Closer Examination

A big change here, compared to the other 64 Audio IEMs I have reviewed before, comes with the cables included with the Solo. Not only do you get two stock cables compared to the usual one, these also happen to be completely different from before. In fact, these are 64 Audio's first-ever pure copper cables as opposed to the silver-plated copper cable you usually see with the brand's IEMs, or even the pure silver cable which shipped exclusively with the limited edition flagship Fourté Blanc. Additionally, despite going for eight strands with each comprising 23 individual wires of OCC copper in 25 AWG wiring, these also happen to be more supple and easier to reshape compared to the standard 64 Audio cable, which will no doubt please many. The two cables offer a choice of 3.5 mm TRS single-ended or 4.4 mm TRRRS balanced terminations headed to your source. These are placed in relatively large black anodized aluminium housings with the brand logo, and the metal hardware continues this design on the splitter and the connector side. Closer to the other side we see pre-formed ear hooks that help make the cable go over and around the back of your ears. The cable terminates in two angled plastic connector housings which are marked L/R to help identify the left and right channels, respectively. The connectors themselves are standard 0.78 mm 2-pin plugs, and all the metal plugs are gold-plated for oxidation resistance. Overall, I feel 64 Audio has put more thought into the unboxing and accessories, and the Solo feels like a more premium offering as a result.


Now we get to the IEMs, and there has been divided feedback about the aesthetics and design here. The shells are made of machined 6061 aluminium (alloy) in a matte black finish, which I found to be prone to getting scuffed up and displaying white marks from use. These are equally easy to wipe off the rougher texture, and I think this should be the real point of contention as I would much rather have seen a smoother finish applied to what is ultimately a premium set of IEMs. You will feel the shells in your ears as a result, although thankfully it's not unpleasant like the MOONDROP Solis 2. The faceplates are what really got the online community going, with people thinking the grilles indicated the Solo was an open-back set. Instead, this is a decorative grille made of a copper mesh that has the 64 Audio logo adorning the front in black to contrast nicely against the copper beneath. I really like how the Solo looks, and I dare say it's even more stunning in person too. The strong logo presence may get some people to think of luxury fashion brand products perhaps, although I would argue 64 Audio would not begrudge this comparison.


The shells are ergonomically shaped to better fit in the concha, and the Solo continues the trend of 64 Audio IEMs being on the smaller side of average. It comprises two pieces put together, with the top piece being cut in the middle to display the faceplate that may make you think these are open-back, but it's better to consider this as being open feeling as opposed to being traditionally open back. Some of this is to do with the fine copper mesh used, and there's also the integrated apex core—a patented 64 Audio technology allowing for pressure relief. The Solo, as with the Duo we saw before, thus does not support Apex modules similar to the U-series of 64 Audio IEMs, meaning you can't change the extent of isolation here. The end result is a set that feels open and less isolating than a more traditional closed-back, sealed set. The lower (inner) section of the shell is also machined to allow for the cable connectors extending out the side, and we also see L/R markings, if you need it, in addition to the model name and serial number itself. The side contacting the ear is primarily flat before having an indent leading up to the nozzle that is 5.65 mm at the edge and goes down to 5.3 mm thereafter, and this lip at the end helps keep the ear tips in place once installed. The nozzle isn't very aggressively angled inward, but its length should help with the fit. A metal mesh filter placed on the nozzle opening prevents contaminants from entering the acoustic chamber, and given the uncommon size, I would have liked 64 Audio to provide some replacement filters in the box.


Fitting the different stock ear tips is easy enough given the relatively narrower nozzle, and seen above are the foam and two silicone ear tips in size M, installed on one of the IEMs to show the length and form factor of each. The all-black wide bore silicone tips tend to be my favorite with 64 Audio IEMs, and we can see how the nozzle is nearly flush with the bore opening there as well. Do try the various provided options here to get the best possible fit and seal, noting also that they can influence the sound signature slightly too. I recommend tip rolling in case you have any fit/seal issues with the stock tips, especially as I know some others had seal issues with the Solo when it was shown off at CanJam SoCal last month. The next step is to re-connect the cable by carefully identifying the matching channels and orienting the ear hooks around your ear when connecting the IEMs. Doing so is extremely simple since you just push the two pins of the cable connectors into the receptacles in the IEMs themselves. The black cable connector housing blends nicely with the black shells, and the copper cable works equally well with the faceplate to make this one of the better looking combinations on the market.