Sleek Audio SA1 High-Fidelity Siam Rosewood Earphones

by Sleek Audio

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 0.9 x 0.3 x 0.4 inches ; 0.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002XISRJ8
• Item model number: SA1
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 15, 2009

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The SA1 continues Sleek Audio's pursuit of improving the way people enjoy the music they love. It boasts an award winning VQ tuning system, wireless compatibility, and adds a new look to Sleek Audio's lineup with its beautiful Siam rosewood body.

The SA1 offers more than incredible sonic performance and style; it is also designed to fit comfortably for both men and women unlike any other in-ear earphone. Whether you’re exercising or relaxing on a flight you won’t have to worry about these earphones falling out.

Rosewood Housing for Rich Sound and Solid Bass

The SA1 delivers stunning clarity and a bass impact you can feel thanks to our custom tuned, first-of-its-kind 6mm. driver and patented VQ tuning system. This driver delivers incredible performance for its size thanks in part to the SA1’s Siam rosewood body. This wooden body provides more than a beautiful look; it offers the unique resonant features that create the naturally balanced sound signatures of the SA1.

VQ Tuning System for Fully Customized Audio

The reason a loudspeaker may sound great in your living room and horrible in your garage is acoustics. The ear is not any different, and the environment varies for every person. The VQ System lets you make the necessary corrections easily.

The SA1 utilizes a custom tuned 6mm driver capable of delivering the bass impact found in drivers nearly twice are large. The SA1 also allows you to customize the sound with a modified VQ tuning system.

The VQ system, similar to Sleek Audio's SA6 model, allows you to adjust the frequency response of the earphones to match your individual sonic preference using two treble tip options. The detachable cable then allows you to choose whether to go wired or wireless using Sleek Audio's award-winning, Kleer CD quality wireless system (sold separately). Lastly, the flange options and treble tip diameters makes allow these earphones to fit comfortably in virtually any ear.

The SA1 has interchangeable parts for a fully customized listening experience

Product Description

The evolution of personal audio continues with the SA1. Boasting many if the same award winning features of the SA6, the SA1 offers Sleek's patented VQ tuning technology at an affordable price. A stylish Siam rosewood body encases the custom tuned 6mm dynamic driver for stunning clarity and bass impact you can feel. The VQ system allows the user to tune the earphones to match their individual sonic preference, and the patented detachable cables allow the SA1 to go from wired, to wireless and back again using Kleer CD quality wireless technology.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Sound, Poor Build Quality(UPDATE!) (UPDATE 2) (UPDATE 3), December 27, 2009

By 

Nicholas Burklow - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sleek Audio SA1 High-Fidelity Siam Rosewood Earphones (Electronics)

THIRD UPDATE: 8/12/2010 (the final update)

So they sent me two replacement sets of earphones when my last pair broke. I have now had one earbud on each go out. From what I can tell, they had a quality control issues. See quoted text from an email conversation I had with them:

"Unfortunately we really cant give you an upgrade do to our booing and inventory logs. But i can assure you we have revised the quality control process for the SA1s and this should be your last replacement you need. We are working on a redesign that should be released in 2010 so if you run into issues again we will happily replace it with the new design."

My replacement unit has showed up and the build quality is noticeably tighter. I have run them through a burn in time of 100 hours and the sound quality is superb as well. Knowing that they are moving manufacturing back to the USA, and have tightened up quality control, I no longer have a problem recomending these to anyone. They are simply some of the best dynamic driver (micro driver) in ear monitors you can buy. The user replaceable cable alone sets them apart from others in this price range (IE the Klipsch S4's). And the sound quality is better than anything in its price category. Get a set know. I am moving my rating up to 4 stars based on the improvments that Sleek Audio have made, and the fact that their customer service is outstanding. If you ever do have a problem with these headphones, you won't have to worry about dealing with any shady business to get your issues taken care of. They are prompts and respond to email very quickly.

Personally, my only issue with these is fit, due to the fact that I have pretty small ear canals. I have switched to comply foam tips and that did the trick for me. The bass is still there and I get a nice seal with those tips. I just wish Sleek included them with the headphones. Its a pretty cheap fix though.

SECOND UPDATE: 1/23/2010

Read below, then pop back up to this part...

After receiving both my replacement pairs, the first ones I took out of the package only worked for two days again. This time, when ever I insert the right earphone it has a crack as if the driver is blown, and I know I didn't overdrive them, as I would probably be deaf if I had. I have not even tried the third set and plan on returning them. Shelley in there customer service department has been wonderful to deal with, but these just are not going to work out for me.

I can't seem to get the fit right either. I usually need the smallest ear tips, but with these the small and medium dual flange tips keep coming off inside my ear. More than once I had to pull them out with tweezers. Not fun. The sound, when I was able to use them, was decent for a micro driver, but hearing it back to back with my ultimate ears super.fi 3 studio's it doesn't compare to a well balanced armature. You can pick up a rebranded 3 studio that says altec lansing on it (UHP336) right now for $39 with free shipping, my suggestion is to give those a shot first. They sound better, fit better, and so far have lasted longer for me.

Overall, I have come to the final conclusion that these in ear headphones are just OK. Nothing amazing, and nothing my set of Sennhieser CX-300B's can't do. And for less money, the Ultimate Ears (branded as Altec Lansing) sound better and fit better. They also have a replaceable cord, which is the entire reason I got the SA 1s in the first place. Buy with caution.

REVIEW:

I purchased these and received them in just three days. I pulled them out of the box, along with the optional W1 Kleer Wireless system from Sleek Audio and was surprised to find ZERO printed documentation. I figured it was on their site. I was wrong. I have emailed the company to find out if I can get a manual (not that I need one or headphones, but the W1 wireless system does require some special operations). I have not heard back, but it is the weekend so I will see what happens on Monday.

I used the headphones while the W1 was charging, and after find the ear tips that fit best and putting in the bass tuning ports, I was VERY pleased with the sound that they produced. They sound every bit as good as headphones twice their price. They come with a nice carrying case as well as six different types of ear tips and both treble and bass tuning ports. You should be able to find a combination that fits your ears physically and sonically.

The HUGE problem I ran into however, was on day two. This morning I was doing some cleaning and thought that it would be good to use them while vacuuming to see how well they block out outside noise. I put them in my ear and the left one felt a bit odd. I pulled it out and realized that the metal end had separated from the rosewood body. I assume this is a fluke and that most of the SA1's shipped will not have this problem. But I am still stuck waiting for a replacement. As mentioned above it is the weekend, so I may very well post a follow up later in the week once I have heard back from their customer service.

As far as the W1 wireless unit goes, I will be returning it. The near loss-less audio, that is lag free, sounds super, but the dongle you have to wear around the back of your neck is heavy enough to pull the earphones out of my ears, and it catch the back of my neck when I turn my head which also dislodges one of the earphones. I had planned on using this while cycling on a dedicated path, but not now.

As the title says, the quality of sound both the wireless and the headphones put out is amazing. Well worth more than Sleek is charging. However, the practicality of the wireless unit and the questionable build quality of the headphones is cause to look at the competition.

UPDATE: 1/16/2010

So I am under the impression that my incident was an isolated one, and in dealing with Sleek Audio I have received nothing but the absolute best customer service! I provide customer service for a tech company myself and my dealings with Sleek Audio have been a pleasure. They are prompt to respond and handel issues in a very professional manner. I called the other day to double check on my return shipment headphones and the lady I spoke with was unable to track down a tracking number or shipment information (even though she was pretty sure she had mailed them out the day before.) With no complaining from me, she then decided that she would just two day air me a pair to make sure I got a set. I thanked her and we hung up. About 15 minutes later I had an email confirming the shipping along with a tracking number. About 10 minutes after that I received another email stating that she had indeed mailed the first pair off, but not to worry about it and to keep both. AMAZING! Now don't go expecting them to replace every pair with two sets, but in the instance it was very nice of her to take such good care of me.

Based on my short period of listening to the headphones (then going back to both my cheap ass skull candy in ear headphones, and a low end in ear Sennhieser model) I can say these are WELL WORTH THE MONEY! And if my new set breaks I have no worries that I will quickly and easily be able to get the item replaced. I will update again once I have a little more listening time in. In the mean time I have updated my review to 4 stars as I feel these are excellent headphones, but may have some long term reliability issues. Only time will tell though.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great sound and design for under 100$, but beware!!!!!!!, December 20, 2009

By 

benmanship (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sleek Audio SA1 High-Fidelity Siam Rosewood Earphones (Electronics)

These earbuds are simply amazing. Great build, nice look, and amazing sound. Seriously the best sound I've had for under 100$. I recently had my Sennheiser buds stop working due to the wire failing. These were 20$ cheaper than those and sound much better. Plus you can change the wire out for about 15$ if it ever breaks, not to mention you can purchase the wireless kit and go from wired to wireless with ease. Go for it, you'll love them.

update: well i take it back. After 2-3 weeks of daily commuter use the left ear piece only works intermittently and i've lost 3 different earbuds because they come off so easily. Also one of the speaker screens fell off already. They LOOK nice but they fall apart really easily. Too bad cause i really liked the sound and look. I'll be returning these and looking for something that is more durable. It's like these were designed to be used at home only. I have to drop it from 5 stars to 2 due to a poor quality build and the fact that they stopped working correctly already.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible build quality. (Updated Jan 2012), May 12, 2011

By 

Samuel Fine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sleek Audio SA1 High-Fidelity Siam Rosewood Earphones (Electronics)

The sound quality is incredible, but the build quality is horrible. Unacceptable for headphones at this price. I've gone through 4 cords in two years, and not because I don't respect the equipment. My most recent cord was used exclusively at my desk, and was kept gently rolled up in its case when not in use. I've lost three cords due to fraying by the jack (and my current cord is starting to fray there), but my most recent cord just gave out around the left earbud plug. Plus, the adjustable earbud tips and earbuds themselves have excess glue. It's too convenient that these headphones come with a replaceable cord, and the cords just happen to have the worst endurance of any headphones I've ever used. I had a lousy pair of $10 Skull Candy earbuds before these, and that cord is still solid as can be.

I'm incredibly disappointed. I want to love these headphones, but I can't recommend them for the simple fact that you'll be buying replacement parts for years to come. Spend your money elsewhere.

- - -

JANUARY 2012 UPDATE

The metal front half of the earbuds - not the top, the entire front half - has detached from the wooden back half. I've resorted to super gluing the two back together for the time being, while I look for a replacement pair of earbuds. Definitely don't buy these.