Also, interesting how Crinacle changed the sound signature description from "Bright DF-neutral" to "Bright V-shape". Do you guys agree with that assessment? Do you consider KSE V-shaped?
No NO NO - you dont put the KSE into categories !!
you must talk about match with the source (DAC AMP CABLES) and better to compare with the most natural source there is... but is there one?
For example -
I can hear difference betwin Neotech silver USB and Intona USB cable - silver more wide in stage and transpernt but relax the bass, Intona do the oposite, so it depend on your AMP and HP to say wich is better for YOU ( and you only
)
COWON L vs CALYX M - it is like Gibson with Marshal vs Yamaha and PEEVEE.... a total diferent sound signeture and (!!!!) frequency response.
Poal Simon "Cant Run But" - in the begining after a few seconds there is a contrabass comming in from sides, there is a small hiss on the right side (like amp hiss) that is recorded in the track...
In the Calyx i cant hear it !! better say it is much less volume (this hiss). and i LOVE the Calyx sound, love it.
But what does it say.... Calyx did a special FR setup that mask some HIgh FR ( and they have done this amazingly GOOD) so lets say connecting the KSE to Calyx ..... OMG OMG... no words.
and yes - as a PL-PL 3.5 i use a unique copper cable custom done (as you gass...i prefer "warmer" sound).
So , after all this bla bla - i think the KSE is the most TRANSPARENT IEM ever, it has the super highs, it has the mids (if your source is tube...) and supper correct bass.
Now, i use FabFilter PRO-Q3 EQ - this EQ has real time music hystogram that helps you learn and undretsand the relations in the song betwin the instruments and vocal .
You can undresrand if your HP or IEM is more to here or to there in the FR - but (!!) you need to test with some refference track - for this i like to use Pentatonix Halleluya. As a former performer and singer that had my time in the studio ... we used to sung exactly the same, 10 vocals accapela - so i know exactly how it should sound and how the Sound Engineer would have done the Studio MIX - the volume ballance bewtwin the singers.
So it is not only the KSE - it is the whole chain that affect what you hear, and there is no right or wrong - simply try to match what sout you and your prefered FR and Stage.
For me KSE is a keeper.