[64Audio]

I’ve got a question for all the U12t, U18t/s, Nio, and U6t owners. Give that the price for the custom versions of above iems are the same as the universals. If you had to purchase them all over again would you go the custom route or stick with the universals and why?

we actually published a detailed blog about this very topic. it actually started as a response to a similar question on this thread. Some obvious and some not so obvious things to consider when deciding between UIEM and CIEM: https://blog.64audio.com/ciem-vs-uiem/

 

[RIGATIO]

Damn.. they smooth like butter.

 

[vsg28]

From my personal experience, Filipp @64, I've found that our IEMs with the apex modules reduce the risk of my ears getting plugged after a flight, which used to happen all the time while wearing traditional CIEMs on flights. The isolation is great

Seconded, the U4s (or U12t, not sure yet) will be my travel companion on a long flight to Taiwan next month. I've used these before for shorter flights and they've been great with the apex modules helping prevent any pressure build-up or popped ears. I tried some CIEMs too, which were also great, but not the easiest to remove at the end of the flight lol (not 64 Audio CIEMs though, so I am not sure how they'd work here).

 

[KeaneShadow]

we actually published a detailed blog about this very topic. it actually started as a response to a similar question on this thread. Some obvious and some not so obvious things to consider when deciding between UIEM and CIEM: https://blog.64audio.com/ciem-vs-uiem/

Thank you for sharing the link, very helpful! My current ciems is the V3 from when you were still 1964 Ears that I have had for 10 years now and still enjoy. Only complaint I have is the pressure build up when using them during flights. I have the U4s coming tomorrow and very anxious to put them to use. At some point I probably will get another set of ciems… Looking at the A6t as an option.

 

[RIGATIO]

After 2h, these my initial thoughts of the u4s/module 15 vs Monarch Mk2:

- detail/mids- the MMk2 are definitely more resolving, cleaner and pinpoint, very sharply separated in mids (well they probably have one of the best midranges on the market right now, so the bar is set very high. The MMk2 beat the u12t in this area for me so..). But i dont think i can hear less with the u4s. They just have a different tuning and they are still very satisfying so im happy. Vocals on the u4s are pushed back on the stage, so it can be because of that.
- trebles- the MMk2 have buttery smooth trebles but the u4s have more air region which is fantastic due to the Tia driver. Amazing, delicate detail up on a very top.
- bass- the u4s win here hands down. The MMk2 have very prominent subbass but it shows up only in specific recordings, where on the u4s the midbass and subbass are always prominent, giving a great depth and drive to the stage and sound overall.
- soundstage- the MMk2 seem wider because of a very clean and open midrange. The u4s are deeper and more 3D, wrapping around my head. But there are moments when the sounds appear far right/left, beyond my shoulders so seems like the u4s have a potential to spread the soundstage far in this directions but they do it only when the recording calls for it.
- dynamics- the u4s are winning here, having even blacker background and showing very clearly differences between louder and quieter instruments. Amazing! Very moody, slightly darker and calmer but still neutral sound, without significant coloration. Great punch too where the MMk2 are leaner overall.
- engagement- for me the u4s are a keeper definitely. They are calmer, more relaxed but still very enjoyable listening. The Monarchs are more into my face with gobes of detail and sharp separation, with rawer presentation. They are like experiencing music live in the outdoor enviroment when the u4s are more moody, like listening to the performance in a very big club/hall. The MMk2 can become fatiguing after a while, where the u4s draw me into the music the more i listen to.
The u4s are almost the same as the u12t in their presentation but with better bass and slightly better tuned treble but less resolving. Actually for me the resolution is the only factor where the u4s slightly loses to the u12t.

Im amazed actually.

 

[KeaneShadow]

After 2h, these my initial thoughts of the u4s/module 15 vs Monarch Mk2:

- detail/mids- the MMk2 are definitely more resolving, cleaner and pinpoint, very sharply separated in mids (well they probably have one of the best midranges on the market right now, so the bar is set very high. The MMk2 beat the u12t in this area for me so..). But i dont think i can hear less with the u4s. They just have a different tuning and they are still very satisfying so im happy. Vocals on the u4s are pushed back on the stage, so it can be because of that.
- trebles- the MMk2 have buttery smooth trebles but the u4s have more air region which is fantastic due to the Tia driver. Amazing, delicate detail up on a very top.
- bass- the u4s win here hands down. The MMk2 have very prominent subbass but it shows up only in specific recordings, where on the u4s the midbass and subbass are always prominent, giving a great depth and drive to the stage and sound overall.
- soundstage- the MMk2 seem wider because of a very clean and open midrange. The u4s are deeper and more 3D, wrapping around my head. But there are moments when the sounds appear far right/left, beyond my shoulders so seems like the u4s have a potential to spread the soundstage far in this directions but they do it only when the recording calls for it.
- dynamics- the u4s are winning here, having even blacker background and showing very clearly differences between louder and quieter instruments. Amazing! Very moody, slightly darker and calmer but still neutral sound, without significant coloration. Great punch too where the MMk2 are leaner overall.
- engagement- for me the u4s are a keeper definitely. They are calmer, more relaxed but still very enjoyable listening. The Monarchs are more into my face with gobes of detail and sharp separation, with rawer presentation. They are like experiencing music live in the outdoor enviroment when the u4s are more moody, like listening to the performance in a very big club/hall. The MMk2 can become fatiguing after a while, where the u4s draw me into the music the more i listen to.
The u4s are almost the same as the u12t in their presentation but with better bass and slightly better tuned treble but less resolving. Actually for me the resolution is the only factor where the u4s slightly loses to the u12t.

Im amazed actually.

Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to your feedback once you get some time in with the other apex modules. Did you purchase your U4s with the Go Pod bundle or just the stand alone iem?

 

[RIGATIO]

Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to your feedback once you get some time in with the other apex modules. Did you purchase your U4s with the Go Pod bundle or just the stand alone iem?

Hi i purchased the stand alone iem. For BT i use Dethonray Pegasus Gold and they sound amazing with it. The hiss is almost non existent.

 

[RIGATIO]

Small correction- the u4s sound wider than the Monarch Mk2, just checked again listening Genesis.

 

[iFi audio]

Yes, T2 and IPX are the same connector made by estron. It doesn't seem available yet, but should be made available from ifi soon

That's affirmative

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Small correction- the u4s sound wider than the Monarch Mk2, just checked again listening Genesis.

How does it compare to the Meteor

 

[Trance_Gott]

U4s with a pure silver cable is mind blowing good. Prefer it to U12T.

 

[RIGATIO]

How does it compare to the Meteor

Way better in every regard.
Initially, ouf of the box the soundstage was bit narrower but after a couple hourse is wide, 3D and more immersive. I dont believe in burn in but this is the case here because out of the box they sounded narrower than the Monarch but now i compared them again and the u4s sound wider than the MMk2. From memory, the Meteor were wide but the u4s are similar in width and more immersive in hight and depth. The overall space impression and immersion are more engaging on the u4s.
I think the DD bass plays a very important role in creating stage picture here.

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

I think the DD bass plays a very important role in creating stage picture here.

I hope so, I assume this is on the M15? Have you tested the other M12 & M20 to eachother?

Pretty excited to get my pair tomorrow

 

[RIGATIO]

I hope so, I assume this is on the M15? Have you tested the other M12 & M20 to eachother?

Pretty excited to get my pair tomorrow

I only tested with M15 and M12. The M12 opens midrange a bit but i dont need it Will check M20 and MX tomorrow, too busy enjoying music right now

 

[Neweymatt]

I’ve got a question for all the U12t, U18t/s, Nio, and U6t owners. Give that the price for the custom versions of above iems are the same as the universals. If you had to purchase them all over again would you go the custom route or stick with the universals and why?

I bought U6t as a kind of test case, to see how I'd get along with a 64Audio IEM. Liked it so much I went ahead and got A12t a few months later.

Don´t like Customs, so I would go every time with universals. If you get a good Seal with the right Tips, then customs don't have any benefits besides using them on stage or things like that.

No benefits except for those mentioned here:

we actually published a detailed blog about this very topic. it actually started as a response to a similar question on this thread. Some obvious and some not so obvious things to consider when deciding between UIEM and CIEM: https://blog.64audio.com/ciem-vs-uiem/

I spend many long hours every day listening to music and on conference calls for work, so having an IEM that is comfortable, with perfect sound, with no reason to ever adjust works great for me. Universals, despite how good a fit you might get, will always be coloured to some degree by the tips you use. You don't get that with CIEM, instead you just get the tuning exactly how the manufacturer made it all the time every time. I know some folks like to tune the sound they get with universals by changing tips, but if I ever feel the need to do that, there's always EQ or maybe a cable swap instead.

talking about travelling, how do you guys find the apex isolation in-flight? good enough/comparable with other universals without the apex tech?

Absolutely outstanding, this was one thing that sold me on going with the A12t. A few months after I got my U6t I had to take a long-haul trip to the US, and I took the U6t with me, M20 module installed. They isolate exceptionally well, and the APEX pressure relief is a godsend on a plane. It took me nearly 36 hours to get from Sydney to Tampa, and I used the U6t for most of that time. Oh, and because 64Audio IEMs are so forgiving of the source you are using, they sound damn fine using the inflight entertainment system, which I was pleasantly surprised with. I've used it several times on long trips since, and it is real champion. I don't think I'll fly again without it.