[HiFiHawaii808]

Two people I know did order it. Not sure if I can find the chance to try it out with them.

Like I said before, the Red Halo FE is my favorite and best sounding IEM. It's worth a listen.

 

[blotmouse]

I haven't seen CFA promote this at all (yet) which leads me to think that, like the Solaris X, it's fundamentally an AK release that CFA is collaborating on and not a CFA release proper. I could be wrong though...perhaps it is one of their "4 shapes" releases.

The AK name on it does not fill me with confidence. Solaris X was forgettably reviewed. Had a cheap cash grab, collab in name only vibe.

 

[bluestorm1992]

Like I said before, the Red Halo FE is my favorite and best sounding IEM. It's worth a listen.

I did try out Andrew’s demo unit two weeks ago. He had the RH FE + FT Shielded. I thought it was quite different from my FS + Orphy, but I did not make up my mind to buy it.

Personally I like the FE version more as I think the the indigo-like shell fits me better and therefore generates a better BCD effect on me.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

The AK name on it does not fill me with confidence. Solaris X was forgettably reviewed. Had a cheap cash grab, collab in name only vibe.

I liked the Andromeda 2020, but not enough to buy it. I definitely did not like the Solaris.

 

[Rockwell75]

The AK name on it does not fill me with confidence. Solaris X was forgettably reviewed. Had a cheap cash grab, collab in name only vibe.

I lost interest the Solaris X when I found out it didn't have CFA's proprietary DD...and none of the reviews I heard convinced me I made the wrong decision. Solaris was the first IEM I truly loved and I'd love to revisit a new iteration of it at some point. That said if CFA really is going to start focusing on planar as seems to be suggested that will be what I'm most interested in from them. Regarding AK...Sony aside none of the companies known primarily for players & sources ever seem to make really good IEMs.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

I did try out Andrew’s demo unit two weeks ago. He had the RH FE + FT Shielded. I thought it was quite different from my FS + Orphy, but I did not make up my mind to buy it.

Personally I like the FE version more as I think the the indigo-like shell fits me better and therefore generates a better BCD effect on me.

I see that UM has the Red Halo FE available on its website. They must have only 1 or 2 units left. My guess is if anybody wants it that Andrew can get it from them, but that's just a guess. I like the Indigo like shell better aesthetically.

 

[bluestorm1992]

I see that UM has the Red Halo FE available on its website. They must have only 1 or 2 units left. My guess is if anybody wants it that Andrew can get it from them, but that's just a guess. I like the Indigo like shell better aesthetically.

Indeed. Andrew told me that if I really want it, he can reach out to UM and see if they can redirect some stocks to him, but as of now he is completely sold out on the RH (either version).

 

[GiullianSN]

So the one thing I didn't have with me at the ZA meet was any of the Sony gear, or the last piece of puzzle for my Sony system, which arrived today:

​

I'll take prettier pictures (this was just a quick smartphone snap and amateurish edit), but for all the talk of IEM cables of late, the Kimber Axios Cu must be one of the best made, best looking, and (based on very early impressions) best sounding cables I've had the pleasure of owning. At an RRP of $700 for the 1.2m/4.4mm Sony Z1R version, it's also considered 'high-end expensive' in headphone cable terms, and very much a luxury purchase for many headphone owners. I get that headphone cable makers are more established and have greater economies of scale, but it's really difficult to stomach some of the prices being quoted for 4/8 wire copper IEM cables when the 16-wire, kink-free, twist-proof, splitter-free Axios Cu, complete with handmade Gabon Ebony connectors, is considered pricey. Just my opinion of course.

Shame on you… I thought I would have an overdose of Sony…

Congrats on the new cable!

 

[blotmouse]

I liked the Andromeda 2020, but not enough to buy it. I definitely did not like the Solaris.

I am only talking the collab stuff not the actual releases.
I love the OG Solaris and I am always interested in what CFA have up their sleeves. They haven’t been focusing on summit fi lately, but I think its about that time.

 

[pkcpga]

So the one thing I didn't have with me at the ZA meet was any of the Sony gear, or the last piece of puzzle for my Sony system, which arrived today:

​

I'll take prettier pictures (this was just a quick smartphone snap and amateurish edit), but for all the talk of IEM cables of late, the Kimber Axios Cu must be one of the best made, best looking, and (based on very early impressions) best sounding cables I've had the pleasure of owning. At an RRP of $700 for the 1.2m/4.4mm Sony Z1R version, it's also considered 'high-end expensive' in headphone cable terms, and very much a luxury purchase for many headphone owners. I get that headphone cable makers are more established and have greater economies of scale, but it's really difficult to stomach some of the prices being quoted for 4/8 wire copper IEM cables when the 16-wire, kink-free, twist-proof, splitter-free Axios Cu, complete with handmade Gabon Ebony connectors, is considered pricey. Just my opinion of course.

I’ve used Kimber cables for interconnects before and liked them. Didn’t know they made headphone cables.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

That’s the plan when I next return to Singapore around July. The prospect of a visit Zepp & Co is leaving me quite excited! It will be my first time!

I haven't been to Singapore in a long while. I think if I went there today, I wouldn't make it out of Changi airport. I'd spend all my money before I got through immigration and customs and would have to go home.

 

[gLer]

Congrats on the new cable

Totally agree, the build quality on the Kimber Axios Cu is superb. I wish they built an IEM cable for the IER-Z1R with that wooden type of hardware.

Thanks, and yes, if anything would make me ditch the Z1R stock cable it would be a Kimber. Especially if they made it almost as thick as the headphone cable...so nice!

I can't emphasize the last point enough. No amount of listening to others, no matter how articulate they are, will substitute for actually hearing stuff for yourself and determining what your own priorities are.

Hear hear

Shame on you… I thought I would have an overdose of Sony…

Congrats on the new cable!

I know, sorry! Can't afford to replace it if I lost it, so it stays at home.

I’ve used Kimber cables for interconnects before and liked them. Didn’t know they made headphonen cables.

Yep, since 2015. I think their first cable was based on their collab with Sony for the Z1R. Now they make cables to match most popular high-end headphones, even matching the wood connectors to the colour palette of the paired headphone.

 

[DanielListening]

Finally arrived.

They sound great. Certainly worth the additional $20.

CCA-CRA+

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

I convinced my wife to go back to Las Vegas to go to a Silk Sonic concert. We are looking at Aug 10.

I love the bass line in this song "fly as me". The harmonies are very reminiscent of Earth, Wind and Fire. They perform like Motown. Was never a really big fan of rap, but Anderson.paak is changing that along with the Broadway Musical Hamilton.

 

[Rockwell75]

I am only talking the collab stuff not the actual releases.
I love the OG Solaris and I am always interested in what CFA have up their sleeves. They haven’t been focusing on summit fi lately, but I think its about that time.

Yup definitely more excited about CFA than I have been in a while. If the Supermoon is everything initial impressions are suggesting it might be they might have a surprise giant killer on their hands. Really curious about the other releases as well.