Pros:
• Neutral balanced tuning with great details
• Spacious sound stage and spatial imaging
• Punchy bass and mid-bass response
• Technical and organically balanced
• Sparkle and shimmer are desirable for treble heads
• No amp required
• Mids offers rich textures and exceptional tonality
• Incredible details retrieval
• Fast attack and decay performance drivers
• Intimate and engaging vocals presentation
• Spacious sound stage and spatial imaging
• Punchy bass and mid-bass response
• Technical and organically balanced
• Sparkle and shimmer are desirable for treble heads
• No amp required
• Mids offers rich textures and exceptional tonality
• Incredible details retrieval
• Fast attack and decay performance drivers
• Intimate and engaging vocals presentation
Cons:
• Bulky build can feel weird on fitting. Consequently, customize fitting for this model is available.
• Price tag is not for everyone.
• Price tag is not for everyone.
I would like to give my thanks to Marlowe Cruz for giving the Philippine circle of reviewers a tour of ADV products. Special mention to a co-reviewer who made this tour possible also, Adrian Yambao. For more details on this product, please visit this link
https://www.adv-sound.com/products/m5-12d-universal?_pos=1&_psq=m5-12d&_ss=e&_v=1.0
https://www.adv-sound.com/products/m5-12d-universal?_pos=1&_psq=m5-12d&_ss=e&_v=1.0
DISCLAIMER:
I did not buy this product. It was provided as a review unit for the Philippines reviewer circle tour. Manage your expectations as what works for me, might not work for you. We all have different perception when it comes to sound.
My Background
I am a gigging musician on the keys and saxophone. I do live streams with my band, some studio work, mixing and mastering and musical directing/arranging. I listen to a lot of genres as my work requires me to be versatile. And how I listen to music is critical for me. I am no pro in this hobby. I am still on the learning curve on the terms. Still I hope you will find my reviews informative and helpful.
INTRODUCTION
As my second review on ADV’s TOTL line up, a comparison between 6D and 12D is to be expected. The 12D is the technical brother of 6D. For more information on 6D check my review here. https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/adv-m5-6d.25406/reviews
12D’s target market is for mature listeners and audiophiles. Hence its neutral balanced tuning. If you consider yourself belonging to this class, do read on.
LOOKS and OUTER APPEARANCE
The 12D looks and feels like its twin brother, the 6D. Big and chunky yet light. Both are made of medical grade acrylic. Do check out their promotional video here. The 6D has a more transparent design while the 12D has a white print on the outer part of the shell.
TREBLE
Trebles are sparkly and with shimmer. 12D’s configuration is purely BA’s, a tamed treble is expected. Hi hats and cymbals are well defined and lively. They never felt shouty and sibilant free. Treble heads will be pleased. Though on Bombtrack by RATM, I felt the cymbals a bit piercing. This is due to my own preference as I am not a rock head kind of guy. Trebles are still very open here albeit the BA configuration.
I did not buy this product. It was provided as a review unit for the Philippines reviewer circle tour. Manage your expectations as what works for me, might not work for you. We all have different perception when it comes to sound.
My Background
I am a gigging musician on the keys and saxophone. I do live streams with my band, some studio work, mixing and mastering and musical directing/arranging. I listen to a lot of genres as my work requires me to be versatile. And how I listen to music is critical for me. I am no pro in this hobby. I am still on the learning curve on the terms. Still I hope you will find my reviews informative and helpful.
INTRODUCTION
As my second review on ADV’s TOTL line up, a comparison between 6D and 12D is to be expected. The 12D is the technical brother of 6D. For more information on 6D check my review here. https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/adv-m5-6d.25406/reviews
12D’s target market is for mature listeners and audiophiles. Hence its neutral balanced tuning. If you consider yourself belonging to this class, do read on.
LOOKS and OUTER APPEARANCE
The 12D looks and feels like its twin brother, the 6D. Big and chunky yet light. Both are made of medical grade acrylic. Do check out their promotional video here. The 6D has a more transparent design while the 12D has a white print on the outer part of the shell.
TREBLE
Trebles are sparkly and with shimmer. 12D’s configuration is purely BA’s, a tamed treble is expected. Hi hats and cymbals are well defined and lively. They never felt shouty and sibilant free. Treble heads will be pleased. Though on Bombtrack by RATM, I felt the cymbals a bit piercing. This is due to my own preference as I am not a rock head kind of guy. Trebles are still very open here albeit the BA configuration.
BASS
Bass heads might stay away from this one. Compared to 6D, 12D has a mature sound. The lack of rumble on the sub-bass is noticeable. However bass and mid-bass response is desirable. Punchy, clean and tight. Fast attacks and decays and no bleeds here. Bass department never felt congested on busy tracks. Listening to Daft Punk’s Fragments of Time gave me well-balanced drum kicks. Bass guitars felt rich and thick but not bloated.
MIDS
Mids are the star of the show here. Lush and well textured. Elements that are laid back on 6D are forward here. As a detail freak that I am, this is beyond pleasurable. As a pianist/synth player, instruments like piano, Rhodes, organs, brass sections, strings, chromatic percussions, bells are my roles. And 12D offers much details and resolution on these instruments. 12D is gratifying for the mid-centric.
VOCALS
The human voice never felt so engaging like this. Both male and female articulations are detailed and intimate. Many times, it felt like I’m listening to the artist up front in a recording studio. I imagined myself to be right in front Diana Krall on her East of the Sun, in a jazz club. Honestly, she sounds so good I didn’t want the track to end. Anyone who loves vocal tracks, regardless of genre, will deeply appreciate this one.
SOUNDSTAGE AND IMAGING
A common trait shared by 12D and 6D. to avoid redundancy, I will quote my statement from my review on 6D.
“I used to think that sound stage is merely just a bonus among IEMs. M5-6D changed that. Without proper sound stage and imaging, what we hear in a musical track can possibly be all over the place. M5-6D offers a very generous sound stage. Instruments never felt congested because of this. I can say that this is one of 6D’s key strength. Be it studio recorded or live recorded performance, sound stage is superb here. Marlowe Cruz provided and proposed some well mastered tracks. One of this is an album from Balmorhea. An instrumental album, full of different lushfull instruments. Banjos, authentic pianos, guitars, cellos, violins, flutes, percussions, timpani, and many many more. Mostly acoustic instruments. All sounded astounding and organic. Instruments were naturally placed, and the has a place of its own. It gave me a new level of listening pleasure.”
TONALITY
Reference grade tonality here. Instruments are well presented on different frequencies. Diana Krall prefers her pianos warm while Jamie Cullum loves his bright and tacky pianos. The 12D delivers true without any additional color.
TIMBRE
Instrument definition is on point/accurate here. They sound as truthfully as they should.
FITTING
Another exact same attribute shared by 12D and 6D. Allow me to quote myself again.
“So now we come to one of 6D’s unconventional part. The fitting is not bad at all. But it felt weird for me on the first day. This is subjective. Though the shell build, given its size, is not heavy at all, the fitting is not perfect. The nozzle fits just right though. It holds pretty well for a big a** IEM. It never fell off my ears nor did my ears pushed it out. Safe to say the 6D is suited well for stationary listening rather than on-the-go or live performances. ADV offers ear impression on this model for a customize fit.”
PACKAGE
As a review unit, I did not get the original packaging. Not that I’m complaining. Check out the official product link provided above. It comes with the essentials and much more like a cleaning cloth and brush to maintain your gorgeous IEM.
Here are some TRACKS that I used for reference. Allow me to share you some notes I’ve taken. My playlist consists of jazz, reggae, alternative and classic rock, soul, RnB, top 40’s, and some billboard top charts. My apologies in advance to metal heads. Don’t fret, my mates from the Philippines circle of reviewers have some exquisite taste on metal music. Stay tuned for their reviews on ADV product line up (BA2, BA3, 6D and 12D)
1. Fragments of Time by Daft Punk – offline FLAC 24 bit
2. My Future by Billie Eilish – Apple lossless 24 bit ALAC
3. Holocene – Apple lossless 16 bit ALAC
4. Peel me a Grape by Diana Krall– Apple lossless 16 bit ALAC
SOURCES AND GEARS
VERDICT
Right off the bat, I knew the 12D is aimed for hard core audio enthusiasts. The 6D remains the king for consumer taste and casual listening. For the technical and analytical audience, the 12D is unprecedented. For those who loves mids and vocals, this one is a true keeper. Again, the price tag is not for everyone costing 300$ more compared to 6D.
Honestly, I find the trebles a tad bright, especially on rock genre. But then, this is just me. Over all, the 12D remains true as ADV claims it to be balanced neutral. Technically capable in every aspect. The lack of rumbles on bass will leave bass heads hanging. But then again, we all have our own preferences. The mystery still lies on how your ears will perceive.
For its price, a personal audition is a must. The 6D is easier to appreciate for the consumer market.
Bass heads might stay away from this one. Compared to 6D, 12D has a mature sound. The lack of rumble on the sub-bass is noticeable. However bass and mid-bass response is desirable. Punchy, clean and tight. Fast attacks and decays and no bleeds here. Bass department never felt congested on busy tracks. Listening to Daft Punk’s Fragments of Time gave me well-balanced drum kicks. Bass guitars felt rich and thick but not bloated.
MIDS
Mids are the star of the show here. Lush and well textured. Elements that are laid back on 6D are forward here. As a detail freak that I am, this is beyond pleasurable. As a pianist/synth player, instruments like piano, Rhodes, organs, brass sections, strings, chromatic percussions, bells are my roles. And 12D offers much details and resolution on these instruments. 12D is gratifying for the mid-centric.
VOCALS
The human voice never felt so engaging like this. Both male and female articulations are detailed and intimate. Many times, it felt like I’m listening to the artist up front in a recording studio. I imagined myself to be right in front Diana Krall on her East of the Sun, in a jazz club. Honestly, she sounds so good I didn’t want the track to end. Anyone who loves vocal tracks, regardless of genre, will deeply appreciate this one.
SOUNDSTAGE AND IMAGING
A common trait shared by 12D and 6D. to avoid redundancy, I will quote my statement from my review on 6D.
“I used to think that sound stage is merely just a bonus among IEMs. M5-6D changed that. Without proper sound stage and imaging, what we hear in a musical track can possibly be all over the place. M5-6D offers a very generous sound stage. Instruments never felt congested because of this. I can say that this is one of 6D’s key strength. Be it studio recorded or live recorded performance, sound stage is superb here. Marlowe Cruz provided and proposed some well mastered tracks. One of this is an album from Balmorhea. An instrumental album, full of different lushfull instruments. Banjos, authentic pianos, guitars, cellos, violins, flutes, percussions, timpani, and many many more. Mostly acoustic instruments. All sounded astounding and organic. Instruments were naturally placed, and the has a place of its own. It gave me a new level of listening pleasure.”
TONALITY
Reference grade tonality here. Instruments are well presented on different frequencies. Diana Krall prefers her pianos warm while Jamie Cullum loves his bright and tacky pianos. The 12D delivers true without any additional color.
TIMBRE
Instrument definition is on point/accurate here. They sound as truthfully as they should.
FITTING
Another exact same attribute shared by 12D and 6D. Allow me to quote myself again.
“So now we come to one of 6D’s unconventional part. The fitting is not bad at all. But it felt weird for me on the first day. This is subjective. Though the shell build, given its size, is not heavy at all, the fitting is not perfect. The nozzle fits just right though. It holds pretty well for a big a** IEM. It never fell off my ears nor did my ears pushed it out. Safe to say the 6D is suited well for stationary listening rather than on-the-go or live performances. ADV offers ear impression on this model for a customize fit.”
PACKAGE
As a review unit, I did not get the original packaging. Not that I’m complaining. Check out the official product link provided above. It comes with the essentials and much more like a cleaning cloth and brush to maintain your gorgeous IEM.
Here are some TRACKS that I used for reference. Allow me to share you some notes I’ve taken. My playlist consists of jazz, reggae, alternative and classic rock, soul, RnB, top 40’s, and some billboard top charts. My apologies in advance to metal heads. Don’t fret, my mates from the Philippines circle of reviewers have some exquisite taste on metal music. Stay tuned for their reviews on ADV product line up (BA2, BA3, 6D and 12D)
1. Fragments of Time by Daft Punk – offline FLAC 24 bit
2. My Future by Billie Eilish – Apple lossless 24 bit ALAC
3. Holocene – Apple lossless 16 bit ALAC
4. Peel me a Grape by Diana Krall– Apple lossless 16 bit ALAC
SOURCES AND GEARS
VERDICT
Right off the bat, I knew the 12D is aimed for hard core audio enthusiasts. The 6D remains the king for consumer taste and casual listening. For the technical and analytical audience, the 12D is unprecedented. For those who loves mids and vocals, this one is a true keeper. Again, the price tag is not for everyone costing 300$ more compared to 6D.
Honestly, I find the trebles a tad bright, especially on rock genre. But then, this is just me. Over all, the 12D remains true as ADV claims it to be balanced neutral. Technically capable in every aspect. The lack of rumbles on bass will leave bass heads hanging. But then again, we all have our own preferences. The mystery still lies on how your ears will perceive.
For its price, a personal audition is a must. The 6D is easier to appreciate for the consumer market.
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