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64 Audio Solo Planar Magnetic IEMs

VSG

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64 Audio enters the wild world of planar magnetic IEMs with the new Solo. It uses tech gained over the years and adds a novel implementation of Helmholtz resonators + electronic filter to make for the most controlled and smooth sounding treble of any planar magnetic IEMs I've tried to date. Add to this an open sounding presentation and unique aesthetics, and the Solo is a premium set that should interest many.

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Great tech on these little things. It wasn't too long ago that reading a review like this instantly made me realize it was about a $6000+ set.

At $1399 it's much more than I can budget to audio, but as time goes on we should see these technologies come to much more accessible sets.
 
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Great tech on these little things. It wasn't too long ago that reading a review like this instantly made me realize it was about a $6000+ set.

At $1399 it's much more than I can budget to audio, but as time goes on we should see these technologies come to much more accessible sets.
64 Audio is always pricey as it's a pro brand.

These are interesting and do a couple things other competitors don't. Fun to see a company like 64 dabble in this area.
 

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The 64 Audio Solo planar magnetic IEMs will release on September 17

You mean like next year?
 
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You mean like next year?

64 Audio's website states October 17, it's probably a typo.

64 Audio is always pricey as it's a pro brand.

These are interesting and do a couple things other competitors don't. Fun to see a company like 64 dabble in this area.

I don't think it's even that high-priced for the tech in these IEMs. Kinda too much for me, but once this kind of tech makes into the $200 tier, I'll be mighty tempted. My next audio-related purchase will probably be a Sony CD900ST. I've wanted one of those for some time now, but they're extra hard to come by. If I can't find one, probably a regular MDR-7506. You gotta pry my V7's from my cold dead hands, but they're starting to need some maintenance. Being 30+ years old and in heavy use for the past 2 or so...
 

HDP56427

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@VSG

Hello, thank you for the excellent review. I already own the 64 Audio Volür. Does it have any meaning to get the Solo, as well? I am asking you because you have reviewed both.

Thank you
 

VSG

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@VSG

Hello, thank you for the excellent review. I already own the 64 Audio Volür. Does it have any meaning to get the Solo, as well? I am asking you because you have reviewed both.

Thank you
Are you finding something missing from the Volür for your preferences? I can try to answer whether the Solo can help fill that missing gap accordingly.
 

HDP56427

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Are you finding something missing from the Volür for your preferences? I can try to answer whether the Solo can help fill that missing gap accordingly.

The Volür, particularly with the COREIR Brass Metal Core Eartips, suits my needs perfectly. However, the only other planar IEM I own is the 7Hz Timeless, and I am curious about the merits of the Solo. Setting aside the cost, are there any aspects in which the Solo excels compared to the Volür? Conversely, does the Volür surpass the Solo in all respects? Additionally, if you were to rate both on a scale from 1 to 10, what scores would you assign to the Solo and the Volür?
 

VSG

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The Volür, particularly with the COREIR Brass Metal Core Eartips, suits my needs perfectly. However, the only other planar IEM I own is the 7Hz Timeless, and I am curious about the merits of the Solo. Setting aside the cost, are there any aspects in which the Solo excels compared to the Volür? Conversely, does the Volür surpass the Solo in all respects? Additionally, if you were to rate both on a scale from 1 to 10, what scores would you assign to the Solo and the Volür?
Solo is better with more complex tracks and imaging, it can be more ideal for mixing and mastering too as a result of the more accurate soundstage, and I'd say it can be less fatiguing than Volür depending on how you perceive the upper treble. But realistically, Volür bests the Solo in bass reproduction and isolation to where it's a better set of IEMs for most music listening.
 

HDP56427

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Solo is better with more complex tracks and imaging, it can be more ideal for mixing and mastering too as a result of the more accurate soundstage, and I'd say it can be less fatiguing than Volür depending on how you perceive the upper treble. But realistically, Volür bests the Solo in bass reproduction and isolation to where it's a better set of IEMs for most music listening.
Thank you for your response. I am not involved in mastering or mixing; I simply enjoy listening to Electronic music. I am very pleased with my 64 Audio Volür, no issue with its treble performance. However, I find it frustrating that the price [for the Solo] is the same globally: £1,399.00 equals $1,399.00. I also think it is overpriced.

In your review, you also mentioned the Symphonium X Elise Audio Europa. Do you believe it is superior to the Solo overall? Additionally, could you recommend an alternative to the Volür that offers comparable/better quality? What would the next step be for you?

Thank you, apologies for the many questions.
 

VSG

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Thank you for your response. I am not involved in mastering or mixing; I simply enjoy listening to Electronic music. I am very pleased with my 64 Audio Volür, no issue with its treble performance. However, I find it frustrating that the price [for the Solo] is the same globally: £1,399.00 equals $1,399.00. I also think it is overpriced.

In your review, you also mentioned the Symphonium X Elise Audio Europa. Do you believe it is superior to the Solo overall? Additionally, could you recommend an alternative to the Volür that offers comparable/better quality? What would the next step be for you?

Thank you, apologies for the many questions.
I haven't heard the Europa outside of an audio show, so I really can't say more than what I briefly mentioned in the review. I still don't get why you are looking for a replacement if the Volür is currently meeting your needs perfectly. Don't fall in the trap of thinking something else will be better. I can just say that it's worth attending shows and visiting dealers when you are in this price range, as things start to get more specialized and less all-rounder style. The PMG Apx SE (https://vsg.squig.link/?share=VSG_Target,64_Audio_Volur_M20,PMG_Apx_SE) is the only thing I can think of (among sets I have reviewed) which is an improvement over the Volür in that it has a very similar tonality and improves upon the other aspects- resolution, dynamics, imaging, layering etc. It's also a lot more expensive and almost sold out, so you can see why I am hesistant to tell you to do anything like this.
 

HDP56427

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I haven't heard the Europa outside of an audio show, so I really can't say more than what I briefly mentioned in the review. I still don't get why you are looking for a replacement if the Volür is currently meeting your needs perfectly. Don't fall in the trap of thinking something else will be better. I can just say that it's worth attending shows and visiting dealers when you are in this price range, as things start to get more specialized and less all-rounder style. The PMG Apx SE (https://vsg.squig.link/?share=VSG_Target,64_Audio_Volur_M20,PMG_Apx_SE) is the only thing I can think of (among sets I have reviewed) which is an improvement over the Volür in that it has a very similar tonality and improves upon the other aspects- resolution, dynamics, imaging, layering etc. It's also a lot more expensive and almost sold out, so you can see why I am hesistant to tell you to do anything like this.

Thank you, I am not seeking a replacement at this time; rather, I am interested in purchasing an additional IEM that surpasses the performance of the Volür.

Maybe this one:
Nightjar Acoustics Duality

If you have any insights or opinions regarding the above, I would greatly appreciate your input.
 

VSG

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Thank you, I am not seeking a replacement at this time; rather, I am interested in purchasing an additional IEM that surpasses the performance of the Volür.

Maybe this one:
Nightjar Acoustics Duality

If you have any insights or opinions regarding the above, I would greatly appreciate your input.
Way too much bass for me, even in the balanced mode. It's fun, but I don't know if it's $3k of fun.
 

superb_sjlim

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Hello there!
Thank you for your excellent review.
I currently own the U4S, and I'm really interested in hearing your comparative thoughts on the Solo and U4S.
Do you have any detailed insights you could share about these two IEMs?
I'm particularly curious about how they compare in terms of bass response, midrange clarity, treble performance, and overall sound signature.
I'm a fan of fun, engaging sound signatures, and I've been wondering if the Solo might be a step up from my U4S.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance for your help!
 

VSG

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Hello there!
Thank you for your excellent review.
I currently own the U4S, and I'm really interested in hearing your comparative thoughts on the Solo and U4S.
Do you have any detailed insights you could share about these two IEMs?
I'm particularly curious about how they compare in terms of bass response, midrange clarity, treble performance, and overall sound signature.
I'm a fan of fun, engaging sound signatures, and I've been wondering if the Solo might be a step up from my U4S.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi, the review already has a comparison section between these two.
 

superb_sjlim

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Hi, the review already has a comparison section between these two.
Thank you for reminding me.
I went back and read the review again.
It was very helpful!
I have one more question.
I tend to listen to IEMs at a slightly higher volume.
Because of this, sometimes in very quiet spaces, it can be noisy for people next to me.
Can you tell me about the sound leakage of the Solo?
If it's similar to the U4s in terms of leakage, I think that would be fine.
Thank you for your help.
 

VSG

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Thank you for reminding me.
I went back and read the review again.
It was very helpful!
I have one more question.
I tend to listen to IEMs at a slightly higher volume.
Because of this, sometimes in very quiet spaces, it can be noisy for people next to me.
Can you tell me about the sound leakage of the Solo?
If it's similar to the U4s in terms of leakage, I think that would be fine.
Thank you for your help.
The Solo leaks more than U4s, so if there are people within 2' of you then they may be able to hear it.
 
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