EVO is a strange one, mired by hype, unrealistic expectations, launch issues and controversy.
First up, it's a brilliant IEM. Yes it has tuning quirks (strident upper mids rendered harsh with a specific, narrow band of music types). But it also has the most technically brilliant sub-bass delivery of any IEM I've heard, with both speed and quantity that surpasses all else. If you can tolerate the 'wall of sound' effect in the upper mids/lower treble, double downed by an active bone conductor that adds unique and quirky texture and reverb effects everywhere, you're set for one awesome ride, akin to being slap bang in the middle of a dancefloor.
There was lots of hype leading up to launch. I mean, first Empire denied ever wanting to release a Legend X successor, then pretty much pitched EVO as just that. That lead to unrealistic expectations that EVO would never quite meet. Spiritually it is (the X successor), besting the X in every metric, but it's also tuned very differently, so don't expect many similarities other than name.
Then the teething issues. First there was a staggered launch, with only a few units available in each batch. This would normally have built up demand, but then EE and PW Audio got their wires crossed and messed up the Genesis cable production, an issue that remains only partially resolved even now.
And of course, what's an EE launch without controversy? For every enthusiastic plaudit, EVO seemed to attract equally strong pushback, often from unexpected sources. There was also the small matter of a certain competitor throwing its toys about supposed patent infringements and displaying some of the most unprofessional and downright laughable behaviour I've seen on this forum. And, being a popular brand, the debacle tended to split opinions, mostly in favour of EE, but also not. Worse, it's still brewing, and may yet come to a head in spectacular fashion later this year.
So that's EVO for you. Lots of noise, very polarising, brilliant but potentially flawed, and not surprisingly very scary for any first time buyer in this price range. The silver lining though, if you want one, they're already down about $1000 on the used market for virtually new product.
PS. Z1R did take EVO's place in my system, but by chance, not by design. I wasn't going to replace it immediately, and sold it for personal reasons, but the opportunity to finally get both Signature Series Sonys was impossible to pass up, and one of the luckiest breaks I've had in the hobby.
