CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Headphone, IEM, and Other Audio Related Discussion => Topic started by: Anaxilus. on December 18, 2012, 01:29:26 AM
-
Product page:
http://www.custom-iem.com/um-platform-pure-pp6-p-670.html (http://www.custom-iem.com/um-platform-pure-pp6-p-670.html)
Well, before Marv posts anything of his impressions, let me just say the UM PP6 is a pretty decent $400 IEM. Maybe add another $200 for the box. Except it's not a $400 IEM. Great precision and nice imaging from the Active crossovers, but veiled, unresolving, some long term fatigue headaches from the treble region, lacking micro dynamics, uber clarity, air, openness and that 3D holography around instruments. Flat and 2D sounding. My UERM / UHA6S kills it in every regard except for precision/imaging. They are better than the Heir 3ai and 4ai by a good margin except for bass and treble timbre on the 4ai.
Saving Grace-Adapter cable (not ready at time of audition):
I believe the biggest impediment is the DAC/amp section or external box. It is choking the PP6 and whatever capability it has. A potential saving grace for the design might be found in their offering the PP6 IEMs w/ an adapter cable to allow them to run off your own DAC/Amp combo. The IEMs themselves have no crossovers or other circuits other than drivers. So the cable, if done right, could be a saving grace.
At this point I'd have to say it is a rather non-competitive and less than stellar implementation with a few bugs still to work out like the fickle USB (no USB on the go, spotty desktop connections) and non-locking pin connectors on the ear pieces (they need them direly).
As good as my Leckerton UHA6S w/ UERM is, I know the UE PRM+Portaphile 627, RX3 or LISA III would be even better. Those are the rigs the PP6 needs to surpass to justify it's price point. Have no idea how the JH3A would stack up.
-
Succinct impressions on HF:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/613417/unique-melody-platform-pure-6-pp6-discussion-appreciation-tour-thread/360#post_8967516
-
Wow, purrin, always nice to see your hype cockblocking on hf.
-
I'm more jaded these days. I could have said these were FAIL for the price, but I didn't.
However, for that amount of money, one would expect something to rule them all. Even if it were a colored IEM, I could appreciate it if it had great technicalities (and a euphonic coloring). The amp/DAC brick has to be a POS. Not enough room for a proper battery and power supply plus three - yes - three channels of separate amplification and active-crossover circuitry. Some compromises had to be made...
The pricing is obviously meant for the Googleli's of the world.
BTW, my intent here was not hype-busting. Just dry observations. I don't care either way. Although the K3003 was a completely different matter, and I relished shitty on that one. Little did I know I was being set up to drive Music1234 (or whatever) crazy.
Measurements in a bit... UPDATE: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,684.msg15353/topicseen.html#new
-
Nice impressions fellas!
-
Update on HF: http://www.head-fi.org/t/613417/unique-melody-platform-pure-6-pp6-discussion-appreciation-tour-thread/375#post_8969658
I was able to resolve some bass issues and provide additional clarification and comparison to UERM.
-
Marv is back with a vengeance. Good read, guys.
-
Just toning it down. Some part of me wants to say WTF? I could get an UERM + Rx Mk3 + two high priced hookers to spare (where I make them plug the UERMs into orifices so I can take pix and brag about on HF.)
-
That thread would get noticed.... p;)
-
I'm actually still interested in the Platform Pure 6, as I'd like to hear the effects of active crossover on these even if they aren't that great overall. Being able to use this with a different amp would certainly help matters....
-
Update on HF: http://www.head-fi.org/t/613417/unique-melody-platform-pure-6-pp6-discussion-appreciation-tour-thread/375#post_8969658
I was able to resolve some bass issues and provide additional clarification and comparison to UERM.
Did this unit have the "variable bass" switch?
-
Yes.
-
It wasn't clear to me how you used it while listening, if at all, and what effect it had on your impressions of the bass... or I missed that part... I'm kind of leaping to the to the assumption from "Given that the black box already has three levels of bass boost, I would have preferred a more neutral presentation." that you were running it at the lowest boost setting?
-
Yes. I was running it at no bass boost.
-
His initial bassy impressions were from an earlier tip/fit issue, I think he found a more suitable set to even things out.
On the topic of bass boost, the first setting is meh, but does what people want I guess. The second setting is an unmitigated disaster of noise and mud. The pre4G Arrows had the best bass boost I've heard in a portable device (tight, punchy and clean), never tried the Rx3 though w/ it's bass knob.
-
Without bass boost, there's still more bass than UERM. But most other IEMs have more bass than the UERM. What I was trying to say is that that PP6 was still slightly bassy and that if one were to provide a bass boost option on a amp/active circuit, the default no boost setting should at least be very neutral on the bass.
With the seal issue corrected, the PP6 will still not do "studio monitor" neutrality. As it currently stands:
No boost: slightly bassy
One notch: too much bass
Two notches: fuck you
-
Thanks, that's what I was after...
-
purrin... You should have a listen to Vorzuge Vorzamp Duo... The bass boost is 12-15 dB (haven't measured exactly), but a very fine way to ruin a quite good portable amp. And the treble-switch? Made me puke.
-
Hello all , I am new here. I own the pp6 as well. The cross connect cable is still not ready even though the um globe site says it is. So no cables for us. Now regarding the review of used with the USB input it's garbage yes. But if you use the coax with a good output device it sings wonderfully. I hAve tried two sources of coax one is the HDP r10 from hibino and the other two are the ap1/pp and the offramp. With either one they are great really good. Of anyone here is going to the ny Long Island meet bring the pp6 and listen just how good it can be.
Al
-
Please format your posts with random line breaks or else I will not understand you. headbang
-
Please format your posts with random line breaks or else I will not understand you. headbang
I approve of this message