1964 Ears Adel IEMs

is there a way to test if all the drivers are firing in a CIEM. Not sure if there is a software test for this .. Do you guys know?

Listen to a sweeping test tone, something like 20Hz to 20KHz and see if you hear any dips in volume or balance.

frifox said:

  Listen to a sweeping test tone, something like 20Hz to 20KHz and see if you hear any dips in volume or balance.

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thanks. is there a site that has those tones.. do u know ..
 
Found a bunch online ... Thanks for the suggestion

So as I'm waiting for a bang-for-the buck to burn-in (and another mid-tier to come in), look what landed on my doorstep today! It's going to take some time before I give these the proper write up they deserve, but let me say this right now. I jumped into the kickstarter for this IEM almost a year ago. It took a long time to receive these, and I was bit frustrated as Vitaliy and his crew worked their magic in designing and manufacturing these IEMs with some new technology.
 
Vitaliy never told what the sound signature would bee like with the U-12. But having worked with over the years in the purchase of some customs, Vitaliy simply told me that he had no doubt in his mind that I would love the sound signature of 64 Audio's flagship earphone. Although he has never let me down, I was a little skeptical. Why? Well, because I for one didn't buy into the concept of the more BAs used in an earphone the better. And although not 64 Audio, I've heard some multi-BA high-end earphones before that let me down completely. 
 
 
So, for about 30 minutes I have been sitting at my desk with the AKG K3003, Westone W6, JH Audio Angie, and 64 Audio U-12 top-tier earphones in front of me. I adore the sound of the W6. It's one of my favorite earphones no doubt (dynamic or BA). Th AKG K3003 has it moments of brilliance for a hybrid dynamic/BA earphone. The Angie is really quite outstanding with some of the best bass I've ever heard in any IEM. The layers of details always grab me when listening to it (although it can be a bit bulky and tiresome for my ears while on the move, so I tend to just listen to them at home). 
 
But what can I say about the 64 Audio 12-BAs in each ear universal? I can without a doubt say that the U-12 is the most natural sounding and most dynamic multi-BA in-ear monitor I've ever heard (this is no free sample fellas, before someone tries to go that route with me - not that it would matter because I tell the truth about what I hear good or bad). So I always read the enthusiastic debates on whether one well tuned dynamic or BA can compete with multi-BAs earphones on any given day. You know what, that may be true (and I haven't heard everything that's out here). I have, however, heard my great share, and nothing I own that uses a single driver beats the W6, Angie, or AS-2. And based on the sound signature I love, nothing I've heard beats the U-12. From what I know, multi-BAs can and do make a difference. Or maybe I've just picked some well-tuned IEMs. Vitaliy has hit this one out of the ballpark for me. In some ways the Angie comes close (especially with the bass for both of them, although the bass is presented differently in both of them). Yet when considering the the whole sound, the U-12 is quite a bit ahead than everything else to my ears. 
 
Let me add this caveat: if you are someone who likes bright sounding earphones (or for the highs to ring your ears), the U-12 is probably NOT for you. The treble is not lacking at all, but it's not a bight earphone. I would say the sound signature is almost neutral, but with a slight emphasis on mids and bass. But the holographic fullness and imagery of the sound puts this IEM so close to some of the best headphones I've heard. Layers, details and natural sounding are the three key words that keep hitting me while listening. It's expensive (no doubt), but it's worth it if you can come up with the bucks. I almost forgot one thing: it's one of the most comfortable earphones for my ears (way more comfortable than the Angie). More later. 

I would like hear more of the fit and comfort after you've spent some time/days. I hope long session comfort is as good as it is now.

Anyone know how to tell right and left channel with the new mic cables that come with the U series? I don't see any markings, but it appears the cable with the mic is plugged into the right earphone. 

I listened to the track

afghan vet said:

To elaborate on this question of the highs. Utilizing the Bizet track below, I compared the sound between the A6 / FiiO X5ii, Fostex TH900 / FiiO X5ii, A6/AURALiC Vega & Taurus, Fostex TH900/AURALiC Vega & Taurus. 

The A6's on both sources didn't have the attack of the strings, and there wasn't a sound of cymbal crash at the end. There was good midrange sound and the lows were represented, but the highs really make / break this particularly piece of music (to me). I did feel that they scaled well from the FiiO to the AURALiC source/amp. I'm sure it isn't a fair comparison from the A6 to the Fostex, but I wanted to get a sense of the difference in the energy up top.  

Just want to reiterate that I'm not completely dissatisfied with their sound, I just wish there was a little more energy in the higher frequencies......but at the same time, too much would make them obnoxious. So in that regard (too little versus too much), I'm totally satisfied And, I'm very happy with the isolation - driving freeway speeds with the windows down - could barely perceive any outside noise at all. 

I'm looking forward to getting them back - and hopefully the comfort level will be good - so I can enjoy them for hours per listening session. 

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I listened to the track you posted with my A12's. I heard the strings and cymbals fine. I think your original assertion is right, you are used to V shaped unnatural sounding IEMs. The A12's are DEFINATELY more reference with a slight bump in bass, I believe Vitaly pursued a somewhat reference sound with all the A series CIEMs. I am beyond pleased, the A12's are the best toy I own-out if everything I own.

Now back to the music:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi4PmTnLoR8

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LXIWRan3XGY

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M-twENDrwkk

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nrQgaaNJhOE

afghan vet said:

To elaborate on this question of the highs. Utilizing the Bizet track below, I compared the sound between the A6 / FiiO X5ii, Fostex TH900 / FiiO X5ii, A6/AURALiC Vega & Taurus, Fostex TH900/AURALiC Vega & Taurus. 

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Great choice. I have this on 24/96 FLAC from b&w society of sound download. I also like to use Ravel's Bolero to see how ciems handle quiet parts and crescendo..

If u want to see what the highs sound like I highly suggest black metal. It often urilizes a piercing treble that hurts my ears, even with the A12's I tend to EQ the treble downward with black metal.

I am enjoying my new A6 and have posted initial impressions above. I am a CIEM newbie, and need a bit of advise on insertion and fit. After 5th day of diligent practice I can insert and remove the A6 without discomfort. They feel snug but comfy once in. Strangely, however, the sound is rather positional. It is solid and nicely balanced sitting upright but a tad distant and lacking in presence with some source material, deteriorates considerably with lying down or leaning back, and improves appreciably to near bliss when I lean forward! The latter is not practical but definitely adds more bass impact and forward sound signature. I am hoping this doesn't reflect need for a re-fit as they do feel snugly secure, and I am enjoying them a lot (positional quibble aside) and would hate to RMA. I read here that some lube or gel may enhance ease of insertion and even fit / seal. Might the lube produce less sound quality variability with head and body position as well?
 
I will be grateful for any wisdom dispensed to this CIEM newbie. Thanks.

lorywiv said:

  It is solid and nicely balanced sitting upright but a tad distant and lacking in presence with some source material, deteriorates considerably with lying down or leaning back, and improves appreciably to near bliss when I lean forward!

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Have to say, just tried leaning forward and back, made awkward neck movements. Sound never changed, not even a little bit. Only thing I get is some tightness in my ear if I turn my head.
 
Of course it doesn't hurt to ask for help in this thread, but you should also shoot an email to 1964 asking the same thing. Get advice from the people who make these for a living.

bobfiggins said:

   
Have to say, just tried leaning forward and back, made awkward neck movements. Sound never changed, not even a little bit. Only thing I get is some tightness in my ear if I turn my head.
 
Of course it doesn't hurt to ask for help in this thread, but you should also shoot an email to 1964 asking the same thing. Get advice from the people who make these for a living.

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lorywiv said:

  I am enjoying my new A6 and have posted initial impressions above. I am a CIEM newbie, and need a bit of advise on insertion and fit. After 5th day of diligent practice I can insert and remove the A6 without discomfort. They feel snug but comfy once in. Strangely, however, the sound is rather positional. It is solid and nicely balanced sitting upright but a tad distant and lacking in presence with some source material, deteriorates considerably with lying down or leaning back, and improves appreciably to near bliss when I lean forward! The latter is not practical but definitely adds more bass impact and forward sound signature. I am hoping this doesn't reflect need for a re-fit as they do feel snugly secure, and I am enjoying them a lot (positional quibble aside) and would hate to RMA. I read here that some lube or gel may enhance ease of insertion and even fit / seal. Might the lube produce less sound quality variability with head and body position as well?
 
I will be grateful for any wisdom dispensed to this CIEM newbie. Thanks.

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CIEMS if seated properly should never loose seal or change sound signature if you move, yawn or sleep on the back.  This also depends on how the impressions were taken - Open mouthed or closed. I have 2 CIEMS and they never loose seal or change how they sound when i yawn, sleep on back or move my head. You may want to get them refitted . I am assuming Adel's fit shallow than other CIEMS. Just my 2 cents 

bobfiggins said:

Have to say, just tried leaning forward and back, made awkward neck movements. Sound never changed, not even a little bit. Only thing I get is some tightness in my ear if I turn my head.

Of course it doesn't hurt to ask for help in this thread, but you should also shoot an email to 1964 asking the same thing. Get advice from the people who make these for a living.

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Agreed, doesn't sound normal. My A12's do not do this.

DEFINATELY get lube, I use it everyday on my A12's.

When you remove them from your head you can pull tem slightly back(toward space behind your head), and pull the bottom (where the sound tubes are) out first without moving the top much and they should come out easy.

When inserting, put tube into war, roll ciem forward as far as your wrist will go and roll backwards while gently pushing them into your ear canal,

animalsrush said:

   
CIEMS if seated properly should never loose seal or change sound signature if you move, yawn or sleep on the back.  This also depends on how the impressions were taken - Open mouthed or closed. I have 2 CIEMS and they never loose seal or change how they sound when i yawn, sleep on back or move my head. You may want to get them refitted . I am assuming Adel's fit shallow than other CIEMS. Just my 2 cents 

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I partly agree with what you've said, above, in as much as decent impressions go a very long way to minimising the likelihood of seal-breakage, but it doesn't take into account that some people's ear anatomy varies more than average, with varying jaw position, etc.
 
John Moulton acknowledges that there are wide differences in ear anatomy, and it is therefore to be expected that some people will experience more change in the shape (perhaps also size) of their ear canal when lying down (jaw can shift backwards when lying down) than other people experience when lying down, by comparison with the shape of the ear canals when sitting or standing.
 
Obviously, the tighter the CIEM fit, generally, then the less likelihood of the seal breaking, regardless of one's unique anatomy, but there may still be some people for whom the change in ear canal shape may be so great that it breaks the seal, when lying down, even with generally-tight-fitting CIEMs.
 
Having said all that, if LoryWiv's CIEMs are not uncomfortably tight during sitting/standing, then I agree that it might be worth trying a refit, but in that circumstance, I'd personally be tempted to cover my bases and get fresh ear impressions done. Not essential to get fresh impressions, but might increase the chances of success. And, as ever, the oft-mentioned thread about impressions is a worthwhile read.

shotgunshane said:

I would like hear more of the fit and comfort after you've spent some time/days. I hope long session comfort is as good as it is now.

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Hello shotgunshane. So far these are still very comfortable after extended periods of wearing with minimum adjustments in the ear needed.