[jessnie]

Ordered my A12t on Cyber Monday and current building time is said to be 4-5 weeks. Hopefully I can get them by Christmas!

 

[jessnie]

No idea on build time, and I'm trying out the u18 to see if 1.) I can live with universals, 2.) if I like these and would go custom. I really like them, but not quite in love yet.

May I ask how long you've waited for the u18 demo? Was there a long waiting list?

 

[Wyville]

That is correct, universal U12 was cheaper (I think you are right, $1.6k) while Custom A12 was $2k. Now, both U12t and A12t are $2k. So the price remained the same for CIEM version, while universal U12t went up in price to match A12t due to a) all metal shell, b) new premium cable, c) including both M15 and M20 Apex modules.

Thanks! I never looked at the CIEMs, so didn't know there was a price difference between the A and U lines.

Really good to hear that the M15 and M20 are now included, btw. Those give a lot of extra versatility!

 

[pfurey89]

More impressions - APEX is as good as ADEL was to combat fatigue for me. Even with the brighter sound signature of the U18t, I can listen for hours. They sound like mini Utopia's with more bass quantity, but less 'slam' to me.

May I ask how long you've waited for the u18 demo? Was there a long waiting list?

Got it the next day. I think I just got lucky though.

 

[chaiyuta]

Does anyone know why 64Audio decided to use metal shell for UIEM model? Does it provide better SQ than the previous one (don't know which materials made of, plastic?)?

 

[tim0chan]

there w

Does anyone know why 64Audio decided to use metal shell for UIEM model? Does it provide better SQ than the previous one (don't know which materials made of, plastic?)?

There will be a diff but whether it is for the better is up to the manafacturer

 

[twister6]

Does anyone know why 64Audio decided to use metal shell for UIEM model? Does it provide better SQ than the previous one (don't know which materials made of, plastic?)?

well, going from aluminum to SS will give you "more details" and then to CU will give you "more natural tonality". Oops, never mind, i thought we were talking about A&K DAPs

 

[tkddud21]

Does anyone know why 64Audio decided to use metal shell for UIEM model? Does it provide better SQ than the previous one (don't know which materials made of, plastic?)?

Because tia drivers do not use tube, its sound can be affected by closure materials. However, the difference may not a sharp like headphone and speaker.

 

[chaiyuta]

Thanks all. I just curious when metal shell consumes environment temperature. For instance, In cold weather, metal shell will become ice-cold to ears, while non-metal shell keep neutral temperature. lol
By the way, It will be interesting to be Stainless steel or CU shells.

 

[Bina]

Does anyone know why 64Audio decided to use metal shell for UIEM model? Does it provide better SQ than the previous one (don't know which materials made of, plastic?)?

Because when somebody is paying over 2000 USD, he doesn't want cheap looking plastic product.

 

[Wyville]

Because when somebody is paying over 2000 USD, he doesn't want cheap looking plastic product.

To be honest, I never thought there was anything cheap looking about the universals. Like I said in my U6 review, they looked and felt like they would easily stand up to years of abuse.

 

[Bina]

To be honest, I never thought there was anything cheap looking about the universals. Like I said in my U6 review, they looked and felt like they would easily stand up to years of abuse.

Not that much about abuse, but when you are asking premium price, people expect premium materials. And TOTL in-ears are either beautiful acrylic shells or metal. With full plastic shell 64 Audio was little bit outsider.

 

[Wyville]

Not that much about abuse, but when you are asking premium price, people expect premium materials. And TOTL in-ears are either beautiful acrylic shells or metal. With full plastic shell 64 Audio was little bit outsider.

Sure, I get what you mean and I certainly appreciate the way the newer universals are built. I just didn't think the U6 felt cheap in any way. Quite the opposite, I felt they were built very well for IEMs that would see a lot of use by musicians as stage monitors or by audiophiles on the go. They had a great lightweight, no-nonsense design and that is also something I can really appreciate.

 

[koven]

Not that much about abuse, but when you are asking premium price, people expect premium materials. And TOTL in-ears are either beautiful acrylic shells or metal. With full plastic shell 64 Audio was little bit outsider.

True. If I didn't know any better and someone showed me a Campfire Andromeda vs a Tia Fourte, and asked me to guess which is $1K and which is $3.5K based on look and feel, I'd get it wrong. Fourte shell certainly doesn't feel premium. I'd guess the new model shells feel better in hand.

 

[goodvibes]

well, going from aluminum to SS will give you "more details" and then to CU will give you "more natural tonality". Oops, never mind, i thought we were talking about A&K DAPs

This. Should make zero difference. Wavelengths are too long to resonate anything in the solid housing, especially when they are touching one of the best damping materials on earth. Tube materials and what they are pressed against is a different story but the characteristics of housing material is WAY overrated.