The Official 64 Audio Thread | apex & tia Technologies

[Precogvision]

Thanks for all the responses! I should've clarified, but I actually meant the Aluminum hockey puck case haha. It has a foam insert on top that the faux leather one doesn't have. I think it would be really sweet to have around, as I worry about squishing the less-rigid cases.

Tip rolling really is helpful. I tried foam tips once and it was almost unbearably bassy lol. What tips do you recommend to bring out the upper-mids/mid-treble a bit while toning down the mid-bass a bit? I appreciate the help!

Those frequencies ranges are more difficult to target with tips just because they're in the middle. Maybe give EQ a shot? The upper-midrange dip (to my ears) is partly responsible for the vocal diffusal and soundstage depth; in tandem with the mid-treble dip, it's what gives the U12t a more laidback tonality. That said, the U12t has a very unique type of stick impact as the treble spikes again much higher whereas most other IEMs are leveling off at that point. It sounds like you might be looking for a neutral-bright tuning instead...maybe Diffuse Field like? The U12t is much more of a U-shape.

 

[Kimiifrit]

Tip rolling really is helpful. I tried foam tips once and it was almost unbearably bassy lol. What tips do you recommend to bring out the upper-mids/mid-treble a bit while toning down the mid-bass a bit? I appreciate the help!

Usually tips with wide bores could give you brighter sounds in high-mids and treble. Xelastic might be a good try.

 

[jaker782]

I'm also in search of ideal tips to use on the Nio. My go-to are Spiral Dots, which work fine, but the tips slide all the way down the nozzle so the spiral dots are hidden and the iem nozzle is almost flush with the edge of the tip. This seems to seal well enough with larger diameter tips, but wondered if most people use smaller tips with the tips positioned on the end of the nozzle with deeper insertion? Would Sednas (light, regular or Xelastic) work better with the long, narrow nozzles? Like I said, the Spiral Dots seem to work well, just wondering what others prefer. Thanks!

 

[Tristy]

I'm also in search of ideal tips to use on the Nio. My go-to are Spiral Dots, which work fine, but the tips slide all the way down the nozzle so the spiral dots are hidden and the iem nozzle is almost flush with the edge of the tip. This seems to seal well enough with larger diameter tips, but wondered if most people use smaller tips with the tips positioned on the end of the nozzle with deeper insertion? Would Sednas (light, regular or Xelastic) work better with the long, narrow nozzles? Like I said, the Spiral Dots seem to work well, just wondering what others prefer. Thanks!

I preferred Final E tips with the nozzle pushed near to the end of the tip (shallow insertion)... perfect seal every time and very comfortable.

 

[jaker782]

I preferred Final E tips with the nozzle pushed near to the end of the tip (shallow insertion)... perfect seal every time and very comfortable.

Thanks! Yeah, for me it seems like shallow insertion with the tip pushed all the way down the nozzle towards the shell is the best option. If I try to use a spacer and keep the tip closer to the end of the nozzle, seal isn't as good no matter what size I try and the shells stick out from my ear a bit, which I don't like.

 

[Malevolint]

You might be thinking of the leather puck case that comes with the Nio. There's also the metal puck case sold separately (which I haven't tried myself). The leather case barely fits the Nio with a PW. 10 8-wire (see pics). I like to keep the Nio in a CA mesh pouch when not in use, and combined with the PW cable definitely doesn't fit in the leather case. The only thing that fits both together is the drawstring pouch that comes with the PW cables, which I then keep in a hard case.

Yeah that's a pretty thick cable and big pouch! This is my setup and it works perfectly. Like I said, my pouch only fits the shells, which is perfect.

 

[xenithon]

My go-to are Spiral Dots, which work fine, but the tips slide all the way down the nozzle so the spiral dots are hidden and the iem nozzle is almost flush with the edge of the tip... Would Sednas (light, regular or Xelastic) work better with the long, narrow nozzles?

I had similar issues with the Nio and other 64 Audio IEMs. One option is to use a rubber spacer / o-ring (also used on mechanical keyboards) which goes over the stem and sits and the bottom, keeping the Spiral Dots higher up and the actual dots visible to the eye, above the bore.

In terms of alternatives, the SednaEarFit works very well for me. The regular (black) and light (white) are virtually identical. The latter is mean to be a little softer though I don't really feel it; shape and fit wise they are the same. They are now my go-to for all 64 Audio IEMs.

The Sedna Short are also an option if you prefer a shallower fit / more flush to the ear. It works, but for me I just prefer the sound with the regular non-short version. It is a little less in-your-face and seems to help a little with stage depth.

I personally did not like the Xelastec. They grip like hell but ultimately the sticky feeling did not feel comfortable and it actually put quite a bit more pressure on my ear canal than the regular Senda.

 

[mwhals]

Yeah that's a pretty thick cable and big pouch! This is my setup and it works perfectly. Like I said, my pouch only fits the shells, which is perfect.

What pouch is that?

 

[gLer]

What pouch is that?

That looks like the CA pouch? Same as mine, unless someone else makes pouches I don't know about? I joke that the pouch is the best thing CA ever made. Well, half joke. It is very good. But it's also bulky so won't fit in the leather puck along with the 8-wire PW No. 5 or No. 10 which are monster cables to be fair.

I just tried the Nio 'naked' with the PW 10 as per @twister6's PP8 example above and it does fit. It's a tight 3-finger wrap and very gentle tucking in of the metal shells so they don't bump each other and the so the heatshrink earguides of the cable don't get bent out of shape, but it works.



If the metal puck case is the same size or larger than the leather, it'll work. You'll have to take the inner foam out through, but leave the lid foam in place.

 

[jaker782]

I had similar issues with the Nio and other 64 Audio IEMs. One option is to use a rubber spacer / o-ring (also used on mechanical keyboards) which goes over the stem and sits and the bottom, keeping the Spiral Dots higher up and the actual dots visible to the eye, above the bore.

In terms of alternatives, the SednaEarFit works very well for me. The regular (black) and light (white) are virtually identical. The latter is mean to be a little softer though I don't really feel it; shape and fit wise they are the same. They are now my go-to for all 64 Audio IEMs.

The Sedna Short are also an option if you prefer a shallower fit / more flush to the ear. It works, but for me I just prefer the sound with the regular non-short version. It is a little less in-your-face and seems to help a little with stage depth.

I personally did not like the Xelastec. They grip like hell but ultimately the sticky feeling did not feel comfortable and it actually put quite a bit more pressure on my ear canal than the regular Senda.

Yeah, I've tried the o-ring trick. I purchased a bunch on Amazon labeled as eyeglass hinge grips. They work great! However, with them on the nozzles, the shells stick out from my ears a bit and the tips do not seal as well as they do with the tips pushed back on the nozzle.

I've been wanting to try the Sedna's so think I'll order some. Thanks!

 

[mwhals]

The A12t sounds awesome with the Hiby R8 in turbo mode.

 

[mrjaybird]

Could someone give me comparison of Fostex TH900 headphones to Sony IER-Z1R or Tia Fourte iems? I have Fostex TH900 headphones. I only listen to EDM dance music and like the deep bass, large sound stage, clear mid, and harsh treble of TH900. I was wondering if IER-Z1R or Tia Fourte could give me similar or better experience.

 

[gLer]

Could someone give me comparison of Fostex TH900 headphones to Sony IER-Z1R or Tia Fourte iems? I have Fostex TH900 headphones. I only listen to EDM dance music and like the deep bass, large sound stage, clear mid, and harsh treble of TH900. I was wondering if IER-Z1R or Tia Fourte could give me similar or better experience.

You like harsh treble? There's a first. Kudos for owning up to it!

 

[mrjaybird]

You like harsh treble? There's a first. Kudos for owning up to it!

Yeah I enjoy listening to the harsh synthesizer sound of EDM dance music haha.

 

[gLer]

Yeah, I've tried the o-ring trick. I purchased a bunch on Amazon labeled as eyeglass hinge grips. They work great! However, with them on the nozzles, the shells stick out from my ears a bit and the tips do not seal as well as they do with the tips pushed back on the nozzle.

I've been wanting to try the Sedna's so think I'll order some. Thanks!

I completely agree here, even though I've ended up using the spacer method myself. I use the Sedna short with a spacer, and find this more comfortable than the standard (long stem) Sedna, even though it makes the earpieces stick out slightly (if you can wiggle them around with your finger when inserted, it means they're not sitting flush). The Nio sits perfectly flush and and sounds great when I don't use the spacer, but then the nozzle opening is right at the tip opening, which means any and all earwax goes straight onto the mesh. Bad bad bad!