Sleek SA6 or Atrio M5

[royalmathmtcs]

After searching for a pair of IEM's, I have finally narrowed my choices down two the SA6 or the m5. From what I have read, the SA6 is great in everything, except there are people who have felt that there could be more bass. The m5, on the other hand, has great bass, but lacks in all other aspects.

The only thing that is holding me back on the SA6's is the build quality and the lack of bass. I listen to a wide variety of music, and wouldn't want to be missing out on any low end detail, or punch. Could anybody who has used either of these IEM's please help me decide?

As for the time being, they will be used unamped, with an ipod classic.

 

[dookiex]

The SA6 has a somewhat flat sound while the Atrio has a better and more rounded sound EXCEPT that the bass is a bit on the heavy side. Now, the great thing about the bass on the Atrio m5 that I remember from my demoing them was that the bass doesn't muddy up the rest of the frequencies, instead, it's just a bit more forward.

As for which has a fuller and richer sound, the Atrio wins in that respect. Now, the SA6 by no means lack bass but it's just that it lacks body in its bass which basically takes away from the overall body of the music (think in terms of space). The other issue I had with the SA6 was that with some of the bass ports and treble combination, I would get the oomph in the bass but at the expense of veiling a bit of the mid and highs. In the end, it depends on what you're looking for, a more rounded and fuller body sound or a more detail/analytical sound. Now, when I say rounded and fuller body, I do not mean in any way a congested, veiled, or muddy sound (which tends to happen when in-ears try to have a warmer sound signature with emphasis on bass and mids).

 

[LaBreaHead]

The Atrios pair very well unamped with iPods, for an ultraportable combination. They help cancel out what some users would term drawbacks in each other. An iPod set un-EQ'd is not bassy and certainly not overly warm sounding; the relatively warm, bass-rich (but not muddy) M5s help the iPods I've used them with sound richer. For me, the Atrios provide quality listening at a competitive price in a fun, nonfatiguing package. While I would say owners of "colder" players might find the M5s more essential than would people who had warmer sounding or highly EQ'able players, they provide a surprisingly -- and pleasingly -- huge sound from a small package when I use them with a warmer, slightly EQ'd Sandisk Sansa Clip.

The SA6 is certainly well regarded, and apparently a very good all-rounder (and apparently easier to buy, but don't let that scare you off the M5s). So your decision is between two different but excellent options. The M5s certainly aren't a flavor of the month -- they're for real -- and the SA6s are supposed to be, too.

EDIT: Welcome to Head-Fi, sorry about your wallet, and nice avatar!

 

[tstarn06]

No shock here, but I believe the SA6s are the better choice. I owned the M5s and sold them, but liked them. Just never used them again after getting the SA6s. Durability is a concern, but with a two-year warranty and excellent customer service, the Sleeks are simply a more well-rounded choice, with better SQ. And there is no lack of bass with the Sleeks, just execute the bass+ mod (a pin or staple in the middle of the module will do it). Then, plenty of quality bass. A FiiO amp at $8.50 is also a good option.

My 2 cents.

 

[Obstinate]

I use Rockbox, and just added a little bass and treble to fix up the flatness of the bass in the SA6. I do this with all my headphones though, yet with the SA6 the music sounds leagues better

.

I just do + Treble, + Bass tips
+14 db Bass, +6 Treble.

And I swear, music has never sounded prettier.

 

[EEXO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif No shock here, but I believe the SA6s are the better choice. I owned the M5s and sold them, but liked them. Just never used them again after getting the SA6s. Durability is a concern, but with a two-year warranty and excellent customer service, the Sleeks are simply a more well-rounded choice, with better SQ. And there is no lack of bass with the Sleeks, just execute the bass+ mod (a pin or staple in the middle of the module will do it). Then, plenty of quality bass. A FiiO amp at $8.50 is also a good option. My 2 cents.

Wow! You're right! The bass+ mod does really work.

 

[tstarn06]

It did for me and others. A couple say it makes little difference. I just heard it immediately.

 

[EEXO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif It did for me and others. A couple say it makes little difference. I just heard it immediately.

To be honest I was skeptical at first but immediately after trying I noticed the difference. How about 2 holes for more bass ?

 

[royalmathmtcs]

Thanks for all the replies! Does anyone happen to know if there is a place in the Chicago area, preferrably northwest suburbs, that would carry any higher end IEM's that can be tried out in store?

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EEXO /img/forum/go_quote.gif To be honest I was skeptical at first but immediately after trying I noticed the difference. How about 2 holes for more bass ?

Hmm, not a good idea. I don't think. Someone else took a pair of bass= modules and burned a hole in them and claimed it opened up the bass. I had an extra pair and tried it, but didn't like the sound. You can have my failed experiment if you want. PM you mailing address if its CONUS.

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Someone else took a pair of bass= modules and burned a hole in them and claimed it opened up the bass. I had an extra pair and tried it, but didn't like the sound.

If that 'someone' is referring me, I think what I claimed is it (Bass≥ as I call it) opened up the bass of bass= port and made it a hybrid b/w Bass= and Bass+ port, but not beyond Bass+ port.

 

[EEXO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstarn06 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmm, not a good idea. I don't think. Someone else took a pair of bass= modules and burned a hole in them and claimed it opened up the bass. I had an extra pair and tried it, but didn't like the sound. You can have my failed experiment if you want. PM you mailing address if its CONUS.

Thanks for your offer but sadly I'm from SEA.

 

[tstarn06]

Oops. Didn't research to give you cred. I must have messed mine up (hole too big?). Not sure, but back to bass+

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClieOS /img/forum/go_quote.gif If that 'someone' is referring me, I think what I claimed is it (Bass≥ as I call it) opened up the bass of bass= port and made it a hybrid b/w Bass= and Bass+ port, but not beyond Bass+ port.