CCA CA16 PRO: CCA's Multi-Driver Madness
Oi! Mates, welcome to my another IEM review and I hope that you'll enjoying reading my article about the latest product offering from CCA.
As we all know, CCA is a sister company of the overly-popular audio company, Knowledge Zenith simply known as KZ. CCA means Clear Concept Audio, like her sister, they also offer a variety of product ranges on different price point and driver configuration.
CCA send me their current product, The CCA CA16 pro for evaluation. CA16 denotes the number of total of drivers that have implemented on this item, 16 units overall irrespective on type of drivers. In this case CA16 pro have 1 dynamic driver and 7 balanced armatures on each side with a total of 16 drivers.
Like I mentioned about the CCA CA16 pro, It is a multi hybrid driver set-up with one (1) 10mm newly develop dynamic driver that handles the bass and seven (7) "self-developed" balanced armatures drivers for mids to treble response. CCA managed to put up a electronic crossover board on this to configurate every section of audio frequency bands to deliver a less distortion and smoother response.
The shell of CCA CA16 pro is made of polycabonate acrylic with an alloy face plate and its nozzles is made of aluminium to provide solid-built quality and overall sturdiness of the item. Aesthetically-wise, It share similarity form factor with their previous products such as CCA CSN and CCA CA24 which appealingly more on minamalist side which is actually pretty damn good but I have some concern in regards on a choice of putting a font size of the CCA branding on faceplate that gives quite a contrast of overall beauty of the IEM shell, I wish that they make it more smaller. I notice that there are two small (2) vent holes of this unit, one in the helix area and the other is on near at nozzle part, while in the face plate area, there are somewhat ventholes either they are functional or just an aesthetic.
The dimensions of the shells are more in a medium to large size and they are not that hefty in my opinion despite that it has a loaded with drivers inside. For its well-thought on its ergonomic design, I can wear then for a long listening session but the fitting is just average as it didn't seal well into my lug holes as I can hear some external noises outside, maybe another third party eartips can mitigate this issue on fitting issue. As for their connectors they still stuck on the 2-pin QDC type connector which are usually implemented on their product eversince its introduction.
Like its sister company, KZ on their packaging choice, they are quite bare-bones as usual that only essentials are included accessories are included like the pair of IEMs, extra white eartips (small and large size), their new improved SPC white cable with 3.5mm termination, a rectangle circle metal plaque (maybe for a display?) and some paperworks such as warranty card and instruction manuals.
Another good thing of CCA CA16 pro is that they scales well on decent power source as they are easy to drive and in my sources such as my LG phones needs only few adjustments of its volume steps around 30% from zero are already loud enough and presents already a lot of dynamics and details.
When it is comes on tonality, This set is more in V-shape sound signature as it has more elevation and emphasis on bass and treble and more flatter midrange ergo its more musical and fun sounding one that can ba a good all-rounder to most genres.
Here are my observation on the sound characteristics of each audio frequency spectrum.
LOWS/BASS:
The bass is impactful, punchy and has a slam that bassheads will enjoy this kind of quantity bass. If you want to know about its transience capability, this one performs fast and has a quick decay.
The subbass is the focal point on this low frequency spectrum for it really gives that deep, guttural and rumble sound that it really dig on the deepest reach of its low range span. Midbass has an ample texture on its weight note that it give thumping and pounding on a bass kick, earthy and broad sounding of bass guitar and a satisfying deep of a bass baritone vocals. Overall, the bass performs well as the tuner intended to do so for the satisfaction of bassheads.
MIDS:
Probably one of my most nitpicking on pinpointing its deficiency on its general tuning, the midrange quality on CCA CA16 pro. It is a recessed in my liking as it sounds lean and has lack of weight note to it.
Male vocals performs decently due to the body on midbass that syncs well along with the lower mids that adds up a warmth for deep and strong voice, Female vocals on the other hand are deliver a forward, clean, a sense of openess and a distinct clarity. I just notice some oddities and quirks when it comes to vocal-centric tracks (try on some Alison Krauss' and Diana Krall's) that it gives off some weird unexplainable harmonic resonance.
When it comes to instruments, the timbre quality is more leaning towards bright and some sharpness on it. The crunchy and tinny sound of a guitar, the bright and strident sound of woodwinds such as brass and saxophone, the rattling and shuffling sound on snare drums and lastly, a crisp and clear tone of a piano.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The treble of CA16 pro is on the bright side with tons of shimmer and definition with a decent extension of airiness that it gives that sparkle that trebleheads might adher on it.
The elevation and peaks on its uppermids adds more energy and resolution but is some tracks I hear some occasional occurrences of sibilance and a noticeable some slight piercing that may cause some ear fatigue due to a metallic and tizzy sound.
Cymbals sounds glistening and has more sizzle that it might give a splashy sound but its still deliver a detailed and shimmer sound. Hi-hats has that distinct crisp and undulating sound that is audible on the mix. If you are type of listener who loves a bright, a crisp definition of harmonics and airy feeling, this will really suits you.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
My estimation of its sound field dimensions that it has an above average on width, a satisfying depth and decent height. This one if you want to scale its room size on a place reminds of a medium-size bar or pub.
Imaging on this one performs alright..not the best imaging that I've heard but it performs decently as I can able to locate the placements of instruments and singers. It has an ample spacing and gaps of each placement, as well as the layering is present that it doesn't sound congested and compress. Coherency of drivers performs decently but at least I don't encounter some phasing issues.
At the span of few years of the development of Chi-fi industry, we encounter and experience the evolution of the tuning and the driver technologies. And CCA CA16 pro is one of the products of its evolution, has a tons of drivers inside with more improvements of technology such as electronic crossover capacitors as they try to aim on delivering a high fidelity and all-rounder set at affordable price. Do CCA achieve its objective?
For me its an affirmative, CCA did really done a good job on this one.They manage to deliver an all-rounder set that both casual listeners and audio enthusiast will enjoy it.The pricing of CCA CA16 pro is currently around $65/£49 and it is already available on most current e-commerce sites.
SPECIFICATIONS:
MODEL: CCA CA16 pro
IMPEDANCE: 24Ω
SENSITIVITY: 109dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz - 40KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.25M
PIN TYPE: 2-pin QDC type Connector
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNITS: 1 Dynamic Driver + 7 Balanced Armature Drivers
PROS:
- A sturdy and utilitarian approach on its shell design.
- A good all-rounder tuning set.
- A good bass quality and quantity for bassheads.
- Decent technicalities.
- Resolution and detail-retrieval is in its vocabulary.
- Clean midrange.
CONS:
- QDC type 2-pin connector. (I tell it here many times my dislike on this type of connector)
- Recessed mids.
- A hint of harshness and occurances of sibilance in some tracks.
- Bare-bones included accesories inside the packaging box.
Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
P.S.
I am not affliated to CCA nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to thank Jeff Yang for providing this review unit, I truly appreciate on his generosity towards me and other reviewers.
If you are interested this IEM product from CCA, Just check out the link below:
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