Had an awesome time this weekend with my bud
@ulverr, met up with all kinds of toys to try between us. We had the Traillii Ti and JP, both with an Orpheus so we could do a very thorough AB (Apples to Apples) test. I also got the chance to hear the Canpur 622CB again. I'd like to share a few of my impressions while they're still fresh.
Traillii Ti - Traillii JP After a lot of back and forth, keeping both Birds armed with an Orpheus, using same tips, with LP6 Ti AE and P6 Pro HK Edition - my initial feelings and impressions are confirmed. The Ti is absolutely a Traillii, very very much so, retaining all the emotion and character of the JP, simply enhancing the whole spectrum. More resolution, more space between layers, more clarity without sacrificing musicality. The bass
quantity of both,
all things being equal, are essentially identical. Neither of us heard any difference in bass volume, but the bass quality, punch, reach, rumble and texture are quite noticeably better on the Ti. Mids on the Ti are more forward and staged bigger, with more definition, weight and clarity. Transients on Ti are faster, but still smooth. The treble of Ti is more even from upper mids to highest treble, perhaps could be called a smidge brighter, but to me it's more like there is no longer a lower treble dip, or the extra sparkle like I hear in the JP. It's all a bit more open and clear, more revealing but linear, and therefore doesn't sound like there is either a dip or a spike. We both felt like the Ti almost sounds more analog simply as it comes across as more linear, and less shining a flashlight on one particular part of the treble, dip or peak. Stage is just as massive as the original, but i hear more depth away from me, the extra cleanliness seems to give more room for spatial awareness and positioning.
Bottom line for me is, this is an upgrade to the Legend JP in all ways. I hear no loss of what made the JP the Legend it is, all that emotion, musicality and gorgeous timbre, it's all there. But the JP is also still phenomenal. But if you wish your Bird had punchier/deeper/faster bass, more forward mids negating the ultra spaced out/distant original, and a more linear treble while not being bright or harsh, the Ti is hard to ignore. If you prefer a softer and smoother sound, slower softer bass and more distant mids (I know there is some that do) don't bother with the Ti and save yourself a lot of cash. I for one think the Ti is worth the money, which is very strong statement. I won't go on waxing poetic here, but it's really that good.
Canpur 622CB - This one I was really harsh with, my initial impressions were fairly scalding. I don't know if the
@MusicTeck Demo unit was faulty, or I was simply in a really bad headspace while I was demoing it, but I
really enjoyed it this time around. While I still feel the build quality isn't anything to call home about, it's not bad at all, even quite fine compared to other resin based flagships. Paired with Orpheus, or 1950s Shielding it was phenomenal, super well tuned. Very very technical, while also staying super relaxed which is no small feat. Great bass, very clear and detailed mids that are fairly foward, nice extended treble. Stage size is fairly average, but it's so balanced that it matches perfectly, and everything feels in it's place. I don't hear and feel the BCD like I do with UM IEMs, but the positioning is very good. Something of a master of all, the tuning
might be a tad flat or lacking in emotions or excitement for some, but if you give it a bit of time it's very engaging and fun.
@ulverr and I both agreed it's probably the safest bet in a TOTL right now, it's great and I think 99% of people will really like it.
Bird Ti is different, but same level of technicals and performance if not a tad more. I prefer the Ti bass, it sounds and feels like a DD, and has more growl when called for, though CP is no slouch here at all. Mids are both great on both, Ti has a larger note size and weight, CP is more linear. Both very detailed. Stage size is very different, Ti is massively wide and tall, CP is more spherical. CP is the more relaxed of the two, Ti having a faster pace and slightly stronger dynamics. Some will prefer one over the other, the CP is more "correct" and reference perhaps, the Ti is more bold and emotive, while also being quite a bit more "reference" tuned over the JP.
For what it's worth
I am really sorry to all if my initial impressions were negative enough about the CP to keep some of you from trying it. I spent a week with it and never heard it the way I heard it this weekend, even with the same gear, so... not sure how that happened. It is a great IEM, and should be on everyone's demo list.
The Round-Up - For the rest of my time I tried out a few others things worth mentioning.
For one
I heard the Mentor again and really enjoyed it. What a great IEM, I can understand why so many love it. I hear exactly why some of you hear the AP as a big upgrade, but I can also hear why some of you prefer the Mentor still. AP has a bigger thicker more massive sound. It has quite a bit more bass and that bass is more beefy and textured. Mids are more velvety on AP, and treble is smoother. But the Mentor has this magic to it, and a more neutral tuning that works for everything and everything, while the AP is more specialized, to me at least. AP is the better IEM, and the BCD is incredible, but I still think the Mentor can be praised too.
Tried briefly the Timsok, that's a hell of an IEM for such a low price! Very coherent, great bass, very natural and realistic. The shells are so tiny, but fairly heavy. I wish we had more time, this was the last thing I heard but it is really cool.
I tried out the 50s Shielding again, and after buying and selling it twice it remains on my radar as just as good as I remember. It's a mini Orpheus, and if I hadn't downsized my collection I would never have sold it. Perhaps i will get it again for my V3 CIEMs when they arrive, that could be legend! It's a faultless cable, and still my safest and most trustworthy cable upgrade suggestion for people who ask. You can't go wrong, it's fabulous. Pairs with everything.
I have now in my possession the entire demo lineup of Rhapsodio cables for my review that's in the works. I have 8 of them, it's going to take some time, so keep a look out for that.
@Solarsammy is indeed a tuning legend, his flagship cables are splendid. The purple Copper Fantasies is the most technical and fast copper cable I have ever heard, a perfect mate with the V3, but also with Traillii JP, and Jewel. The 2 wire which is quite manageable, while the 4 wire is insanely massive and heavy, but with technicals too boot. CRAZZY sounding. His new Gold cable is fantastic as well, it's the thin white one above the P6 Pro in the photo. I know most haven't heard the RSD cables, but I implore you, if you get a chance, try them out. Sonics are crazy good, especially the purple Copper Fantasies, this is Sammy's masterpiece.
Also worth mentioning, the Traillii Ti stock cable is amazingly good. Orilous W89. It looks very similar to the stock JP cable, but that's about it for similarities. Instead of the usual copper this is a silver/gold plated silver cable, and it's very detailed and vast with a bit more of an energetic vibe. Fast bass, slightly less quantity, but very punchy. Then nylon wrap is super soft and velvety too, feels really nice in the hand or wearing. This is the first stock cable I am really considering to use with it's intended partner, it's very very good.
That's all for now have a great Monday everyone!
fortunately, I don’t find it heavy, maybe because I’m quite used to heavy ones like Murakumo
