly regarded M6 shared the same drivers. As I posted earlier on a different thread, I was a bit disappointed in what, to my ears, was a bass heavy sound signature. Not my cup of tea, especially as such imbalance can rob the other end, the high freqs, of their presence. But at this price, no biggie. It was still better than I expected. However I found myself reaching for the Apple earbuds for just going out because although they were lacking in the tactile cues we relate with as 'Hi-Fidelity', they had a flatter freq response.
After contacting MEElectron regarding the M9 phones, the kind people there sent me different tips. Charge for the tips. Zero. Time to respond to my email. A few minutes.
A world of difference! Much more neural and defined from the previous sound sig which was rather bass dominant to the point of detracting from the rest of the freq response, and the music. Or at least this is my opinion, and my preference for a sound sig. But I was amazed the range one can get just by swapping tips. These can go from extreme bass machines to a darned flat response. In the mood for Hip-Hop with some juicy bass you'd be bumping from your Chevy Impala? Or perhaps rather a sensual violin concerto? Just switch tips. Crazy.
I was on such a roll with this nice company, I thought I'd try the M6. Again, the very kind folks at MEElec provided additional tips for my preferred freq balance. And again a winner. And as 'joker' mentions, a slightly cleaner sound sig, and slightly more extended high freqs in the M6 than the M9, but still fun phones. Please see others reviews on these phones for a more in depth description.
There is currently a difference in the new M9 and M6 drivers. The fit is also different. The M9 has a shorter and stouter nozzle the the tips fit on. The M6 is longer and thinner. As such, the M6 fits further into the ear.
If you think of bass loading, the smaller space of an IEM that fits deeply into the ear canal vs one that seals at the outer edge (tri-flange v donut tips, for example) would have less air to move, thus less bass, yet likely better highs. This was the case here, even though the drivers were not identical.
So the M6 trumps the M9? Well, not exactly. The M6 does sit further in my ear, and my ears are more sensitive to those tips over time. The M9, far less so. Also, fitting the M6 takes more effort. The may be easy to detach if you need to speak with someone, or check if you're crossing a busy street, but the M9's are far more convenient to just pop in and out as you're walking around. Chances are if you're popping them in and out, listening is not critical. I dare say the sound sigs are quite similar, as one might expect from MEElec signature, but then again, that depends entirely on the tips you use.
In all, I'm happy I own both the M6 and the M9. And even though the M6 sound is slightly better to my ears, I use the M9's more frequently. Different shades of flavor for different moods and purposes. Very pleased owning both.
Better yet is the Customer Service, which is second to none. You'd think these were $300 headphones instead of $30, and even then I doubt you'd get the rapid response I got from the nice people at MEElec. Thanks for all the help Joe and Simon. A great philosophy to build up a good customer base- keep them happy, and they shall return. I wish this company success as a model to the industry.
NOTE: MEElec is currently having a sale on the M6. Now it is truly a 'steal'.
[/size]So here my story begins.......
I purchased the M9 as earlier reports suggested it and the highly regarded M6 shared the same drivers. As I posted earlier on a different thread, I was a bit disappointed in what, to my ears, was a bass heavy sound signature. Not my cup of tea, especially as such imbalance can rob the other end, the high freqs, of their presence. But at this price, no biggie. It was still better than I expected. However I found myself reaching for the Apple earbuds for just going out because although they were lacking in the tactile cues we relate with as 'Hi-Fidelity', they had a flatter freq response.
After contacting MEElectron regarding the M9 phones, the kind people there sent me different tips. Charge for the tips. Zero. Time to respond to my email. A few minutes.
A world of difference! Much more neural and defined from the previous sound sig which was rather bass dominant to the point of detracting from the rest of the freq response, and the music. Or at least this is my opinion, and my preference for a sound sig. But I was amazed the range one can get just by swapping tips. These can go from extreme bass machines to a darned flat response. In the mood for Hip-Hop with some juicy bass you'd be bumping from your Chevy Impala? Or perhaps rather a sensual violin concerto? Just switch tips. Crazy.
I was on such a roll with this nice company, I thought I'd try the M6. Again, the very kind folks at MEElec provided additional tips for my preferred freq balance. And again a winner. And as 'joker' mentions, a slightly cleaner sound sig, and slightly more extended high freqs in the M6 than the M9, but still fun phones. Please see others reviews on these phones for a more in depth description.
There is currently a difference in the new M9 and M6 drivers. The fit is also different. The M9 has a shorter and stouter nozzle the the tips fit on. The M6 is longer and thinner. As such, the M6 fits further into the ear.
If you think of bass loading, the smaller space of an IEM that fits deeply into the ear canal vs one that seals at the outer edge (tri-flange v donut tips, for example) would have less air to move, thus less bass, yet likely better highs. This was the case here, even though the drivers were not identical.
So the M6 trumps the M9? Well, not exactly. The M6 does sit further in my ear, and my ears are more sensitive to those tips over time. The M9, far less so. Also, fitting the M6 takes more effort. The may be easy to detach if you need to speak with someone, or check if you're crossing a busy street, but the M9's are far more convenient to just pop in and out as you're walking around. Chances are if you're popping them in and out, listening is not critical. I dare say the sound sigs are quite similar, as one might expect from MEElec signature, but then again, that depends entirely on the tips you use.
In all, I'm happy I own both the M6 and the M9. And even though the M6 sound is slightly better to my ears, I use the M9's more frequently. Different shades of flavor for different moods and purposes. Very pleased owning both.
Better yet is the Customer Service, which is second to none. You'd think these were $300 headphones instead of $30, and even then I doubt you'd get the rapid response I got from the nice people at MEElec. Thanks for all the help Joe and Simon. A great philosophy to build up a good customer base- keep them happy, and they shall return. I wish this company success as a model to the industry.
NOTE: MEElec is currently having a sale on the M6. Now it is truly a 'steal'.