SOUND
The Earsonics S-EM6 V2 is an IEM that sounds neutral and it is close to the analytical side. It’s is highly resolving, has a strong stereo image and it can give the treble in the best possible way. I have to say that I found the presentation of it very successful, especially for those who prefer to have a flat sound signature. The upper frequency range has a great performance, the background is black, and staging is good. It doesn’t play perfectly balanced, it’s mostly focused on the mid – high range, however it is certainly a successful monitor within its own presentation.
BASS
The lower frequencies of the Earsonics S-EM6 V2 prefer to stay on the back. I guess this is a conscious choice of Earsonics, which aimed at a neutral presentation in this model and chose to stay away from coloring it. Lows can be tracked easily and have a certain level of quality, but they’re not accentuated or obvious to ear. For this reason, I must state that the bass is not very deep, that the power is moderate / low, and it doesn’t have a high level of layering.
Correspondingly, the midbass part is not in front as well, but I can’t say that it is lacking either. Of course my personal preference is a bit on the warmer side, so some more midbass wouldn’t be bad for me. However you should not forget the presentation Earsonics wanted to achieve in this monitor. In general I didn’t find the low end very powerless. Anyhow, it is obvious that it is not an IEM for those who prefer a full and warm presentation.
With a pure copper cable, it is possible to extract a little more bass kick from the IEM. This impression is from the famous PW Audio No 5. The slam is still not very strong and deep with it, but the midbass part becomes a little more apparent. The synergy of the Earsonics S-EM6 V2 and the No 5 cable is very nice to listen to, so I recommend this match.
Earsonics S-EM6 V2
MIDS
I found the mid frequencies to be very good. Especially when I first listened, it gave me a great impression with strong transparency and dynamism. After that I affirmed the correctness of my first impression every single time. It is a little different from other IEMs as it is slightly thinner in mids, but it is not a big problem. In fact, the thinner tonality never bothered me as it has highly resolving mids at the same time. That slight gap in the tone already closed for me thanks to that.
Positioning is also very good and realistic. The distance and the stage feels like how it should be. Obviously, the midbass (and generally the bass) does not stick out too much, contributing to the airy mid-presentation. At this point, I am particularly aware that the bass presentation is absolutely intentional. Even so; could more bass have broken this presentation? I don’t think so, but I can not tell you that I have high knowledge in technical matters. Just a comment on the sound I hear. The mids are very enjoyable at the same time and never have a plain or boring presentation. Earsonics has avoided coloring yes, but there is still a slight color, which I think is very nice regardless. Mids are in one word, no, in two words “very beautiful”.
TREBLES
This is easily the most impressive part of the Earsonics S-EM6 V2. The trebles are certainly one of the best that I have listened to. In this respect, it shouldn’t be wrong to say that it shares a resemblance with the flagship S-EM9. We know that S-EM9 is one of the things that inspired the tuning phase of this IEM. For this reason, this impressive treble presentation is not a big shock at first, but the IEM continues to surprise you, despite you knew it was coming.
Highs have reached at a level of perfection on the S-EM6 V2 I think. Why? What do we think when we talk about a beautiful treble presentation: The extension, resolution, level of detail, articulation, separation from the mid range and accompaniment to the scene realistically, no aggression and no need to be thick or thin at the reference level. And yes, the S-EM6 V2 does it all in the best possible way. None of these qualities are missing and completely are on a top level. I don’t think I need to tell it any longer. The trebles are spectacular.
Earsonics S-EM6 V2
TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
The Earsonics S-EM6 V2 also performs at a high level in terms of technicalities. To put it briefly, the separation performance of the monitor, which is as impressive as the resolution, is excellent. Though it may owe this to a certain amount of light bass presentation, the separation between the highs and the mids is also very strong. Therefore it wouldn’t be fair to just connect this to the bass.
Stereo image, right – left balance and positioning are impressive. Stage width is at a similar level with other IEMs at this price level so it’s very very good. At the same time, the control over the overall spectrum and the smoothness impressed me. Although mids and especially the trebles are very apparent, they are playing without disturbing the ear. Micro detail capture is another thing that it does very well.
The only thing that can be seen as a weakness in a technical sense, is the depth of the stage in this monitor. Although the stage is generally set up in a large area, the depth feeling is not very high. It is of course sensible to link this to the general presentation of the bass.
SYNERGY
Though it is not difficult to drive the IEM, there is a slight demand for power. Even so, I think any DAP in the market can drive the Earsonics S-EM6 V2. You just might need a little more volume than most. As for synergy, I think it will be superb with DAPs that give a good bass depth with an organic sound.
For this reason, it’s very very nice with the HiBy R6. At the same time, ZX2 and WM1A, which I generally used for this review, formed very successful synergies. There is only a slight lack of bass with the WM1A, but there’s nothing serious to worry about, and it can be fixed by using the EQ a bit. On the other hand, pairing with sources that somewhat give a digital & analytical presentation can brighten up the treble and reduce the bass. That wouldn’t be very enjoyable.
Earsonics S-EM6 V2
RESULT
Although I have used the SM64 before, Earsonics wasn’t a company that I craved about. I did not like the general presentation and the non-organic sound. But I listened several new Earsonics products recently; and it is obvious that they have definitely developed impressive monitors, especially with the S-EM9. While the ES-3 is one of the best products for the price, the S-EM9 deserves to be in the TOTL level.
The Earsonics S-EM6 V2 equally deserves to be on a high level in audiophiles’ minds. It’s very close to TOTL and clearly leaves the mid-fi region behind. The exceptional treble presentation is very impressive. It doesn’t have a weakness except the lighter bass than I prefer, and it has very transparent & resolving mids with slight hint of musicality. Not to mention the overall reference-like presentation on a high level.
If you don’t have the budget to get the S-EM9, you can choose the S-EM6 V2 without hesitation, if the bass is not a big problem to you.
Congratulations to Earsonics.
