[BasilFawlty]

I have both the KDE1500 and the 846. The bass is more articulated in the 846 the sound is cleaner and in my opinion better in the 1500. They both sound great but I prefer the 1500. I am listening to both Apple Music quality and FLAC. Like jazz, light rock and classic music.

 

[ryaneagon]

I have both the KDE1500 and the 846. The bass is more articulated in the 846 the sound is cleaner and in my opinion better in the 1500. They both sound great but I prefer the 1500. I am listening to both Apple Music quality and FLAC. Like jazz, light rock and classic music.

Thanks for the input.

 

[BasilFawlty]

A good comparison is if you have a sun shade and look out the KSE1500 has no sun shade but you kind of get to the music itself. Strange I know, but not being from US to start with hard fo me to get the right words.

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

I love that analogy!

 

[aangen]

I own both the 846 and 1200s and I am quite certain you will not have an issue with returning the 1200s should you purchase them. They are a nice step up, they still have the Shure house sound but it's oh so brilliant. I still listen to one pair or the other every day and my preference is usually for whichever of the two I am listening to. But the 1200 is better, cleaner, so very fast. I can't speak to the sound of the DAC in the 1500 as I have not heard it,

 

[TYATYA]

Cirrus logic (CS4272?) on 1500 is not suite to sound on 1500.
IMO, a more musicallity dac like AKM's will be better.
1. 1500 have not a lager soundstage
2. 1500 has a very high detail and resolution

So cs dac will (mostly) boring sound. Harsh, sharp, rough like diamond before touch up.

Dont know when dream come true : kse1600 with akm dac, wifi circuitry.
Then how to use it : your smartphone + shure special app install for wifi streaming + kse1600.
That's all

 

[BasilFawlty]

Another thing I realized - when I listen to the 846 longer than an hour, I get tired of the bass. When I listen to the 1500 I need at least half an hour to get in to the music but after that I can listen for hours without getting tired. It is like revealing the music and the music is not colored by anything. Kind of bare and I feel as it was intended to sound. I used to be a DJ 30 years ago, then I always cheated the sound to be more bassy and punchy to attract people to dance. Like alcohol, makes you feel a bit different, but the KSE1500 is pure and sober and just presenting the music.

 

[cj3209]

Cirrus logic (CS4272?) on 1500 is not suite to sound on 1500.
IMO, a more musicallity dac like AKM's will be better.
1. 1500 have not a lager soundstage
2. 1500 has a very high detail and resolution

So cs dac will (mostly) boring sound. Harsh, sharp, rough like diamond before touch up.

Dont know when dream come true : kse1600 with akm dac, wifi circuitry.
Then how to use it : your smartphone + shure special app install for wifi streaming + kse1600.
That's all

My personal preference is for Shure to ditch the DAC and improve the amp module, ie., an upgraded KSE 1200. Maybe a more powerful battery and some EQ options; also, a balanced input option would be great.

 

[ryaneagon]

My personal preference is for Shure to ditch the DAC and improve the amp module, ie., an upgraded KSE 1200. Maybe a more powerful battery and some EQ options; also, a balanced input option would be great.

My preference would be a better amp stage, I love the Sony WM1Z proprietary DAC. Balanced doesn't really matter with cables under 12 feet though. I although I prefer the more robust 4.4mm pentaconn jack the Sony has, I could go for that instead of the standard XLR connection, it would keep the KSE slim. Cheers!

 

[Kitechaser]

My personal preference is for Shure to ditch the DAC and improve the amp module, ie., an upgraded KSE 1200. Maybe a more powerful battery and some EQ options; also, a balanced input option would be great.

The KSE1500 dac is horrible, they should definitely ditch that, and work on an amp with better battery life.
Really liked your KSE1200 out of the SP1000CU, changed my whole outlook on these electrostats.
Timbre I felt was a little off, but my ears are used to a different headphone

Oh and soften up the hooks, and make a more flexible cable.

 

[Super Angulon]

The KSE1500 dac is horrible, they should definitely ditch that, and work on an amp with better battery life.
Really liked your KSE1200 out of the SP1000CU, changed my whole outlook on these electrostats.
Timbre I felt was a little off, but my ears are used to a different headphone

Oh and soften up the hooks, and make a more flexible cable.

May I ask you which cable you use to connect them?

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

There's something unbelievably satisfying about getting the opening of the Ring cycle cranked up as high as possible and letting that E flat ring out on KSE1500. It's amazing.

 

[Kitechaser]

May I ask you which cable you use to connect them?

@cj3209 can answer that. It was his rig I listened to.

 

[cj3209]

It was the short 3.5 to 3.5 cable that comes stock with the KSE. I have a nicer cable but don't hear any differences.

 

[BlueThunder]

I read in april on this thread that the SP1000 doesn’t have a ‘true’ line out for the likes of the KSE1200. I think it was BFlat who said that. Is this the case for the SP1000m too? I am looking to listen to the KSE1200 through the SP1000M and was wondering if lineout made a difference to sound quality.

Ultimately i’m trying to decide between the 1000m and the 1z. Tidal on AK and BT receive on Sony, and that’s without considering sound signatures...