Custom In Ear Monitors Comparison V6 Stage vs A18s vs Ultimate Ears

[@totodomination6809]

From what I know, the A18T by 64 Audio are the studio version and have a more flat sound, rather than a boosted sound, for those wanting to get the A18s without the boosted Bass. :)

[@merlinzhai5096]

I have UE-5pro, Live, and recently just received my UE-Premier, UE Produce the Best IEM out of all others. UE!!!!!!

[@fadygergis]

How much difference is the premier from the 5pro ?

[@jordangunit3078]

I found the exact opposite in ultimate Ears vs 64 audio. I felt like UE had a scooped mid and just extremely, extremely boosted high frequency. Like a painful amount of high frequency in some of the models. I do think they have fidelity and could be tuned for the task, but that was my experience. I have tried all of the demo sets from the line of UE and 64 audio and ended up getting custom 64 audio. I work at Sweetwater and we sell both now and I just tested all of the UE models yesterday. They were universal demo sets. Customs increase the level of performance because it goes past the second bend in the ear and gets the seal for the low end, but I still think that’s what I sensed from them. Also, UE does tune each model very differently for different applications where as 64 is a little more consistent model to model with some slight adjustments. Again both good companies but I think the EQ experience is going to be pretty subjective.

[@Sutlore007]

UE would accept your UE-RM to be serviced. Actually, I still have a pair of discontinued UE10pro in use and just going to send it to clean up and retune. They said it is possible to do so.

[@realmastamind]

Ultimate Ears has the best service team they really do. When I got my new set last year they weren't giving me enough low end and they were hurting my ears, it turned out I needed a simple fit adjustment and they gave me everything I was looking for and more and those are the UE 5 Pros. I found I use those the most over my UE 6 Universal set because the 6 has hyped bass and treble for drummers on stage. My 6 universal is SIGNIFICANTLY lower volume and needs more gain before it gives you that punch but it is a good monitor. If you are looking for something to listen to on your phone, use the 5 pro. I am looking now to get the UE RR for the flat frequency response. I know that if I have a good seal I am going to get enough out of them. It sounds to me like from your video if you are going to mix audio in a studio and create tones and patches the RR is still a great choice. If you really wanted more low end or drivers ultimate ears has their UE 18 Pro 18 driver or 21 driver Premier. While the in ear companies would love for you to believe more drivers means better sound, you really don't need more than 2 or 3. Maybe a drummer could use 4 or 5. But then you're getting into hyped low end with a V curve.

[@joej78]

I have the universal version of these, it's one of my favorites. Only reason I haven't tried customs is cause I only listen to music for enjoyment and getting ear impressions scares me.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

premier is cool, might actually sound best amongst all on 'realistic' system

[@sh.khashimov]

I have the UERR, and I stopped hearing the bass correctly after some time. Cleaning it helped me to return the bass. You must try to suck out dirt with some medical syringe or buy an expensive hearing Aid vacuum cleaning tool.

[@fadygergis]

I was considering buying the In-ears vacuum by 64audio

[@michaelcurnutt]

Approximately how many hours of use did you have on each pair before you notice a decline in performance?

[@fadygergis]

I am not sure if I counted but I use them a lot!

[@scottlovesplayingbass3495]

I’m torn between 64 A4S vs. UE6 or 11. I’m a bass player and currently using Aclairs Duel XB.

[@DrewTimelapse]

What’d you go with? I’m debating between the ue11 and the 64 audio a6ts

[@fadygergis]

@drewtimelapse9126 I would probl go with the 64 audio

[@DrewTimelapse]

Yeah? I have an appointment with UE today at their LA location, but considering canceling it. It's the last day for the NAMM discount, so the 11 pros are $999. Do you feel like ear fatigue is more prominent with the UEs over the 64 Audios? I currently wear molded ear plugs for practice with my band, but like the idea of being able to put maybe the 15db filter in the 64 audios and not need to take out my iems that often. One last thing, do the 64 audios come with a total filter that doesn't allow any sound through?@@fadygergis

[@GauisHelenaMohaim]

Honestly, these type of remarks about single driver getting overworked and thus possibly not being audiofile is quite bizarre. I only have experience in universal iem's and a whole range of headphones but there are quite a lot of excellent and unfortunately also quite expensive single driver iem's out there good for mixing and with exellent base extension. While mentioning amazing single driver headphones like the sennheiser 800 series shouldn't be necessary. 😉

[@sand9577]

Are you sure the IEM were loosing high end or simply your own ears were getting older and losing sensibility the to higher frequencies?

[@fadygergis]

I mix and master music for living. Also my new IEMs are just fine with just fine top end.

[@Parkster44]

Hi , love the review but I’m wondering if you were looking into getting the ultimate ears UE live or their new premier . Why did you choose A64 ? I’m just asking because I’m in the search to buy from either 64 or UE . I really don’t know what to do . I am a singer in a punk /métal band .

[@fadygergis]

The reason why I went with the 64 over ultimate ears is the Apex technology and being able to adjust how my ambient noise coming in from The stage.

[@Parkster44]

@@fadygergis the UE live has plugs too don’t they ? I just want to make sure . I’m paying top dollar as you know and I want the best . I know more drivers don’t necessarily mean the best and also thanks for the heads up . I just don’t want to cheap out . I’d rather spend than to cheap out .

[@fadygergis]

Those plugs are either on or off. You have no control over how much ambient noise is coming in. When they are off it’s like having an open canal to outside and it drops significant amount of low end.

[@Parkster44]

@@fadygergis you’re talking about the UE?

[@fadygergis]

Yes

[@thibautnoah2599]

Why getting the a18s instead of the a12/18t ? Wouldn't that solve your low end issues?

[@fadygergis]

The S is their stage version with but more hyped sound and recommend more for stage than studio.

[@thibautnoah2599]

@@fadygergis oh btw since you are using them on stage, don't you have too much sound bleeding in from the stage through the apex modules?

[@fadygergis]

Not really. It has been great. But also our stage doesn’t have a lot of bleed. And the drums are in a sealed cage.

[@jpcampos]

Asked the same question to a buddy recently who decided to get the A18s. He said the A18t had too much high end for his preference.

[@MrMarcoBriatore]

Hard to compare a monitor 3 drivers UE to a 18 drivers, would be amazing to get the new premier UE with 21 drivers and see between the two what feels better. I had for many years a UE pro 11 and I always felt amazing. Using it every day, studio and live. I’ve just ordered the UE premier ones as the demo blowed me away

[@fadygergis]

Yeh I would really be interested to compare the new UE 21 drivers to the 64 audio

[@jpcampos]

Just came back from a trade show and compared my custom UE11's to the new Premier 21 driver. The UE11's are still the undefeated king in my opinion!

[@Sutlore007]

@@jpcampos I also read the review about this new UE Premier and they said the same as you that the sound quality is not worth the price, too muddy low-end and not bright enough. I had the similar feeling with my UE18pro (2nd gen) and would not think about that crazy expensive thing lol

[@jpcampos]

@@Sutlore007 I did a bunch of blind tests and I still prefer the 3 and 4 drivers from UE's lineup. They are tighter and punchier phase-wise. I feel that the more drivers you add, the looser they get because of the additional crossovers. I don't enjoy in-ears with a lot of high-end and peak at 3k. I like a smooth top end.

[@fadygergis]

@jpcampos which ones of the UE lineup you tried ?

[@kdkwan7016]

If you are looking for cleaner low end, you should just try out the MX module. That will almost cleanup all the low end similar to UERR. 🤣 M20 is very dull, M15 is kind of V shape, MX is very strange as it almost change the whole sound.

[@fadygergis]

That’s interesting because the modules shouldn’t affect the EQ curve and only should affect the amount of db of noise reduction.

[@kdkwan7016]

@@fadygergis Bass will leak out from any hole of iem. The less noise reduction the bigger hole it opens. Also, drivers sounds more natural in an more open environment. Trying all modules that come with A18s is worth the time imo. However, not worth to pay extra. 🤣

[@fadygergis]

Mine didn’t come with the MX module. It only comes with the M20 and M15 I will def swap them this weekend and check the difference

[@anatol1204]

I didn t know that iems become dull after sometime.That s not good.Now i don t know if i will buy an expensive one

[@fadygergis]

I know. It shouldn’t have but I had this happen to me twice which sucks.

[@anatol1204]

@@fadygergis yes and you are the first one that says that.I saw hundreds of videos from many reviewers and no-one mention it..I have to thank you for the honesty..

[@fadygergis]

Well this wasn’t a paid review video. So I was giving just my honest opinion.

[@anatol1204]

@@fadygergis yes thanks man..

[@BrianSimmons]

Your ear canal will certainly continue to change shape over time, but it shouldn't be surprising that the drivers will change tone over time as well.

[@sleepe8050]

Stop with custom iem such better sounding end games for less and fit amazingly good .Moondrop variation for just 1

[@volvvix]

For some ppl the moondrop variation isn't a good fit everyone is different and that's what customs fill instead of having to buy different iems you can just get your mold and not have to worry about fit

[@doubledown4957]

You are just justifying your moondrop purchase

[@sleepe8050]

@@doubledown4957 I have over 5000.00$ in iem lol not justifying

[@Shyvorix]

​@@volvvixYes. And it's been proven the 18 from 64 is top tier for music listening as well. The Variations are excellent for what they are but they are definitely only for large and maybe medium ears. Small ears will either need a small IEM or custom solution if you want a lot of drivers. I have the Monarch Mk3s which are my endgame but in a few years if something comes up that's amazing that's custom, I'll probably pull the trigger.

[@fadygergis]

If you try custom fit you will never go back

[@tdtdtd1826]

Ridiculous high prices.

[@fadygergis]

Custom IEM aren’t cheap.