64 Audio Nio VS Softears RSV MK II

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The 64 Audio Nio enters as the most affordable set in this lineup at $1,700, a hybrid with 1DD + 8BA and swappable apex modules. Its core tonality is warm and a touch laid-back, with the M15 module pushing bass toward “too much of a good thing”—thick, soupy, and less resolving. Swapping to the M10 cleans things up: bass settles closer to neutral, top-end clarity improves, and the presentation feels more balanced overall. Detail is respectable rather than showy, and while the Nio can be bassy, it doesn’t deliver the most controlled low end when boosted. The standout trait here is timbre—the most natural-sounding of the group, especially with M10 installed.

Used as a daily driver, Nio with M10 suits listeners who want a smooth, natural tonality without treble bite; with M15, it veers into warm-thick territory at the cost of separation and perceived detail. Against 64 Audio’s own stable, it doesn’t reach the U12t’s BA bass quality or the Trio’s stage depth, but it offers an easygoing, organic listen that some will prefer on timbre alone. Verdict: 4/5 with the M10 module; drop to 3/5 on the M15 due to excessive bass and haze.

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Softears RSV MK II brings back the all-BA ethos at $700 with five armatures and a promise of “re-engineered BA bass.” Build and accessories feel premium (sleek shells, plush case), while the cable choice is quirky—4.4 mm only with a 3.5 mm pigtail. Fit is outstandingly secure and custom-like but on the larger side with a longer nozzle, so comfort depends on ear size. Softears’ Ultra Clear tips work well; the new metal-ring variant adds little beyond novelty.

On the graph, bass looks like gigabass, yet in ear it settles into a warm, weighty foundation without steamrolling the mids. The midrange follows a “new-meta neutral” tilt—fuller than Harman with forward upper-mids—while treble lands clean and sparkly without fatigue. Imaging is tidy rather than cavernous; separation and delineation are convincing, with the top end executed better than the bottom. BA bass here is among the more physical and satisfying of its kind, though tactility can be track-dependent and turn a bit tubby on very bass-heavy mixes.

Against peers, Symphonium Meteor sounds warmer and more “special” but less all-round; DUNU SA6 MK2 is more colored with janglier treble and the least convincing bass; 7th Acoustics Supernova trades warmth for vivid, bright-tilted imaging; Softears Studio 4 is lighter on bass and airier; and the old Moondrop S8 stays the lively, vocal-centric counterpoint. Net take: a supremely competent, character-light all-rounder that favors bass weight over panoramic staging. Verdict: 4/5 stars—a welcome throwback done right, and notably cheaper than the original RSV launch price.

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The 64 Audio Nio is a hybrid with 1DD + 8BA that leans into a richer, warmer presentation, trading ultimate microdetail for slam and engagement. Build and comfort are solid with a classy case upgrade; fit can vary, but tip selection helps. Technicals are mixed: imaging and separation are clean, staging is a bit intimate, and treble resolution is good via the TIA driver without sounding sharp.

The headline feature is the swappable apex modules. M15/M20 push the Nio into basshead territory—big sub-bass, head-nodding punch—while MX reins in the low end for a more balanced tonality that suits acoustic, jazz, and classical. Treble is well-extended yet relaxed; with the right tips, the 5 kHz energy avoids harshness, keeping the overall tuning smooth and non-fatiguing.

Against peers, the Nio’s strengths are its dynamics and configurable bass; its weaknesses are detail retrieval and stage size versus benchmarks like the 64 Audio U12t. Listeners chasing maximum clarity and air may prefer U12t, while those wanting hybrid physicality and tunable low-end will find strong value here. Verdict: choose M15/M20 for guilty-pleasure thump, choose MX for balance—the Nio remains a versatile, engaging high-end option.

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Softears RSV MK2 shifts from the OG’s vocal-centric tilt into a bass-forward all-rounder. The sub-bass and mid-bass hit with real slam and weight, giving drums and bass guitars a satisfying, dynamic punch. Upper mids (3–6 kHz) are tamed to avoid shout, while a gentle 1–2 kHz rise keeps vocals open and natural—slightly less pushed than the original but still clear. Treble is smooth with decent air; not super sparkly and there’s no EST “sauce,” but it stays clean and non-fatiguing.

As a package, MK2’s standout is the low-end texture—thunderous yet controlled—making it one of the more engaging bassy sets under four figures. Technical performance is solid for the tier, though some rivals at lower prices bring more raw detail and EST extension. Build and accessories get a tasteful, modern refresh. For best balance, the stock tips work well; bass-boosting or treble-opening tips can shift it toward a more V-shape at the expense of overall smoothness.

On genre fit, MK2 shines with hip-hop, pop, EDM, and R&B, where its punch and warmth bring rhythms to life; for orchestral or leaner acoustic picks, the bass can edge forward depending on the mix. It scales to mid–high volumes nicely (around the 70–80 dB zone) without turning sharp. Compared with the OG RSV—now likely affected by a silent retune in recent units—the MK2 is the safer buy: less shout, more authority down low, and a broader all-rounder appeal. Recommended, especially if found below full MSRP, for listeners craving tasteful bass with natural mids and relaxed, smooth treble.