The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.

[phiemon]

Any comparisons between Clara and Rn6, Raven or similar?

I somehow believe that Clara is supposed to be good. I just want to understand “how good” it is, I mean: in which league does it play?

So far, no one has commented on this. And I find that less convincing. Example: the VE10 is good for me, even very, very good, but not anymore next to the Rn6 which I prefer much more; consequently, the VE10 loses its interest.

 

[gLer]

I spent years searching for an ideal source. When I first heard the P6 Pro and later the LP6 I was blown away with their sound and counted myself among those who felt that the LP stuff was indeed a step above everything else on the market. I was so smitten I bought an LP6 Gold which was at that time the most $$ I'd ever spent on a single audio product. It was my bae for about 8 months but eventually the user experience started to wear on me a bit. The LP6 great as it is, isn't the best portable option in terms of usability it on the go. This lead to my eventually jumping on an opportunity to pick up a WM1Z which, strangely enough, I'd managed to not hear at all in my (at that time) 4 years in the hobby. The WM1Z was a bona fide "where the hell has this thing been all my life" experience. Every aspect of the sound signature feels polished and nuanced and, even though it's not an R2R player, it has all the hallmarks-- analogue, musical, full bodied, yet no loss of detail. I would say the overall SQ of the 1Z is at least 99% that of the LP stuff I've heard. I felt no loss at all going from the LP6 to the WM1Z. The only drawback is the comparative lack of power, but what you get in tradeoff with the 1z-- battery life, peerless user experience, buttery smooth UI etc. -- it becomes a no brainer for me. Synergy is also no doubt a major factor-- especially given my predilection for CFA IEMS--- but the 1Z has sounded pretty great with everything I've demoed with it so far. YMMV, and all that.

This is exactly the comparison I will make should I get hold of a P6 Pro. The Sony does the warm fuzzies for any IEM that needs it without losing clarity or techs, and powers every IEM I've tried with it just fine with headroom to spare.

 

[Slap90]

Any comparisons between Clara and Rn6, Raven or similar?

I somehow believe that Clara is supposed to be good. I just want to understand “how good” it is, I mean: in which league does it play?

So far, no one has commented on this. And I find that less convincing. Example: the VE10 is good for me, even very, very good, but not anymore next to the Rn6 which I prefer much more; consequently, the VE10 loses its interest.

Been a while since I sold my Ravens, but from memory:

Clara is a definitely bit more smoothed over/less shouty/refined in the upper mid-range and maybe a bit more reserved in the treble. I think bass impact (i.e kick drum) is a touch better on Clara, but Raven has that really special muscular EE DD + BCD bass timbre. Clara might be slightly warmer overall. Clara does a great job imaging/staging, but Raven probably beats it there because Raven beats almost anything there. Clara is a more coherent sound overall, and a way better fit. Raven might be a more exciting short term listen, but Clara will win for long term listening on fit and smoother tuning. I think that someone who enjoys the Raven/RN6 type of signature is naturally going to also enjoy Clara, but would strongly recommend a demo before purchase to determine personal preference & worth.

 

[Rockwell75]

Any comparisons between Clara and Rn6, Raven or similar?

I somehow believe that Clara is supposed to be good. I just want to understand “how good” it is, I mean: in which league does it play?

So far, no one has commented on this. And I find that less convincing. Example: the VE10 is good for me, even very, very good, but not anymore next to the Rn6 which I prefer much more; consequently, the VE10 loses its interest.

I think a number of us have commented on this? The overwhelming concensus so far is that it shoots well above its price and presents an exceptional balance of musicality and technicality. How well above and what it shoots over will be entirely an individual question. Relative to the two IEMs you mention there I could never get over the shouty upper mids on the Raven, nor the awkward fit, which rendered everything else about it sort of moot for me. Technically, the two are at least at par imho-- and I would say this about the Novus too, an IEM I have more familarity with than the Raven and which is my preference of the two. Rn6 while technically brilliant for me was almost too technical for its own good and came across quite clinical. In terms of overall package and hitting as many possible sweet spots while not being seriously lacking in any way Clara can stand toe-toe with anything I have heard at any price. (Though it should be noted that I have heard neither the APX SE nor the Fugaku). Ultimately one must taste the fruit to hear the flavor and I look forward to your thoughts on the Clara when you do eventually hear it.

 

[Mageborn23]

Diagnosed with Clara-itis: symptoms include blissful sound, endless listening, and refusal to take them off! No cure in sight.

For a listening sessions I normally select an IEM and source based on mood and genre. But I can’t keep my hands off CFA Clara.

Clara is a bit fuller with softer bass on SP3000T but with SP3000 the staging and instrument separation is magnificent.

lol me and you both

 

[Tristy]

I think a number of us have commented on this? The overwhelming concensus so far is that it shoots well above its price and presents an exceptional balance of musicality and technicality. How well above and what it shoots over will be entirely an individual question. Relative to the two IEMs you mention there I could never get over the shouty upper mids on the Raven, nor the awkward fit, which rendered everything else about it sort of moot for me. Technically, the two are at least at par imho-- and I would say this about the Novus too, an IEM I have more familarity with than the Raven and which is my preference of the two. Rn6 while technically brilliant for me was almost too technical for its own good and came across quite clinical. In terms of overall package and hitting as many possible sweet spots while not being seriously lacking in any way Clara can stand toe-toe with anything I have heard at any price. (Though it should be noted that I have heard neither the APX SE nor the Fugaku). Ultimately one must taste the fruit to hear the flavor and I look forward to your thoughts on the Clara when you do eventually hear it.

Are Clara and Bonneville’s technicalities at the same level? It looks like they use an identical driver set up but I’m not too familiar with the different variations of BA drivers that’s could be utilised.

 

[blacksesame]

Tangzu legend is in the house.

Will give it a few days before i leave my impressions...

 

[audionewbi]

I wasn’t going to do an unboxing for the M9 due to their age etc but decided it was ageist of me and they deserve it as much as any set











I absolutely love the minimalist styling of the M9!

One of the few IEM I would never sell.

 

[Scubadevils]

One of the few IEM I would never sell.

Yeah never again - the M9 joins the ranks of longer term keepers in my collection now that I have them again!

 

[thaslaya]

Hey WC! In celebration of my 1 year anniversary as a reviewer, I want to give back something small to the Head-fi community. I'm doing a giveaway for the Letshuoer S08. I know this one may not appeal to a lot of people here, especially those with much higher-end gear, but I still want to extend the invitation to everyone. If interested, simply comment on the classified listing here to enter. Thanks for all the support!

 

[Onurb8690]

I think a number of us have commented on this? The overwhelming concensus so far is that it shoots well above its price and presents an exceptional balance of musicality and technicality. How well above and what it shoots over will be entirely an individual question. Relative to the two IEMs you mention there I could never get over the shouty upper mids on the Raven, nor the awkward fit, which rendered everything else about it sort of moot for me. Technically, the two are at least at par imho-- and I would say this about the Novus too, an IEM I have more familarity with than the Raven and which is my preference of the two. Rn6 while technically brilliant for me was almost too technical for its own good and came across quite clinical. In terms of overall package and hitting as many possible sweet spots while not being seriously lacking in any way Clara can stand toe-toe with anything I have heard at any price. (Though it should be noted that I have heard neither the APX SE nor the Fugaku). Ultimately one must taste the fruit to hear the flavor and I look forward to your thoughts on the Clara when you do eventually hear it.

What do you think of CP622B? Does it clearly compete with the top iem's at the moment?

 

[stacey]

Lately this has been my setup. LCD-i4, Cipher cable, Earrbond EBT- CU ear tips. I’m keeping this one till it fails

 

[Rockwell75]

Are Clara and Bonneville’s technicalities at the same level? It looks like they use an identical driver set up but I’m not too familiar with the different variations of BA drivers that’s could be utilised.

I think Clara in a lot of ways is a next level Bonneville, largely because, as you say, the driver config is very similar if not identical. Where Clara triumphs over Bonneville is in the refinement of the tuning, particularly up top. Assuming for arguments sake that they use the same drivers I think Clara "milks" more techs (in the form of clarity/imaging/layering/seperation/detail) in the bass, mids and highs through superior use of acoustics and tuning in the shells. I think the biggest testament to its success on this front is the vast swath of the IEM community-- including long time CFA fans like myself and others who haven't really jived with their offerings since the OG Andro & Solaris days-- who are being won over by the Clara.

What do you think of CP622B? Does it clearly compete with the top iem's at the moment?

Just in terms of pure sound quality yes absolutely, depending on what you like. Personally it didn't overcome my preference for DD bass and at $3500 or whatever that's a pretty tough sell these days. For that money I would lean more towards the Macbeth or a used Traillii if I had to choose an IEM without a DD. All things considered for my own tastes and money the Clara at $2k would be an absolute no-brainer for me over the 622B.

 

[Onurb8690]

Just in terms of pure sound quality yes absolutely, depending on what you like. Personally it didn't overcome my preference for DD bass and at $3500 or whatever that's a pretty tough sell these days. For that money I would lean more towards the Macbeth or a used Traillii if I had to choose an IEM without a DD. All things considered for my own tastes and money the Clara at $2k would be an absolute no-brainer for me over the 622B.

Interesting, because from everything I've read, the Bass is one of the things that impresses people about the CP622B!

 

[Rockwell75]

Interesting, because from everything I've read, the Bass is one of the things that impresses people about the CP622B!

It does have great bass-- but it's great bass "for a BA". I remember HBB once saying of it that it "slams harder than the Fat Freq stuff"-- which, perhaps well meaning, is outrageous hyberbole imho. Those of us gathered here in this thread represent the fringe element of an already fringe hobby and as such many of us are intenly fixated on minute details or qualities that would not even strike the radar for most. For myself, a strong preference for DD bass is one of the things I'm especially nitpicky about.