[MuppetFace]

HI MuppetFace,

Thank you for the additional info and suggestion.

I dig your reviews on other thread / FAD and i love your reviews on PF and Heaven series. I happen to love PF X-G hence i trust we have some common brand we like

May I ask if you happen to own any of the CW models and what's your impressions?

I am on the fence with both QD and L51a models. I am just hoping that CW is a good brand that offer great sounds with understated / less hype appeal. However within the same price range we have seen many brands and models to choose from: SE 5, NT6 Pro, JH Roxanne / JH 13 /16, CustomArt 330PRO, Fitear 335dw / 435.

Honestly the reviews of NT6Pro from VZ and AJ really intrigue my interest with the word "Clarity", and JH 13 FP obviously. The other is a review of fitear 435. These three seem to be the "kings of clarity".

 
 
Here are the CIEMs I have experience with personally:
 
Canal Works L05QD
Canal Works L51a
FitEar MH334
FitEar MH335DW
FitEar Private C435
Heir 6.A
Heir 8.A
Jerry Harvey JH-3A / JH-16Pro Freq-Phase
Noble 8C
Noble Kaiser 10
Ultimate Ears Ref. Monitor
Ultimate Ears Personal Ref. Monitor
 
One of the biggest selling points for FitEar in my opinion is the brand's truly astounding build quality: for me it simply blows every other cIEM out of the water in fit and finish, and I find them the most comfortable to wear of any cIEM I've tried. It'll really spoil you in that regard. In terms of sound, I find the FitEars very non fatiguing and easy to listen to for long periods of time. I'm not so sure I'd describe them as the last word in 'clarity,' as they sound a little thicker and more intimate than what I'd consider my baseline, but they have a very 'natural' type of sound to me.
 
The best tonal balance of any cIEM I've tried remains the UERM. I seriously love it, and I'm planning on finally buying one when funds allow. It's more linear than the FitEars which sound downright thick in comparison, but it's a little more fatiguing. Still it has a bit of added warmth which makes it fairly versatile. It's kind of funny: when switching to the FitEars I think "wow these sound thick." But when switching from the FitEars back to the UERM, I think "wow this sounds thin." So really it just takes a bit of adjustment in either case.
 
The UEPRM on the other hand did not impress me at all.
 
I'm still evaluating the Kaiser 10, but I'm finding it has some of the best extension / range of the cIEMs I've tried while also possessing some of the smoothest integration and transitioning from bottom to top. It kind of reminds me of the JH13Pro and JH16Pro in that is has a U-shaped signature with bass and treble emphasis, but it's a much gentler U-shape compared to the Jerry Harvey models which have more pronounced extremes. At this point I think I'd take the K10 over either. Haven't heard the Roxanne, however. I do get a bit nervous when there are so many drivers at play; seems like more chances for things to go wrong. It's impressive that the K10 manages to get its 10 drivers to cooperate so harmoniously.
 
As for Canal Works, I think they compete in terms of sound with any of the other models I listed up there. The L05QD is extremely clear-sounding, very crisp and absolutely relentless when it comes to your source material. It smoothes nothing over. That being said, it's thankfully not sibilant or anything (*cough*Tzar 350*cough*). The L51a on the other hand is much fuller sounding, much more of a traditional "hi-fi" kind of sound, but with the added fun of being able to change resistors. They actually change the bass response quite noticeably to my ears, allowing for a flatter type of tuning or a definite bass emphasis. It's a much more elegant solution IMHO than having a separate tuning box like the JH-3A.
 
I personally feel that Canal Works has some of the more interesting and no-BS ideas in this segment, with a very solid product line that they've refined quite a bit over the years. Not quite as solid as FitEar who is an institution in the world of Japanese cIEMs, but they're no slouch. Also Canal Works has a really nice selection of playful shell options. In contrast, their countryman FitEar gives you four options to mix and match.
 
Those high prices are more a function of having to go through distribution channels. Whenever you buy a product from a reseller rather than directly from Canal Works (or FitEar), the distributor always wants a cut. So yeah, not really hype so much as an unfortunate reality of importing these Japanese cIEMs at this point in time.

 

[Xymordos]

From what I remembered, the sound signature of L05QD reminded me a lot of the SR009 with WES at the show. I can't comment on the details since it was noisy, but it was very resolving, with a comfortable sound!

 

[FlySweep]

  From what I remembered, the sound signature of L05QD reminded me a lot of the SR009 with WES at the show.

 

 
I wants.

 

[lescanadiens]

Hi MuppetFace,
 
Thank you for a very thorough information. 
I always enjoy reading your posts and information, I learn a lot from it.
 
I think the keyword for CanalWorks is a similarity to Ety sound for the QD model and I am a big fan of it.
Will try to know more about other models and where to order.
 
I am also surprised that you found UERM as one of your desired models to have.
Never have the chance to audition them but maybe after this I will find out more.
 
Funny that you do not like UEPRM, I thought they should be more desirable since you can custom our own preferred sound?
Perhaps combining best bits from all the models that you like?
 
I am interested also to learn more about Roxanne and K-10 as they are newly released but better wait until the dust has settled due to the possibilities of bad batch / production irks from the early stages. So far K-10 owners are very happy and it is good to know.
 
I have seen you had auditioned C435, what's your take on it compared to L05QD?
Lastly, I am wondering what sort of sound characters between L05QD vs L51a? Are they sharing more similarities or have enough differences to merit owning both?
 
Cheers and thanks so much!
 
Quote:

   
 
Here are the CIEMs I have experience with personally:
 
Canal Works L05QD
Canal Works L51a
FitEar MH334
FitEar MH335DW
FitEar Private C435
Heir 6.A
Heir 8.A
Jerry Harvey JH-3A / JH-16Pro Freq-Phase
Noble 8C
Noble Kaiser 10
Ultimate Ears Ref. Monitor
Ultimate Ears Personal Ref. Monitor
 
One of the biggest selling points for FitEar in my opinion is the brand's truly astounding build quality: for me it simply blows every other cIEM out of the water in fit and finish, and I find them the most comfortable to wear of any cIEM I've tried. It'll really spoil you in that regard. In terms of sound, I find the FitEars very non fatiguing and easy to listen to for long periods of time. I'm not so sure I'd describe them as the last word in 'clarity,' as they sound a little thicker and more intimate than what I'd consider my baseline, but they have a very 'natural' type of sound to me.
 
The best tonal balance of any cIEM I've tried remains the UERM. I seriously love it, and I'm planning on finally buying one when funds allow. It's more linear than the FitEars which sound downright thick in comparison, but it's a little more fatiguing. Still it has a bit of added warmth which makes it fairly versatile. It's kind of funny: when switching to the FitEars I think "wow these sound thick." But when switching from the FitEars back to the UERM, I think "wow this sounds thin." So really it just takes a bit of adjustment in either case.
 
The UEPRM on the other hand did not impress me at all.
 
I'm still evaluating the Kaiser 10, but I'm finding it has some of the best extension / range of the cIEMs I've tried while also possessing some of the smoothest integration and transitioning from bottom to top. It kind of reminds me of the JH13Pro and JH16Pro in that is has a U-shaped signature with bass and treble emphasis, but it's a much gentler U-shape compared to the Jerry Harvey models which have more pronounced extremes. At this point I think I'd take the K10 over either. Haven't heard the Roxanne, however. I do get a bit nervous when there are so many drivers at play; seems like more chances for things to go wrong. It's impressive that the K10 manages to get its 10 drivers to cooperate so harmoniously.
 
As for Canal Works, I think they compete in terms of sound with any of the other models I listed up there. The L05QD is extremely clear-sounding, very crisp and absolutely relentless when it comes to your source material. It smoothes nothing over. That being said, it's thankfully not sibilant or anything (*cough*Tzar 350*cough*). The L51a on the other hand is much fuller sounding, much more of a traditional "hi-fi" kind of sound, but with the added fun of being able to change resistors. They actually change the bass response quite noticeably to my ears, allowing for a flatter type of tuning or a definite bass emphasis. It's a much more elegant solution IMHO than having a separate tuning box like the JH-3A.
 
I personally feel that Canal Works has some of the more interesting and no-BS ideas in this segment, with a very solid product line that they've refined quite a bit over the years. Not quite as solid as FitEar who is an institution in the world of Japanese cIEMs, but they're no slouch. Also Canal Works has a really nice selection of playful shell options. In contrast, their countryman FitEar gives you four options to mix and match.
 
Those high prices are more a function of having to go through distribution channels. Whenever you buy a product from a reseller rather than directly from Canal Works (or FitEar), the distributor always wants a cut. So yeah, not really hype so much as an unfortunate reality of importing these Japanese cIEMs at this point in time.

 

[lescanadiens]

Hi Spkrs01,

May I ask which models were you interested in?

Reading from other threads you are one of the knowledgeable people in Fitear CIEMs, hence perhaps you could share a light regarding CW vs FE top of the line models from your memory?

Thanks

I have listened to nearly the full range of the demo Canal Works and if it wasn't the salesperson who said to me "you will need an ear impression for your right ear and one for your left ear" to the question poised by me, which was, "if I order a few pairs, would one set of ear impressions do?"

I would have bought a few pairs.....................:blink:  

 

[Mimouille]

In general, Spkrs01 buys them all first and then tells you which one he is interested in

 

[lescanadiens]

Hahaha how nice Mimouille.

He is the guru for CIEM as well as you.
The hardware zone (iem, amp, dac, dap, battery(?) and others) is for king Rudi0504.

I am looking for clarity like ETY ER4 b/s/p with sensible bottom and scalable soundstage.

How is your NT6?

 

[Mimouille]

I am certainly not a ciem guru, but I can tell you that if you like neutrality and clarity, a bit on the bright side with great liquid sound and musicality, NT6 is the way to go...but this is off topic.

 

[lescanadiens]

Thank you Mimouille,
Always have eyes on both NT6 / Pro!
Very curious about them.

 

[alpha421]

   

 
I wants.

Me too.

 

[jjunrong]

my apologies for reviving such an old thread.
 
is there any review on the latest product CW-L32V and how does it compares to TG334?

 

[sleepyhello]

Anyone own the L51a psts can give review or feedback?

 

[sleepyhello]

Deleted double post

 

[TwinQY]

Have not been doing a great job of updating the thread, and apologies for that.
 
So here we go - http://canalworks.jp/tiny/news.php?pid=jiq6lahv
Canalworks releases the CW-L71 and CW-L71PSTS.

 
People might be familiar with the PSTS through the L-51 - i.e. tunable through resistors.

 

[TwinQY]

Some brief comments on the CW-L71, for those fluent in Japanese.
 
From 84's blog:

 canal works CW-L71PSTS・・・抵抗外付けのPSTS仕様でしたが、変更せずそのままの状態でのみ試聴。デフォルトの抵抗値だったかどうかは不明。
今までのCWラインナップは低域に寄ったモデルが多い印象だったが、これは少々高域寄り。
しかし、どの帯域もそつなく出ており、低域の不足は感じない。
質としても今までの柔らかめの印象とは異なり、全体的にスッキリした音で、気になっていた低域～中域の被りもあまり無い。