64 Audio | Solo - Single Planar-Magnetic UIEMs

[stream41]

Is there any consensus yet on the bass response from these? I had a pair of Moon Rover and loved the super crisp planar sound, but the bass response was pretty anemic. Worried that the Solo might suffer from this too. To be fair, a PEQ bass shelf of 3dB at 100hz helped a lot, so the Solo may benefit from that as well. Also had to push the Moon Rover very, very hard to get similar volume levels - led to lots of "oops" moments when I'd connect my much more sensitive sets and have a blowout!

 

[inscythe]

Just attended the 64 Audio Solo mini launch event at AV One in Singapore. There were only two demo units, so I didn't really have a very long time with it, about 15 minutes, so this is not my most in-depth impressions of it, but they are very positive.

The following is my impressions of the Solo using Hiby R4 Evangelion and A&K PA10 in balanced connection:

1. Timbre
I think when most people talk about planar IEM, the first thing that came to mind is "does it have planar timbre?". I will have to say, 64 Audio managed to tune away most of the planar timbre in Solo while retaining most of the benefits of planar driver. I find the timbre is close to a very fast single dynamic driver, without any metallic or sharp characteristics.

2. Technicalities
I would say that even among other planar IEMs I've tried, the Solo's technicalities are above average, although not by much. Resolution is high, as expected from a planar driver, with excellent imaging and pretty spacious soundstage (it's front-vented, not open-back, according to 64 Audio). Layering is amazing, especially with orchestral tracks where you can peel off the individual instruments.

3. Tonal Balance
The Solo has a neutral with bass-boost tuning, pretty close to 64 Audio standard tuning. Based on the early public measurements from @vsg28 , it is almost exactly like U4S with m20 Apex module, but I didn't bring my measurement rig, so I couldn't confirm myself. I find the bass is INSANELY textured ("the rumble has mini rumbles in it!" as I told my friend on the spot). The mids have good clarity and cleanliness as expected. The treble is more or less safe, lacking the bite that tia driver that I'm more accustomed to. Before people say it, yes, I know Solo has "tia technology" in it, but it refers to the chamber design rather than the driver, as explained by 64 Audio during the event.

4. Power
It is relatively easy to drive the Solo, but if you want to get the proper dynamics and resolution, I would recommend pairing with a more powerful source. Going straight from R4 and PA10, I noticed an improvement in bass control and overall texture.

So, did I find it worth the US$1399 price tag? I can say that it is the best planar IEM I have tried so far, if not the best in the market right now. But, I personally find it more of a sidegrade from U4S, just tradeoffs in different aspects of the sound presentation between them. I guess depending on the individual tastes and priorities in sound, it would be worth getting.

 

[tassardar]

My first look video of the 64 Audio Solo. Tried it at AV1 Launch event and it was good enough for me to grab one.

In Summary, its relative balance with well controlled bass, mids that are clean clear with good amount of body but not aggressive, and highs that are present but not sparkly. The most notable one is its relatively large soundstage. To get the best out of it, a Amp is needed.

 

[64Audio]

My first look video of the 64 Audio Solo. Tried it at AV1 Launch event and it was good enough for me to grab one.

In Summary, its relative balance with well controlled bass, mids that are clean clear with good amount of body but not aggressive, and highs that are present but not sparkly. The most notable one is its relatively large soundstage. To get the best out of it, a Amp is needed.

Thanks for the review and measurement. One thing that's very cool to see is how uniformly the targeted frequencies are shown across measurements from around the world. The 8khz reduction is very obvious and narrow and the reduction at around 5khz is a wider and less extreme; this is the dual Helmholtz resonator in the planar drivers' acoustic chamber. Another one of our technologies that have real-world measurable results. We're excited to utilize this further in the future.

 

[skfktkwjs]

I just got hands-on Solo
Like I expected from 64 audio.

Another superb quality product from 64 audio.
Like U12T it is also a true detail machine but with more open, and tight bass response.

I am glad I got my first planar iem with 64 audio Solo.

 

[BasicallyAirVibrations]

I'm really interested in comparison with campfire audio Supermoon and Astrolith

 

[mattclarke18]

I'm really interested in comparison with campfire audio Supermoon and Astrolith

I do not have either but know someone who as supermoon. Astro is very sensitive to tips per reviews and with silicone tips the treble gets spicy. 64 A has solved this issue. 64 A has better re-sale value if you ever want to sell and not to mention their repair service is excellent should you ever need a repair.

 

[skfktkwjs]

I'm really interested in comparison with campfire audio Supermoon and Astrolith

supermoon is more aggressive in mid-high to high and has more bass quantity so it's a little more V-shape than solo.

 

[OneEyedHito]

24hrs in with the Solo and between these, the Volür, Bonneville, IE900, and Noble XM-1 (my current best bang for buck in IEM’s) I can’t take the Solo out of my ears. Acoustic music is the best on these of all the IEM’s listed above.

I’ve had most low and upper mid-range IEM’s for at least a time and these could stay forever.

Detailed and tolerable
Thumpy and vibrating
Vocals are as natural as A DD
Strings are sublime

Here’s a haiku version:
Thumps resonate low,
Vocals clear, natural tones,
Strings precise, refined.

Also, the cable being 3.5mm was a bit of a bummer because it’s a gorgeous flexible cable but CMA M15i drives them wonderfully with an iPhone.

Loving these, thanks again 64A for another great addition to the portfolio.

 

[stream41]

24hrs in with the Solo and between these, the Volür, Bonneville, IE900, and Noble XM-1 (my current best bang for buck in IEM’s) I can’t take the Solo out of my ears. Acoustic music is the best on these of all the IEM’s listed above.

I’ve had most low and upper mid-range IEM’s for at least a time and these could stay forever.

Detailed and tolerable
Thumpy and vibrating
Vocals are as natural as A DD
Strings are sublime

Here’s a haiku version:
Thumps resonate low,
Vocals clear, natural tones,
Strings precise, refined.

Also, the cable being 3.5mm was a bit of a bummer because it’s a gorgeous flexible cable but CMA M15i drives them wonderfully with an iPhone.

Loving these, thanks again 64A for another great addition to the portfolio.

Awesome! How’s the bass compared to the Volur? I’ve had a few planar sets, and that’s the one aspect of that sound that’s always disappointed me. A planar driver just can’t compete with DD bass, at least to my ears.

 

[LFC_SL]

I like having reviewers and buyers provide opinions at a normal pacing. Review embargoes used to be about setting a date to stop one person (there was always one) doing a poor rush review in order to be "first". Nowadays, and this is many sectors of consumer goods, you get flooded with 20 reviews on the day of release and realistically that one-day blitz is counterproductive for the manufacturer and the reviewer alike.

 

[OneEyedHito]

Awesome! How’s the bass compared to the Volur? I’ve had a few planar sets, and that’s the one aspect of that sound that’s always disappointed me. A planar driver just can’t compete with DD bass, at least to my ears.

I’ve had a few Campfire Planar IEM’s (not astrolith yet) and to equate these to my favorite all time planar headphones I’ll say that I think this is very similar to Susvara to my hearing and to where Supermoon for instance is more akin to LCD5, where PEQ can bring out the bass but on these I don’t need anymore bass from stock. The entire package on these just works, similar to the Susvara. LCD5 always need good PEQ to sound their best to my ears.

There is not the volume of bass that the volür has for sure but I’d say the warmth of these makes for a much better listen to vocals, guitars, drums.

Volür are untouched right now for electronic ambient music to my ears.

 

[OneEyedHito]

I’ve had a few Campfire Planar IEM’s (not astrolith yet) and to equate these to my favorite all time planar headphones I’ll say that I think this is very similar to Susvara to my hearing and to where Supermoon for instance is more akin to LCD5, where PEQ can bring out the bass but on these I don’t need anymore bass from stock. The entire package on these just works, similar to the Susvara. LCD5 always need good PEQ to sound their best to my ears.

There is not the volume of bass that the volür has for sure but I’d say the warmth of these makes for a much better listen to vocals, guitars, drums.

Volür are untouched right now for electronic ambient music to my ears.

@stream41 I’ll add that the Moon Rover were not on the same level of these. I’ve been listening to some electronic for an hour now and these can rumble, the MR’s not so much to my ears. Driver size matters.

 

[BasicallyAirVibrations]

I’ve had a few Campfire Planar IEM’s (not astrolith yet) and to equate these to my favorite all time planar headphones I’ll say that I think this is very similar to Susvara to my hearing and to where Supermoon for instance is more akin to LCD5, where PEQ can bring out the bass but on these I don’t need anymore bass from stock. The entire package on these just works, similar to the Susvara. LCD5 always need good PEQ to sound their best to my ears.

There is not the volume of bass that the volür has for sure but I’d say the warmth of these makes for a much better listen to vocals, guitars, drums.

Volür are untouched right now for electronic ambient music to my ears.

In my opinion Supermoon is the best CFA earphone you can get. Astrolith sounds too analytical without being musical

 

[OneEyedHito]

In my opinion Supermoon is the best CFA earphone you can get. Astrolith sounds too analytical without being musical

I prefer Bonneville from CFA still. Having had most of the new releases aside from AstroLith. I think Bonneville compete with Volür especially considering price difference but shells are not near as comfy as Volür for longer listening sessions.