tjl5709
100+ Head-Fier
Well, the KSE1500 is a real successor in terms of clarity and resolution (IMHO, it's a successor to every other headphone in that regard.) It's definitely a successor with respect to price it's just not a successor in terms of portability.
I don't know of any rumored replacement/upgrade/successor to their multi-BA line of IEMs. The SE846 are still a great purchase in this ultra-portable category for several reasons:
1) Amazing quantity and quality of sub-bass that doesn't bleed into the mids.
2) They aren't vented, so they isolate really well.
3) Compared with other modern IEMs, the buds are ergonomically-shaped and still relatively small, making it easier to get a comfortable fit.
4) They have long, thin nozzles which gives you the choice of a huge range of third party eartips, and also helps achieve a good fit and an isolating seal.
5) Custom shells are available from Sensaphonics, which basically turn these UIEMs into CIEMs.
6) If you want to tune the FR, you have a huge range of filter mods, beyond just the stock white, blue and black filters.
There's still no other IEM out there that ticks all these boxes.
I have to 2nd this. I find the SE846 end game with my new X7 mk2. But I did get to listen to some KSE1500's. If I ever move, this is where I go next. Going to another multi driver IEM might provide a slight improvement, but the difference with the KSE1500 was significant. Just can't quite swallow 3x to expense.