[bmichels]

But does that not presuppose that the amp can function effectively at that level without clipping or distortion? I ask because I am not an electrical engineer and I just assumed that was the case.

 
this is the opposite: clipping is when the INPUT level is too hight. 

 

[spook76]

this is the opposite: clipping is when the INPUT level is too hight. 

What about distortion?

 

[tassardar]

What about distortion?

Actually as Long as the input doesn't clip, I never heard anything such as distortion from the kse1500 before

 

[mrlawng9]

One thing I love about my HE1000s is that they resolve so much music but are never bright. Kind of like my Harbeth M30.1s. For portable use, I invested in the UIEM Laylas but I'm not really enthralled with them. Can anyone comment on whether or not the Shure's can be hot or bright? I get that they likely resolve quite a bit more detail than the Layla's but are they musical like the HE1000s?

 

[joshuachew]

One thing I love about my HE1000s is that they resolve so much music but are never bright. Kind of like my Harbeth M30.1s. For portable use, I invested in the UIEM Laylas but I'm not really enthralled with them. Can anyone comment on whether or not the Shure's can be hot or bright? I get that they likely resolve quite a bit more detail than the Layla's but are they musical like the HE1000s?

Hope I can help you out. I have the KSE and I have auditioned the HE1000 extensively and am glad to say that the KSE is like the HE1000 in which it's very resolving with extremely high resolution without being bright with amazing timbre hence remaining musical. My HE1000 arrives on Monday. I don't think you'll have regrets about the KSE1500

 

[mrlawng9]

Thanks Josh - yes, that was extremely helpful.
 
Does anyone in the Seattle area have KSE1500s they'd let me try out?  I can bring my HE1000s along in return!

 

[raypin]

mmm......KSE 1500 (usd 3k)   is fine but the lack of bass is  an issue for me. Very high resolution, no question about it. But it lacks musicality. Alternatives: Zeus XIV R  (usd2k) and the Beyerdynamic AKT8ie (usd 1k). Audition those alongside the KSE.

 

[AnakChan]

mmm......KSE 1500 (usd 3k)   is fine but the lack of bass is  an issue for me. Very high resolution, no question about it. But it lacks musicality. Alternatives: Zeus XIV R  (usd2k) and the Beyerdynamic AKT8ie (usd 1k). Audition those alongside the KSE.

To my taste, the bass is fine but yes it is quite tight therefore not exhibiting warmth or bloom. The closest in the non electrostatic-IEM to me would be the Tralucent 1Plus2.2 instead.

If I sit down somewhere the KSE is it, I'd I'm on the move the 1Plus2.2 is the alternative.

 

[Mimouille]

mmm......KSE 1500 (usd 3k)   is fine but the lack of bass is  an issue for me. Very high resolution, no question about it. But it lacks musicality. Alternatives: Zeus XIV R  (usd2k) and the Beyerdynamic AKT8ie (usd 1k). Audition those alongside the KSE.

I find the bass is just fine, very tight and detailed. However to some people it will be a bit dry and analytical. To me it is OK, but I can switch to Plus5 or SE5 or even 846 for more fun.

 

[AnakChan]

Hmmm..I've been playing around with the AK380Cu line out feeding into the KSE1500 namely comparing between :-
 
1) AK380Cu LineOut -> KSE1500 input pad -10dB (volume controlled on the KSE)
2) AK380Cu+Amp (Low Gain) -> KSE1500 input pad 0dB with KSE at max volume (and controlling the volume on the AK380 side)
 
And somehow I feel the (2) somewhat less personal and somewhat "cold", by comparison to (1) where I feel it's somewhat more full bodied, emotive, engaging, and more holographic. It is possible (1) may have a slightly smaller soundstage but the depth and and height feels more pleasing as (2) seems to sound a little "flat".

 

[raypin]

mmm......I have not tried no. 2 because it is my understanding that the cu amp (& 380 amp) does not have  a line-out function and only headphone out. My default is no. 1 with the KSE 1500.

 

[AnakChan]

  mmm......I have not tried no. 2 because it is my understanding that the cu amp (& 380 amp) does not have  a line-out function and only headphone out. My default is no. 1 with the KSE 1500.

 
(2) is not in line out mode. As such as mentioned, using the AK380Cu+amp as the pre-amp-styled volume control (implied the KSE1500 at max volume). I've seen a few folks recommended that before and decided to try that but somehow I tend to prefer the (1) method sonically.
 
I think (2) doesn't seem to emphasise vocals as emotionally as (1).

 

[raypin]

Mmm....it would be nice though if the cu/380 amp have line-out function. Reason: Utilize both batteries = more playing time.

 

[GhstInTheMachne]

Hmmm..I've been playing around with the AK380Cu line out feeding into the KSE1500 namely comparing between :-

 
1) AK380Cu LineOut -> KSE1500 input pad -10dB (volume controlled on the KSE)

2) AK380Cu+Amp (Low Gain) -> KSE1500 input pad 0dB with KSE at max volume (and controlling the volume on the AK380 side)

And somehow I feel the (2) somewhat less personal and somewhat "cold", by comparison to (1) where I feel it's somewhat more full bodied, emotive, engaging, and more holographic. It is possible (1) may have a slightly smaller soundstage but the depth and and height feels more pleasing as (2) seems to sound a little "flat".

I had the same opinion when I had the AK380 Cu with Amp Cu. The Amp Cu to me had a flat and cold sound compared to the AK380 Cu w/o Amp Cu. I have since moved on to a Mojo ->KSE1500.

 

[GhstInTheMachne]

This is my current setup. 6s -> Mojo -> KSE1500