The Low End Moves Up.........
EQUIPMENT
Topping a50s Headphone Amplifier
Xduoo MT-602 Hybrid Tube Headphone Amplifier (Sylvania 5654 Tubes)
SMSL Sanskrit 10th MK2 DAC
iFi Hip-Dac
BGVP W01 Tips
Cable: NiceHck 16Core HPC, NiceHCK 4n Litz Silver
Sources: Flac Files From my Personal Collection / Tidal
SPECS
10mm dual magnetic dynamic *1 Customized 30095 balanced armature* 1
Frequency Response: 20-40000Hz
Impedance: 22.5Ω
Weight: 26土3g
Sensitivity: 112dB/mW
Cable material: Silver-Plated Cable
NOTES
The CCA CSN employs Hybrid Driver Technology, using 1x Dynamic Driver and 1x Balanced Armature per side. This is a departure from it's sister company KZ whose DQ6 uses 3x Dynamic Drivers. It presents a V-Shaped sound signature but is not aggressive in this regard. CCA has used a few tricks to differentiate themselves from so many cheaper hybrids these days by for example moving the BA drive further into the housing as opposed to mounting it directly in the nozzle. This combined with definite attention to tuning has resulted in a surprisingly good listening experience, in particular when price is taken into consideration. The CCA CSN presently retails for just $16 USD. The CSN was easy to drive and should work well on a variety of devices.
BUILD QUALITY & FIT
Build quality is very good with good weight. The CCA CSN does appear bulky, compared with the DQ6 for example, but fit was good and secure even if the earphone did tend to stick out somewhat. The included accessories was bare bone, as with other lower end KZ and CCA products. Included is a generic cable and one three sized set of soft tips. While initially the stock tips fit well enough, after tip rolling it was revealed that the BGVP W01 & tips were superior for fit and overall sound. The CCA CSN is bulky but fit was not much of an issue. The CCA CSN did stick out more than other recent earphones I've looked at when seated in the ear but again this wasn't an issue unless you sleep with your earphones in your ears.
:SOUND:
BASS
Bass goes deep and is impactful. There is sub and mid-bass emphasis here but it is not overwhelming in the overall picture nor is there undue bass bleed into the midrange. There is some added warmth to the mids but not distracting by any means. When called for the CSN can give a powerful bass output. Speed in this frequency range, and price range, is good but does not stand out. Where the CCA CSN falls a little short is in definition. Massive Attack's "Angel" & Wayman Tisdale's track "Circumstance" highlight the CSN's ability to reproduce good quantity bass output , but also it's lack of overall definition and detail when compared to dare I say a dialed in KZ DQ6. The reproduction of texture in the bass notes falls short. Still the CCA CSN does have bass that carries the music along being smooth and coherent.
MIDS
Slightly recessed with good clarity and quite smooth. The CCA CSN is not about showing all the micro details, but presents a smooth and pleasing midrange with some emotion. There is more a focus on the macro details here. Transients are handled well but not in a standout fashion. There is some softness to the leading edge of transients when compared directly to more expensive earphones such as the Heart-Mirror and TRN TA1, but still good at the CSN's price point. Upper mid glare and sibilance are thankfully mostly absent, which imho is a big plus. Timbre is pleasant if not class leading. The midrange on the CSN are easy to listen to for long listening sessions. Tuning in this part of the frequency range is on the safe side overall.
TREBLE
The treble on the CCA CSN has average extension but better clarity than many other earphones in this price range. Treble energy is reduced as compared to the KZ DQ6, but the CSN's composure & resistance to sibilance is better. Sparkle and air are average but the overall definition is admirable. I know I've used this word frequently in this review, but the CSN's treble is "smooth" and should not turn off even treble sensitive listeners. On Ronny Jordan's "Vanston Place 12am", all the elements are there and clearly heard without the undue overemphasis heard in so many earphones in this price range. Detail retrieval is average, still the overall presentation of the treble is easy to enjoy. Another safe tuning effort by those at CCA.
IMAGING & SOUNDSTAGE
The CCA CSN throws up a decent soundstage though far from 3d. Elements are stable within that stage as well. It is very easy to pick out sounds within the stage. Layer separation is good for the price range as well with complex tracks having their layered musical elements east to pick out of the mix. This is not a KBear BElieve level of layer separation, but at 1/7th the price, this isn't expected. Width is greater than height or depth, but the imaging does not leave the music feeling closed in at all, just at a smaller venue than some class leaders.
VERSUS
- Senfer DT6
Both earphones have an overall smooth, balanced presentation with good coherence and driver integration. The sound on the DT6 is a little richer or more dense but detail and clarity of each is comparable. The mids are somewhat warmer on the DT6 while being more laid back on the CCA CSN. Treble is a closer match with he DT6 having more air and sparkle with a touch more detail. That being said, I did find the treble on the CSN more pronounced and neither had issues with sibilance. Imaging is where the DT6 is clearly superior with a greater sense of stage in all directions.
- KZ DQ6
This comparison became difficult as I really only "Dialed In" the KZ DQ6 (BGVP W01 Tips, Yinyoo Tin Plated Copper Cable, Topping a50s Amplifier) leading up to this review of the CCA CSN. Bass is a win for the DQ6 with slightly higher bass output when called for, but combined with better detail and speed in that frequency region. "Angel", "Inertia Creeps" and "Butterfly Caught" by Massive Attack illustrate this very well with the details in the bass just being more distinct and sounding better controlled on the DQ6 vs CSN. LTJ Bukem's track "Journey Inwards" also highlights this difference in bass quality. Moving up to the mids things are more even with both having similar presentations. Slightly recessed with a smooth character and a focus on macro vs micro details with good clarity. If anything the better overall top to bottom smoothness of the CSN does make the midrange sound comparatively more "Liquid" vs the DQ6 but less alive and energetic. Treble is more pronounced on the DQ6 with a greater tendency towards sibilance at times. This was mitigated to an extent with careful tip/cable/source selection, but listening to them stock this was readily apparent. Treble on the CSN is safer with more control and less emphasis. Treble clarity of both is comparable even though the DQ6 uses a dynamic driver and the CSN a Balanced Armature for treble duties. If anything the treble is tighter on the CSN vs the DQ6 though. Overall the KZ DQ6 sounds more alive than the CSN which has a comparatively laid back presentation.
Pick your poison.
CONCLUSION
The CCA CSN has much more going for it than against it. If a smooth operator is what you are after in this price range, the CCA CSN may be just what you are looking for. it is very exciting to see how much performance can be had these days for the price of a meal for two at McDonalds. Champagne on a Beer Budget is becoming a reality. The CCN is also pleasingly coherent and balanced with nothing out of the ordinary calling attention to itself. It is very easy to listen to and has the technical prowess to really make the music engaging. This is a great feat at this price range. Long listening sessions are a pleasure with the CCA CSN as there are no jagged edges to it's sound nor any surprises. This "safe" tuning may turn some people off who are looking for something a little more exciting. This is not what the CSN is about. It is about offering an even keeled picture of the music with just enough details to maintain your interest and smoothness to sooth.
The CCA CSN gets a definite recommendation. For $16usd it should be on anyone's short list for an earphone in this price range, and even a little higher.
Comentarios