Softears Enigma VS Fir Audio RN6

Youtube Video Summary

Softears Enigma comes dressed to impress: a lavish multi-layer unboxing with neatly organized compartments, UC/foam/silicone tips, a premium leather travel case, cleaning tools, an aluminum earpiece model, and even a build-it cube with screwdriver. The package includes a soft-touch cable marked “Enigma” and an Effect Audio ConX cable for swappable terminations. The shells look exquisite under a glass cover, and despite a larger 6.4 mm nozzle, the fit settles into a deep seal that’s comfortable for hours with average isolation. It’s a 12-driver tribrid (2DD+6BA+4EST) priced around $3,699, and it absolutely presents like it.

Tonally, Enigma lands balanced—call it neutral with a slight bass boost and a pronounced mid-range focus. Bass is a standout for its clean, tight, and textured delivery: fast attack, medium decay, and enough weight to add fullness without stealing the spotlight. The mid-range takes center stage with natural timbre, proper note weight, and excellent vocal rendering—male voices get a touch of warmth while female vocals feel airy and extended. Treble is detailed and precise with a hint of sparkle; turn it up and it can edge slightly forward, yet it stays non-fatiguing and keeps the whole tonality in check.

Technical chops are firmly top-tier: effortless resolution, exceptional separation and layering, and above-average yet natural soundstage with precise imaging—even dense tracks remain micro-detailed. Versus the Elysian Annihilator 2023, Enigma is the more balanced, mid-centric listen (clean, supportive bass; refined treble) while Annihilator swings v-shaped and “fun” with bigger bass/treble emphasis. Recommended for listeners who crave mid-range clarity, realistic timbre, and endgame detail across genres; not ideal for bassheads, v-shape seekers, or those wanting overly warm/lush vocals. Final verdict: 4.5/5—near-perfect coherence and detail with a mature, musical balance.

Youtube Video Summary

Fir Audio RN6 brings a six-driver recipe and a limited-edition flair to the tour, dressed in satin black aluminum with a sapphire-glass faceplate and that signature grill exposing the Kinetic Bass dynamic. The stock cable behaves like a less-stiff Code 23, build feels solid and low-profile, and comfort clicks once the right tips are locked in. Priced at an eye-watering $3,300 and capped at 300 units, the RN6 aims squarely at “Stratos-Fi” territory.

On tuning, the RN6 plays it balanced: bass has punch and some rumble but is the tamest of its siblings, not delivering the full “feel-it” effect promised by Kinetic Bass—especially versus NE4 and the poster-child XE6. The midrange is clean with a touch of warmth, pushing vocals center stage while keeping instruments neatly spaced with plenty of air. Treble is energetic, sparkly, and crisp, lifting detail and openness, but may bite for treble-sensitive listeners given the lighter low-end masking. Technical chops are where it shines—imaging, layering, and a spherical sense of stage width/depth make parts easy to pinpoint without turning clinical; it’s revealing yet still musical. Versus Neon 4, this is the more detail-forward, vocal/treble-emphasized choice, though a little extra sub-bass weight would sweeten the deal. It’s trivially easy to drive. As a package, RN6 sits a step above Neon 4 on presentation and refinement, but the “gotta-have-it” factor isn’t unassailable at this price, with alternatives offering similar flavor at lower tiers. Still, for those craving a clean, airy, vocal-focused flagship with strong technicalities, this is a compelling—if costly—ticket.