Updated impressions of the Stage6 after switching to a preferred cable, and burning in amp etc.
For this, I think the standard definition of "lows mids highs" isn't really enough, must be split into "sub bass, mid bass, low mids, high mids, and highs".
Sub bass would be the really really low bass (around 15+ Hz), which you kinda' "feel" rather than hear. Mid bass would be the bass you hear, which can interfere with the mids.
Low mids would be low voice (continuing the Kalafina thing, it'd be Keiko), and stuff like that. High mids would higher voice (Hikaru, Wakana). Highs would be cymbals and ride cymbals etc.
So... for the Stage6, the sub-bass is really great, and I'm really impressed by the impact which the bass has. I must say that it's a pretty bassy iem, more so than the TF10. Kick drums sound really great!!
Mid-bass is quite recessed, perhaps to make room for the low mids, so rhythm guitar is not very well presented, although it's definitely present, I was a little disappointed by how "far away" it felt.
Low mids are absolutely wonderful, as I've stated in previous posts. Forward, clear and pretty smooth.
High mids arn't as smooth, and lack the "sweetness" the SE535 had. If there's one thing I'd change about this IEM, it's the high mids. It'd be great if they were more forward, and sweeter. Thinking of begging Stage93 to reshell, adding a mid driver when I've saved up money sometime next year.
Highs are very clear, very sharp, and a little harsh. They remind me a bit of the HD800 highs. Which are sound somewhat un-natural, and have a bit of sibilance.
I find this IEM a bit too merciless when it comes to reproducing recordings, and I find about a third of the music on my mp3 player sounding really horrible due to lower bit rate, or poor recording quality.
Good points are that it's really accurate, and has wonderful detail representation, and you can really hear every part of the music. It really excels at drums (drum kit), and male vocals.
Bad points are the high mids, which make it lose out to the JH13 in terms of reproducing female voice.