[MeggaMortY]

I personally don't buy into cables changes, so that's that settled.

That being said, the custom is certainly darker than the U12t: I initially actually complained that the U12t was a bit sizzling on the hot side for me, so I'm glad the rumours that the A12t was a bit darker were true.

No worries, glad it's a good fit for you

 

[Facta]

Got and reshelled my new A12t) great earphones!) special SB edition)

LETS GO NINERS!!!

I am considering A12t myself. Wondering how much risk might there be in buying a used A12t and reshelling them both build and sound quality wise.

 

[Facta]

I'm new to this forum, but wished I’d run across it before I’d purchased a pair of A12t’s as there is much good information here. I just got my 12At’s a few days ago and I’d like to add my 2 cents as I may have a different perspective per my uses/needs. First, I’ve made my living as a recording engineer/sound designer/mixer and musician for 40 years and I’ve seen a tremendous change in the technology. This is my 4th pair or CIEM’s since about 2006. I never do the full mix on “Ears” but I switch between monitors quite a but and IEM’s are just one of them. Mostly I use them to check my reverb and delay returns. When you go from a 90 degree perspective with near field monitors to 180 degrees with IEM’s it can make the verb and delay sound too loud, and that’s just not a modern mix these days. Second, I use them to check for any little loose strings falling out in the mix. For instance the annoying tick you get if you don’t cut on the zero line when comp’ing vocals. Also, most people these days listen with headphones. If you're not checking your mix with them you're not doing your job.


Over all, I’m looking for a flat response with a smooth top end and a tight bottom in a set of monitors. When I looked at the sound signature on the 64A’s website the 12At’s had a slightly pushed bottom vs. the A18s, but I felt like every IEM I’ve ever used was lacking in bass so I went with the 12A’s. Plus the 18A’s were a thousand bucks more! My first impression when putting them on was “WHOA, THAT’S SOME BASS”! Too much for my taste as first. But as I listened to them over a couple of days I got used to it and now love them.


Here’s the deal on the bass. It’s mostly all sub bass, 80hz and down. The regular bass (100 – 300) is really nice and tight and never gets flabby or treads into the “mush” territory of 400. The crossover between bass and sub bass is really smooth. I never feel like there’s a place where instruments hit a certain frequency and BAM it’s all in the sub bass and too loud. However, I’ve heard a few mixes where the 12At’s have pushed the floor tom out of perspective. Over all I feel like if there are sub frequencies in the mix from synths, drum machine kicks, modern drums where a sampled kick has been added to the regular kick etc, you will really hear it and it goes down low. But if it’s an analogue recording made in the days before multiband compressors or and digital EQ, or to be mastered on vinyl, then it won’t suddenly make bass where there really isn’t any. In other words, a Steely Dan record will still sound like Steely Dan, a podcast won’t sound all woofy, but a modern pop record WILL kick some butt in the bottom. Now, would I make mix decision with these? Only with a big grain of salt. I think 12At's could keep a mixer from over using a bass enhancer like Waves RBASS, but I wouldn’t set my EQ’s with them. The bottom line on the bottom end is this: You can get used to anything, and these took me about 2 hours of listening to get used to. Heck, I mixed on NS-10's for YEARS, so I know I can get used to these. Also, if I were a bass player I'd LOVE these as you can hear every note of the bass line.


Let me talk about the top end. Several people here have mentioned they sound “warm”. To me they sound more smooth than warm. The top end is all there. Cymbals, hi hat’s, bells, shakers, tambourine, are heard plan as day and at the right perspective, but without any harshness. Vocals never sound spitty or sibilant, just bight. I liken the top end to a Neumann U-47 microphone. It’s bright but never brittle.


If there’s any frequencies I think they are lacking it’s in the upper mid’s. 1k – 3K range. It’s never a problem and they certainly don’t sound scooped, but there are time’s where I wish there was just a little more for guitars and vocals. But you can’t have everything. It’s like a balloon. If you push in on one side the other will pop out. I do wonder if there was just a little less sub bass would these make the upper mid's come out more? But then you’d be so close to the 18At’s for $1000 less. So some of it is where you market your product.


OK, that’s my review. Sorry for the long post. I hope this is helpful for someone…


MM.

Very helpful post. Thank you. Am in the same situation as yours. Looking for CIEMs for mixing and mastering reference to switch from and to studio monitors, Genelec 8351Bs. So true, everyone listens to everything using headphones these days. Gotta keep them in mind. Would you have any newer observations with your A12ts from studio since it's been a while since you posted last? Or, have you chanced up on or guess a newer CIEM that might be as good, if not better than A12t, considering EST drivers and tribrids are on a fire these days?

 

[Facta]

Might there be a 4th July discount from 64Audio or do they usually consider an email request for the same from film and sound professionals?

 

[dazzerfong]

I am considering A12t myself. Wondering how much risk might there be in buying a used A12t and reshelling them both build and sound quality wise.

Just a warning - 64 Audio only does reshells for their original owners. You'll have to go elsewhere for reshell if you're buying used.

 

[DeviantArt]

Did anyone here experience the sound cutout due to socket wiggling? I experienced three times, 1 on demo unit on the store, the other 2 is from my friend. I intend to buy the new one but i wonder that issue could be happen to any case or only our bad luck in a long use.

 

[dazzerfong]

Did anyone here experience the sound cutout due to socket wiggling? I experienced three times, 1 on demo unit on the store, the other 2 is from my friend. I intend to buy the new one but i wonder that issue could be happen to any case or only our bad luck in a long use.

The original cable's 2 pin is incredibly tight, absolutely no wiggle.

My own cable's 2 pin is a bit on the loose side, but still no wiggle.

If you keep removing it, it'll loosen over time.

 

[pyrexia]

Question for you U12t owners.

I listen to a range of music, but mostly synth-based electronic music and all forms of (black/death/thrash) metal.

Anyone have similar tastes and could comment on how the U12t does with these genres?

Soundstage? Accuracy? Clarity?

 

[pyrexia]

Broke down and purchased as my endgame (for now) iem.

The sound is fantastic across a range of genres - metal, prog, electronic!

One question - why is the 2 pin connection so wobbly? Is this common or do I have a faulty pair? Should I be concerned?

I did purchase a cable without memory wire (I so dislike the wire) and it seems to put less strain on the connection, but should there be play in the connection? My other 2 pins feel rock solid in comparison.

 

[yfei]

One question - why is the 2 pin connection so wobbly? Is this common or do I have a faulty pair? Should I be concerned?
I did purchase a cable without memory wire (I so dislike the wire) and it seems to put less strain on the connection, but should there be play in the connection? My other 2 pins feel rock solid in comparison.

From my experience, this is 'normal' for 64 Audio Universal IEMs. I have and owned 5 sets of 64 Audio IEMs, all universals are like this. (64 Audio Custom IEM doesn't have this issue). And this 'issue' is well known in the circle of 64 Audio IEM owners.
And in the end when the socket is too loose, I know some owners have to send the IEM back to 64 Audio to replace the socket.

I have no idea why 64 Audio haven't upgrade to a better material or design for the 2 pin socket. Because this shouldn't be a hard technical issue to solve, and the repairs cost 64 Audio's human resource and money (for within warranty repairs).
But since 2016 to date, all 64 Audio universals are like this.

 

[gLer]

From my experience, this is 'normal' for 64 Audio Universal IEMs. I have and owned 5 sets of 64 Audio IEMs, all universals are like this. (64 Audio Custom IEM doesn't have this issue). And this 'issue' is well known in the circle of 64 Audio IEM owners.
I have no idea why 64 Audio don't use a better material for the 2 pin socket. This shouldn't be a hard technical issue to solve. But since 2016 to date, all 64 Audio universals are like this.

According to 64 Audio this is not an 'issue' but rather by design. It puts less strain on the pins and the socket and extends longevity. Don't shoot the messenger, that's literally what they said a few days ago in the 64 Audio thread. FWIW neither my Nio, Trio or previous U12t had this 'issue', not that I noticed anyway. I do wish the 2-pin sockets were recessed but that's a whole different discussion.

 

[dazzerfong]

That's interesting, because on my A12T's the connection is ridiculously stiff and solid with the stock cable. On the other hand, an aftermarket cable was so loose it falls out if I breath on it.

 

[MeggaMortY]

That's interesting, because on my A12T's the connection is ridiculously stiff and solid with the stock cable. On the other hand, an aftermarket cable was so loose it falls out if I breath on it.

You sure you didnt order .75mm connections instead? All the aftermarket ones I tried so far (4) were a lot stiffer than the stock one, which is also stiff enoufh

 

[named name]

Just to chime in, for my A12t the stock cable and most aftermarket cables tested have fitted in tightly (various PW Audio, Eletech, Effect Audio, Whiplash and Labkable), sadly it is my own Effect Audio Virtuoso Black which has the loosest fit.

 

[gLer]

Just to chime in, for my A12t the stock cable and most aftermarket cables tested have fitted in tightly (various PW Audio, Eletech, Effect Audio, Whiplash and Labkable), sadly it is my own Effect Audio Virtuoso Black which has the loosest fit.

You can push the pins very carefully and very slightly outward from each other. That'll firm up the connection nicely.