[Podster]

The GH4‘s are great, I love them! Perfect in collaboration with the Lehmann, also great on the Mojo. On the FiiO I prefer my FH7 IEM, but I’m really interested in the Rai Solo which are a completely different approach..

Yes, they do have a different signature but my ears adjust to them quickly and the longer you have them on the better they sound, of course that may just be me but I do like to stay opened minded in this hobby. I love the design, engineering and final outcome with the Solo.

 

[andreas1403]

Yes, they do have a different signature but my ears adjust to them quickly and the longer you have them on the better they sound, of course that may just be me but I do like to stay opened minded in this hobby. I love the design, engineering and final outcome with the Solo.

I’ll let you know my thinking when I heard them. Yes, it’s very important to be open minded... the only way to broaden the horizon- in every area of life!

 

[almarti]

Sure this has been asked so I apologize in advance. Thinking on Rai Solo to pair with

• HiBy R5
• will change unbalanced cable by (most probably) a Forza AudioWorks 4.4mm balanced
• mostly classical/progressive rock and jazz guitar

Do you think is a good alternative as IEMs?
Thanks in advance

 

[CrystalGipsy]

Sure this has been asked so I apologize in advance. Thinking on Rai Solo to pair with

• HiBy R5
• will change unbalanced cable by (most probably) a Forza AudioWorks 4.4mm balanced
• mostly classical/progressive rock and jazz guitar

Do you think is a good alternative as IEMs?
Thanks in advance

I have the Rai solo, and a balanced cable and find it a great combo with the R5. You need to find the tips that work best for your ears, it comes with quite a few variants to try.

 

[almarti]

I have the Rai solo, and a balanced cable and find it a great combo with the R5. You need to find the tips that work best for your ears, it comes with quite a few variants to try.

Thanks a lot!

 

[mbritt]

Ordered mine during Black Friday sale. Looking forward to trying these beauties out for music and podcasting.

 

[macdonjh]

Just received my Black Friday Solos yesterday. I've been listening to them all day. Good stuff so far. More later.

 

[Podster]

Just received my Black Friday Solos yesterday. I've been listening to them all day. Good stuff so far. More later.

Well for $100 off original retail they are a flat out steal, congrats Not sure what other iem's you own or have tried but would love to here what you think of them compared too My issue now is which color Xaiofan 8 core I prefer on mine Such an awful dilemma to have right

 

[macdonjh]

Well for $100 off original retail they are a flat out steal, congrats Not sure what other iem's you own or have tried but would love to here what you think of them compared too My issue now is which color Xaiofan 8 core I prefer on mine Such an awful dilemma to have right

Current gear is in my signature. Long term references are 64Audio Trio and Meze Rai Penta.

 

[Podster]

Current gear is in my signature. Long term references are 64Audio Trio and Meze Rai Penta.

Hmm, in that case I guess you just got the Solo to do yard work in! Most I’ve ever spent on an iem is $350 and I get plenty of enjoyment iem’s below that mark. I have three full on rigs in my man-cave and just can’t bring myself to start multi grand + collection for something that will just gather dust and loose value. But to each their own, sure would not knock anyone for what they want to do in this hobby and the real winners are the top reviewers who can enjoy without a massive outlay

 

[macdonjh]

Hmm, in that case I guess you just got the Solo to do yard work in! Most I’ve ever spent on an iem is $350 and I get plenty of enjoyment iem’s below that mark. I have three full on rigs in my man-cave and just can’t bring myself to start multi grand + collection for something that will just gather dust and loose value. But to each their own, sure would not knock anyone for what they want to do in this hobby and the real winners are the top reviewers who can enjoy without a massive outlay

I bought the Solo because I was curious about how they'd sound compared to the Pentas. For $150 I figured I couldn't lose. As I said, more in-depth thoughts later after I've had more time to hear them and A/B them against my other IEMs, especially the Pentas.

 

[Podster]

I bought the Solo because I was curious about how they'd sound compared to the Pentas. For $150 I figured I couldn't lose. As I said, more in-depth thoughts later after I've had more time to hear them and A/B them against my other IEMs, especially the Pentas.

Well keep in mind there is a big stretch between $150 and $999! With that said I agree sure sure can't loose at $150 if you compare them to like priced iem's

 

[macdonjh]

Well keep in mind there is a big stretch between $150 and $999! With that said I agree sure sure can't loose at $150 if you compare them to like priced iem's

To be sure. That was part of my curiosity: how much of the Penta sound can be had for 1/4 the cost (comparing retail to retail prices). Things I am curious about:

• I've had a couple single-driver IEMs, and borrowed a few others. What would Mr. Meze's take on a single driver sound like?
• Given the wildly different design, how much of the Meze house sound I like so much in the Penta would follow with the Solo?
• Would the Solo shells fit as well and be as comfortable as the Penta shells (their shapes are similar)?
• I'd read people calling the Solo sound "strange", but then I also read people calling the Penta "unengaging", so would I disagree about the Solo, too?
• And Jeez, who could pass up a Black Friday sale price like $150?

Yesterday I spent all day at work listening to the Solo with my Aune S2 DAP. The sound was pleasant, but I realized late in the afternoon that was the limit of what I heard. Presentation of the music was very good, but the magic of the Penta was missing. I am not digging at the Solo, only praising the Penta for the extra extension (at both ends of the spectrum), detail, clarity, sparkle, sweetness it can provide. In comparison, the Solo sounds muffled and dry.

I brought my Questyle QP2r DAP to work today instead of my Aune S2. The Questyle transformed, for me, the Rai Penta from a smooth, laid-back Sunday afternoon IEM into a fantastic performer I like to listen to daily. The sound of the Solo has changed noticeably with the different source. Bass is more extended and has better detail. Midrange is still clear and engaging, I especially like piano with Solo. The top treble is still a bit splashy and uncontrolled. It's not as clear and crystalline as with the Penta, or as sweet as the Trio. So at this minute, I'm listening to a barnstormer from Earth Wind and Fire, "Africano" from Gratitude. With the Questyle in control "Africano" sounds big and powerful and fun. I had to stop working for 5-1/2 minutes and turn up the volume. An early impression is the Solo scales up well with better sources. All good.

And then there is the whole question of driver burn-in. Will the Solo driver loosen up with a few more hours of playing time? Will its sound change? Will, instead, I get some "brain burn-in" and simply get used to the Solo sound? I don't know, but it will be fun finding out. So far the Solo were a steal at $150, and a bargain at $250. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for an all-arounder rather than a specialist IEM.

So far the only thing I don't like is the memory wire in the stock cable. Holy cow is it stiff. It actually hampers my efforts to get the ear pieces inserted. I think I will be cutting it out.

 

[Podster]

To be sure. That was part of my curiosity: how much of the Penta sound can be had for 1/4 the cost (comparing retail to retail prices). Things I am curious about:

• I've had a couple single-driver IEMs, and borrowed a few others. What would Mr. Meze's take on a single driver sound like?
• Given the wildly different design, how much of the Meze house sound I like so much in the Penta would follow with the Solo?
• Would the Solo shells fit as well and be as comfortable as the Penta shells (their shapes are similar)?
• I'd read people calling the Solo sound "strange", but then I also read people calling the Penta "unengaging", so would I disagree about the Solo, too?
• And Jeez, who could pass up a Black Friday sale price like $150?

Yesterday I spent all day at work listening to the Solo with my Aune S2 DAP. The sound was pleasant, but I realized late in the afternoon that was the limit of what I heard. Presentation of the music was very good, but the magic of the Penta was missing. I am not digging at the Solo, only praising the Penta for the extra extension (at both ends of the spectrum), detail, clarity, sparkle, sweetness it can provide. In comparison, the Solo sounds muffled and dry.

I brought my Questyle QP2r DAP to work today instead of my Aune S2. The Questyle transformed, for me, the Rai Penta from a smooth, laid-back Sunday afternoon IEM into a fantastic performer I like to listen to daily. The sound of the Solo has changed noticeably with the different source. Bass is more extended and has better detail. Midrange is still clear and engaging, I especially like piano with Solo. The top treble is still a bit splashy and uncontrolled. It's not as clear and crystalline as with the Penta, or as sweet as the Trio. So at this minute, I'm listening to a barnstormer from Earth Wind and Fire, "Africano" from Gratitude. With the Questyle in control "Africano" sounds big and powerful and fun. I had to stop working for 5-1/2 minutes and turn up the volume. An early impression is the Solo scales up well with better sources. All good.

And then there is the whole question of driver burn-in. Will the Solo driver loosen up with a few more hours of playing time? Will its sound change? Will, instead, I get some "brain burn-in" and simply get used to the Solo sound? I don't know, but it will be fun finding out. So far the Solo were a steal at $150, and a bargain at $250. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for an all-arounder rather than a specialist IEM.

So far the only thing I don't like is the memory wire in the stock cable. Holy cow is it stiff. It actually hampers my efforts to get the ear pieces inserted. I think I will be cutting it out.

Yep, you have a handle on it and as you've seen by my photos the first thing I changed was the wonky stock cable and of course I put my favored Auvio tips on them. Enjoy and hope you have several sources to try them on

Honestly I find most manufacturers to cut cost with sub par (by my standards) cables and as you can see from this photo I pretty much re-address that on everything I own

 

[PixelSquish]

To be sure. That was part of my curiosity: how much of the Penta sound can be had for 1/4 the cost (comparing retail to retail prices). Things I am curious about:

• I've had a couple single-driver IEMs, and borrowed a few others. What would Mr. Meze's take on a single driver sound like?
• Given the wildly different design, how much of the Meze house sound I like so much in the Penta would follow with the Solo?
• Would the Solo shells fit as well and be as comfortable as the Penta shells (their shapes are similar)?
• I'd read people calling the Solo sound "strange", but then I also read people calling the Penta "unengaging", so would I disagree about the Solo, too?
• And Jeez, who could pass up a Black Friday sale price like $150?

Yesterday I spent all day at work listening to the Solo with my Aune S2 DAP. The sound was pleasant, but I realized late in the afternoon that was the limit of what I heard. Presentation of the music was very good, but the magic of the Penta was missing. I am not digging at the Solo, only praising the Penta for the extra extension (at both ends of the spectrum), detail, clarity, sparkle, sweetness it can provide. In comparison, the Solo sounds muffled and dry.

I brought my Questyle QP2r DAP to work today instead of my Aune S2. The Questyle transformed, for me, the Rai Penta from a smooth, laid-back Sunday afternoon IEM into a fantastic performer I like to listen to daily. The sound of the Solo has changed noticeably with the different source. Bass is more extended and has better detail. Midrange is still clear and engaging, I especially like piano with Solo. The top treble is still a bit splashy and uncontrolled. It's not as clear and crystalline as with the Penta, or as sweet as the Trio. So at this minute, I'm listening to a barnstormer from Earth Wind and Fire, "Africano" from Gratitude. With the Questyle in control "Africano" sounds big and powerful and fun. I had to stop working for 5-1/2 minutes and turn up the volume. An early impression is the Solo scales up well with better sources. All good.

And then there is the whole question of driver burn-in. Will the Solo driver loosen up with a few more hours of playing time? Will its sound change? Will, instead, I get some "brain burn-in" and simply get used to the Solo sound? I don't know, but it will be fun finding out. So far the Solo were a steal at $150, and a bargain at $250. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for an all-arounder rather than a specialist IEM.

So far the only thing I don't like is the memory wire in the stock cable. Holy cow is it stiff. It actually hampers my efforts to get the ear pieces inserted. I think I will be cutting it out.

I have both the solos and the pentas and agree. Of course the pentas are on a different level, considering the price, but the solos are still very good. I did replace my cable on the solos, the memory wire was even more annoying than that on the cable of the pentas.