Okiez! Finally got the customs for real, and had a chance to use 'em (though not for very long. I can't use them at home, as my mom doesn't actually know they exist. They are now being burnt in under my pillow....)
What was in the "package" was the Stage6, a soft case (which is about as soft as the universal Westone case, but bigger), my ear impressions, and many, many, ziplock bags. So... @Saionji: no stock cables, u need to get a custom cable (Silver Dragon, ES2, TWag etc.)
First up, I think the service from Stage93 has been excellent! Eldrid (the founder) almost always responds to emails promptly, and takes time to answer all of my questions (a lot of which were kind-of dumb...). Also, half a month into the wait-time for the customs, I wanted to change the colour of the IEMs and cable termination, and all it took was a quick email, and it was done. Great stuff!
Fit-wise, I think it's a great fit, though this is my first pair of customs, so I'm not exaclty sure how it's supposed to feel. Raising my eyebrows, grinning widely and openning my mouth really, really wide all don't break the seal, which I presume is a good thing! What /does/ break the seal, is clenching my teeth, raising my eyebrows and grinning all at the same time... but I don't plan on doing that too often, so I doubt it'll be a problem
I'm also unsure of how to judge build quality, but there are no air bubbles inside the acrylic, and... that's about all I can tell.
Pinholes are extremely tight though.
Anyways, first impressions time! This is through a Nationite S:Flo2 lineout to an iBassoPB2, then a balanced Silver Dragon, so all the impressions which follow below apply to the Stage6 when balanced only...
I think what really struck me first, was the detail representation, and how everything is presented quite equally, and all (at least i think it's all) the details of the music pop up, and somehow seem to demand attention.
Example of this was the electric guitar on Kalafina's "Sandpiper". Using my TF10 and HD650, during the non-guitar solo parts, the guitar seems to take a backseat, and u have to really listen to hear it wailing away quietly in the background, but with the Stage6, the guitar remains right next to you, and I really appreciate that...
The mids are really sweet!! I don't find it as forward as the UM3x, or as smooth as the SE535, but Skylar Grey's voice in "Love the way you lie 2" still drew me in completely.... I reckon not being overly forward is a good thing though, as that it allows the soundstage to display itself more clearly. Although to be honest, I don't have much experience with mids or appreciating mids, as I've been using a TF10 for about a year, so please take this bit of the review with an XXL pinch of salt!
The bass is quite standard, not particularly impressive, but very controlled, not too tight, and not too loose.... really not much to say here, other than that it's satisfyingly detailed, sharp, and doesn't compromise on the mids
I think highs were a little bit of a disappointment, they arn't quite as sparkly or as bright as the highs coming from the TF10. Overtime using TF10 and a HD600, I've come to treasure bright, really sparkly highs, and the Stage6 doesn't quite have that. At the same time, I also don't believe this is a downside, as many have complained that the TF10's highs are TOO bright, and can be somewhat painful when listened to over long periods. Cymbals from the Stage6 have very nice decay, and sound extremely realistic, and detailed, just not too bright. They definitely have the sparkle though!!
To this day, I still don't quite understand the concept of soundstage, so I shan't comment on that.. (sorry guys)
Of course, I dropped by Stereo to compare Stage6 to the universal UM Miracle they have there, and while it clearly isn't a fair comparison (Stage6 balanced - Miracle singled ended, Stage6 Silver Dragon - Miracle TWag, Stage6 custom - Miracle universal), I found that the largest difference was in bass impact (probably due to custom vs universal problem) and the presentation of minute details in the music, which the Stage6 won by a mile!
So.. basically for Stage6:
Highs: 8/10
Mids: 8/10
Bass: 7/10
Detail/Clarity: 9/10
For Miracle:
Highs: 7/10
Mids: 8/10
Bass: 6/10
Detail/Clarity: 7/10
For TF10:
Highs: 8.5/10
Mids: 5/10
Bass: 6/10
Detail/Clarity: 5/10
MAJOR disappointment for me, was when Brian@StereoPS helpfully pointed out that the words written on the IEM said "Stage6 002". This of course, caused me to feel completely shocked and horrified at this tragedy. Apparently, 001 went to "New Creation Church's bassist and mediacorp's producer". As a lowly student, I suppose I can't compete against Mediacorp's prodcuer cum Church bassist, so.... oh well!
I'll post again later today, or tomorrow with my opinion on how the Stage6 handles individual songs (of course, including 君の知らない物語 for Foress)
Thanks for reading!