COMPARISON:-
VS Fibae 3 (~$570):-
The Fibae 3 is a very accomplished earphone in this price bracket. Known for its musicality and lush sound, it houses 3 BA drivers in a dual bore system. The overall sound signature is on the smoother side and the mildly V shaped signature can be a hit or a miss.
Even when it doesn’t have dual BA drivers id manages to deliver more voluminous sub-bass thump and rumble. The bass extension is just outstanding. The mid bass is less forward and doesn’t have the required fullness which the AV6 has. It has slightly slower decay speed and it shows with high speed tracks. The Upper bass is similar. Both the transition phases are exceptionally good as it maintains equal amount of energy compared to the rest. Midrange is slightly in the V with nice tonality and timber, the vocals have a slightly better texture to them with more throatiness. It doesn’t have the best amount of instrumental attack or details retrieval but the upper mid range has required amount of shine. Notes don’t have a lot of bite, they are on the smoother side. Treble region is where the Fibae 3 really excels. It delivers one of the best treble extension in this price range and the biggest reason is, as the notes go deeper it pickup more energy and gives a feeling of being endless. AV6 has similar treble extension but the Fibae 3 has the brilliance at the upper treble region.
Stage size is slightly smaller than the AV6 with a bit more density and a busier feel to it. It just is not a very technical earphone. The cleanliness is not there. The level of composure with high speed tracks is not as good as the AV6.
VS Shozy Pola ($800):-
The pola is very much in the same price bracket. It is one of the best sounding earphones for under $1000, the electrostatic powered IEM shows its bass prowess thanks to its dynamic driver.
The DD of the Pola delivers a wholesome punch with plenty of air and rumble. Sub-bass has very good extension and plenty of rumble to it. The mid bass is meatier and fuller but the decay speed is slower. Upper bass is similar. The transition phases are similar to the AV6. The Pola has more texture, better timber and sounds very organic. I love how it maintains fantastic amount of details while keeping things engaging. Notes across the spectrum are fuller and more pleasing. Treble has slightly better maintained energy with very good sparkle. Layering, separation and extension are equally good. Stage size is bigger with a better 3D feel.
Let me sum it up in short, the Pola is more musical earphone, it has better PRAT.
VS AV3 ($340):-
The AV6 jr is a formidable mid ranger with a lot of details and character to it. It has a 3 BA setup with a dual bore system. Where AV6 is on a bit of a musical side the AV3 has a more analytical approach.
The bass is not voluminous, there isn’t much rumble with the sub-bass, lesser air, mid bass is flatter with a hair faster decay speed. The lower end is slightly on the drier side. The transition region has better maintained energy. Mid range is more leveled with good vocals. AV3 has lesser texture, slightly on the drier side. Notes have more depth and are sharper hence the AV3 feels more transparent but definition, imaging and resolution is better with the AV6. It has very good attack and bite. Treble is the same case too, more bite, sharper notes, has very good perceived details but under the microscope it misses out on some micro details. Layering and separation is similar.
Where the AV6 pulls ahead of the AV3 are fuller bass better micro details, control over the notes and more mature and polished notes presentation. All said. If you love your AV3 stick to it. It shows why it is the best seller for Avara Customs.
CONCLUSION:-
Does the AV6 has killer abilities? Does it blow the competition away? The answer is it doesn’t need anything like that. It has a calm head which doesn’t bother about games but likes things precise. Remember the Hannibal smith from A-team? The AV6 is like that. It is not that the AV6 doesn’t like to have fun, but it doesn’t get swept by it.
It is like a surgery equipment, very precise, it does what is needed to be done without over or under doing it. Only thing is it doesn’t have that wow factor to it, it doesn’t bring out the child in us. The AV6 is for the grownups who know that a balance of things is more precious than a wow factor without much precision. It doesn’t go boom or mid forward with lush vocals or sparkly treble, it gets to the point till it’s needed without over expressing itself while maintaining exceptional clarity, definition, resolution, transparency and details.
Does the AV6 have outstanding PRAT? Not really, it has the precision and timing but the rhythm is something which will not make you want to dance. The AV6 is a serious and mature sounding earphone, no BS, none what so ever. It doesn’t like to take things over the head. It doesn’t have that love in first listen kind of Vibe. But gradually it shows its technical abilities, and it is marvelous how accomplished and composed it sounds, the cleanliness, the precision, the notes presentation is very unique.
If you have grown out of your shell you will enjoy the meticulous AV6 like nothing else and who knows it might become your best friend.
