What's the Best 64 Audio IEM for Me in 2024?

Founded in 2012 by Vitaliy Belonozhko 64 Audio is perhaps best known for custom fit IEMs designed for musicians, but they’ve also given us some of the most talked about universal IEMs for audiophiles, like the Volür and U12t. Whether you’re buying your first set of IEMs or just looking to expand your collection, 64 Audio should definitely be on your list.

64 Audio Technology

In order to achieve their high level of performance, 64 Audio has a number of proprietary technologies that you can find in their IEMs.

Tia is an acronym for “Tubeless In-Ear Audio.” It’s an open balanced armature driver design that 64 Audio uses in conjunction with acoustic chambers in the IEM to bring resolution and transparency along with a smooth natural sound, specifically for the treble. Along with this is the tia single bore design, which eliminates any unwanted resonance and aids the tia driver in preventing any obstruction of sound.

LID is part of 64 Audio’s circuit design which helps create a consistent sound and performance from a variety of devices regardless of the power output of the device. This means you don’t need to worry about damaging the IEMs from a higher voltage source or getting inconsistent performance from mobile devices.

Apex is a system of modules built into some of 64 Audio IEMs that enable the user to adjust the amount of air which is vented from the drivers. For Apex equipped IEMs, you can swap the modules out to adjust the level of isolation and venting.This can help with the pressure that a listener experiences, giving a more natural listen along with less fatigue. Apex technology can have notable effects on the bass performance and soundstage, as well as the noise isolation of the IEM.

64 Audio Products

Aspire 4 - $899

Their newest release, Aspire 4, is a great introduction to 64 Audio. Primarily targeting musicians, this IEM offers substantial bass, forward mids, and plenty of top end that combine for an accurate, versatile sound. This IEM uses four-drivers with a 3-way crossover over 3-ways, and uses apex technology integrated into the body of the IEM. This gives the listener a smooth and open listening experience. The imaging and overall polished sound of the Aspire 4 makes this IEM great not only for musicians but gamers and audiophiles as well.

U4s - $1099

The U4s adheres pretty closely to the classic 64 Audio sound while also having unique characteristics. This 4 driver hybrid IEM has a little more bass than the U6t and U12t, giving a great texture and natural sound. While the mids are more pulled back, they’re still tactile and detailed, and you’ll find a small amount of sparkle with fine details in the treble. While the separation and imaging may not hold up in comparison to the U12t, the U4s holds its own and still has a very personal presentation. For the price the U4s are a great addition to any audiophiles collection!

Duo - $1199

64 Audio Duo IEM is defined by their open back character and their massively wide soundstage. This two driver IEM has a fun V shape sound with good sub bass extension and a punchy mid bass. There is some recession in the mids, but there is a strong resolution and performance overall. The open back feature of the Duo adds to the detail of the overall sound and makes for a fun and unique listening experience for an IEM.

U6t - $1299

The 64 Audio U6t starts with a neutral tuning as a base, but then adds a just enough color to create a sound that’s equal parts musical and reference. On the technical side, it’s incredibly resolving with a fast response, strong imaging, and a wide soundstage. 64 Audio does all this with six balanced armature drivers per side, and the full range of 64 Audio’s tech.

Nio - $1699

Nio takes the basics of the 64 Audio sound, and bends it into something that’s a little more fun, with a deep, powerful bass that’s the star of the show. Nio is a nine driver IEM with eight balanced armature drivers and one dynamic. The Nio is based on the N8 custom model which was designed as a bass focused stage IEM for bassists and drummers.

The combination of spectacular resolution and reference level detail coupled with deep, powerful, brain shaking bass performance creates a unique listening experience. If you’re a basshead who’s not satisfied with exaggerated bass tunings that leave out the rest of the detail, Nio manages to balance it all together.

U12t - $1999

The U12t takes everything that the U6t does well and turns it up to 11… or perhaps 12. The soundstage is massive, the imaging holographic, and the detail absolutely stunning. U12t has stronger bass and a little more crafting of the mids and treble than U6t, creating a technically impressive sound that you won’t want to stop listening to.

This performance is made possible by twelve balanced armature drivers per side, assembled with 64 Audio’s expertise in tuning and engineering design. While not technically their flagship, U12t is perhaps the most beloved IEM in 64 Audio’s history, and considered by many to be one of the best IEMs of all time.

Tia Trio - $2299

While most of the IEMs up to this point are rooted in 64 Audio Professional Custom IEMs, like Duo and Volür, Trio was created as an Audiophile IEM from the ground up. As such, it features a less referenced focused tuning, and has a w-shape, with strong bass, the mids pulled back, and a tight boost in the upper mids for vocals, and another in the treble for air and sparkle. The technical performance is still there, with the massive soundstage and excellent imaging, though it doesn’t have quite the same level of resolution as the U12t.

Tia Trio, unlike the preceding IEMs, doesn’t have a large number of drivers, and instead features only two balanced armature and one dynamic driver. It’s also the first we’ve listed that doesn’t feature the 64 Audio’s Apex system. However, Tia Trio’s amazing performance proves that it didn’t really need another nine drivers to sound incredible.

Volur - $2499

Audio 64’s Volür is a universal IEM with 10 drivers that should be on every audiophile's radar. With a similar build to the Nio and Fourte the Volür keeps things pretty simple in regards to looks. However, it’s not looks that set this IEM apart, the Volür’s neutral sound signature and V shape is what makes it stand out.

There is an emphasis on bass and sub bass with a little extra energy in the treble. The bass is more natural sounding yet is still accurate and tight. This clean bass also allows for the mids to be clear and give the listener a sense in which the singer is addressing the mic. The imaging on this IEM strikes a great balance with a wide open space and strong separation but doesn’t feel disconnected.

U18t and U18s - $2999

Not content to have one flagship IEM, 64 Audio essentially has three. The U18s, U18Tzar, and Tia Fourte all represent top of the line, flagship performance with a number of differences between them. The U18s takes an 18 driver design, and crafts a tuning and performance that’s reminiscent of the U12t, but just a step up across the board: more soundstage, even more vivid imaging, and remarkable resolution. For listeners who want a balance between a reference monitor and a more musical audiophile sound, the U18s is the pinnacle for 64 Audio.

Stylized as the “U18 Tzar,” the U18t is the king of reference IEMs. Where the U18s takes the U12t’s tuning and upgrades the technical performance, U18t provides those same upgrades, but this time with a tuning that brings it back towards a true reference sound. While it lacks the musical tone of other 64 Audio IEMs, it brings seemingly impossible levels of detail, speed, and resolution that feels like it’s putting you in the studio as the performance happens.

It’s probably not your first choice for kicking back and relaxing, but it’s hard to find a better IEM for critical listening applications. Its higher level of neutrality helps it stand out in the 64 Audio lineup and makes it one of the most exquisitely detailed, spatially expansive reference monitors on the market.

Fourte - $3599

While the U6t through U18Tzar all have some level of pro-audio DNA and reference tuning at their roots, Fourte was 100% built and tuned for audiophile sensibilities. Like Trio, Fourte has a w-shaped sound signature, but the Fourte leans more into classic and instrumental music, with reduced bass, and a broader boost in the upper mids that provides a world class level of detail and texture with acoustic instruments. While the driver count is lower, the Fourte still manages to deliver the excellent sense of space and imaging as the other top end 64 Audio IEMs

The Bottom Line

U6t to U12t and U18s exemplify 64 Audio’s appeal to both audiophiles and music professionals,, while U4s and Nio offer a slight twist on the classic sound. Duo, Trio, Volür and Fourte offer a range of options to audiophiles looking to experience what 64 Audio has to offer, while Aspire 4 provides an entry point for music creators to get the same technology as world famous artists like Beyonce and John Mayer. Whether you’re a musician, gamer, and audiophile 64 Audio has something that could be the perfect fit for your high-end audio needs.