Tech-N-Things

This is easily the best-looking and most connected IEM I’ve ever owned. From the moment I first saw its release, I wanted it. I suppose it didn’t help that when I visited my friend Mike and saw his Solo’s in person, I was even more convinced. Even my wife, when she saw them, knew they were perfect for me based on their look and quality. Everything from the cable to the way they were presented in the box—it all connected with me on a deeper level than any other IEM. Ironically, it even matched the color of my endgame headphones, the 109 Pros; my DAP, the N6III; my desktop speakers by Edifier; and my endgame DAC/AMP, the Hifiman EF400. It seems a lot of things in my life lately are coming in this color pattern and connecting with me

But we all know that the exterior can’t be the main focus. So what makes these different or better? To that, I’d say it’s how incredibly lightweight they are. This lightness greatly enhances their fit. They’re the first IEMs I’ve worn that feel like wireless earphones. The cable and casing are so light that you don’t feel the typical pull or pressure when a wire is connected to your ears. This allows your brain to focus more on the sound itself, rather than the object the sound is coming from. This aids in the IEM’s holographic abilities. The sound imaging and placement are so precise and easily perceived in your mind as you listen to music or other sounds.

The sound these can push out has a surprising amount of power. 64 Audio has always been good at this; their developers know how to get so much out of such a small case. The single planar driver technology in the Solo is a testament to this expertise. They’ve managed to create sound that is better than everything I’ve ever heard, with the exception of the Valhalla and U12T. The key difference, however, is that the Solo has a superior combination of quality, fit, and appearance compared to the other two. The U12T never stayed out in my ears for some reason. The seal would break within minutes of listening over and over again no matter the tips. That broke my immersion. And the Valhalla was a little too big but the sound was amazing. Outside from that the name was not something I could buy into personally.

When you consider that the Solo delivers top-tier performance in bass, treble (among the best I’ve ever heard), and mids (on par with the very best), all while being the best-fitting, best-built, and best-looking model, it’s easy to understand the commotion surrounding it. So I wanted a nickname for it that was fitting its looks and it’s one-of -one unique approach to the standard. So what nickname could I give it that would fit such a accomplishment? I needed a powerful character that had the abilities to stand out and yet be controversial to the standards that others think are true but may not necessarily be the case.

And then it hit me. I remembered a similar conversation in a movie I recently saw that matches this. Even the color scheme was somewhat reflective. The gold and bronze look of Killmonger would do quite well. Why not? He’s powerful, complex and yet respected and feared at the same time. Even the theme of having him alone and entering a established way of thinking and challenging that thought and tradition connects. With the Solo 64 Audio taking the approach that a single driver excellence is harder to achieve than multiple driver is a direct stable at the norm,  proving its sure engineering and hard work that fuels its power.

The timbre of this IEM was the leading sound characteristic I was looking for. I’ve always been obsessed with realistic sound, and given that 64 Audio’s goal is to achieve this in all of their IEMs, I trusted that they would deliver. However, when this IEM was delivered and it not only met my expectations for timbre but also had bass and treble that rivaled every IEM I had previously owned, I knew it was special. But when it also rivaled the mids of my Thieaudio brand IEMs, it took it to a different level entirely.  And yes I’m sure there are those that will say the opposite. That’s fine, we all have different ears and frankly I could care less at this stage in life. For me, every choice they made in this design, including the planar driver and the Helmholtz resonator, truly demonstrated proper R&D, the kind of legendary work that 64 Audio has built its name on.

Little details, like the quality of the cable, mean everything to audiophiles like myself. I love the feel and thickness of this cable, it’s not too thick and not too thin. I also appreciate that they went with a braided design, which is my favorite style.

Even the smallest thing, like the soft-cushion spring on the shirt clip, is a major feature to implement. It’s something you wouldn’t expect to enjoy, but it turns out to be quite pleasant and matches the overall quality of the package. This is all before you even get to the IEMs themselves, which simply look amazing and are the best-looking non-custom IEMs I have ever seen.

So, what about this product’s design and creation could be better? The short answer: not a single dang thing. For me, this is a perfect IEM. More than that, I feel it represents all that 64 Audio believes in, mirroring their core values more closely than any other IEM they have ever made. So, ONLY perfect Diamond award could be granted for such a feat.

There is, again, something so very special and unique about this creation. It’s as if the stars aligned for 64 Audio, and the right people with the right ideas came together to create a product that embodies their company culture and beliefs. The result is a physical manifestation of an IEM that literally looks like the poster child for their brand.