COMPARISONS:-
VS DUNU SA6 ($499):-
After working on the impressive DUNU SA6 I jumped on the Maze 4 and even when the differences were there both the IEMs share the same tuning principals.
SA6 houses 6BA drivers and its dual lower end drivers deliver more volume and thrill against the dual drivers of the Maze 4. Sub-bass of the Maze 4 is a bit more extended, mid bass is less voluminous with a faster decay. I won’t take sides but the Maze 4 is more precise while the SA6 is more fun and a bit more textured.
Mids are more or less the same, both are sublime with crossovers and even when the SA6 is a bit on the crispier side both have similar notes depth and energy. Maze 4 can sound a bit dry against the SA6. Upper mid and lower treble is where Maze 4 starts to take lead, it has better notes depth and energy. Both are similar with layering and separation but the Maze 4 has more sparkle and notes depth is more gripping. SA6 can sound a bit smoother against the Maze 4’s treble.
Projection wise both the IEMs are very similar. Stage is where they differ a bit. I like the way Maze 4 manages to place the treble notes. SA6 feels a bit cramped for the treble stage. Maze 4 is taller, wider but the SA6 is deeper.
Pick you poison, both are excellent.
VS CUSTOM ART FIBAE 4 ($870):-
CONCLUSION:
Maze 4 is what one expects a BA based IEM would be, as pure as possible, without any adulteration or addition of extra flavors. It just simply doesn’t do anything which makes the listener question its abilities. It is much more in line with what the DUNU SA6, and a bit more, there isn’t anything one can complain about.
Most of the brands like to call their IEMs custom as the consumer can opt for art work, plate design and shell color and that’s customization all right but Custom fit this is first of mine. Fit has been excellent, the acrylic shell is not as flexible as silicon but it’s more than comfortable for long listening sessions. Ahh.. I am drifting away from the vital point.
Sound, sound is why we are here and the Maze 4 doesn’t disappoint, at all. It is one of the best IEM available for the £499 price tag. Chi-fi brands do have competitors but most of them are edgy and finishing with notes is not up to the mark. What sets the Maze 4 apart is it’s Mature tuning, giving it well finished notes, exhibiting excellent clarity and cleanliness without over or under doing anything. If you are one of those who like extended highs can opt for one by just writing to LXear while placing the order (I will see if I can get a hold of that). Is there somewhere it goes wrong? Not really, nit pickings can be that it can sound a bit dry and the cable doesn’t look good (it still sounds decent).
That’s it on the Maze 4 from LXear.
Have a nice time!!
Cheers!!
One Response
They went bankrupt this year! I have a pair of maze 4 purchased last year and I recently call them to fix my cable but they told me that the company is closed and they don t have any spare cable !