Anyone been able to hear the Microlab 6c, 7c, 8c and 9c side by side?

Alexrose1uk

Alexrose1uk

Alexrose1uk

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Currently I have the 6c, and love them very much, having used a stereo amp and proper bookshelf speakers for years, I realise the limitations, but also how relatively good these are for the price I paid for them.

Since seeing the 8c earlier today, the little audiophile inside me has woken up again, and is feeling slightly tempted, my stereo amps are all in use, as are my bookshelf speakers, and I'm sure I can find a home for my 6c.

I read a review a few years ago regarding the 7Cs and it seemed to suggest they're more of the same over the 6c, just a bit bigger and punchier, so not really worth the upgrade unless you need it. The 8Cs have tempted me however with the further increase in power, and the seperate mid-range driver. Has anyone heard them side by side and could comment if it's a noticeable improvement, or would I simply be getting more power again, as with the 7c? I do note both the 7c and 8c have a slighty better rated bass response.

The reviews I've seen for the 8c do seem very positive, but they don't give me much of a comparison to compare against.

I run them off a Fiio E17 + E9 DAC/AMP combo, so I'm running a relatively clean source.
 
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I don't really see the point in upgrading these if you already have better setups within your home.

Either sell everything and have one uber setup or don't bother spending money on small performance gains within a range of systems.

Also fiio are good on a budget but they aren't that great either when it comes to bigger budgets.

I was looking at the E17 to use with my phone and possibly with other things in future such as the TV for movies, etc.

I opted just to start using my ipod touch with a LOD and a cheap £20 topping NX1 which outperforms the Fiio E11 (which costs 3 times as much).

I think the best source for under £200 is the AUNE T1 (only costs £100-£120). Fiio are probably best for the under £100 bracket but once you near the £100 mark your better off spending the extra £20. Fiio are being put under the kosh now by many companies such as AUNE, Topping and Lepai. Schiit are another example as are CMOY, EPH, etc they are now struggling to compete with new asian products offering better or similar sound at a cheaper price.

Do you use headphones and speakers? What is the point of this system? Gaming, music or movies or a combination?

Why don't you use your other setups for these things?

I don't see the point in spending decent money for very little gains in performance over what you have now tbh. They will be better but if your searching for a real improvement I would start from scratch and replace everything including your source.

Aune T1 can be used for both "active speakers" and headphones (32-600ohm). The DAC inside it is amazing which uses the tube, it's USB only though so you cannot use optical, etc. The RCA inputs are only for use with the headphone amp which is the weaker part of the system.

An upgrade from the AUNE T1 would be the NAD D 7050 (£800) which can power passive speakers as well as headphones. The NAD D 3020 (£400) has a poor headphone output so that is an option if you don't use headphones at all or much.
 
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The amps and bookshelf speakers I have I do not have the desk space for, my other half will not like the clutter on the desk, and the speakers are either in use in the AV setup in my lounge, or by my family elsewhere, which is why those are a no go.

I am not merging the systems together because my AV setup and PC setup are in different rooms with different functions, and different qualities.

I already have the E17+E9, and yes they've probably been surpassed by now (in fact I'd hope so), but I got the E17 when it first came out and was raved about and one of the best things in it's price range at the time, as per Head-Fi, and it's been solid since then. I do not have any major issues with it so haven't felt the need to upgrade this component, not to mention it's nice and small which saves any issue with my other half complaining about clutter in our PC room.
I remember looking at some of the Aune and Lepai options at the time.

I primarily use the speakers, however I do use head/earphones now and then; I've got Goldring DR150s and Sennheiser HD280Pros and IE7s, although I tend to use them less than I used to as I don't need to. The setup is used primarily for gaming and music, with a little TV/Movie now and then, but not too often as I have other avenues for that.

As it stands, I should be able to sell the 6C (they're the original version) for a reasonable amount, and thus the outlay for the speaker upgrade wouldn't be too costly. The additional inputs would potentially be handy in future as well, as I tend to recycle kit (part of the reason I'm also considering the 9c for the HDMI input etc).
A complete system replacement would be far more costly (and I have other costs over head right now such as a wedding), likely messy and also incur risking the wrath of the other half, so not worth contemplating right now.
 
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If you want a boost then get the 8c or 9c.

I would also look into selling the fiio gear too tbh and upgrading that (you may actually make money doing that). Your Fiio kit is approx £210 new (could be sold second hand for £120+) and the AUNE T1 is (£100-£120).

The AUNE T1 can be used with RCA out to active speakers. The only downside is that it's USB only DAC.
 
I'll take a look into it if the other half doesn't hang me, she's techy herself, but gets a little frustrated by 'upgraditis'. I take it the headphone amp and speaker output on the Aune T1 should rival/outperform the Fiio setup I have? Times like this I wish local sellers had things like this so I could actually take a listen :)
What's the lifespan like on the tube for the Aune T1? I have to bear in mind the amp would be going into a pretty warm room, and if I have to replace the tube every few months I may go mad!

I hope my logic makes a little more sense now. I am not debating buying the 7c, I simply include them as I have heard comparisons made between these two sets.
 
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It's just that having several setups scattered throughout your home doesn't seem like an efficient use to me that's why I asked that question.

If you only plan on using this setup with a PC then a USB only DAC like the AUNE T1 is no issue.

If it is then the AUNE X1 has every input you could think of but you may be better off looking at other options, the main advantage of the T1 is tube rolling to suit you and the sound you prefer.

Tubes are rated to last around 10,000 hours. At 2 hours per day that is 5,000 days.

Tubes aren't that expensive either for decent ones your talking £10-£20.

You can go mental though and spend £50-£100 on them too if you really want.
 
Thanks for the info. The Aune X1 probably would suit me as I don't typically use my kit with anything other than the PC, that said looking at ebay resale prices, not sure I'd make my money back selling.
 
The biggest improvement would probably be SOLO9C. Apart from bigger and better, separate drivers also great connectivity. As for SOLO6C you can stick them in the MM for sale, I've currently got the Edifier R1600T but am intrigued to find out how they compare with the Solo6c so will pick them up soon either new or used ;)
 
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Yes, its the 8 or 9c I'm interested in, 8c for the price and freebie for the wifey, 9c because of the extras (oomph and HDMI).

Will bear that in mind regards MM ;). I have the original 6Cs for reference.
 
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Do you know how good the 6C are in comparison to other highly regarded active £50 -£60 speakers?

Such as edifiers?

I really need to find something cheap and decent to replace my gym hi-fi which died on me
 
Well, I could be wrong here but I'd heard the 6cs rivalled/beat the Edifiers at the same price, back when the 6cs first turned up around 2 years ago. Slightly different sound signature mind.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
Do you know how good the 6C are in comparison to other highly regarded active £50 -£60 speakers?

Such as edifiers?

I really need to find something cheap and decent to replace my gym hi-fi which died on me
Click to expand...

This is part of why I plan on buying the 6C. From what I've read Edifier R1600T are better for all round use where as Solo6c are suited for music. For a small to med sized room the R1600T will be more than adequate volume wise and meet your needs. The same could be said for the Solo6c though and they will have a slightly better bass response due to a larger driver.
 
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