Our Take

The U18s is an incredible IEM which bends its studio reference nature just a little bit to create an engaging audiophile sound. Nothing is exaggerated, everything is in balance, and the realistic immersive space it creates helps transport you into the music.

Read the full review.

From 64 Audio

64 Audio revolutionized the IEM industry in 2016 with its world class reference level U18t, the world's first 18-driver earphone. Now, with the introduction of U18s, 64 Audio has taken the heritage of the 18 driver platform and further pushed the envelope of innovation in sound and design. U18s combines proprietary drivers, LID technology and a new electronic crossover network to deliver a uniquely exceptional listening experience.

U18s is handcrafted in the USA from aerospace-grade aluminum billet. CNC milled, hand blasted, fly cut, and twice anodized - the result is a striking fractal design that is inspired by nature itself.

64 Audio U18s

Technology

U18t features the following unique technology:

Tia

The tia system is comprised of three major elements: open balanced armature tia drivers, the tia single-bore design, and tia acoustic chambers. All our Custom In-Ear Monitors with tia feature two major elements of the tia system: the tia driver and the tia single-bore design.

Tia Driver
An open balanced armature speaker design for realistic resolution and transparency. By opening a balanced armature, the diaphragm becomes fully unobstructed, reducing resonance in the IEM and allowing sound to travel more naturally to the ear.

Tia Single Bore
A huge advancement in eliminating unwanted tube resonance. The large bore itself serves as a sound-shaping chamber and aids the tia high driver in delivering a linear and coherent frequency response. The short sound path provides remarkable high-frequency extension and smoothness. The large single bore also allows for easier maintenance.

Apex

Apex, or Air Pressure Exchange, is a pneumatically interactive vent that releases air pressure in a sealed in the ear canal. Apex comes in two variations, m15 (-15dB) and m20 (-20dB).

Alleviate Listener Fatigue
When you seal a miniature speaker in an ear canal, the air inside becomes trapped. Apex relieves this air pressure, allowing the eardrum to move naturally, so you can comfortably listen longer.

Extend The Soundstage
Freely moving air extends the soundstage and provides a more natural listening experience. It also preserves bass frequencies and helps the listener distinguish individual instruments.

Hear Your Audience
Custom in-ear monitors provide amazing isolation and help you hear your mix more clearly and at lower volumes than a wedge monitor or earbuds. Apex lowers decibel levels while preserving the clarity of the sounds around you, so artists on stage can connect with their audience while protecting their hearing.

LID

LID, or Linear Impedance Design, enables a consistent, reliable sound regardless of what source. This proprietary circuit corrects the non-linear impedances of the drivers, restoring proper interaction with the source and preserving the desired sound signature. Whether you're a musician plugging into a variety of gear at different gigs or studios, or an audiophile listening from low-impedance sources, LID ensures your IEMs are delivering the desired sound signature consistently. And like all our IEMs, this model can be used with a wide range of personal audio devices as well as all hard-wired and wireless monitor systems.

64 Audio U18s

64 Audio Buyer's Guide

Specs

Driver Type/Count	Eighteen precision balanced armature drivers
Driver Configuration	1 tia high, 1 high-mid, 8 mid, 8 low
Frequency Response	10Hz – 20kHz
Sensitivity	106 dB/mW @ 1kHz @ 1mW (84mV)
Impedance	8Ω Nominal
Crossover	Integrated 4-way passive crossover
Isolation	-20dB w/ m20 module, -15dB w/ m15 module, -10db w/ mX module

In the Box

U18s Universal In-Ear Monitors
Dehumidifier Cleaning Tool
Shirt Clip
TrueFidelity Eartips (S,M,L)
Silicone Eartips (S,M,L)
SpinFit Eartips
Ear Tip Holder 48"
8-Braid Silver Premium Cable
Branded m20 apex Modules
Branded m15 apex Modules
Branded mX apex Modules
Round Sticker
Product Manual