CT6 Review on Slashgear
“For your money you’re getting not only custom molded earphones, as a fair few other companies offer, but custom tuning too. It’s the latter that would see us picking Sleek Audio over the other premium headphones offered; at $100 over the standard SA6s it’s a small price to pay for unique fit and sound.”
When we reviewed the Sleek Audio SA6 earphones last October, there was no disguising how positively we felt about the customizable in-ear monitors. So, when Sleek told us that we could expect the same and more from their custom-molded earphones, the freshly-rebranded CT6 Customs, and offered to fit us for them while at CES back in January, we couldn’t resist trying them out. It’s been a while since our SA CT6 Customs arrived; have they lived up to expectations?
We’ve had more than a few people ask where our CT6 review is, and we admit its been some time since our video unboxing (which you can also see below). What we’ve been tracking is the Customs bedding in, the single-We’ve also been using the Customs in a variety of situations, from airplanes to listening to MP3s and CDs, both at home or the office, and when out in public.
Both of Sleek’s products are special because they’re customizable, though of course they go about this in different ways. For the SA6s, you have the choice of several interchangeable bass and treble tubes which allow you to tweak the standard balance depending on your musical and sound preferences. In the case of the CT6 Customs, their unique tailoring comes from the fact that they’re individually made for a single wearer’s ears. Sleek took molds of our outer and inner ears, and from that their audio specialist Bill crafts two unique acrylic shells, inside which their signature single balanced armature drivers.
Other choices depend on whether you prefer the cable to hang down or flip back, over the top of your ear. Sleek will position the removable-cable port either high up on the CT6 or down closer to the bottom, depending on your preference. There’s also a broad array of colors and finishes, from clear through various transparent and translucent shades, to solid acrylics and even slightly glittering options. They’ll also print on a logo of your choice from an image file you send them; as you can see, we went with the SlashGear roundel.
See full review here
Sleek Customs Reviewed on TechPowerUp
Review of Sleek Audio Custom Earphones
Sleek-Audio made a remarkable entry into the world of in-ears almost a year ago with the successful launch of their SA6 customizable earphones. Today I have the pleasure of putting their first custom earphones through its paces. Based upon the same principles as the SA6 the user decides the frequency response. However, unlike the SA6 you cannot change the sound signature after they are produced. In the ordering process you decided what level of bass and treble you want. Since they are custom in-ears you also get to choose the color and graphics if you want that.
| 9.8 |
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Review By: Frederik S. http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sleek-Audio/Sleek_Audio_Custom/1.html
Wireless Earphones Reviewed on Slashgear
Sleek Audio W-1 Kleer wireless headphones system Review
“Sound quality is pretty much indistinguishable from a wired connection in most scenarios. Kleer supports wireless frequencies between 20Hz and 20KHz with less than 0.1-percent distortion; in practical terms, all the uncompressed and 320kbps tracks that sounded so fantastic with the wired SA6’s sounded just as full bodied and clear with the wireless.”
After our earpiphony back in October with Sleek Audio’s SA6 customizable earphones, we’ve been waiting eagerly for their wireless adapter. Created using Kleer lossless technology, unlike the Bluetooth A2DP profile there’s no unwanted compression involved; the range is meant to be better, too. Can the Sleek Audio Wireless W-1 setup live up to our great expectations?
You can see our video unboxing and initial gallery here. Inside the box there’s the wireless transmitter, a 4 x 2.5 x 1.1cm box with a single button, LED and protruding 3.5mm stereo plug, together with the receiver unit. That measures 6 x 2 x 0.8cm; roughly the same as three or four sticks of gum stacked. It’s light, too, which is good as it sits at the back of your neck. A single button and LED, just like the transmitter, are the main controls. Under a narrow hatch on both there’s a narrow port to plug in the double-headed USB recharging cable, plus a very fiddly main power switch.
Setup is straightforward, as the two parts come ready paired. Unplug the SA6 earbuds from the normal cable, then plug in to the 15cm wires on the receiver. The transmitter goes into the headphone port of your PMP or cellphone (either directly or via the short extension cable if the port is recessed); hold down the power button on both parts and after around four seconds of blinking music starts streaming.
There’s little adjustment possible, none in terms of the sound – though you can obviously tweak the bass and treble in the SA6 earbuds themselves – and the only changes to be made on the wireless receiver is shortening the cables by pulling them back through the rubber flex guards. The LEDs blink periodically to show the system is powered on, but it’s not bright enough to be a distraction. After a short period of no sound both go to sleep to conserve power, and can be woken with a quick press of the main buttons.
Sound quality is pretty much indistinguishable from a wired connection in most scenarios. Kleer supports wireless frequencies between 20Hz and 20KHz with less than 0.1-percent distortion; in practical terms, all the uncompressed and 320kbps tracks that sounded so fantastic with the wired SA6’s sounded just as full bodied and clear with the wireless. Tested side-by-side with a number of different A2DP stereo Bluetooth headphones the SA6 wireless setup consistently outperformed the competition, with more detail and less distortion.
Battery life is rated between 8 and 15hrs continuous use, which seems a realistic prediction. We’ve been using the wireless system frequently since it arrived, with the initial two-hour charge giving us roughly ten hours of listening. Sleek Audio offer an AC adapter, but it’s not included as standard; however the USB cable will work with most USB adapters (5.7v, 750mA) that come with cellphones and other mobile devices, if your laptop or PC is not to hand. Should the batteries expire, you can plug back in the standard cable and keep on listening, which is something not generally possible with Bluetooth headsets.
One of Kleer’s benefits is the ability to simultaneously pair up to four receivers to a single transmitter, meaning four people could listen in at once. While we only had a single W-1 set to review, additional pairing looks to be an easy process. Furthermore, it will work with any Kleer system, so if you buy products using the technology from another manufacturer they’ll be compatible.
Our main criticism would be the main power switches, which really demand the tip of a pen to flick. In general use, though, you won’t need them; holding down the button on transmitter and receiver puts each into standby, with battery lasting around seven days. Using the main switches extends that to up to three months. Unlike Bluetooth there’s no remote profile for skipping/pausing/controlling volume from the headphones, either.
If you can’t tell by now, we’re huge fans of the SA6 Wireless W-1 system. There’s no compromise demanded in cutting the cord: the lossless or high-bitrate tracks that were so time-consuming to encode aren’t mangled in the journey from PMP to ear. Sleek Audio have promised that future earphones will be compatible with the current wireless system, meaning that if you upgrade to a set of custom molded earphones or one of the company’s planned ranges you’ll still be able to listen wirelessly.
That’s a good thing, as Sleek Audio aren’t exactly catering to the budget end of the market. The SA6 earphones in their wired state cost $249.99; the W-1 system is priced at $120. Alternatively there’s a bundle including SA6 and W-1 for $320 (saving almost $50) or the W-1 and a set of custom earphones for $399.99. That’s not cheap, no, but nor is it out of line for the sound quality, convenience and flexibility on offer. Frankly, anyone who already has SA6 earphones would be a fool not to pick up the W-1 wireless adapter, and anyone in the market for a set of high-end wireless headphones should certainly have the Sleek Audio system on their shortlist.
Like the sound of the Sleek Audio SA6 earphones? Interested in your own W-1 Wireless Adapter? Stay tuned to SlashGear for the chance to win your own!
Review By: Chris Davies http://www.slashgear.com/sleek-audio-w-1-kleer-wireless-headphones-system-review-2423952/
Sleek Audio Wireless Earphones on Engadget
KLEER wireless attachment comes to Sleek Audio’s SA6 canalphones
Sleek Audio’s SA6 canalphones generated quite a bit of buzz due to those adjustable acoustics, and if you’ve been wishing on your lucky stars for a wireless interpretation of said headphones, something is clearly going right for you. The outfit has just revealed that a new partnership with KLEER (yes, KLEER) has led to a wireless application for the SA6 and Sleek Customs, which, according to Sleek, is the first wireless technology that could do these drivers justice. The new adornment attaches right to the SA6 earphones to provide “CD quality sound from a wireless platform,” and better still, the SA6’s detachable cable ensures that you can keep on listening with a tether should your battery die in the midst of cordless jamming. The KLEER accessory should be up for pre-order shortly at $120, while a KLEER / SA6 bundle will sell for $299.99. Full release after the break.
A New Standard is Set for Wireless Earphones; Sleek Audio Launches their KLEER Wireless Application for the SA6 and Sleek Customs
Music lovers are freed from the limitations of cords with Sleek Audio’s award winning earphones that offer CD quality digital audio for the ultimate wireless listening experience
Bradenton, Fl. October 08 – Sleek Audio, developer of the award winning SA6 earphones, has teamed with KLEER™, the leading wireless audio application developer, to create a wireless audio experience that sets a new standard for audio quality, comfort and flexibility.
Sleek Audio wireless earphones using KLEER technology are a breakthrough in sound quality from a wireless platform. They are the first to offer true, CD quality sound wirelessly through a customizable, ultra-wide balanced armature driver. No detail, range or power is lost as the audio signal travels from the music player to the earphones, allowing listeners to “escape” into their music like never before. They are also the first wireless earphones to resolve battery issues that other wireless systems struggle with. Previous wireless earbuds were rendered useless if the wireless application ran out of power and the listener was out of luck until they could recharge the battery. Thanks to the SA6’s detachable wire, if the wireless application runs out of battery, the original cable can simply be plugged in, and the listener is back in business.
“It’s amazing how far wireless technology has come along over the years. Until KLEER, wireless technology really did not do justice to our SA6’s, but now wireless technology has caught up with the audio side and we can offer wireless earphones that don’t sacrifice sound quality,” said Mark Krywko, CEO of Sleek Audio. “Our earphones are designed to evolve, and allow music lovers to escape into their music by offering unparalleled sound quality, comfort and ESC (Environmental Sound Control). Wireless is the next step in that evolution allowing for more freedom than ever. We’ve tested our wireless SA6’s with the most particular audiophiles we could find, and they couldn’t believe the quality of sound coming from our earphones using a wireless platform, we’ve really set the bar high and are excited to bring this application to music lovers around the world,” added Krywko.
The KLEER wireless system attaches seamlessly to all current and future Sleek Audio products thanks to the proprietary detachable cable that comes standard. It provides up to ten hours of battery life independent of the media player and allows up to four people to listen from a single audio stream with 60 feet of freedom thanks to KLEER’s multi-point Listen in™ technology.
“Sleek Audio really is a leading innovator in personal audio and after seeing (and listening to) what they had developed with their SA6 earphones we knew we were going to do some incredible work together as two leaders in our respective fields,” said Levent Gun, President & CEO for Kleer . “Sleek Audio really thought of everything when they created their SA6 earphones, and it made it relatively easy for a wireless application to be developed,” added Gun.
The wireless application is available for pre-purchase at www.sleek-audio.com and is currently adaptable to both the SA6 and Sleek Customs.
Slashgear Annouces Sleek Wireless Earphones
If you didn’t read our interview with the Sleek Audio founders last week, or our review of the Sleek Audio SA6 in-ear monitor earphones on Monday, you might not know that the company’s wireless music adapter went up for pre-order last week. Sleek Audio have officially announced the adapter, which uses Kleer’s lossless wireless technology to transmit CD-quality audio.
The wireless adapter plugs into the SA6 earphones instead of the standard cable; that means, if the battery runs down, you can switch back to wired and keep listening. It also ensures that people who have already bought the SA6 earphones will be able to update to wireless without having to buy a whole new set.
Battery life is rated at up to ten hours, and since the transmitter plugs into a standard 3.5mm headphone socket it can be used with just about any PMP or source, with no impact on that device’s own battery life. Range is up to 60 feet, and up to four wireless receivers can connect to one transmitter at any one time.
Mark Krywko, one of the Sleek Audio founders, also confirmed to SlashGear that the company is in talks with other high-end earphone manufacturers about using the wireless adapters. The Sleek Audio Kleer wireless adapter is priced at $120, while a bundle with it and the SA6 earphones is priced at $299.99; we’ll be reviewing the system as soon as the first samples start shipping.
Press Release:
A New Standard is Set for Wireless Earphones; Sleek Audio Launches their KLEER Wireless Application for the SA6 and Sleek Customs
Music lovers are freed from the limitations of cords with Sleek Audio’s award winning earphones that offer CD quality digital audio for the ultimate wireless listening experience
Bradenton, Fl. October 08 – Sleek Audio, developer of the award winning SA6 earphones, has teamed with KLEER™, the leading wireless audio application developer, to create a wireless audio experience that sets a new standard for audio quality, comfort and flexibility.
Sleek Audio wireless earphones using KLEER technology are a breakthrough in sound quality from a wireless platform. They are the first to offer true, CD quality sound wirelessly through a customizable, ultra-wide balanced armature driver. No detail, range or power is lost as the audio signal travels from the music player to the earphones, allowing listeners to “escape” into their music like never before. They are also the first wireless earphones to resolve battery issues that other wireless systems struggle with. Previous wireless earbuds were rendered useless if the wireless application ran out of power and the listener was out of luck until they could recharge the battery. Thanks to the SA6’s detachable wire, if the wireless application runs out of battery, the original cable can simply be plugged in, and the listener is back in business.
“It’s amazing how far wireless technology has come along over the years. Until KLEER, wireless technology really did not do justice to our SA6’s, but now wireless technology has caught up with the audio side and we can offer wireless earphones that don’t sacrifice sound quality,” said Mark Krywko, CEO of Sleek Audio. “Our earphones are designed to evolve, and allow music lovers to escape into their music by offering unparalleled sound quality, comfort and ESC (Environmental Sound Control). Wireless is the next step in that evolution allowing for more freedom than ever. We’ve tested our wireless SA6’s with the most particular audiophiles we could find, and they couldn’t believe the quality of sound coming from our earphones using a wireless platform, we’ve really set the bar high and are excited to bring this application to music lovers around the world,” added Krywko.
The KLEER wireless system attaches seamlessly to all current and future Sleek Audio products thanks to the proprietary detachable cable that comes standard. It provides up to ten hours of battery life independent of the media player and allows up to four people to listen from a single audio stream with 60 feet of freedom thanks to KLEER’s multi-point Listen in™ technology.
“Sleek Audio really is a leading innovator in personal audio and after seeing (and listening to) what they had developed with their SA6 earphones we knew we were going to do some incredible work together as two leaders in our respective fields,” said Levent Gun, President & CEO for Kleer . “Sleek Audio really thought of everything when they created their SA6 earphones, and it made it relatively easy for a wireless application to be developed,” added Gun.
The wireless application is available for pre-purchase at www.sleek-audio.com and is currently adaptable to both the SA6 and Sleek Customs.
About Sleek Audio
Sleek Audio is a personal audio company dedicated to creating “Music in Tune with You.” Creators of the first ever acoustically customizable earphones, Sleek Audio are driven from decades of experience in the custom hearing aid and audio industry. Sleek Audio products are designed for high-performance use with all MP3players including iPod® and Zune®. For more information, visit the company website at www.sleek-audio.com.
About Kleer
Kleer is a fabless semiconductor company that has developed the first wireless audio technology to combine high quality audio and robust ISM band coexistence with low power consumption to address portable, home and automotive audio markets. Unlike Bluetooth, Kleer’s patented subsampling radio architecture was designed from the ground up to communicate lossless CD-quality digital stereo audio over a robust 2.4GHz radio link, while achieving 10 times the battery life of a comparable Bluetooth solution. Kleer’s Audio LP technology is ideally suited for OEMs of portable audio players, iPod® and other player accessories, home audio/theater systems, earphones, headphones, and speakers. Kleer distributes its products via direct sales in North America, and a distribution channel in Korea and Japan. The Company is headquartered in Cupertino, California with product development facilities in Ottawa, Ontario. For more information, contact the company at 19925 Stevens Creek Blvd. Suite 111, Cupertino, CA, 95014, Tel: 408-973-7255, Fax: 408-973-7256, Email: info@kleer.com, or visit the company web site at www.kleer.com
Sleek Audio SA6 and Wireless Earphones – SlashGear
If you read our interview article with the Sleek Audio founders last week, you’ll know that we’re excited about the upcoming wireless system based on Kleer’s lossless technology. At the root of it all, though, are the SA6 earphones, promising flexibility in sound reproduction at the earbud itself, rather than relying on artificial equalizer tweaks. SlashGear has been testing out the Sleek Audio SA6 earphones for the past few weeks, and we’ve hit pause just long enough for the full review.
First impressions are good, with the SA6’s being smaller but no less sturdy than rivals from Ultimate Ears and other high-end earphone manufacturers. There’s a fair amount to be explored in the foam-cushioned box: the earbuds themselves, pre-fitted with the medium silicone tips, neutral treble tubes and bass tubes, positive and negative versions of the treble and bass tubes, small and large tips and a removable 60-inch cable. There’s also a hard-plastic carry-case, with a pull-out tray for the earbuds around which the cable can be wound, and two small tools for swapping out the different frequency tubes and cleaning inside the silicone tips. A seemingly late addition to the package is a pair of “extended high frequency” treble tubes.
Build-quality of the earbuds themselves is high, with the silicone tips fitting snuggly and the treble tubes almost too tight until you reach for the specially-designed tool. My only point of concern is the bass plug design, which I feel slips out a little too easily. Sleek do sell the bass ports and treble tubes separately – at $12.50 for each set of three – together with the ear tips at $9.99, but I’d rather not have to buy a full array just to replace a single dropped piece.
The detachable cable is a neat touch, though, paving the way for the wireless system (which will sit around the back of the neck) and offering a relatively inexpensive ($24.99) replacement should you accidentally sever the wire. Currently only a black, 48-inch long cable is available (with gold-plated plugs at either end) but Sleek apparently plan on offering different colors and sizes, and even custom-lengths.
In the ear, the range of tip sizes means you’re far more likely to find a fit that’s both comfortable and secure. While the images may make the SA6’s look large, there’s actually little to be seen once they’re in-place; the plug-in design of the cable also means you can choose whether to let it hang down or swivel up and back over your ears.
Sleek Audio recommend that you avoid immediately swapping out the frequency-neutral tubes and instead re-listen to old favorite tracks to get a better idea of what you want from your music. On first play, with tracks from Amy Winehouse’s album Back to Black encoded at 192kbps, I was a little disappointed. Yes, the sound was clear and certainly loud enough, but there was none of the sparkle company co-founder Mark Krywko had promised.
Instead, I had to do a little footwork first: re-ripping the album at 320kbps. The change, even with the standard tubes, was obvious. Balanced across the board from bass through to treble, to my tastes it lacked a little momentum in both the low and top ends, but details were still clear and defined.
Shifting up a gear to tracks encoded in lossless formats brought another tidal-wave of quality. Now the definition observed in the 320kbps tracks was even cleaner, still without particular highlighting to the treble or bass but each tiny detail was noticeable and each instrument – played or vocal – felt like it had its own audio space.
It’s difficult to qualitatively test and explain audio performance, not least because everybody’s interpretation varies of what a track should sound like. Of course that’s where the SA6’s come into their own: the ability to flip out the treble and/or bass tubes and tune the earphones to your personal tastes. With the supplied three bass plugs and three treble tubes – each marked plus, neutral or minus – there’s plenty of scope for emphasizing whichever aspect of the audio you prefer.
Swapping out the bass plugs to the minus option left me a little cold, with audio sounding top-heavy and over-vocalized. The crunchy basslines and much of the rhythm was lost, in a setup unsuited to the sort of music I was testing with. Slot in the plus tubes, however, and it was a revelation; thick, satisfying bass which manages both clarity – in reproducing the individual beats and doing so quickly – and texture.
The alternate treble tubes are similarly effective in changing the audio, although in perhaps a different way. With the minus set the clarity and note differentiation weren’t lost, merely the frequencies more subdued leaving the mid-range and bass to occupy the space. The plus set, meanwhile, really brought out that sparkle I’d been promised, and even more so with the new extended frequency tubes; in fact, when I switched briefly to some instrumental classical music, the higher strings and woodwind was almost too defined with the new tubes, and worked far better with the equal or basic plus tubes.
Consistent throughout is the mid-range, pretty much unaffected by whichever bass or treble tubes you select. Vocals sound natural and just tipped over to the warm sound, adding up to something particularly listenable.
With my tastes obviously leaning toward the plus-marked tubes, I did wonder in passing what the purpose of all this flexibility was – why not just fit those options as standard? Of course, your ears will be different to mine, your tastes different and your musical choices different too. If I spent my days listening to string quartets I’d probably have come to a different decision.
There’s also a lot to be said for the journey of finding which setup is your favorite; while I may not have settled upon the other bass and treble options, they did highlight different aspects of the music that previously I hadn’t noticed. That increased familiarity has left me a more contented, interested listener. It can be a safer experience, too; the balance of frequencies mean subtle aspects of the track don’t get lost among the power, so the overall volume can be lower and less risk of damaging your ears.
Ironically, Sleek Audio have now given me a lot of homework to do: re-ripping all of my CDs as lossless tracks. Previously, with the aftermarket Sony earphones that were my daily drivers, I couldn’t notice any significant difference between middling bitrates and higher; the SA6’s have motivated me to go back, re-rip and see what other musical details I previously overlooked.
Best of all, with the start of Kleer wireless pre-orders, Sleek Audio have dropped the price of the wired SA6 earphones. What once would cost you $249.99 can now be had for $209.99; perhaps not “cheap”, but for what you get – in terms of build quality, customization flexibility and, most of all, sound quality – it’s a bargain.
We’re waiting for the first wireless adapters to ship so that we can try them out with the SA6’s; given the quality of sound reproduction I’m now used to, they’ll have a lot to live up to.
Review by: Chris Davies, Slashgear
Sleek-Audio is a new company that makes some very unique earphones – TechPowerUp
Sleek-Audio is a new company that makes some very unique earphones. The earphones are dubbed SA6 and feature a lot of highly innovative features such as tuning ports that allow the user to customize the sound signature of the earphones. Even though Sleek-Audio is a relatively new brand they have already developed a good name for themselves. Their dedication and support for the product and excellent customer reviews have most definitely helped to promote the brand and further added to the hype about the Sleek-Audio earphones.
SLEEK AUDIO SA6 In-Ear Headphones Sing To Your Ears – Wired Blog Network
Review: SLEEK AUDIO SA6 In-Ear Headphones
Sing To Your Ears
By Danny Dumas February 21, 2008 | 12:01:00 PMCategories: Audio, Reviews Eschewing the one-sound-fits-all headphone paradigm, personal audio newcomer Sleek Audio sets the mark for sound customization and modular design. Created by Mark Krywko, a 30-year veteran of hearing aid design, these mini-concert halls are built around a tiny super wide band single armature driver with interchangeable treble tips and bass ports and sport a detachable cord. Straight out of the box the SA6’s delivered luscious fidelity. But why stop there?
I fiddled with the bass and treble in each ear for a few days. The trial and error paid off in spades, yielding a setup that’s cochlea-opening ear candy. Like most of the expensive in-ears there’s plenty of power in these baby rockers, but the biggest revelation was hearing the subtleties in the music. From crackling guitar riffs to concert hall classical and Sinatra standards the SA6’s delivered an incredibly pleasing depth and range. Not merely content to sound smart; Sleek Audio is looking after your audio investment and the future. They’ve integrated a detachable cord with an adjustable bolo that takes the big stress out of damaged, frayed or torn connections and paves the way for wireless. Accidentally snap, stretch or snip your cord, don’t gouge your eyes out for ruining hundreds of dollars worth of sound, just drop $25 and you’re back in business. Plus, how ‘bout the “no cord” option. Krywko and his henchmen are in the midst of cooking up Bluetooth functionality that’ll let you go 100% Lt. Ohura on the rest of the world. -Jackson Lynch
WIRED Amazing, tunable sound. Wonderfully comfortable fit from the tapered flange ear tips. Hang down or over-the ear cord routing. $25 replacement cords now and colored cords on the way.
TIRED Spare ports and tips could go missing pretty easily.
$250, sleek-audio.com
9 out of 10
WIRED Blog Network – gadget lab – http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/02/review-sleek-au.html
Serious listeners should pay close attention to Sleek Audio’s SA6 – MyMac
Company: Sleek Audio – SA6 Earphones
http://www.sleek-audio.com/
Sleek Audio’s first entry into the crowded arena of portable in ear headphones is in the super-premium $250-plus category. This is a bold and strategic commercial and design decision.
SA6 headphones differ from all other competitors previously on the market, because Sleek’s are “completely adjustable.”
- Each ear monitor can be customized separately from four treble and three bass tuning ports.
- Earpiece drivers can be swiveled for comfort and optimum sound.
- Three sizes of very soft flange-style tips are provided, for best fit and sound isolation.
- SA6’s swivel cable is detachable for easy replacement, and for use with Sleek’s wireless option, which is under development. The user doesn’t need a new set of earphones for wireless.
For value, versatility, and vitality, Sleek Audio’s SA6 stands out from the other upper bracket in ear headphones we’ve reviewed at MyMac, from Shure, Etymotic Research, and Ultimate Ears.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
Here is a Q & A discussion with the founders of Sleek Audio:
MYMAC: How many attempts until people will determine their best custom fittings for treble and bass ports?
SLEEK: It depends on the person. We have had quite a few customers pull the SA6 straight out of the box and never change it. We have had others on some of the online audio communities that seem to change it and compare notes and offer recommendations.
We want the typical consumer to wear it stock for a few days and listen to a number of songs then decide if they would like more or less bass or treble. This may take a few days or a few minutes it depends on the consumer.
It was never our intention to have people change it constantly but rather to find their “audio fingerprint” and simply enjoy the SA6.
MYMAC: Explain how that additional pair of included extended high frequency treble tuning ports is used. Are they instead of the ones in the primary packaging?
SLEEK: The additional tips are the result of consumer input. Part of the beauty of the SA6 is that we can easily change, update, or add on to the earphone. When consumers on Head-fi.org asked for more highs we created this tip and included it in all packaging.
MYMAC: What about people who are all thumbs? How much dexterity is required for older or clumsy users to switch the ports around?
SLEEK: We have developed a removal tool for the treble tubes. This will make it significantly easier for the consumer. We have not had any reported problems from our older customers. We started in the hearing aid industry and we made sure to look at all market segments.
MYMAC: Does SA6 work with iPhone recessed audio jack, in addition to all generic and iPod jacks?
SLEEK: We have an iPhone compatible cable in development and it should be out shortly.
MYMAC: What are users to do if they don’t like your flexible flange tips? Is SA6 compatible with other companies’ tips? How about ordinary foam and/or compressible foam possibilities? Or silicone blobs?
SLEEK: Our first concern with the SA6 was to make sure it fit nearly any ear. We know the average ear has an opening of 8mm-12mm so we designed the three flanges to fit that spectrum. However, we found that tips from other companies do fit the SA6, and some customers prefer to go that route and use what they like the most. And our tips will often fit other companies’ products.
As of two weeks ago around 90% of users had been using the medium size flange, though now it seems the larger ones are becoming more popular. It really depends as some users prefer the earphones to go in deeper than others. As you know, the most important point is to make sure you have a good seal, which the different size tips allow virtually anyone to do.
MYMAC: Are all pieces and extras supposed to fit into that little round case? Why not include a small gadget bag for extras not being used?
SLEEK: We are looking into a small bag or case to hold the extras. The little case it comes with has a compartment to fit an extra set of bass ports and treble tubes.
MYMAC: What is your MSRP? Street pricing? Where to buy SA6?
SLEEK: The MSRP is $249.99 and that is holding up on the street price as well. We are constantly adding vendors worldwide to help consumers.
MYMAC: Who are you, and why are you taking the plunge as a new company into this crowded field of in-ear headphones?
SLEEK: Sleek Audio was born from a 20 year old hearing aid manufacture. We still sell and dispense hearing aids as well. We knew the market had some major players but we also saw that there was a huge void for high quality products in the $200-$300 price range.
We read thousands of posts and forums and what we learned was that everyone had a different opinion of how headphones and earphones should sound. For example, one person might like the bass of a brand and another person felt it was lacking bass. Or they loved the bright treble of brand X and the next person said it was painfully shrill.
Our experience in the hearing aid industry taught us that acoustically sound changes when you put an earphone in the ear, compared to over the ear. In addition that effect varies based on the anatomy of the user’s ear. We decided to develop an earphone that could be modified to fit an individual’s preference, including those who may have a hearing loss in one ear or both.
When we were designing the SA6 we put nearly a year into developing the acoustic chambers alone. This allowed us to test and find what most consumers wanted and to fill that need. We believe that is why when people compare our product they often compare it to models that are $350 – $500. We are the only product under $300 that is looked at in this light and we see it as quite a compliment.
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I used SA6 for a month without much deviation from the original flat-response treble or bass tuning ports. Fit, comfort, isolation, and audio delivery are first rate. I don’t have large ears, but I am happily using the large ear-tips without any complaint. Once you get accustomed to the swivel feature, you’ll wonder why no major manufacturers included it before now. Ditto for the full modular approach to design and customization of the earpieces.
These earphones are “reference” or “studio” quality, meaning music is delivered without enhancements. Sleek’s sound is superb.
SA6 are guaranteed for two years. An informative instruction manual is included in the package. There are no obvious “R” and “L” markings for right and left ears, so figure out your own way to know quickly which is which. Sleek’s rigid plastic round case is not a winner, and it needs to be improved or replaced.
Serious listeners should pay close attention to Sleek Audio’s SA6 and the company’s future products. MyMac applauds this fine in ear headphone’s innovation and excellence. If this commentary + Q&A was a review, SA6 would rate a strong recommendation in the vicinity of 4.5 out of 5. We plan to do an evaluative review when the wireless feature is available.
As seen on:
News & Reviews:
- CT6 Review on Slashgear - 06/15/2009
- Sleek Customs Reviewed on TechPowerUp - 11/25/2008
- Wireless Earphones Reviewed on Slashgear - 11/25/2008