First Look 4: Maestro SE by FatFreq: The Almost Perfect IEM for me

[@Vikval5329]

Great review ZP. Thank you.

[@MindsEyeKay]

Awesome review, as always... I just ordered a set last week. I was wondering if you've got any tip recommendations? Would really appreciate it!

[@ZPProductions]

Hmm I personally prefer to slightly reduce the highs so something of a mid bore size. divinus or softear liquid silicone

[@markus301]

Hi, if you had to keep one between grand maestro, maestro se or u12t which one you would keep and why? Btw, what cable is that on the u12t that is on the video? Thanks.

[@ZPProductions]

I’ll likely keep the U12T. It works for most songs and it is easier to drive. The cable is something from China. Search for yongse cables on aliexpress

[@kunalshrivastava6398]

U12T more bass than Maestro SE?! You must have received a defective unit. The SE has a sub bass shelf of 20db above neutral. In fact, the Maestro SE sub bass is secondary only to Fatfreq's own Scarlet Mini and nothing else. The SE should sound much fuller than U12T in both sub bass and mid bass since that is what the Maestro series is designed for. Also, U12T is all BA set so im not sure how the bass can feel more tactile. I have V16 from thieaudio which is supposed to have more bass than U12T and it still feels like it has less bass compared to Sennheiser's IE600.

[@ZPProductions]

I think it has to do with a lot with fitting, insertion depth and also what is the baseline listening level. Cause for me in normal listening impression, I will raise till the level I feel comfortable for the vocals. In measurement the SE do measure higher as per my FR measurement if you dive into my site. There’s just to many factors to IEM perceived performance but at least when I’m listening to it, my impression in the video stands while in measured, it is as you said. It may also be due to tracks I use too.

[@ElNINETEENTH]

How does this compare to Fatfreq GM or Volür ?

[@ZPProductions]

First I want to say comparison is UIEM type since there’s a large discrepancy in terms of ciems impressions. First I find the GM for me sits in a weird position. Either there is bass but alittle dull in the mids & highs, or no bass but really nice extended mids & highs. MSE is like the best of GM highs (though alittle thinner but sparklier) with the bass somewhere between both modes of GM. The volur wise I feel it’s a u12t with better bass. I personally think MSE is slightly better in most regards except the body of mids which Volur/u12t is better.

[@ElNINETEENTH]

@@ZPProductionsin terms of GM comparing the reproduction of music Radon 6 is a step above right?

[@ZPProductions]

@@ElNINETEENTH hmm I can’t compare to GM. But Rn6 vs MSE, if looking at absolute clarity and soundstage, MSE is better. But if it’s bass, energy and tonality I prefer Radon6.

[@shamnoor07]

Bro .. Suggest Using standalone or amplifier... Which iem worth using both input...

[@ZPProductions]

When you mean standalone? do you mean dongle or straight from a phone? Since not many device have 3.5mm jack anymore unless its laptops

[@stephendenagy3396]

Your model might have been defective. I have U12T, I find it clinical but flat/boring. I prefer my thieaudio Monarchs III. Or even the Scarlett. Tempted!

[@ZPProductions]

Na it isn’t. It’s likely a difference in fit and the tip I use. It sounds exactly like when I was in the shop. That said you need to AB in seconds else anything in memory is kinda junk for audio