Precog's IEM Reviews & Impressions

[KuroKitsu]

I’m trying reconcile Precogvision’s 6.2 score for the A4s with the U4s review. Certainly I can understand a preference for different tuning or cost savings but I am interested to know if this suggests there is a large discrepancy in the sound of universal and custom versions of the A/U4s? I ask this as someone who previously owned 64 Audio’s A18s with disappointing results.

I don't expect it to be any different. 64 doesn't seem to have figured that out for all their claims to the contrary that their unis and customs measure the same. Thankfully I knew exactly what I was getting into with the A18s. I would have been more angry had the A12t not been my cup of tea coming from the U12t

Afaik custom shells change the acoustic properties of the IEM. They tend to be a bit darker than a universal version in terms of frequency response, and resonances caused by the physical properties of the ear shift upwards, change in magnitude, and/or disappear entirely due to the deeper insertion.

FiR laughs in smug superiority

 

[iDesign]

64 doesn't seem to have figured that out…

Exactly.

 

[Sharppain]

Just like Precog replacing the U12T, his words aren't the end all, be all. He's one of the most critical reviewers out here (hehe jk Sharur is), but he still has his preferences and flavor. If the thumpy bass is what makes him enjoy his Kpop, Country and music in general, so be it lol. Even myself, as much as BA bass tuning has improved, I'd still take a DD variation of my preferred FR any and every day. Also, the Mystery IEM thing seems fine to me. It was NDA and it's not like he was gatekeeping anything in the current market.

I have all the reason to say that this was a hype campaign: 1/ he had a production unit before launch, 2/ his review appeared with the launch, 3/ he is not comparing it directly to U12t but to Nio, 4/ and if he has a A4s (for 1 year) why he needs U4s instead of U12t now?!

 

[draytonklammer]

I have all the reason to say that this was a hype campaign: 1/ he had a production unit before launch, 2/ his review appeared with the launch, 3/ he is not comparing it directly to U12t but to Nio, 4/ and if he has a A4s (for 1 year) why he needs U4s instead of U12t now?!

Even his thoughts on the A4s being so much worse (I get that the tuning isn't fully the same as the U4s, but it's similar within some level of variance) than the U4s, but praising the U4s now seems fishy.

To each their own... maybe revisiting the design made him appreciate the tonality more.

Either way, it sounds like I shouldn't regret my recent A12t purchase...
Can't wait to receive it. Months of waiting to go, though.

 

[Precogvision]

I have all the reason to say that this was a hype campaign: 1/ he had a production unit before launch, 2/ his review appeared with the launch, 3/ he is not comparing it directly to U12t but to Nio, 4/ and if he has a A4s (for 1 year) why he needs U4s instead of U12t now?!

Uhh if I wanted to hype it, I would be comparing it directly to U12t and advertising that I sold my U12t for it. The Nio doesn’t carry the same prestige the U12t does and it costs less. It would sound more impressive if I positioned the U4s as a U12t alternative (which I don’t think it is). In any case, the one comparison I have to the U12t in the review puts the U12t in a more favorable position. Maybe I’m missing something, but it seems like what you’re saying is contradictory haha.

Comparatively, full-BA IEMs like the 64 Audio U6t and 64 Audio U12t have superior imaging due to more contrast across the frequency spectrum. Their peaks at 5kHz and 15kHz, and dips at 3-4kHz and the mid-treble, are more emphasized. This pushes instruments out further on the stage with more space between, making individual instruments easier to pinpoint.

There’s also a whole section of the review outlining the U4s vs. A4s comparison, my thoughts between the two IEMs and how they sound different. You can’t compare the frequency responses 1:1 because of the attachments but the differences aren’t entirely subtle. Differences in frequency response, especially past 5kHz, can make an enormous difference between IEMs when it comes to perceived technicalities.

Interestingly, the bass response of the A4s is slightly cleaner (with less mid-bass) than the U4s. But this is a benign consideration compared to their discrepancies in treble. My suspicion is that the increased insertion depth of the CIEM models shifts the resonance peaks of the tia driver, to the extent of which it creates a more “feathery” treble response. More critically, though, I find that it negatively affects timbre on the CIEM versions and sounds plasticky and smoothed over. This is an observation that I’ve found consistent between not only the A4s, but also my A3t and a couple of A12t units that I have force-fitted and measured.

I wouldn’t rule out 64 Audio’s CIEMs entirely. After all, they do have the benefit of increased isolation and comfort, plus way more customization. To be clear: if you prioritize sound quality, the universal versions are the way to go.

Re the review appearing with launch - sure - I think it’s fair to call that hype of sorts. But that’s something synonymous with most product launches. A good example is popular tech products where reviewers receive demo units ahead of time and have a review ready to go at, or shortly after, launch. There‘s even sneak-peeks and preliminary impressions a lot of the time. It’s just a common industry practice. It’s also not like less time was put into the review, either, as I had it for months ahead of time.

 

[main character]

The Nio doesn’t carry the same prestige the U12t does and it costs less

Hi Theo!
I did not know that there was your U4s review at Headphones.com! Enjoying it!

I was wondering.. what eartip are you using with U4s? Due to the presence of shell vent, insertion need to be a little bit shallower than U6t/12t? Which tips are you using for U6t/12t?

Is this.. Azla Sedna Light Short?

Dx300 has 3.5mm out for U4s stock cable? Which amp is it? Thanks so much

 

[firesign]

Dx300 has 3.5mm out for U4s stock cable? Which amp is it? Thanks so much

AMP11 has the 3 outputs (3.5, 2.5 and 4.4)

 

[Sharppain]

Uhh if I wanted to hype it, I would be comparing it directly to U12t and advertising that I sold my U12t for it. The Nio doesn’t carry the same prestige the U12t does and it costs less. It would sound more impressive if I positioned the U4s as a U12t alternative (which I don’t think it is). In any case, the one comparison I have to the U12t in the review puts the U12t in a more favorable position. Maybe I’m missing something, but it seems like what you’re saying is contradictory haha.



There’s also a whole section of the review outlining the U4s vs. A4s comparison, my thoughts between the two IEMs and how they sound different. You can’t compare the frequency responses 1:1 because of the attachments but the differences aren’t entirely subtle. Differences in frequency response, especially past 5kHz, can make an enormous difference between IEMs when it comes to perceived technicalities.



Re the review appearing with launch - sure - I think it’s fair to call that hype of sorts. But that’s something synonymous with most product launches. A good example is popular tech products where reviewers receive demo units ahead of time and have a review ready to go at, or shortly after, launch. There‘s even sneak-peeks and preliminary impressions a lot of the time. It’s just a common industry practice. It’s also not like less time was put into the review, either, as I had it for months ahead of time.

Very nice of you elaborating. Really! It is a fair reply, it is exactly what I wanted.
And to be fair, some Qs of mine where a 'bite'. What you are missing is how it looks.
I cannot say if the unclear positioning in the line is targeted but it is definitely increasing the interest (trial) and is a big part of the hype.
On your review - yep, it is fully Ok and it is well done, with details. But as you say when there is a launch there are reviews (reviewers). But now there are no other reviewers! A bit different! So this is why I call it a hype campaign and my evidence is in the following points; 1/ One reviewer - the 'keeper' of U12t, 2/ I accept your claims that the U4s is better in replay than the A4s, and, yes, you explain that well but now you switched to Nio comparison and didn't develop yours on U12t; 3/ yes you keep the U12t in more favourable rank and you sneak the U4t just below the U12t, and that is smart from 64 Audio - as I said in one of my previous posts it is unusual a company to kill a $2k market benchmark for a 2 times cheaper launch.
Practically the hype is: U4s is an alternative, it is cheaper but not fully on par with the market benchmark; and for me it is worth; those who have Nio can get an upgrade, those that do not want to spend $2k may get the best flavour of it with U4s.

 

[Gan Sheng Kai]

Hi Precog, what camera and lens you use to take iem photo?

 

[Benesyed]

Just like Precog replacing the U12T, his words aren't the end all, be all. He's one of the most critical reviewers out here (hehe jk Sharur is), but he still has his preferences and flavor. If the thumpy bass is what makes him enjoy his Kpop, Country and music in general, so be it lol. Even myself, as much as BA bass tuning has improved, I'd still take a DD variation of my preferred FR any and every day. Also, the Mystery IEM thing seems fine to me. It was NDA and it's not like he was gatekeeping anything in the current market.

I googled who sharur was. instantly regretted it. very cringy.

 

[draytonklammer]

I'm honestly sort of bummed that the A4s doesn't stack up more closely to the U4s. I know CIEMs don't always stack up, but it would be nice to have a technical monster like the A12t side-by-side with the A4s or N8 for fun.

Depending on how I end up liking the A12t, I might be doing some shopping in the future for a fun contrast CIEM.

 

[main character]

(I was searching Troll singing “what is the issue here?” Image but I couldn’t)

But now there are no other reviewers! A bit different! So this is why I call it a hype campaign and my evidence is in the following points; 1/ One reviewer - the 'keeper' of U12t

https://headphones.com/blogs/reviews/64a-u4s-review

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/64-audio-u4s-in-ear-monitors/

Reviews will keep coming

3/ yes you keep the U12t in more favourable rank and you sneak the U4t just below the U12t, and that is smart from 64 Audio - as I said in one of my previous posts it is unusual a company to kill a $2k market benchmark for a 2 times cheaper launch.

Precogvision is not 64 Audio?

Practically the hype is: U4s is an alternative, it is cheaper but not fully on par with the market benchmark; and for me it is worth; those who have Nio can get an upgrade, those that do not want to spend $2k may get the best flavour of it with U4s

Newer, cheaper but better tech package(U4s) besting old tech (Nio) and competing previous premium tech (U12t) is not too unnatural IMHO.

Per review, U4s has better DD bass and timbre, but slightly less imaging/detail compared to U12t..
Probable. (I believe my ears, and their ears as well-respect what others saying regarding their impressions).

 

[Sharppain]

(I was searching Troll singing “what is the issue here?” Image but I couldn’t)


https://headphones.com/blogs/reviews/64a-u4s-review

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/64-audio-u4s-in-ear-monitors/

Reviews will keep coming

Precogvision is not 64 Audio?


Newer, cheaper but better tech package(U4s) besting old tech (Nio) and competing previous premium tech (U12t) is not too unnatural IMHO.

Per review, U4s has better DD bass and timbre, but slightly less imaging/detail compared to U12t..
Probable. (I believe my ears, and their ears as well-respect what others saying regarding their impressions).

(I was searching Troll singing “what is the issue here?” Image but I couldn’t)


https://headphones.com/blogs/reviews/64a-u4s-review

https://www.techpowerup.com/review/64-audio-u4s-in-ear-monitors/

Reviews will keep coming

Precogvision is not 64 Audio?


Newer, cheaper but better tech package(U4s) besting old tech (Nio) and competing previous premium tech (U12t) is not too unnatural IMHO.

Per review, U4s has better DD bass and timbre, but slightly less imaging/detail compared to U12t..
Probable. (I believe my ears, and their ears as well-respect what others saying regarding their impressions).

On techpowerup review - I know it but what's its weight!?
On 3/ - of course Precog is not 64 Audio. You didn't capture it - I am saying that 64 Audio designed the U4s like that good and no more than U12t.
On your last two paragraphs of yours - Ok, did I said any different!? No!

 

[tamtrum]

U4s looks like a competitive $1K segment iem. Thanks for the write up Precog. Can’t wait to hear it!

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Some U4 impressions from CanJam.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/can...-thread-march-25-26-2023.967460/post-17476751