radiohead7 said:

  I am going to pull the trigger is it worth it to buy both the u6 and the u10 because of the price or am i going overboard and do not need the u6.I guess what i am trying to say is it worth owning the two or is u10 that much better than the u6 and thats all i need. I was considering buying a pair of a12 at 15% off which would have been 1700 plus 40 shipping. At 1400 i get two at a lower price but do i need two. I am thinking outloud.

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I had already purchased the U6 on the summer sale and decided to go with the U10 on the Massdrop Sale. I already have the A12's but wanted a set of Universals. After I compare them both I can always sell one. I also purchased a U3 on the summer sale first before the U6, but I am going to sell it as I prefer the U6 after hearing them both.
 
The U10 at the Massdrop price is just too good a deal to pass up. I purchased it with the B1 module. For anyone purchasing these I definitely recommend choosing the B1 module over the S1 module if available. If you don't have the option and you have to take the S1 you will likely want to add a B1 or MAM (or possibly G1) to get the most out of them.

radiohead7 said:

  I just purchased a pair of U10's. I think as much as i wanted to buy a pair of customs this was a deal i could not pass. The U series gives me the opportunity to try them without and i could resell them if i did not like them which i would find hard to believe given the reviews.  The U 10's of the 1964 website are 1400 retail- 25%=$1050+30 shipping and no tax with a grand total of $1080 vs Massdrop $800 Plus tax 7% plus shipping $8= $864.  $864 Divided by $1080+= 0.80 or other wise a 20% discount over the website sale.  The U12 retail $1600-25%=$1200+$30 shipping no tax =1230 vs the Massdrop U12 $1000 plus 7% sales tax +$8 shipping=$1078. $1078 divided by $1230= 0.88 rounded or otherwise a 12% discount over the website sale. The U6 retail $900-25%+30 shipping no tax=$705 vs massdrop $600 plus 7%tax and 8 dollars shipping=$650. $650 divided by 705= 0.92 or a 8% discount over the website sale/
 
U12 massdrop actual saving vs 1964ears sale 12%
 
U10 massdrop actual saving vs 1964ears sale 20%
 
U6 massdrop actual saving vs 1964ears sale 8%
 
It would appear that the U10 is the best value unless my math is off.

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And I thought I ran a lot of math on this 
 
Another way to look at it is the U10 are around 43% off of retail with the Massdrop deal. That is an amazing deal. I couldn't resist even though I have the U6/A12s and for the moment U3s.

Hello again everybody,


I would like to address something that maybe at times overlooked by some listeners. I am referring in this case to output impedance. It is extremely important that when choosing an iem one chooses the proper device to drive said unit. Output impedance of an amp, dac, or phone plays a big role on frequency response. Choosing the proper amp can make the difference of loving or hating the sound signature you end up hearing.

For those who say the A/U12 is very "veiled" and lacks detail with the S1 module I can with certainty say that you are probably listening to your A/U12's through a very low output impedance source. In the case of the A/U12 this gives more bottom end, higher low mids, and slightly dipped out high mids/highs. Remember though this depends on the design and tuning of the iem... believe it or not some iems behave the opposite way around when being driven with higher and lower output impedance sources. The A/U12 inherent design is such that mating them with a higher output impedance will give the proper "reference" frequency response. They will no longer be so bass heavy and have a much more transparent top end.


I would like to point out that some people prefer a darker and bass heavy sound... which can be very appealing with certain content as well as not fatiguing when listening at loud volumes. A CHORD Mojo would be a perfect amp/dac for those who enjoy that type of sound and own some A/U12's. Some people prefer a flatter "reference" sound signature... one that has more transparent high mids and highs and maybe not so much inflation in the low mids and mid bass. A higher output impedance amp/dac would achieve such results for those listeners.


I believe its very possible that many of you that say the A/U12's sound "veiled" and that the B1 module fixes the veiling issue are using a low output impedance amp/dac and are compensating with a B1 module to bring down the bass and low mids... Which is what the B1 module was designed for. Thus balancing out the inherent response of the A/U12's through a low output impedance amp. For those who believe the A/U12 sounds "veiled" with the S1 module simply changing over to a source with a high output impedance will give you the desired sound signature... all without swapping modules. For some it's easier to swap a B1 module in instead of output source and that's a perfect solution as well.

Here is a comparison of the U12 through two different output sources. One with a low output impedance (CHORD Mojo). And one with a higher output impedance (USBPre 2). Notice the seesaw effect between switching from one source to the other.

Some of our products, the 12's being one of them, were designed for stage and studio use. Live performace and studio gear typically have higher output impedances. Thus the 12's need a higher output impedance if you're searching for a more transparent sound signature. Forgive me if I sound redundant at times I just wanted to explain the effects of output impedance for everyone to understand. I hope this helps you guys achieve the sound signatures you search for



EDIT: I apologize, in the image it says the USBPre 2 is 30 ohm output impedance... It's actually 22 ohm. Excuse me for this minor mistake.

Videl - thanks for the explanation.  I would have to question why 64Audio went this route though when:
 

• Most people investing in an IEM like the U10/U12 are going to be using separate DAPS or source/amps
• Most DAPs and source/amp combos these days are designed inherently to be very low impedance solely so that they don't mess around with impedance curves.  Conversely most IEM designers are designing IEMs for low output impedance sources (higher end esp)

 
The way you' guys have done this is pretty much contrary to most other manufacturers.  It simply means to most of us that we won't get a reference signature.  I doubt many of us would go out and get a specifically higher impedance source - just to meet the 64Audio tuning.
 
Hence why many of us are valuing the MAM / B1 module rather than the S1.
 
It doesn't make a lot of sense really.  How many DAPs or sources do you know with a 30 ohm output impedance?

I can't comment on all design aspects of our products. I can, however, say that not all of our products are this way... including the tia which was tuned the other way around.

A lot of our products were designed for stage use. Live audio and studio gear typically have higher output impedances.

brooko said:

   
It doesn't make a lot of sense really.  How many DAPs or sources do you know with a 30 ohm output impedance?

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Totally agree with you Brooko. I find the U6's to actually have a somewhat better tuning than my A12's although I haven't been able to do a side by side yet as my A12's are back for the 3rd time, this time for a reshell, due to fit issues. I sent in new impressions this time so hoping this is their last trip back. I can't really blame 64 Audio for this, perhaps my first set of impressions weren't optimal, but the cost and time shipping them back and forth versus being able to enjoy them is frustrating.
 
My chain for most my listening is Roon -> Sonic Orbiter SE -> Schiit Gumby -> Violectric V281 -> A12's / U6 for IEM's. I also have some other options including an Onkyo DP-X1. At least with the Onkyo and Neutron Player I can EQ the A12s to improve things, but I have no EQ capability on my primary chain (the EQ on the native music app for the Onkyo is terrible with any IEM or Headphone, Neutron has an excellent EQ, albeit with a crappy interface).
 
I also purchased a balanced all copper cable, but found it makes the bass too muddy on both the A12's and U6's even with the MAMs. If anyone is not a cable believer they should hear my custom cables versus the factory cables. I'm not mentioning the maker of the cables since it's not their fault, the build quality is excellent, they are just a really bad pairing with either of these IEMs. I ordered a Norne Therium balanced cable that I am hoping will be a much better pairing, but I haven't received it yet.
 
I need to give them more burn in and listening time, but I do feel they missed the mark a bit with the tuning of the A12's.

krayon said:

  Just had the chance to use my new U6, am very impresed. Anathema's Weather System album, (which is my benchmark of how good an album can sound), sounds amazing. Am really smiling right now.
Great job 64Audio!!

Currently using the double flange tips, i just couldn't be comfortable with the comply, so i ordered the Ostry OS100,
 
Again,great job guys.

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Hi Krayon,
 
I know this is an older post but I happened to come across it when looking something up in this thread a couple of weeks ago. I happened to pull up this Album in Tidal after seeing your post and I can't thank you enough for the recommendation. I've since ordered the CD as well. I'm listening to other albums in their collection and really enjoying them. I will warn others that their earlier works from the 90's are metal if that's no your thing, but after 2000 the band took a turn towards Progressive Rock and I definitely recommend the above album as a starting point. I am also listening with my U6's and they sound excellent. I was also just listening to Porcupine Tree's album "In Absentia" and it sounds phenomenal with the U6's. One of my go-to albums, since you shared yours is Steven Wilson's "The Raven That Refused To Sing And Other Stories." The opening track "Luminol" is my go-to when I first start evaluating IEM's, Headphones, Amps, or DACs. Lots of dynamics, excellent symbols, piano, etc. make this a great track for evaluating gear. 

Quite keen to see the results with an impedance adaptor now.  I have a 75 ohm at home, but suspect that may be a little too much.  Should be a bit of fun anyway.
 
64Audio were also kind enough to loan me their demo U10 to compare with my U6 - and I'm really enjoying it so far.  Seriously considering either jumping on the Massdrop or asking if I can simply buy the demo unit off them.

Since there are a number of new soon to be U series owners here due to the Summer Sale and Massdrop, I thought I would mention my favorites tips for the U series. I read about them in a thread on Head-Fi (don't recall if it was this one or another one) and wish I could give a shout out to whoever first mentioned them. They are by Ortofon and can be found at B&H in the US.
 
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1038121-REG/ortofon_e_q5_silicon_eartips_silicone_eartip_set_for.html
 
They fit the U series tube perfectly without obstructing the bores at all. The material is quite soft not only for the flange, but also for the sleeve that goes on the tube. Since the tubes are already pretty large, I find this helps as other tips I have tried are not nearly as comfortable due to the sleeve material.
 
I can't say I have 100% comfort with the U series due to the large tube, but these are the best I have found so far after fairly extensive "tip rolling."
 
I also found the Comply TS-200's to be pretty good, but found they made my ears itch with longer listening sessions. If anyone knows of a solution for that I'd love to know it. It might just be a matter of breaking my ears in.
 
Sound with the Ortofons and my U6's with MAMs is excellent.

brooko said:

  Videl - thanks for the explanation.  I would have to question why 64Audio went this route though when:
 

• Most people investing in an IEM like the U10/U12 are going to be using separate DAPS or source/amps

 
...
 
It doesn't make a lot of sense really.  How many DAPs or sources do you know with a 30 ohm output impedance?

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Brooko,
 
Like Videl, I can't speak to how the products were tuned as I focus on other aspects of 64 Audio's product design... but bear in mind that most of our customers are professional stage musicians whose equipment isn't quite the same as modern audiophile gear... higher output impedance values are more common for wired and wireless body packs, mixing gear, etc.
 
We actually see many musicians purchasing U-Series products for stage use as they have the freedom to share gear (especially in churches and houses of worship), the price point is lower, and some actually prefer the fit versus customs.
 
 - Chris

brooko said:

  Quite keen to see the results with an impedance adaptor now.  I have a 75 ohm at home, but suspect that may be a little too much.  Should be a bit of fun anyway.
 
64Audio were also kind enough to loan me their demo U10 to compare with my U6 - and I'm really enjoying it so far.  Seriously considering either jumping on the Massdrop or asking if I can simply buy the demo unit off them.

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Please let us know if you find something that works. I briefly tried the UE Buffer Jack and while it cured the hiss I get from my V281 with the A12's it also seemed to decrease the overall sound quality. iFi is supposed to be coming out with a solution that may work, they just announced it recently.
 
Here is a quote from @twister6 in another thread:
 
"Returning back to our discussion about Zeus-R hissing with some of the sources, and considering we already established that basic impedance adapters reduce the hissing while also degrade the sound quality and switching to a different cable will not help, there is a new possible solution on the horizon from @iFi audio: http://www.head-fi.org/t/814317/ifi-launch-competition-closed-what-the-heck-is-it/90#post_12795744 "

Chris is right... the sennheiser and shure body packs commonly used in the industry have higher output impedances. This is why the 12's were designed the way they were. The 12's were designed for stage musicians, singers, performers, as well as for studio use.

I would also like to point out that the U4SE was specifically designed for the audiophile as will future products such as the tia.

brooko said:

 
64Audio were also kind enough to loan me their demo U10 to compare with my U6 - and I'm really enjoying it so far.  Seriously considering either jumping on the Massdrop or asking if I can simply buy the demo unit off them.

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I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the U10's as compared to the U6 as I couldn't resist picking up the U10's on the Massdrop deal. Now the waiting begins...
 
I'd love to hear more detailed impressions comparing the two when you have the time to do so.

I got the u8 a while back and have not been super happy with it yet out of my Fiio x7. Sounds like the issue might be the output impedance. I know the u8 is designed for bass, but it also sounds frustratingly veiled to my ears. The mam helps, but not completely.

The upside is I took another chance on the 64 sale and got a u5. Now with the mam these are really nice. Wish I got the u10 instead of the u8. Anyone wanting to trade their u10 for my u8 (and maybe some cash) I would be up for that.

U5 is really a nice and it's too bad we don't read any chatter about it on this thread.

So the high impedance match is only for the U12 and U10 is fine with our low impedance output amps?