I am writing this review in hopes to help anyone who, like me, have been quietly lurking around these forums for info on 1964 ears.
My background:
I am a musician. I make dance/techno music, I sing, and I've played drums for over 30 years.
I have played through every type of PA system. From complete crap to House Of Blues great. Monitoring has also run the gamut from simply wearing my earplugs to Clair Brothers pristine.
As for IEM's, I have owned the Shure E1, and Westone UM1 (both the old square beige versions) with custom sleeves. My current monitor rig is the Audio-Technica M2M with the EP3 ear buds. I also own the Ultimate Ears SuperFi 4vi and V-moda Vibe Duo for the iPhone.
For comparisons, I have extensive use of the Sony MDR-V700 and AKG K240M headphones.
Build:
My 1964-Q's are perfect. The color is great. I had the recessed plugs and the logo too. Everything is flawless. The fit is also perfect. My audiologist didn't have any bite blocks, so I used my driver's license (which is 2") to keep my jaw open. There are no seal issues. I do like the gel a lot. A drop on the end of my finger, give myself a slight wet willie and they twist in effortlessly.
Sound:
Let me reiterate that I not only make, but listen to a lot of dance music. I like a lot of low end thump. I love the meatiness of the Sony MDR-V700's and the V-Modas. They have lots of bass, but are fairly clear at the same time. Alternatively, I think the UE SuperFi 4vi's as well as my Audio-Technica EP3's have zero bottom. Neither sound BAD, just sort of flat and lifeless.
The 1964-Q overall sound is among the best I've ever heard. There is no muddiness to anything. They'll give me the thump I like, but they're also vastly clearer than any of the other IEMs or headphones I've used. There is simply a great openness and clarity to everything I threw at them. Detail-wise, I would even put them up against my beloved Event 20/20bas studio monitors as well as the Mackie HR824's and even the ridiculously expensive Adam S3A's that I've had experience with.
What I am most impressed with is how full and clean everything is at really low volumes. There is just as much punch to pounding techno anthems at library-quiet volume as there is at ear splitting stadium levels.
Some examples of my initial "test" music (in no particular order):
Scooter - Jumping All Over The World
Erasure - Nightbird
Kraftwerk - Minimum Maximum
BWO - Big Science
Pet Shop Boys - Yes
Exile (the japanese band) - Aisubeki Mirai e
and from the softer and more dynamic side of things...
Simply Red - Stay
Swing Out Sister - Where Our Love Goes
Michael Franks - One Bad Habit
Engelbert Humperdinck - Gold
Regardless of genre, dynamic range, or any other variable I can think of, I never find myself feeling anything is lacking. They just sound utterly fantastic.
I am right in the middle of a project where I am tracking vocals and have been using the Sony headphones. The signal path is a Neumann U87 or AKG 414 through an API 512c pre, into a Summit Audio TLA-50 tube leveler, directly into Pro Tools.
Again, nothing I am throwing at these is making them flinch. These are a lot more comfortable for long sessions than headphones. More importantly, it pretty much removes headphone bleed into the mic. A sheer delight in the studio.
Customer service:
Customer service is fantastic. I tried to leave them alone while they were building them. I did send one "checking our progress" email. I received a phone call from Vitaliy himself with the update. There were zero snags or problems with any aspect of having mine made.
For the impatient, keep in mind you are having completely custom, hand made, unique to you and you only, top quality, in ear monitors made by a VERY small group of increasingly busy people. I waited 21 business days from payment, which is MORE than reasonable considering what you are getting. They are WELL worth the wait, and the wait isn't that bad. Comparatively, I waited 11 MONTHS for my DW drums back in 1990!!!
Conclusions:
Much like my DW's, I bought these "blindly" without hearing them or knowing anyone who had. I did a good bit of prior homework to narrow down choices based on the usual price, looks, etc. I paid full retail and went through the same process as everyone else.
The 1964-Q was the best money I've spent on any music gear as of late. They look great, sound great, feel great. Without any hesitations, I say they are a home run in every aspect. I can not recommend them highly enough!!!
