The Fourté Factor: 64 Audio's Flagship IEM Review & Comparison
Read Time: Approx. 12 min.
Four Drivers, One Vision: The 64 Audio Fourté Story
The story of the Fourté IEM is one of innovation. In 2020, 64 Audio set out to solve an age-old problem with IEMs—negative coloration from balanced armature drivers being fitted on vinyl tubes. By removing the vinyl tube, reconfiguring the driver's positioning, and performing extensive R&D, 64 Audio developed the tia driver, a patented design that unlocked a new level of sonic performance. As 64 Audio's flagship universal IEM, the Fourté represents the company's commitment to delivering exceptional audio performance in a comfortable, stylish package. The Fourté is the gold standard for IEM performance—articulate, detailed, and perfectly natural-sounding.
PROS
- Exceptional Fit and Comfort
- Versatile, Articulate Sound
CONS
- Premium Price Point
About 64 Audio: 64 Audio has established itself as a leading innovator in the world of high-quality earphones and earbuds. Their product lineup includes a diverse range of options, from the accessible Audio Duo to the premium Audio U18t. The company's commitment to superior sound is evident in models like the Audio U12t, U4s, U6t, and U18s, each offering unique sonic characteristics. For those seeking top-tier performance, the Audio Premium line delivers exceptional clarity and detail. The Tia Trio and Aspire 4 showcase 64 Audio's advanced driver configurations, while the Audio A6t provides a balanced listening experience. One of 64 Audio's standout features is their proprietary 3D-Fit technology, ensuring optimal comfort and sound isolation. The Audio Aspire series caters to audiophiles looking for a perfect crossover between studio-grade sound and everyday usability. Whether you're a music enthusiast or a professional musician, 64 Audio's range of earphones offers something for every listener, combining cutting-edge technology with accessibility and superior audio quality.
Design
When I think of the perfect IEM a couple of things come to mind. Not too big. Comfortable. Great form factor. Nothing is worse than getting a new pair of IEMs only to find out they're too big to fit comfortably in your ears. You try swapping ear tips, placing them differently, and shortening your listening sessions. Regardless of what you do, some IEMs are just straight-up uncomfortable. I've got tiny ears and just about every IEM I try is incredibly uncomfortable, so finding the perfect universal IEM is like finding a needle in a haystack. Well, I've found the needle!!
The Fourté IEMs are the perfect size. Their form factor complements the natural ear shape perfectly. No obnoxious, flashy faceplate. Just a simple, intentional design. And I freaking love that! Sometimes with IEM manufacturers, it becomes a competition to see who can create the most striking, unique-looking in-ear monitor—not always taking fit and comfort into account. And I get it. When you're charging anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 for a pair of universal IEMs you want customers to see what they're paying for, and the tech incorporated is usually indicative of its size and shape. But the Fourté IEMs, and really any 64 Audio IEM doesn't fit in that category.
The Fourté's black anodized aluminum shell is topped with a copper color anodized aluminum faceplate and aged copper faceplate chip that give it a striking look without being overly flashy. All of 64 Audio's IEMs are incredibly unique-looking, straying away from the traditional choice of a solid-colored faceplate for an abalone design of deep turquoise with hints of orange.
One of the best perks of purchasing a pair of 64 Audio IEMs is the plethora of included accessories. You can tell that 64 Audio really cares about the user's comfort and listening experience because they've not only included standard accessories like a cable, but a cleaning tool, cable clip, a faux-leather carrying case, and a variety of specially-designed ear tips on a tip holder. A cable clip, commonly used by audio pros sporting custom IEMs, keeps the cable from getting caught and damaging the IEM jacks, and the cleaning tool will help remove build-up and debris that could potentially reach the IEM driver.
The ear tips, which I'm personally most excited about, are specially designed by 64 Audio to deliver you the best possible listening experience. 64 Audio's true fidelity foam tips are made of a unique foam blend that molds easily to your ear and doesn't overly accentuate the top end and alter the sound quality. The SpinFit foam ear tips are a crowd favorite because of their extreme comfort, easy placement, and ability to stay in place for long listening sessions. Lastly, 64 Audio includes silicone tips that they say provide an incredibly accurate sound reproduction due to their placement on the Fourté IEM.
Ear tip impressions: Of all three ear tips, the Silicone ear tips were my favorite. Each type was super comfortable and kept the IEMs in my ears—something I struggle with no matter the IEM. The silicone tips felt like they sat the farthest in my ears and truly delivered a more accurate sound compared to the SpinFit and TrueFidelity. I felt like the SpinFit accentuated the low-frequency response and provided a plushy fit in my ears. The TrueFidelity foam ear tips were my least favorite solely because I'm not a big fan of foam tips. While the silicone tips did ever-so-slightly alter the Fourté's sound, I recommend going with what feels most comfortable. All of 64 Audio's universal and custom IEMs are designed, assembled, and QC'd by highly-skilled technicians in the United States using domestically and globally sourced materials.
Sound
I didn't waste any time putting my testing setup together, switching back and forth between the RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE and Astell&Kern SP3000 DAP. I listened with the stock cable, our Silver Dragon IEM Cable, and Bronze Dragon IEM Cable—to give them all a fair shot.
As 64 Audio's flagship IEM I had high expectations for the Fourté's sound quality. To me, a great-sounding IEM is versatile and well-rounded. It can handle the demands of high-energy rock while accentuating the nuance and details of Americana/Folk and acoustic music. With that being said, the Fourté is a great-sounding IEM. You know, there are some IEMs out there that really only excel in one genre and kind of silo themselves to being just a 'bassy' or analytical IEM. Then there are those that do everything good, but nothing great. The Fourté is the happy middle. It's got an all-around great sound that complements just about every genre. I listen to pop and it sounds awesome. Then I switch over to '90s country and it sounds awesome too. Every time I told myself 'Wow this IEM is built for this genre' I'd switch to another and find myself falling equally in love with the sound. Finding a headphone or IEM that does one thing great is easy. Finding one that does everything great is close to impossible.
The Fourté is the perfect IEM for audiophiles seeking a detailed, lifelike sound. It's got just enough of a low-end response to provide a pleasant bass response, but by no means is it a 'bassy' IEM. If you love bass, this might not be the IEM for you. You may prefer the sound quality of the 64 Audio Volür IEM, which I also reviewed and you can check out here. To me, the Fourté is a great balanced IEM. It can handle the precision of classical compositions while providing just enough energy to do pop music justice. I wouldn't go as far as to say the Fourté is great for hip-hop, R&B, and EDM genres but if you're looking for a lifelike sound then it's perfect. The smooth, resolving sound was perfect with alternative/indie songs, especially Would That I by Hozier. His voice is sweet, silky, and smooth and the Fourté accentuated those qualities.
The late 90s, early 2000s classic Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer is such a sweet song that makes you giddy every time you hear it. That and Head Over Heels/Broken by Tears for Fears were two standout songs for me when listening to the Fourté. I got to fully experience the true transparency of the Fourté. There was no unwanted, added coloration to the sound and I got to enjoy the nuances of those songs that I've missed when listening in my car and on other cans.
I read several reviews that had complaints over the Fourté's tonality and I just have to say I don't agree with them at all. I didn't find anything wrong with the Fourté's tonality. I think if you're looking for an incredibly warm and musical IEM then sure you might be disappointed with the Fourté's sound quality, but those looking for a truly natural-sounding IEM will be delighted by the Fourté's performance. The more and more I listened to the Fourté I found myself slowly converting from a warm and musical listener to someone who appreciates the fine details, nuances, and clarity of a natural-sounding IEM.
Fortnight
by Taylor Swift
(The Tortured Poets Department)
Would That I
by Hozier
(Wasteland, Baby!)
Bittersuite
by Billie Eilish
(Hit Me Hard and Soft)
Kiss Me
by Sixpence None the Richer
(Sixpence None the Richer)
Features & Technology
64 Audio is no stranger to innovation. With several proprietary technologies incorporated into their IEMs, 64 Audio pushes the boundaries of IEM performance, delivering exceptional audio performance to audiophiles, artists, musicians, and audio pros alike. The Fourté is a unique four-driver hybrid design IEM with the tia technology at center stage. It's also 64 Audio's first IEM to feature internally integrated patented apex technology. The Fourté's unique drivers, acoustic chambers, integrated apex technology, and passive radiator work harmoniously to deliver an unrivaled sonic experience.
“The industry just kind of repeats history, and copies itself. It’s all just tubes, drivers and dampers. Over the years, we’ve learned that it’s not necessarily about the total number of drivers, but how you arrange them.”
Vitaliy Belonozhko, 64 Audio Founder and Chief Sound Designer
Apex
Air Pressure Exchange (Apex) is a patented vent that releases air pressure in a sealed ear canal while retaining standard IEM levels of isolation for longer, more comfortable listening sessions. When you place an IEM in your ear canal, the air inside becomes trapped, and as the speaker produces sound, it moves air and causes the eardrum to work excessively. This pressure causes ear fatigue which not only diminishes your listening time but can be uncomfortable. The Apex's venting system relieves this pressure, allowing the eardrum to move naturally so you can enjoy longer listening sessions without fatigue. As a result, you get an extended soundstage that preserves the bass frequencies and helps you distinguish individual instruments better. Apex is integrated into the Fourté all the way down to the way the shell is milled, offering similar pressure release and isolation to the m20 module.
Tia
The Tubeless In-Ear Audio (Tia) technology is 64 Audio's claim to fame. They were the first to launch an IEM that didn't use a single tube, setting them apart from the competition. Tia allows sound to travel to the ear more naturally, resulting in an expansive soundstage and smooth frequency response. The tia system consists of three major elements: One balanced armature tia drivers, the tia single-bore design, and tia acoustic chambers. The Fourté utilizes the complete tia system; its four drivers radiate freely into the tia bone with no obstructions to the drivers. The tia single-bore serves as a sound-shaping chamber that helps the tia high driver deliver a linear and coherent frequency response. The tia driver is an open-balanced armature speaker design that eliminates a lot of vibrations and resonances that are inherent in conventional, closed-balanced armature designs. The tia acoustic chambers optimize driver performance by giving them their own space and tune the drivers without introducing unwanted resonances.
Comparison: Fourte vs. ODIN
Comparing the Fourté to the Empire Ears ODIN was a tough one because they're just so similar. The differences between the two are incredibly minute. The Fourté is an articulate-sounding IEM that's got an overall neutral sound signature but leans slightly warm depending on what you're listening to. The ODIN is also incredibly neutral and articulate-sounding but it's slightly more organic and clear than the Fourté. With the ODIN I immediately noticed a wider, airer soundstage, whereas the listening experience with the Fourté is more intimate. Here's where the differences lie.
Fourté:
- Slightly more detail retrieval
- Stronger build quality
- Compliments female vocals
ODIN
- More organic, clearer sound
- Slightly more bass response
- More energy in the upper midrange
- Compliments male vocals
You would have to take a fine-toothed comb to really find any noticeable differences between the two. If you're sensitive to upper mid spikes, then the Fourté is going to be a better choice. If you enjoy an energetic upper midrange, pick the ODIN. Both of these IEMs wade in the same flagship pool delivering a neutral, natural sound quality. Personally, I found myself bopping along more with the Fourté than the ODIN, but I also prefer musicality over clarity and precision. Those who love a clear, articulate sound and find themselves fitting more in the analytical listener category than warm and musical will love the ODIN.
Dragon Cables
[Bronze Dragon IEM Cable, Silver Dragon IEM Cable]
Both the Silver Dragon IEM Cable and Bronze Dragon IEM Cable sound great with the 64 Audio Fourté IEMs. It's not very often that I'm torn between two cables but they both bring out unique elements of the Fourté's sound. At first, I loved the Bronze Dragon, then I switched to the Silver Dragon and loved that too so it's safe to say they're both great options. The Bronze Dragon was the perfect companion for pop, hip-hop, and dynamic genres with some energy to them. I found it brought out the Fourté's musicality and really rounded out the entire presentation. I enjoyed the Silver Dragon with more detail-oriented genres like Jazz, classical, and alternative/indie. It brought out the details of the Fourté and gave it an even more resolute sound.
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Verdict
The 64 Audio Fourté IEM represents a pinnacle of audio performance for discerning listeners with a detailed, balanced, natural tonality. The Fourté reproduces music with remarkable clarity and precision and its proprietary technologies like the tia system contribute to the open and airy sound presentation of the Fourté. Despite the mixed-bag reviews of the Fourté across the web, I was extremely pleased with its performance. I think we have to be mindful that this product is eight years old. IEM technology has come a LONG way since the Fourté was released, and that's evident with 64 Audio's most recent universal in-ear monitor the Volur.
I think 64 Audio's IEMs are only going to keep getting better, and while the Fourté is currently the flagship, I can see it being replaced by something bigger, better, and faster in the future—that's the way the cookie crumbles after all. There's always something shinier and newer coming in to steal the thunder. Nonetheless, the Fourté has withstood eight years as a flagship IEM and only those worthy of wearing the crown get the title. For audiophiles and professionals who demand studio-quality audio in a comfortable form factor, the Fourté provides an immersive listening experience that could rival some of the best full-sized headphones. If you're ready to create the ultimate portable audio setup, pair it with a DAP, say the Astell&Kern SP3000 DAP, and the Bronze Dragon or Silver Dragon IEM Cable—the choice is yours. Those willing to invest in top-tier performance will find the Fourté to be an exceptional choice.
What's in the Box
- Fourté Universal In-Ear Monitor
- 64 Audio Premium Leather Case
- TrueFidelity Foam Ear Tips (S,M,L)
- SpinFit Silicone Ear Tips (S,M,L)
- Silicone Ear Tips (S,M,L)
- 3.5mm Black Premium Cable
- Cleaning Tool
- Cable Clip
- Round Sticker
Specifications
- 1 tia High Driver, 1 High-Mid Driver, 1 tia Mid Driver, 1 Dynamic Low Driver
- Frequency Response: 5Hz-22kHz
- Sensitivity: 114dB @ 1kHz @ 1mW
- Integrated 4-way Passive Crossover
- Impedance: 10 Ohms @ 1kHz
- -20dB Internal Apex Technology
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