The top one is Acs t1. You don't need the live. That just adds a microphone for a stage performer to hear the crowd via a wireless unit. Otherwise it's the same unit. So 40% off gets us to $600.
The absolute key to me was the comfort. I don't listen to my jh13 enough as it is because I don't like acrylic customs; so never again.
That being said I tested the universal version of the noble 8c. Very fun and snappy iem. I can see how most people would like them. That's not the same as the 8a, I realise, but it's probably close enough. I wasn't in a rush to deal with heir audio cos they look like they're in trouble after noble left, and with their frequent sales I could always change my mind.
The 1964 v6... I tried the demos. They're nice, but the v6s is better. They seemed capable enough but frankly, didn't call out to me as very unique. The noble 8c and k10 were clearly better in my audition.
Didn't try the rest. I did try the Acs t1 though. Very fun and musical, as you'd expect of an iem tuned for the stage. The best way I can describe this is, on fast songs I felt the bass on my 846, and on the Acs t1 I just found myself bobbing my head subconsciously to the music. My jh13s are a little like that too, but increasingly I find they lack clarity and are a little too warm for my liking. The Acs t1 also had beautiful, beautiful mids. Someone like the mids I've heard on my he6. Simply magical. Slightly less forward than the 846 one, but very organic and multi-layered.
As I said, I've had my eye on the Acs t1 for more than a year. In fact my dealer first suggested them to me, together with the beyer t1, when I mentioned my preferences. My he6 bests the t1 (especially out of a speaker amp), so I'm settled on my home rig, but at office and on the road variety's the spice of life so I've never quite been able to get them out of my head. Psyched to be getting them soon!
