The Macbeth shell designs are one of my favorites... so cool!
The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.
- Thread starter Rockwell75
- Start date
I also really like them but I think we are the some of the few, lol.
statuefiddle
100+ Head-Fier
I had the three of these on my desk at once during their respective AudioGeek EU tours: the CraftEars Omnium ($2.7k), Letshuoer Cadenza 12 2024($2k), and Dunu Glacier ($1.4k), all driven with using my Chord Mojo, Qudelix 5k, and Topping G5. So, I wanted to share a comparison between the three (full impressions for each linked above, specs in the table below).
The Cadenza 12's tuning is great - offering exceptional clarity, smoothness, and midbass punch. It presents vocals more intimately and with greater weight than the Omnium or Glacier. Detail retrieval and stereo separation are outstanding, with strings, vocals, and cymbals rendered with precision. Cymbals come slightly forward in the mix. However, it's not a subbass monster and doesn't quite scratch that itch for me. When listening to metal, the double bass is well articulated, but some might find the overall presentation too relaxed. The C12 isn't forgiving of poor recordings - you hear the noise floor clearly, though this transparency provides an excellent sense of space.
The Glacier definitely delivers on subbass rumble with better treble decay than the others - cymbal strikes sustain more naturally, less "tss tss." While its bass feels even more rumbly than the C12, it's less controlled and can be somewhat boomy. The mids are noticeably thinner. It's fun with e.g. pop, electropop and hip-hop. It's like turning the Binary Acoustics Chopin tuning up to 11 with more visceral bass and air. The metal build is premium but a bit heavy.
The Omnium strikes an excellent balance between the two, offering better subbass extension than the C12 while maintaining better midrange presence than the Glacier. Its razor-sharp bass reproduction and excellent separation throughout the frequency range make it stand out. Despite having large shells, I found them the most comfortable of the three, as the longer stems prevent the body from contacting other parts of my ear.
After comparing all three directly, I preferred the Omnium's tuning for its versatility and technical performance, though the C12 excels with vocal presentations and the Glacier delivers the most fun, bass-heavy experience. Ominum would be my pick of the three (sadly, the most expensive
), but I can see all three suiting particular preferences.
I have to say though, the competition from sets under 1k USD is really tough! I've been really enjoying things like Kiwi Ears Punch ($400), IO Volare ($600), and TSMR Shock ($600), and they bring a lot to the table for a fraction of the price.
The Cadenza 12's tuning is great - offering exceptional clarity, smoothness, and midbass punch. It presents vocals more intimately and with greater weight than the Omnium or Glacier. Detail retrieval and stereo separation are outstanding, with strings, vocals, and cymbals rendered with precision. Cymbals come slightly forward in the mix. However, it's not a subbass monster and doesn't quite scratch that itch for me. When listening to metal, the double bass is well articulated, but some might find the overall presentation too relaxed. The C12 isn't forgiving of poor recordings - you hear the noise floor clearly, though this transparency provides an excellent sense of space.
The Glacier definitely delivers on subbass rumble with better treble decay than the others - cymbal strikes sustain more naturally, less "tss tss." While its bass feels even more rumbly than the C12, it's less controlled and can be somewhat boomy. The mids are noticeably thinner. It's fun with e.g. pop, electropop and hip-hop. It's like turning the Binary Acoustics Chopin tuning up to 11 with more visceral bass and air. The metal build is premium but a bit heavy.
The Omnium strikes an excellent balance between the two, offering better subbass extension than the C12 while maintaining better midrange presence than the Glacier. Its razor-sharp bass reproduction and excellent separation throughout the frequency range make it stand out. Despite having large shells, I found them the most comfortable of the three, as the longer stems prevent the body from contacting other parts of my ear.
After comparing all three directly, I preferred the Omnium's tuning for its versatility and technical performance, though the C12 excels with vocal presentations and the Glacier delivers the most fun, bass-heavy experience. Ominum would be my pick of the three (sadly, the most expensive
), but I can see all three suiting particular preferences.I have to say though, the competition from sets under 1k USD is really tough! I've been really enjoying things like Kiwi Ears Punch ($400), IO Volare ($600), and TSMR Shock ($600), and they bring a lot to the table for a fraction of the price.
| Driver Units | Craft Ears Omnium 1 x 9.2 mm dynamic driver + 1 x 10 mm planar magnetic driver + 5 balanced armature drivers | Letshuoer Cadenza 12 (2024) 1 x 10 mm LCS Kevlar dynamic driver + 11 balanced armature drivers (7 Sonion + 4 Knowles) | Dunu Glacier 1 DD + 4 BA + 4 EST |
| Crossover | 6-way | 6-way | 4-way |
| Sensitivity | Not provided | 110 dB/mW (±1%) | 109 dB/mW @ 1kHz |
| Impedance | 12 Ω ±0.8 Ω (10 Hz-20 kHz) | 16 Ω ±1% | 43 Ω at 1 kHz |
| Cost (USD) | $2700 | $2000 USD | $1350 USD |
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Just want to show some love for these amazing IEMs. No matter how many different IEMs pass through my hands, it feels like the Jewel will outlast them all. With the right amp and cable, they seem to have endless potential. There’s something special about them that makes me reach for them more than anything else on my desk. Love them
I don't know how many of the Coolers have been exposed to thatI am such a small fry compared to many here... but I see that my love of Ambition and Centurion hasn't gone unnoticed.
I guess partially?Dude, bear with us, it was worse than a sticky note
drftr
Totally a "you're the ones stuck here with me" moment brought to you by warrenTBF, I didn't post much about Macbeth or Ambition in this thread, it was mostly elsewhere.
No Joop NooooooooooIn that case I should've written my post in bold. Poor guys...
drftr
Hey hey if you like the Jewel, The Erebus is even betterJust want to show some love for these amazing IEMs. No matter how many different IEMs pass through my hands, it feels like the Jewel will outlast them all. With the right amp and cable, they seem to have endless potential. There’s something special about them that makes me reach for them more than anything else on my desk. Love them
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fejnomit
Headphoneus Supremus
Yeah me, too - unexpectedly. Didn't think I would but I find them quite pleasing to the eye and to the touchI am part of that club too.
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