Volür IEMs Review: 64 Audio's Latest Reference IEM Unearthed
Read Time: Approx. 12 min.
64 Audio's Most Daring Universal IEM Yet
64 Audio is arguably one of the top IEM brands on the market, backed by musicians, artists, and audio professionals alike who exclusively use their In-Ear Monitors. After testing and reviewing the 64 Audio Fourte and Volür IEMs there's no question why they're so successful. As the first company to introduce a tubeless IEM design, 64 Audio has forged a reputation as an innovator, continuing to push the boundaries of IEM performance with their latest release, the Volür Universal IEM. A high-end multi-driver IEM, the Volür expands on the success of the 64 Audio Nio IEM—a well-loved universal IEM. The Volür takes everything that was great about the Nio and enhances it, delivering a warmer, fuller, more emotive, and musical sound. Sporting some of 64 Audio's most recent innovations and technologies, the Volür is an exceptional IEM, perfect for audiophiles demanding exceptional sound.
We recently picked up 64 Audio In-Ear Monitors as one of our brands and I've been nothing short of impressed by their line of universal In-Ear Monitors and custom In-Ear Monitors. Ingenious design, innovative technology, and a host of accessories—64 Audio IEMs are worth every penny and more. If you're in the market for an IEM that's musical, dynamic, and capable of putting a smile on your face from ear to ear, check out the Volür Universal IEMs.
PROS
- Rich, Emotionally Engaging Sound
- Apex Modules for altering tonality
- Deep, Visceral Bass Response
CONS
- Bass could be too impactful for analytical listeners
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
From the 64 Audio Fourté IEM Review
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 Volür 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 Volür IEMs, and really any 64 Audio IEM don't fit in that category.
Design-wise, the outer shell remains the same size as the Nio, while all significant changes to the Volür have been made internally. The faceplate features a sleeker chamfer blending with the matte black-finished aluminum shell. As a nod to the Nio, a purple abalone chip made from responsibly harvested New Zealand Paua shell adorns the outside of the Volür. You know how certain colors can be linked to a specific emotion—like red for anger, blue for sadness, and green for envy. Well in the case of the Volür, the purple and blue color choice perfectly represents the sound quality—rich, expressive, dynamic, immersive. As you rotate the IEMs and they catch different light you almost get a kaleidoscope effect with deep, rich purples, vibrant blues, and touches of green and red. The faceplate of each IEM sports two distinctly different patterns, making them even more unique.
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 Volür 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 Volür'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.
Pictured: Top Left Silicone Ear Tips, Top Right SpinFit Ear Tips, Bottom TrueFidelity Ear Tips
Sound
If you already didn't know, I love bass, so the Volür was right up my alley. 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.
Right off the bat, I was impressed by just how engaging and emotive the sound quality is. You're immediately transported into the center of a song with this sort of "in your head" experience that wraps around you. This was extremely evident when listening to one of my favorite artists Ariana Grande. Grande likes to use ad-libs and has this incredibly whispy, silky, and sultry voice. There's a point in her song The Boy is Mine where she whistles and I swear I could feel her right behind my neck. My favorite part about music is the emotional connection and response I get from vocals and not every IEM delivers on that. With just about every song I listened to, the Volür perfectly captured the emotion behind vocals, female and male. Similarly, Billie Eilish's song Bittersuite was incredibly smooth and resolving, with the Volür making her voice sound even smoother and delicate than it already is. All of these initial impressions were made with the stock m15 module.
Apex Module Impressions: The m15 stock module is the most demanding of the four modules. It's got an incredible bass response that's boosted, big, and bold. I'd say the m15 is the most musical module with an open midrange, perfect for dynamic, emotionally engaging songs. The m12 module takes the bass down a notch, delivering a faster, punchier bass that's not overly impactful. It's the closest to the m15 module but with slightly more detail and a more neutral, slightly warm-leaning sound. If you want a little more headroom without compromising on the level of noise isolation, the m20 module delivers just that.
The sound quality is as rich and engaging as the stock m15 module but with a more spacious soundstage. The last included module, the mX is the most neutral, transparent-sounding module. It's got an incredibly natural, open sound delivering the widest soundstage of all four modules. The mX module is the hidden gem of the Volür, giving you two IEMs in one. On one hand, you get a rich, musical sound with a deep, visceral bass and with a quick switch to the mX module, you get a natural, transparent sound perfect for detail-oriented songs.
Would That I
by Hozier
(Wasteland, Baby!)
Guilty As Sin
by Taylor Swift
(The Tortured Poets Department)
The Boy is Mine
by Ariana Grande
(Eternal Sunshine)
One Night/ All Night
by Justice, Tame Impala
(Hyperdrama)
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 Volür is most notably one of 64 Audio's most daring innovations yet with 10 drivers, crossed over four ways (2 dynamic drivers for the bass, 6 balanced armature drivers for the low mids, one balanced armature driver for the high-mids, and the direct-radiating tia driver for the highs) . The Volür expands on the wildly successful Nio IEM, known for its deep bass and rich/warm presentation, adding an additional driver and some neat upgrades.
At the heart of the 64 Audio Volür IEMs are two custom 9mm dynamic drivers in a True Isobaric Configuration delivering unprecedented performance in the low-frequency band. The direct radiating tia high-driver used in the Nio remains the standard for the Volür's high-frequency response, but sports an upgrade called tia waveguide that optimizes efficiency while offering greater tuning control. The Six low-mid and single high-mid balanced armature drivers have been re-engineered to maximize internal space while integrating 3D-printed acoustic tuning features.
True Isobaric Configuration
64 Audio's cone-to-magnet isobaric driver configuration consists of two drivers connected by an acoustically inert coupling chamber. One diaphragm is fully sealed off, while the other contributes sound pressure. To maintain a realistic total impedance the drivers had to be wired in which in turn reduced their sensitivity. To combat this, 64 Audio created a custom 9mm dynamic driver with an upgraded n54 magnet & 25μm PU/115°C + 19μm Ti Cone. Because of the additional driver, there would be no way 64 Audio could fit all this tech into the Nio shell, so they adjusted the placement and redesigned the manifold to use up every square inch inside the Volür. What are the benefits of an isobaric configuration? By doubling the moving mass 64 Audio has achieved lower distortion, better damping, twice the power handling, and a deeper bass response.
Apex Technology
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.
The Apex system's internal construction has been redesigned in the Volür to maximize space for the low-frequency bore incorporated into the mid-driver housing. The Volür comes with four Apex modules: mX, m12, m15, and m20. There are three levels of isolation provided by the Apex modules: -20dB (m20), -15dB (m15), and -10dB (mX). The m15 allows for slightly more ambient sound than the m20 and helps timber the bass. The mX reduces ambient noise isolation to -10dB and transforms the IEMs into a "mastering-grade tool" with a very resolved sound signature. These modules can be easily swapped out on the outside of the IEM.
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 Volür features two of those elements, the tia driver and tia single-bore design. 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.
One of the defining characteristics of the tia technology is the smooth and extended high-frequency sound achieved by the direct-radiating driver in the IEM nozzle. To enhance the treble response even more in the Volür, 64 Audio created the tia waveguide mechanism. The tia waveguide is a mounting mechanism that's fitted to the direct-radiating tia high driver to increase the efficiency and general amplitude of the high-frequency band. In order to refine the high-frequency response, special diffusion windows are integrated into the front and side of the waveguide. tia waveguide plays the biggest role in improving the high-frequency response with special diffusion windows integrated into the front and side of the waveguide.
LID
Linear Impedance Design (LID) enables a consistent, reliable sound regardless of what device the Volür IEMs are plugged into. This circuit corrects the non-linear impedances of the drivers, restoring proper interaction with the source device and preserving the desired sound signature. Varying source amplifier output impedance in devices like smartphones, body packs, DAC/Amps, and DAPs typically results in varying frequency responses depending on the increase in resistance.
Dragon Cables
Naturally, the Volür is an incredibly musical IEM—without switching the apex modules—so it was no surprise that I found myself preferring our Silver Dragon IEM Cable. The Silver Dragon is detailed and resolute, providing a smoother presentation to the top end. Our Bronze Dragon IEM Cable adds more bottom-end weight and musicality to an IEM, which was too much when paired with the Volür. The great thing about the Volür is the ability to alter the tonality using the apex modules. So depending on what you're feeling you can mix and match the module with one of our cables to create your perfect sonic bliss.
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
From the innovative technology to its striking design, and incredible sound quality, the Volür is the Swiss army knife of IEMs worthy of flagship status. The apex modules afford you the luxury of having multiple IEMs without purchasing more than one. Want to enjoy some classical compositions? Switch out the m15 for the mX module. Not getting the instrument separation you desire? Switch to the m20 module. It's that easy. No frills, no fuss. The customization alone is one of, if not the top reason to buy the Volür in my opinion. Our Silver Dragon IEM Cable provides an unmatched level of clarity and fidelity to the Volür, altering the tonality ever so slightly so you can enjoy an exceptional listening experience. Additionally, if you pair it with a DAP, say the Astell&Kern SP3000 DAP as I did, and you've got the ultimate portable audio setup. If you're in the market for your next IEM and aren't sure what to get—try the Volür—I promise you won't be disappointed!
What's in the Box
- Volur Universal In-Ear Monitors
- 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
- Apex modules: m20, m15, m12, mX
- Cleaning Tool
- Cable Clip
- Round Sticker
Specifications
- Transducer Type: Dynamic + Balanced Armature
- Transducer Configuration: 2 Low Dynamic Drivers, 6 Mid Balanced Armature, 1 High-Mid Balanced Armature, 1 tia High BA
- Frequency Response: 5Hz-22kHz
- Sensitivity: 103 dB/mW @ 1kHz @ 1mW (94mV)
- Crossover: Integrated 4-way Passive Crossover
- Impedance: 6.3 Ohms @ 1kHz
- Isolation: -20dB with m20 module, -15dB with m15 module, -12dB with m12 module, -10dB with mX module
- Cable: 0.23 Ohms total impedance, 7x7x4 multi-twist, silver-plated OCC copper wire 26 AWG
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