Earphone Review

64 Audio Nio

Design.

The exterior design of Nio is like a crossover between Trio and U12t.  In general, their shells have a similar shape as other 64 Audio universal IEMs, though, surprisingly, Nio is closer to a “leaner” inner shell of U12t than more bulbous Trio.  Plus, Nio combines the hybrid design (Fourte/Trio) with a larger DD vent and APEX socket (U18t/U12t) without a need for a small pinhole vent for internal module (like in Fourte/Trio).  Also, unlike Fourte/Trio, the DD vent is facing the back of the shell instead of the front because APEX module is in the way.  In this regard, based on the identical driver config, Nio is aligned with N8.

The shells are all metal with the inner part having a glossy black finish while the outer faceplate part having a shiny chrome finish with a beautiful Blue Abalone inlay.  This is by far my favorite 64 Audio universal faceplate design, and Blue Abalone gives Nio custom-like IEM finish.  The nozzle is relative long, more typical of 64 Audio multi-BA rather than hybrid models, and, unfortunately, there is still no extra lip at the tip to help eartips from sliding off.  I mean, with majority of my eartips I don’t have an issue since there is a secure grip, but some silicone eartips can slide off.  2pin socket is non-recessed like in other universal 64 Audio IEMs.  And you have 64 Audio logo symmetrically on each faceplate, and L/R, model and S/N printed on the inner part of the shell.

Inside the shell you have a hybrid design with a 4-way crossover partitioning 9mm low Dynamic Driver (DD), 6 mid BAs, 1 high-mid BA, and 1 tia high BA – with the total number of 9 drivers.  Balanced Armatures (BA) are typically self-enclosed with a single opening port, while you can think of tia as an open BA driver where one of the enclosure walls is removed, to enable direct-radiating of the inner diaphragm which no longer has a 4-wall confinement.  Tia driver is usually positioned in the nozzle, next to the grill since it has to be closer to your earcanal.  As a result, Nio doesn’t have sound tube bores going to the nozzle, and instead has a mesh cover to protect from wax build up.

Another tech included with Nio is their Linear Impedance Design (LID) of crossover where despite a low impedance (6ohm), Nio should be compatible and sound the same when paired up with different sources, regardless of their output impedance.

The fit.

64audio-nio-36

Page 3 – Sound analysis and APEX/ATOM overview.
Page 4 – Eartips selection, and Cable pair up.
Page 5 – Comparison, Pair up, and Conclusion.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

7 thoughts on “64 Audio Nio”

    1. sorry, I probably won’t. Those are older IEMs, I remember listening to them year and a half ago at canjam NYC. They were just OK, but it is an old iem, and manufacturers usually send review samples of their new and upcoming stuff since they are not interested to promote old releases. Also, noticed da vinci x/ix got little attention even when it was released.

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  2. I know that you’re not trying to go too crazy with the cable rolling, trying not to exceed 1/2 price of the Nio, but how well does it pair up with the *_PlusSound PPH8_* and how does it compare with the *_Premium Silver hybrid_* and *_Socrates_* cable?

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    1. Don’t know how to bold and italic a text in WordPress. XD
      I just did it like in the YouTube comments hoping that it will work…
      Also… it seems like it can’t be deleted.

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    2. WOW, I didn’t even think about trying PPH8 with Nio, and I didn’t expect how well these pair up. Relative to Silver Premium, the soundstage is wider/deeper, literally 3D and you feel like you are in middle of it. Also, mids are a little more forward or maybe bass just a little more attenuated, making mids a little more forward. Of course, keep in mind, this is $2k cable with $1.7k IEM.

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  3. I wish I knew more about the IPX connector you write about. I have broken 2 two prong attachments, one sleeping and one exercising. I didn’t see an option for an IPX when I bought them. Is there a way to connect one with the NIOs I have?
    That said, the NIO is the BEST sounding IEM I’ve tried,open, airy, true to voice and instrument. But I’ve had to resort to using Sony IER Z1Rs because they are bulletproof and they don’t usually detach and the one time one did, it did no damage. The Nio is a much better sound for me, but they are so fragile, I’m limited in when I can use them. Any solutions??

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    1. Only custom 64audio iems have the option for IPX, you can’t retrofit Nio with another connector. If you want to read more about IPX, I covered it in details in my UE Live review a few years ago, here https://twister6.com/2018/09/07/ultimate-ears-ue-live/. Not the best tuned iem, but I have lots of info about IPX in that review. Another option is to look into FIR Audio iems, Bogdan (64audio ex-CEO who started fir audio) came up with RCX connector which is a Rigid version of mmcx. I covered it in my M5 review last year, here https://twister6.com/2019/10/10/fir-audio-m5-2/. Maybe contact FIR audio, and ask Bogdan what he can recommend. He is very familiar with 64audio shells and can give you a good customization suggestion.

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