Precog's IEM Reviews & Impressions

[FcConstruct]

After reading Precog's note that the U4s is a better Nio, I had to go and visit a demo shop to try it out for myself.
Here's my article directly comparing the U4s and Nio: https://headphones.com/blogs/reviews/64-audio-s-next-generation-comparing-the-u4s-vs-nio
I can confirm in fact that Precog is right - the U4s essentially does what the Nio does, arguably better, and absolutely cheaper.

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Would be interested in U4s comparison to the Gaea.

 

[Sharppain]

After reading Precog's note that the U4s is a better Nio, I had to go and visit a demo shop to try it out for myself.
Here's my article directly comparing the U4s and Nio: https://headphones.com/blogs/reviews/64-audio-s-next-generation-comparing-the-u4s-vs-nio
I can confirm in fact that Precog is right - the U4s essentially does what the Nio does, arguably better, and absolutely cheaper.

Well, I know that he sold his U12t to get the U4s. Comparing to the Nio was a twist when it was recognized that the hype by telling that bombastic news may go too far killing the $2k benchmark with a $1k one.

 

[FcConstruct]

Would be interested in U4s comparison to the Gaea.

If I manage to get my hands on a Gaea for review, I'll let you know
I actually did hear it before at CanJam NYC. I quite liked it on the showfloor. The Effect Audio guys kindly let me borrow it back to my hotel room but I wasn't nearly as enamoured by it then - maybe cause it was midnight and I just had a whole day of CanJam.
From my recollection, the Gaea and U4s/Nio are kinda the flip sides of the same coin. The Gaea is aggressive in both bass and treble. Forward sounding and energetic. It's an IEM made for rock/alt-rock which just so happens to be what I listen to the most. The U4s/Nio similarly delivers a ton of bass and musicality but doesn't do it in such a forward way.

Well, I know that he sold his U12t to get the U4s. Comparing to the Nio was a twist when it was recognized that the hype by telling that bombastic news may go too far killing the $2k benchmark with a $1k one.

I think I mention it in my article but I think it's a fair statement to compare the Nio to the U4s over the U12t. The U12t is a different kind of IEM while the U4s and Nio are very, very similar in both the graphs and in sound. Personally, even if the U4s didn't exist I would've chosen the Nio over the U12t so it makes sense that if something so much cheaper shows up with the same level of quality, Precog would take the slight hit in absolute technical performance for much better value and a more engaging (IMO) sound.

 

[WAON303]

Hey Precog, is the Supernova a valid upgrade to the B2 Dusk?

I slashed the Monarch MKII as an upgrade option because the fit looks like garbage for most people.

S8 could also work but that's a bit too lean for my preferences.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

I slashed the Monarch MKII as an upgrade option because the fit looks like garbage for most people.

Was my biggest concern as well, glad I've tried them and made an effort to get used to instead of discarding. They are absolutely stunning.

 

[Gromu]

Hey Precog, is the Supernova a valid upgrade to the B2 Dusk?

I slashed the Monarch MKII as an upgrade option because the fit looks like garbage for most people.

S8 could also work but that's a bit too lean for my preferences.

I'm not Precog, but I do have the Supernova and previously had the Monarch MK2 and the Dusk. The Supernova is, to me, more comfortable than either IEM. I definitely think of it as superior to the Dusk, though I listened to them over a year apart from one another, so take that with a grain of salt.

Compared to the MK2, I think the supernova is just as enjoyable but in a different way. I think the tuning of the MK2 is better for my taste, but the Supernova is still great and is the one I kept over the Monarch MK2.

 

[Precogvision]

Moondrop Blessing 3 Review - Fly Me Closer to the Moon

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Hey Precog, is the Supernova a valid upgrade to the B2 Dusk?

I slashed the Monarch MKII as an upgrade option because the fit looks like garbage for most people.

S8 could also work but that's a bit too lean for my preferences.

I would say that the Variations is the closest thing to being a direct upgrade from the Dusk. It smooths and extends the treble response and gives some more oomph to the sub-bass even if the midrange is slightly thinner. The Supernova sounds pretty different from the Dusk.

 

[DynamicEars]

Moondrop Blessing 3 Review - Fly Me Closer to the Moon

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I would say that the Variations is the closest thing to being a direct upgrade from the Dusk. It smooths and extends the treble response and gives some more oomph to the sub-bass even if the midrange is slightly thinner. The Supernova sounds pretty different from the Dusk.

a looker and great sound as per your review, can you tell us more about the bass quality? is it better than variations (not by quantity of course). Let say comparing to other IEM in any price range where does it sit on? Thanks in advance precog. Btw your photos are improving a lot, eye candies are everywhere on your review page.

 

[o0genesis0o]

a looker and great sound as per your review, can you tell us more about the bass quality? is it better than variations (not by quantity of course). Let say comparing to other IEM in any price range where does it sit on? Thanks in advance precog. Btw your photos are improving a lot, eye candies are everywhere on your review page.

Not Precog, but I’m also reviewing B3, so I can chime in: I find the bass quality much improved upon the B2 I have here. It feels to “tight”, almost as “fast” as the midrange and treble (none of these terms have any technical meaning, so “”). B2 woofers feel wooly and mushy in comparison, especially at the attack end and the “snap” at the top of the bass notes. I usually don’t like subdued midbass, but I give this one a pass. Michael Jackson’s beat it sounds very toe-tapping with B3.

Ironically, B3 bass feels more BA than SA6II. I find myself reaching for SA6II after finishing my test track playlist.

 

[DynamicEars]

Not Precog, but I’m also reviewing B3, so I can chime in: I find the bass quality much improved upon the B2 I have here. It feels to “tight”, almost as “fast” as the midrange and treble (none of these terms have any technical meaning, so “”). B2 woofers feel wooly and mushy in comparison, especially at the attack end and the “snap” at the top of the bass notes. I usually don’t like subdued midbass, but I give this one a pass. Michael Jackson’s beat it sounds very toe-tapping with B3.

Ironically, B3 bass feels more BA than SA6II. I find myself reaching for SA6II after finishing my test track playlist.

Thanks for the prompt reply bro, long time no see you! I guess the bass is more BA like bass with light speed, snappy but less weight? SA6II i guess will be a great contender on midfi range since the original one still stand too to date.

 

[RIGATIO]

Ive spent two weeks with the u4s and they dont compete with the Monarch Mk2 AT ALL (unfortunately).
These are on a completely different levels. The Monarchs play in a big boys tier- Trailli, u12t, Odin, Z1r, Anole VX, Annihilator etc.
The u4s play in a league with the Variations, Meteor, Sony ier-m9 etc.
I really wanted to keep the u4s but they just suffocate when compared to the Monarchs 2. Separation, detail, naturalness of timbre, soundstage, all are inferior to the Monarchs.
The Neo already sucked for their price, so please dont get fooled. The u4s are great but they arent one the same level as the top dogs.
If you really wanna for 64 Audio, there is u12t which are AMAZING, the rest is questionable.
If you dont want to spend over 1k bucks, just go for the Monarch Mk2 and thank me later

 

[o0genesis0o]

Ive spent two weeks with the u4s and they dont compete with the Monarch Mk2 AT ALL (unfortunately).
These are on a completely different levels. The Monarchs play in a big boys tier- Trailli, u12t, Odin, Z1r, Anole VX, Annihilator etc.
The u4s play in a league with the Variations, Meteor, Sony ier-m9 etc.
I really wanted to keep the u4s but they just suffocate when compared to the Monarchs 2. Separation, detail, naturalness of timbre, soundstage, all are inferior to the Monarchs.
The Neo already sucked for their price, so please dont get fooled. The u4s are great but they arent one the same level as the top dogs.
If you really wanna for 64 Audio, there is u12t which are AMAZING, the rest is questionable.
If you dont want to spend over 1k bucks, just go for the Monarch Mk2 and thank me later

64 audio soundstage is below MM2?

IMHO, soundstage imaging (and bass) is the only thing that stops me from getting the MM2. In A/B tests, I found that MM2 is both narrower and shallower than all other heavyhitters, including the U6T.

 

[Sharppain]

Ive spent two weeks with the u4s and they dont compete with the Monarch Mk2 AT ALL (unfortunately).
These are on a completely different levels. The Monarchs play in a big boys tier- Trailli, u12t, Odin, Z1r, Anole VX, Annihilator etc.
The u4s play in a league with the Variations, Meteor, Sony ier-m9 etc.
I really wanted to keep the u4s but they just suffocate when compared to the Monarchs 2. Separation, detail, naturalness of timbre, soundstage, all are inferior to the Monarchs.
The Neo already sucked for their price, so please dont get fooled. The u4s are great but they arent one the same level as the top dogs.
If you really wanna for 64 Audio, there is u12t which are AMAZING, the rest is questionable.
If you dont want to spend over 1k bucks, just go for the Monarch Mk2 and thank me later

 

[DynamicEars]

64 audio soundstage is below MM2?

IMHO, soundstage imaging (and bass) is the only thing that stops me from getting the MM2. In A/B tests, I found that MM2 is both narrower and shallower than all other heavyhitters, including the U6T.

Rigatio with his MMkII and Dave with his FH9, their beloved IEMs are the best in universe.
Can be good for them though since maybe they are already found their own endgame. But Monarch Mk II soundstage is rather small to medium for me, especially in TOTL class, clearly narrower than my Mest, not even Z1R by quite margin, even timeless have wider soundstage.
I found the culprit of Monarch Mk II bad bass quality though, the tube holes are being blocked by residue of the grill filter, part of them, the bass and ESTs are much better now but the DD quality still not the best, I give it 7/10 now for the bass quality (i Love the bass tuck up tuning though)