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What is it?
With in-ear monitoring becoming more widespread and silent stage setups a reality for more performers, demand for quality in-ear monitoring has grown. Throw in audiophile listeners looking for a more unobtrusive solution than traditional headphones and you have a wide array of users requiring a much broader product offering.
64 Audio is one of the most well-known in-ear monitor manufacturers and has a wealth of high-profile artist users. It produces both custom and universal designs aimed at stage and studio use as well as audiophile listeners, and its top-of-the-range products carry pretty eye-watering price tags. Aspire is its latest universal design and its most affordable product line. Available in four models, prices range between £349 (Aspire 1) and £799 (Aspire 4). In this review, we’re taking a look at the remaining three designs – Aspire 1, Aspire 2 and Aspire 3.
The first thing to say is that all models in the Aspire range look very similar, with only the outside colour and model naming on the nozzle side of the enclosure differentiating them. All versions include a compact rigid storage case, cable with ¼” plug converter, cable clip and left/right labelling, cleaning tool and a choice of both silicon and memory foam tips. Key design aspects include the ABS enclosure, detachable IPX T2 cabling and stainless steel nozzle. Meanwhile, common design technologies include the patented Apex core pressure-relieving channel integrated into the earphone body and the Helmholtz resonator-style micro-cavities 3D-printed into the enclosure.
The key difference between models is the driver configuration and this scales with the model number. Aspire 1 is the simplest, with a single dynamic driver; meanwhile, Aspire 2 combines a dynamic driver for the low frequencies with a single balanced armature driver for the mids and highs. Aspire 3 incorporates three drivers with one dynamic driver for low frequencies and two balanced armature drivers handling mid and high frequencies, respectively. Multiple driver designs incorporate crossovers and this provides 64 Audio with some degree of tuning flexibility. Meanwhile, the Aspire 3 also includes a custom high-frequency waveguide to further finesse its frequency response. Both the Aspire 2 and Aspire 3 use 64 Audio’s proprietary LID circuit to correct the non-linear driver impedances.
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Performance
A key aspect of IEMs is the fit, and with universal designs, this depends on both the enclosure and the performance of the nozzle tips. The Aspire units and cabling are both pretty light and the stiffened ear guide section of the cable fits easily over the ear. That said, the cables aren’t particularly formable, so they don’t offer much grip. Should you require a more robust fitting, you might want to find some third-party ear grips.
With regard to tips, the Aspires come with four styles in three different sizes – small, medium and large. These are low-profile silicone, regular silicone, TrueFidelity Foam and Comply Oval foam. The memory foam options achieve a more sealed fit and excellent passive isolation. If you’re after better comfort, we found the classic floppy silicone options to be preferable, although you’ll lose some isolation.
Fitting the tips to the stainless steel nozzle is pretty easy and its flange design ensures the tips remain attached. Indeed, we found that once fitted, the tips were suitably resistant to being removed.
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There’s clearly much similarity across the Aspire models, and although the sensitivity and impedance is slightly different between them, in use these differences are negligible. Importantly, we found them plenty loud enough when connected to typical sources, and this is important if you’re using them in a live setting or if you’re a drummer, for example.
Sonically, the stereo imaging is universally good and overall delivery across all models is reasonably neutral. Even so, each model does, by design, have a different sonic signature. This is most obvious for the Aspire 3, which is noticeably clearer and more detailed in the mid-range with excellent frequency separation. In contrast, the Aspire 2 has a more traditional sweetened delivery, with slightly boosted highs and lows.
For us, the most neutral offering is actually the Aspire 1, which is reasonably flat, apart from a slight boost in the low frequencies. Even so, this does lack a bit of detail in the mid range, and may therefore be better suited to general listening rather than more critical tasks.
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Verdict
Overall, for us the Aspire 3 comes out on top, as it delivers the most detailed mid range, making it ideal for critical listening tasks, recording and live use. Even so, each model has its strengths, with the cheapest Aspire 1 model still delivering very good fidelity. The Aspire range is an excellent addition to the 64 Audio product line, bringing their excellent build quality and design to a more affordable price point.
Hands-on demos
64 Audio
Alternatives
Specifications
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Price |
Aspire 1 £349 / $349 / €349 Aspire 2 £499 / $499 / €505 Aspire 3 £649 / $649 / €655 |
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All models |
Design: ABS shell and stainless steel nozzle Accessories: foam and silicon ear tips in 3 sizes, detachable IPX cable with removable lapel clip, cleaning tool, ¼” adapter, carry case Connection: T2 IPX sockets |
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Aspire 1 |
Driver: single dynamic driver Frequency Response: 20Hz to 18kHz Sensitivity: 106dB @ 1kHz @1mw Impedance: 30 Ohms @ 1kHz Passive isolation: -20dB |
|
Aspire 2 |
Drivers: dynamic driver (lows), single balanced armature (mids and highs) Frequency Response: 20Hz to 18kHz Sensitivity: 103dB @ 1kHz @1mw Impedance: 13 Ohms @ 1kHz Passive isolation: -20dB |
|
Aspire 3 |
Drivers: dynamic driver (lows), balanced armature (mids), balanced armature (highs) Frequency Response: 20Hz to 18kHz Sensitivity: 107dB @ 1kHz @1mw Impedance: 12 Ohms @ 1kHz Passive isolation: -20dB |
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Contact |
