[average_joe]

The Trips are very different than the Reference according to Marc.

 

[tf1216]

  The Trips are very different than the Reference according to Marc.

Joe is correct, the Livewire monitors are completely different than what Alclair is currently offering.

 

[alpha421]

Thanks for the correction.  I'm assuming the difference other than the obvious BNC connection on the Livewires is with the tuning and/or drivers (never quite understood why Marc wraps the drivers for concealment).  

 

[lwells]

Thanks for the correction.  I'm assuming the difference other than the obvious BNC connection on the Livewires is with the tuning and/or drivers (never quite understood why Marc wraps the drivers for concealment).  

You don't think the wrap has any sonic benefits?

I'm not too familiar with the forces involved with balanced armatures but I would think it might be helpful in the reproduction of higher frequencies.

 

[alpha421]

Until confirmed otherwise, IMO, the wrapping of the drivers is to cover up the driver model/brand like some amp builders do when they sand off the opamp brand/type.

 

[lithrai]

I don't think Marc wraps the drivers for concealment. I can clearly read brand and model number of midrange driver inside both shells of my RSM Quads. And all drivers are wrapped with some tape. There must be another reason for this. But maybe I'm mistaken.

 

[yancem]

I had the Livewire Trips, which I'm not 100% if it's still tuned the same with the same drivers and configuration as the Reference, but if it is, the 4A is a better sounding ciem in terms of wider stage, and better micro details.  The only area that I recall that the Reference may had bested the 4A is with bass quantity.  I recall the 4A sounding much more musical over the Trips.  I hope that helps some.

Thanks for the info but as it turns out my wife had mistakenly put them in a different bag and I came across them yesterday. So excited I didn't loose them.

 

[lwells]

Thanks for the info but as it turns out my wife had mistakenly put them in a different bag and I came across them yesterday. So excited I didn't loose them.

You must be releived!

You should still get some Alclairs and do a comparison for us. I think you "have to" now.

 

[yancem]

You must be releived!

You should still get some Alclairs and do a comparison for us. I think you "have to" now.

I'm actually very tempted to but it's going to take some convincing of myself to spend another $700 on ciems when the 4A's are sitting in my ears as I type!

 

[Denio]

As I didn't find many reviews online about Alclair Reference CIEMs I have made a short YouTube review where I talk about my experience and my thoughts on SQ and build. I know it is not the Master series model, but could be interesting anyway. I hope this will help someone.