Honestly, I'm just as surprised as you are. I wasn't expecting the M2 to outperform the TF10 since they are a dual driver model. Part of me didn't really wanna believe it either; but in the end I had to concede it to the M2. The thing is, it may really have come down to the quality of seal and proximity of the driver to the ears. There is no denying that CIEMs have a HUGE advantage over universals in fit and comfort. I think that the fit is perhaps the biggest reason for the M2's performance. Not necessarily a technical advantage. But Piotr - the man behind the company, is getting wide recognition as being something of a BA technical master. I will concede that to say that the TF10 is inferior in every way (another way to saying that the M2 is superior in every way as I earlier have described...) is unfair. The TF10s still perform marvelously and of course, nothing changes the fact that the TF10 as a piece of work is outstanding. If there is one thing I felt today while spending the entire day with the M2 is that the M2 has a very engaging and detailed sound. The air around the vocals and instruments is fantastic and is overall, full and warm-ish (similar to a A83 I'd say) sounding. But that being the case, while the highs extend nicely, it does sound just a tad more aggressive than the TF10's more refined and delicate treble. The TF10's treble is still something to behold even after 10 years as I've heard no other IEM manage that level of refinement and clarity in the treble region. I'd give that to the TF10. So the M2 isn't superior in every way. But there is also another reason why the M2 might be better and that boils down to the BA design. Most BAs have the same design and vary bit by bit be tuning and some by design. The Sonion 1723 driver used in the M2 are new; almost a next generation design. It's a direct rival to the TWFK driver, but in my opinion, much better. Piotr told me that the M2's driver is technically the better piece compared to the drivers used in his own triple design, the Ei.3. So I guess some of the advantage is from the newness of the driver unit.
I'm still a fan of the TF10. I'd never sell mine. I never got the UE900 cause I loved my TF10 too much to sell for an upgrade. The price I paid for both earphones are roughly the same; I paid 250 for the TF10 and close to 340 for the M2 (when it comes to earphones I can easily justify the 100 extra lol). Honestly, I'm not just trying to say this to defend a product.
I also have the much more expensive Ei.XX; the 6 driver model and I personally find myself reaching for the M2 more often than the Ei.XX. I dunno. The entire hobby is subjective so I do give my recommendation with some reservation. But honest to god they are brilliant and I am confident in my recommendation.
Well, I never thought I'd sound like those dudes who simply show up and go "oh my god they are so much better in every way!" but here I am. Maybe I really am a sheep for the CA stuff. But if you want a second opinion, ask anyone who had a chance to audition the Music One and the Music Two. Piotr really knows what he's doing.
