I have been using the SM 64 for a week now, and apart from the few awful first hours (50 hours at least but specially the first 2 or 3 hours), I can they are my all time favorites.I am not a specialist, by far, just my opinion. In the recent past I have used Shure 535 E (not my taste at all, aggressive), IE8, SM3 V2, HD 650 and now using TH 900 / Fostex HP-a8 . My favorites IEM are SM3 V2. As per my favorite sound type taste,I am a tube lover and my favorite audio system is Cremona / Jadis amp.
The SM64 are straight and neutral, no specific sound signature but very pleasant and extremely transparent. The highs are just perfect, the Low are so powerful, fast (I mean it) and controlled, best I ever heard. The mids are full body and very much enjoyable without too much emphasis. Nothing here is agressive or anoying, just perfect, well balanced and addictive.
The level of details retrieved from the records are above anything else I have ever tried before, just astonishing without being analytic.
IMO the best qualities of these SM 64 are related to (1) the soundstage and overall presentation, unbelievably wide, huge, well presented, always stable even at very high volume and (2) the "air" between instruments, even at very high volume. No sound aggression, no sound compression, no change of sound presentation at high volume, the music flows naturally.I even surprised myself almost falling asleep while I was listening to Muse / Madness (Hi res) at an unpolitically correct high volume.That's speak.The same exercise with the Shure 535 E would be a torture.
I can find some similar enjoyment when listening to my TH 900, even though the music presentation is different. they share some basic musical presentation philosophy. I would say you will get 90% of the TH-900 listening pleasure with the SM 64. That's a compliment.
As far as comparing with my previous favorites, the SM3 V2, I would say the SM64 are an improvement in about all departments but they are well ahead in control, pace and overall presentation of complex music message.
I use the double flange grey pads.
When Listening with IPOD, you will get only 50 % of their best. Direct listening from Mac Book audio output is acceptable, 80% I would say and 100 % with an amp.
Have a good day everyone.