Fearless S6Rui-moving fearlessly forward.
Written by ngoshawk
Published 1 minute ago
Pros – A CASE!
Beautiful build.
Very nice cable.
Sound, which is quite enticing.
Good fit and finish.
Warranty/ID card.
An overall very nice sounding IEM.
Cons – Cable may not stay over ear for all.
Some may not like transparency, shiny finish.
Somewhat compressed mids (but holographic).
Not much else, this is a very good unit.
Fearless Audio S6Rui ($389usd).
There was a certain rumble…a rumble of whispers, hushed tones of
talk, permutations of sonic bliss, promenading portends of vicissitudes
regarding a new presence on the block. That new presence was Fearless.
And it was purported to be grand, good and right in the world of
portable hifi. Would that were be my luck extraordinaire, I heard of an
arrangement heading twixt the middle-west of the States, United. Oh
goodness bestowed upon me! How hath I become so lucky? Mine mind made me
wait for it was the mallow of competence. Wait I did. Upon arrival, I
did shed coverings and listen. And it was grand. But…it must faithfully
wait its turn. I did glance ever so slightly towards it as other took
stage of center. Catching mine eye, I blushed as the pearlesque shown
back. I averted glare too much, lest I become embarrassed and fraught
with enchantment. Time would come…time would come…
![[IMG]](https://i0.wp.com/i.imgur.com/J2stPZf.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
Linsoul: https://www.linsoul.com/product-page/fearless-audio-s6rui-IEM
Specs:
Technical Features: 6 BA Drivers, 3-way Crossover, 2 Sound Tubes
Drivers: Micro Knowles Balanced Armature Driver *6, Including Sonion
Dual Bass BA Driver*1, Knowles Mid-Frequency BA Driver*1 and Knowles
Treble BA Driver*2
Sensitivity : 113dB/mW
Impedance: 20 Ω
Frequency Response: 15HZ-20KHZ
Included:
6-driver IEM
Silver-coated 8-strand
Locking case
Shirt clip
Numerous tips foam and silicon
Nice metal ID card/warranty link.
![[IMG]](https://i0.wp.com/i.imgur.com/qDDjuZr.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
Gear used/compared:
All prices in USD, unless noted otherwise:
Oriolus Finschi ($180)
BGVP DM6 ($199)
TFZ Secret Garden ($199)
Thebit Opus #2
Shanling M5s
XDuoo x10t ii/iFi Pro iDSD
Songs used:
Too bloody many to list all, but you want songs, so there you go:
Coldplay-All I Can think About Is You
Coldplay-A Message
Coldplay-White Shadows
Dona Onete-Sonos de Adolescente
Los Lonely Boys- Heaven (en Espanol)
twenty one pilots-Trees
twenty one pilots-Car Radio
twenty one pilots-Heathens
Damian Marley-Everybody Wants To Be Somebody
Damian Marley-So A Child May Follow
Damian Marley-The Struggle Discontinues
Ziggy Marley-Lighthouse
Ziggy Marely-See Dem Fake Leaders
Mark Knopfler-Laughs And Jokes And Drinks And Smokes
Santana w/ Mana- Corazon Espinado
The new twenty one pilots album, Trench
The new Mark Knopfler album, Down The Road Wherever
Initiale:
So began my time with the Fearless Audio S6Rui S6 Pro. A long name
usually reserved for critters of the auto variety in an Italian sense.
“Lamborghini Vento Extraordinaire Speciale,” the list goes on. But with
that long name, there must be the goods to back the talk up. And as
stated above those previous to me have had good things to say about the
S6 (henceforth known as that because, well the other is too long…), with
sound to match its name. Talk of excellent separation, layering, detail
and stage of sound came cruxing through my cranial matter. It was
jumbled, but understandable. I did appreciate those with which I stay in
contact being honest and representing the S6 well. For to them, the
critter was/is grand. And I am here to tell you that if this is the
mid-fi offering from Fearless, I am on board for the TOTL. The S6 is
quite good, and follow this journey to the end for more details…
![[IMG]](https://i0.wp.com/i.imgur.com/b7IsUSk.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
Unboxing:
Coming is a non-descript tan box, the mood is understated, and earthy.
Taking the lid off you are presented with a 64Audio-like case, with
everything inside. Instructions, tips, cable, a fairly unique shirt tie
and the IEM. That’s it. I like the minimalism here. On some, like Clear
Tunes Monitor, the box adds to the overall presentation. On others such
as Fearless, they let the beauty of the cable and IEM speak. I do not
fault either and appreciate both aspects. And at least the boxes on both
are functional and sized appropriately, unlike some of late.
An aluminum “credit card” adorned with the Fearless logo on one side and
pertinent information on the other such as website, contact information
and serial number, lies at the bottom of the case. The person who
constructed the IEM is also listed, a nice touch. With a soft-lined foam
adorning the case, the critter stays well protected. Understated
elegance.
Fit-N-Finish:
The S6 is a looker. The marble-pearled-like cover bears the logo and a
funny “W,” which I am not sure what it denotes. But, beyond that the IEM
is a very pretty unit with which to look. Wrought in silver, the jacks
and cable match the IEM. A white-silver cable of 4-braid variety
compliments the look nicely. With sturdy jacks as well, the feel is one
of not necessarily robustness, but solidity. Quiet strength.
With see-through shells, the innards look quite electric. This look goes
to show just how thin the connecting wires are in some IEM’s. With a
fairly wide bore nozzle (but no lip), tips did stay on well, including
the foam tips with which I spent the majority of time. Striped red or
blue 2-pin connectors were a welcome addition as well. No mucking about
with this, nope.
A polished silver splitter replete with logo (that W…) adorned the
cable, and a slider complete with “Fearless Audio” gives the impression
of royalty. Understated royalty. Not garish, but present, nonetheless.
It looks good, feels good, and has good presence.
![[IMG]](https://i0.wp.com/i.imgur.com/2IOyw9u.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
Sound:
When the S6 first arrived, I was in with another “more fancy” IEM, so I
set the S6 onto my Shanling M3s for burn in. I played it first of
course, and immediately noted something seemed different. An almost
squished-holographic nature was had to the sound. 3D indeed, but a bit
like an hour-glass 3D.
So, I did eventually return to the S6Rui, and we had a grand time during
the write up. Used at first as a comparison tool for others ahead of it
in queue, this alone should speak volumes. The S6 is good. Corazon Espinado
comes through vibrant and full. Rumble is indeed present in the right
amounts a good sign. The dual-bass Knowles doing their job, without
fuss. Carlo’s guitar comes across succinct and crisp. Not TOTL crisp,
but as much as one would hope for a mid-fi entry. At the asking of $389,
the S6 represents itself very well in this department.
Steely Dan’s Deacon Blues, always known for crisp and precise
music, comes across as I remember. Turning the volume up, the vocal
presentation is worth the price alone. Sublime support vocals come
across as expected. The small orchestral support fills nicely intro the
requisite niche. Through the Shanling M5s, the volume goes up (it is a
bit hard to drive the S6…a bit), and the same holds. Cymbal crash is
tight with fast decay. No lingering or muddying the corresponding tone. I
can also sense a rumble, which seems to shake the housing as well. I know this doesn’t actually happen, but it is a nice feeling of envelopment.
The only problem I have is when the sax solo comes on. I had to turn the
volume down as it seemed to grate my ears a bit. This could just as
easily be my hearing sensitivity (it is) as well. Those sounds, which
are more forward and “shouty” tend to be, and while presented properly,
do still bother. That does not hinder my enjoyment at all.
The mids do have a sense of compression as mentioned above (and possibly
other aspects, I cannot tell exactly), and I cannot say it hinders my
experience as that holography of sound compensates well. It is almost
like Fearless included an automatic iFi 3D+ switch, which comes on as
needed.
Running the S6Rui through my current favorite home set up the XDuoo x10t
ii/iFi Pro iDSD combo, gives a very good representation as to how
versatile the S6 is. Stevie Ray Vaughan sounds like he and his band are
giving a concert in your living room. Just a superb representation
without any digital falsity that can happen on some set ups. Moving on
to pretty much any Ziggy Marley song and you just sit back like you are
on a cool beach in the summer. Conscious Party and Lighthouse
separately show the versatility of the S6. The more synthesizer-based
former song plays well with that holographic sound, complete with
vibrant bass and his voice. A strong representation of the song, with
wonderful layering of sound to boot.
Lighthouse is one of my favorite test songs (and just a favorite,
period) for it gives the acoustic side a chance to shine. Supported by
the synth-keyboard, the guitars simply sparkle. Ziggy’s voice cracks
with emotion and I just listen again. A bit more centered in sound,
nonetheless there is as much layering here as the other. Definition is
better as well. Throw in the complexity of strings and you have the
whole gamut. I really appreciate how the S6 represents this song in all
of its earnestness. I am part of the music in this pairing. Just
wonderful.
![[IMG]](https://i0.wp.com/i.imgur.com/M6aNUcO.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
Comparo-galore:
Fearless Audio S6Rui ($389) v Oriolus Finschi ($180):
I will openly admit I really like both the S6Rui and the Finschi. For
the level presented, they are each quite good. The Finschi presents a
solid deep reaching bass-tone with good clarity. This reminds me of when
the Pinnacle P1 came out and was lauded for its overall tonality. But
here, you can clearly hear the steps forward into a much fuller, more
robust sound. I will admit to selling my Pinnacle’s because those highs
grated on me. And here is the flaw I find in the Finschi. That wonderous
bass can become overbearing on some songs, frowning out the laudable
characteristics of vocal presentations while rendering more complicated
sections a bit disconnected. Mind you it isn’t bad, but that wonderful
bass can get in the way.
By comparison, the S6 has less bass quantity but much better control.
And because of that control you do not lose the clarity. So, while the
Finschi is quite good, and one of the best for the price in my opinion,
the S6 betters it by having the overall control locked in much better.
Fearless Audio S6Rui ($389) v BGVP DM6 ($199):
This is another where you could justify spending on the DM6 and just
stop. You would be satisfied, and I am amazed at the availability of
quality IEM’s at this price. Where even just two years ago quality at
the $50 IEM seemed to set the tone, the audiophile world has moved into
the mid-fi range as the defining level. The sub/near-$200 IEM now sets
the tone. And as such, you would be hard pressed to better the DM6. Yes,
the DM7 is now out (look for @b9scramblers review coming soon), but the
DM6 is about as good as it gets. I was flabbergasted at the level of
refinement in the DM6, even compared to the Finschi. Clarity rules the
roost here, but with less bass quantity. Vocals could be called sublime
as opposed to just competent. But they are. You really get into the
musician’s head with the DM6, and while good, sometimes you just want to
sit back and enjoy rather than be a part of. And here is where the S6
steps ahead. The presentation of that sound is marvelous, and hard for
pretty much anything under $200 to best. The DM6 is fabulous for what it
does: present a very solid fit-n-finish tied to an extraordinarily
solid sound but lacking that impact of the others.
Fearless Audio S6Rui ($389) v TFZ Secret Garden ($199):
Quoting from my Secret Garden review: So, through all of this
anticipation, waiting, procrastinating and finally writing what did I
find? Well, that the TFZ SG is a pretty decent offering in a very
crowded field. Listening to Ziggy’s We Are More as I scribe this
summarizes quite well my feelings/findings about the SG. Our ears ring
so true, but money don’t make the world a better place. Listening is the
definitive way to understand a manufacturers intent, for it is through
their product that we garner impressions, desires, wants, needs, and
displeasures. Happily, the SG falls into the first set and does a quite
decent job at doing it. And interesting take on an IEM worth a listen.
The SG is quite good at the price but has recently been surpassed by the
likes of the Oriolus Finschi, the BGVP DMG (and 6 & 7), and the
Fearless line. That does not mean it isn’t still good, for it is. Simply
that technology is passing by so fast, that what is considered good
today, may well be adequate tomorrow. Witness the Pinnacle P1, once
lauded as the answer below $200. Now it has been surpassed by
three years of technology and innovation. The same holds here with the
SG. But in most cases, those companies produce “new innovative” IEM’s to
replace the “old” unit. Which is a shame, for the SG is good in its own
right and should be considered.
Against the Fearless though, it simply cannot compete. The bass is
tighter, the sound is wider, more articulate and overall the S6Rui
presents a more pleasing package, especially when you throw in that
almost holographic sound. The SG could be considered the cousin who
wants to be like the older more successful cousin. And in that regard,
it is still quite good. It simply cannot compete here, as one would
expect.
![[IMG]](https://i0.wp.com/i.imgur.com/spYGml3.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)
A word about sources:
I found the S6Rui to be multi-dimensional with regard to source.
Running the S6 through my MBP/Burson Fun set up, that “lack of bass”
came through with enticing sound. I did not miss the low end, as the
Vivid OpAmp brought into play what could be perceived as missing. With
the XDuoo x10t ii/iFi Pro iDSD I achieved the same results, but with
better clarity as one might expect what with the transport XDuoo and
iFi. It was a superb set up, and one in which I spent the majority of my
time. I could REALLY get used to that sound (and did). As for portable,
my venerable Shanling M5s has become my go to. I love the Shanling
sound and her it came out in full glory. The pair seemed made for each
other, and if I had a commute by public transportation, this would be in
my regular rotation. Heck it would BE my rotation. So, the S6Rui is
indeed multi-dimensional and worked across platforms. Some better but
all were good. That cannot be said for some IEM’s.
Finite:
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, technology and innovation(s)
change very quickly. Spurred on by the SE Asian market and companies who
want a slice of the IEM/portable market you see companies come and go
almost weekly. That is a shame, for we rarely have time to slow down and
enjoy what we have. Rarely do I get to listen to what I want on the IEM
I want, when I want. That said, I do get to sneak in listens as part of
the review process. I am not the “most famous,” nor the highest up the
food chain. But my queue bubbles over with worthy items and as such I
need to choose what competitors will pair well with the item tested. And
it is here where the Fearless will fit in. For you see, there is a
whole lineup of worthy IEM’s from which to choose. Based upon others
verbiage, the lineup is good, very good.
If the $389 S6Rui is any indication of what lies within the lineup, then
they will become a mainstay of my comparisons, and for those
none-too-often times when I can just sit back and enjoy. That is the
place in which the S6 has earned in my corral…worthy of inclusion of
both sets of the equation. It is quite enjoyable just to use as I sit
back and listen, and that does not happen with many of my IEM’s between
the queue, and here is where the S6Rui will sit, as that one to stop and
enjoy, so that I may collect my thoughts before moving on to the next
review. I enjoy it and will continue to do so.
I thank Lillian from Linsoul Audio and Fearless for sending the S6Rui.
It truly is a remarkable little critter, and well worth a look in the
sub-$500 IEM market.
![[IMG]](https://i0.wp.com/i.imgur.com/M6aNUcO.jpg?w=768&ssl=1)