The Official 64 Audio Thread | apex & tia Technologies

[CL14715]

Odin will probably do it all.

I listen to mostly metal. PM what you like and see how it performs on my gear now.

 

[gLer]

I’m finding it really difficult to decide between the Z1R, the fir M4 and Odin. I still have a week or so to decide which to get but from what I’ve read, the M4 beats the trio (which I was also contemplating) for what I’m looking for. So atm it’s at the top of my list! How would you say that the z1r handles genres such as metal and faster genres? I’m really looking for a rather quick DD response with a sub bass focus (to not interfere with the mids) and a detailed midrange with a more forward leaning upper mids and treble (more engaging). The M4 really seems to nail what I’m looking for but I’ll wait and see what Odin brings to the table before deciding.

Won't Odin be twice the price of the others? Also, I'm not sure how loud you listen, but ever since experiencing the pressure relief of Apex modules I wouldn't want to use an IEM (especially a DD IEM) without some sort of Apex system (you're good with the M4 but not Z1R or Odin).

The Z1R is an anomaly to me. Almost every review I've read includes some sort of warning about the fit and and the treble (usually both), complementing its unique sound with the corollary that you'll probably only be able to enjoy it in short doses (either because of poor fit or hot treble).

One day I'll try it for myself, but since I tend to listen to IEMs (and headphones) for 4-5 hours at a time (like I did with Nio today), and even snooze with them, it's unlikely the Z1R will be something I'd find comfortable enough for long enough.

 

[gLer]

Odin will probably do it all.

I listen to mostly metal. PM what you like and see how it performs on my gear now.

The hype train is at full speed before it's even left the station!

 

[mashuto]

I’m finding it really difficult to decide between the Z1R, the fir M4 and Odin. I still have a week or so to decide which to get but from what I’ve read, the M4 beats the trio (which I was also contemplating) for what I’m looking for. So atm it’s at the top of my list! How would you say that the z1r handles genres such as metal and faster genres? I’m really looking for a rather quick DD response with a sub bass focus (to not interfere with the mids) and a detailed midrange with a more forward leaning upper mids and treble (more engaging). The M4 really seems to nail what I’m looking for but I’ll wait and see what Odin brings to the table before deciding.

I dont really listen to metal or super fast genres, though there are often faster parts in some of the edm/electronica I listen to. But the Z1R does fine. The DD tweeter is abut as capable as any fast BA, its just a DD so the timbre is a bit different. I personally enjoyed the sound of it with whatever I listened to on it. Heard the M4 briefly but it was a while back and only for a few minutes so I cant comment directly, except to say that for me I definitely still prefered the sound of the Z1R. However, in the bass, its not the quickest. Thats one of the nice things about it, it has a very natural but slower decay with probably the best subbass I have heard in an iem. But I dont think anyone would call its bass quick or fast.

As for the Odin... well, its definitely all hype at this point. Those who have heard it are probably all under NDA, so theres absolutely nothing to go on with them right now. And with how Empire seems comfortable pushing quite unique sound signatures in their high end lineup, based on what I have read about the LX and wraith, I think the Odin could honestly go in any direction at this point. Plus based on the few comments made by empire, I would be very surprised if the price was less than $3k, which at this point is pretty much double your other options.

Won't Odin be twice the price of the others? Also, I'm not sure how loud you listen, but ever since experiencing the pressure relief of Apex modules I wouldn't want to use an IEM (especially a DD IEM) without some sort of Apex system (you're good with the M4 but not Z1R or Odin).

The Z1R is an anomaly to me. Almost every review I've read includes some sort of warning about the fit and and the treble (usually both), complementing its unique sound with the corollary that you'll probably only be able to enjoy it in short doses (either because of poor fit or hot treble).

One day I'll try it for myself, but since I tend to listen to IEMs (and headphones) for 4-5 hours at a time (like I did with Nio today), and even snooze with them, it's unlikely the Z1R will be something I'd find comfortable enough for long enough.

The Z1R is kind of an anomaly, it has a very unique driver config, and does some things incredibly well, but is certainly not to everyones liking. Again for me though, treble was never an issue. But I can only speak for myself. Fit is up there with the worst I have ever worn though. The custom tips I ended up getting have helped significantly, but its still not what I would call comfortable. A 4-5 hour listening session with them even with the custom tips doesnt sound very pleasant to me.

 

[Titienne]

Also, I'm not sure how loud you listen, but ever since experiencing the pressure relief of Apex modules I wouldn't want to use an IEM (especially a DD IEM) without some sort of Apex system

This. Apex is awesome when you listen to music multiple hours a day. You really don't get the fatigue that you usually get with IEMs after a few hours. Really spoiled it for me not going to lie.

 

[Tristy]

I’m willing to spend a little extra on Odin given that it will already have the cable termination that I need and an upgrade cable attached. But yeah @Rockwell75 the pricing of the Odin will be the main deciding factor (of course, along with the tuning). @gLer thr Z1r’s size isn’t much of a consideration for me as I do have pretty large lug-holes... and if I did purchase it, it would be through Amazon with their very good return policy. The M4’s incarnation of the Apex system is also a very big plus that I need to consider, I really loved it in the U12t and it was so much easier on the ears. Thank you @CL14715 ! I appreciate it. But yeah I’m basically looking for an overall fast transient response across all frequencies and a DD. I’ll shoot you a DM now.

 

[mwhals]

I could fill the pickup truck with the Odin price in pennies, take it to EE and buy it.

 

[Tristy]

I dont really listen to metal or super fast genres, though there are often faster parts in some of the edm/electronica I listen to. But the Z1R does fine. The DD tweeter is abut as capable as any fast BA, its just a DD so the timbre is a bit different. I personally enjoyed the sound of it with whatever I listened to on it. Heard the M4 briefly but it was a while back and only for a few minutes so I cant comment directly, except to say that for me I definitely still prefered the sound of the Z1R. However, in the bass, its not the quickest. Thats one of the nice things about it, it has a very natural but slower decay with probably the best subbass I have heard in an iem. But I dont think anyone would call its bass quick or fast.

As for the Odin... well, its definitely all hype at this point. Those who have heard it are probably all under NDA, so theres absolutely nothing to go on with them right now. And with how Empire seems comfortable pushing quite unique sound signatures in their high end lineup, based on what I have read about the LX and wraith, I think the Odin could honestly go in any direction at this point. Plus based on the few comments made by empire, I would be very surprised if the price was less than $3k, which at this point is pretty much double your other options.

The Z1R is kind of an anomaly, it has a very unique driver config, and does some things incredibly well, but is certainly not to everyones liking. Again for me though, treble was never an issue. But I can only speak for myself. Fit is up there with the worst I have ever worn though. The custom tips I ended up getting have helped significantly, but its still not what I would call comfortable. A 4-5 hour listening session with them even with the custom tips doesnt sound very pleasant to me.

What did you listen to the M4 with and also was it the production model? As I know they have gone through several iterations before coming to the final tuning.

 

[Tristy]

Haha I see you have the Nio. Your experiences with that and the artists I’ve mentioned would be really good! I already have the legend X and I know it’s superb with the synth stuff but for metal I don’t think it keeps up too well. Thank you again.

 

[Titienne]

I already have the legend X and I know it’s superb with the synth stuff but for metal I don’t think it keeps up too well.

Agreed. That's one thing I noticed when I first demoed them. The bass just gets in a way a little too much and can't keep up speed wise. Drums are really impactful, but with faster passages, it just doesn't sound right. The fact that the mid range is a little further back doesn't help either. Still a decent IEM for some genres, but fast metal isn't really one of them.

 

[mashuto]

What did you listen to the M4 with and also was it the production model? As I know they have gone through several iterations before coming to the final tuning.

I think it was the production version, with the red faceplate. It was a demo unit a friend was demoing, back in maybe around the beginning of the year. Listened to it with the n6ii, probably the a01 board. It wasn't bad, it just didn't excite me like the z1r I already owned did. But take with a huge grain of salt as I only listened to it for maybe 5 minutes.

 

[Tristy]

I think it was the production version, with the red faceplate. It was a demo unit a friend was demoing, back in maybe around the beginning of the year. Listened to it with the n6ii, probably the a01 board. It wasn't bad, it just didn't excite me like the z1r I already owned did. But take with a huge grain of salt as I only listened to it for maybe 5 minutes.

Fair enough, thank you. Information is scarce on the M4 in particular so I appreciate all I can get.

 

[VTMA8132]

In my opinion, if you are happy with the nio, not really. The trio does present as slightly more detailed with more clarity and a slightly more "holographic" soundstage. It's also a bit more v shaped which may work a little better depending on the type of music you listen to. But speaking personally, having both, the nio is better for me and I will likely be selling the trio.

Unless of course you wanna buy my trio off me. Heh.

how much are you selling for the Trio? Where do you locate? Thanks.

 

[Vitaly2017]

This. Apex is awesome when you listen to music multiple hours a day. You really don't get the fatigue that you usually get with IEMs after a few hours. Really spoiled it for me not going to lie.

100 % agree on that one, no more iems for me without pressure relief!!! I cant stand them at all. Start to feel fatigue after 2 hours

 

[mashuto]

how much are you selling for the Trio? Where do you locate? Thanks.

Not 100% sure yet. Im in the USA and for ease, I would prefer to sell within the US. But send me a message or just wait until I post it, don't wanna clutter the thread with sale talk.