The term "GT" generally refers to high performance, whether it's a sports car or a smartphone. Anything with "GT" in its name tends to stand out as something extraordinary, but... it also tends to be more expensive! Take for example the GT600, a super flagship earphone featuring "sports car concept", "carbon fiber shell", and "12-drivers tri-brid" technology, priced at a whopping 25999RMB (3499USD). Actually, this earphone had a bit of buzz in the first half of last year, but later cooled off in the market for a while due to the need for cable updates and upgrades. The review unit I received this time is equipped with a completely new upgraded cable, representing the full refreshed version. Meanwhile, the CP622B, also showcased at the Haifan show room, attracted a lot of attention. I was actually a bit puzzled by this, because when I first listened to the GT600 and the higher-priced Alpha Ti, they left a deeper impression on me than the CP622B, even though the CP622B is more comprehensive and of higher quality. It seems like the atmosphere and tension brought by the GT600 are more to my taste. Plus, the GT600 is much more comfortable for my small ears.
When it comes to fitting, I've always paid close attention. Upon learning that the unit configuration is 4 electrostatic + 6 balanced armature + 2 dynamic drivers, what initially amazed me was its housing. Honestly, headphones with a lot of units don't usually have a "short" housing, so to speak. Unfortunately, my ears are on the shorter side, which means I feel some pressure when encountering housings that protrude and elongate at the back. The GT600, on the other hand, is probably the most comfortable among the super multi-unit architecture and super flagship realm that I've come across. Plus, the carbon fiber material is also very lightweight. As for its "black knight appearance," it may seem somewhat understated. In this era of flashy designs, it may take some time to appreciate its quality. From a market recognition perspective, it may not be so popular.
The review sample that was sent to me didn't come with retail packaging, so I couldn't showcase it to everyone. The leather case, though, mimics a carbon fiber pattern, which complements the housing well. As for the ear tips, I found that most of them are "short column wide mouth tips," which reminded me of the Adastra Oasis in a similar scenario. From a pairing perspective, perhaps the manufacturer deliberately chose these to reduce the thickness of the low frequencies and highlight the details. However, for the GT600, I don't really mind how the ear tips are paired. Its dynamic and emotional sound signature, despite having four electrostatic units, makes it suitable for listening to pop music. This super flagship, in my hands, leans more towards the "everyday" side. Additionally, it's quite easy to drive, so I didn't have any trouble choosing from the various sources I had on hand.
Let's briefly describe the overall listening experience of the GT600. Firstly, in terms of imaging and positioning, its soundstage resembles a full, rounded sphere, which is completely different from the "elliptical soundstage" of headphones that excel in classical music. The width, height, and depth proportions of the GT600's soundstage are very "round," giving it a chubby and pleasing visual impression. In terms of overall tonality, it leans towards neutral with a slightly warm and relaxed feel. Regarding the distribution of energy across the three frequencies, I believe the midrange is slightly emphasized, with similar quantities in the low and mid frequencies. The high frequencies, on the other hand, maintain thorough reproduction while reducing "processing artifacts," resulting in a non-aggressive sound without any sibilance issues.
As we all know, headphones in the top tier generally portray their own styles to increase recognition and capture users in their respective fields. Recognized as "comprehensive" and "balanced," they typically remain fixed. However, for some users who have clearly defined their own "listening preferences" and want to explore flagship models that cater to their preferences, it may not be clear whether the flagship they have purchased fully meets their needs. Therefore, for the GT600, if you are expecting a comprehensive and balanced experience, I don't actually recommend blindly aiming for it. Instead, consider choosing a similar-level option like the CP622B, which is more likely to provide sufficient enjoyment across various types of music.
The highlight of the GT600 lies in its mid-to-low frequency range, where the coexistence of vocals and bass gives it a unique charm. Among its peers, it excels in reproducing popular vocal music, creating a harmonious and warm atmosphere with emotional delicacy. Interestingly, despite its warm and full-bodied nature, female vocals don't sound overly matured. Instead, they are emotionally expressive and possess a balanced tone that appeals to both female and male vocal ranges, making it versatile in various genres.
The GT600's bass response, like many multi-driver headphones, offers diverse interpretations. Each brand and model presents a unique rendition of the low frequencies. For example, some headphones emphasize depth and reverberation, while others focus on smoothness and detail in the midrange and high frequencies. In the case of the GT600, its bass can be described as "large and blocky," neither too soft nor too hard, delivering high-quality bass with a dense texture and adequate atmosphere. However, it may not satisfy those seeking a more thread-like bass layering.
Considering the proportion of high-frequency drivers in the GT600, the high frequencies are expected to be dense and luxurious. However, in terms of ultra-high frequency performance, there seems to be room for improvement. While the overall quality, including subtle details and overtones, is excellent, there's a slight lack of extension in the ultra-high frequencies, which can be compensated for by using the included spiral wide-mouth ear tips or by switching to brass ear tips for a brighter and more extended treble response.
In terms of sharpness, the GT600's expression of strings and pianos is not particularly sparkling. Its high frequencies are full-bodied, healthy in brightness, and naturally balanced. As for pairing options, I recommend two setups: using the 4.4mm balanced output of the KANN ULTRA with high gain to enhance the extension of the ultra-high frequencies, or pairing it with the R8 II to create a grander atmosphere. In either case, the GT600 performs admirably in the high-frequency range when paired appropriately.
To sum up, the GT600 is a flagship headphone that doesn't feel "itchy" to listen to. It offers comfortable sound quality, particularly for vocal-centric music, and can handle fast-paced electronic, Western, and rap genres with ease. It's unlikely to lead you into any "misconceptions" in terms of pairing or versatility. The only consideration is whether you prefer a flagship that is both "rich" and "soothing" or one that emphasizes detail and angularity. If it's the former, then the GT600 is a bold choice worth considering.