64 Audio Tia Trio VS Subtonic STORM

Youtube Video Summary

The tia Trio mirrors 64 Audio’s flagship DNA at a lower price point ($2,299) with the same compact, lightweight aluminum build, generous tip selection, and a comfortable shell that suits smaller ears. Sonically it carries a present but well-judged bass shelf, adding a touch of warmth by settling around ~180Hz rather than the usual sub-bass focus. Crucially, the midrange corrects the Forte’s biggest flaw: upper mids aren’t hollowed out here. There’s a mild 1.5–3k dip (about 1–2dB), yet vocals and instruments remain properly contoured and far more natural and engaging without requiring EQ.

Up top, the Trio shows recognizable treble landmarks—an emphasis near 5k that can sound a bit shouty and another at 8k adding slight sizzle—tempered by the healthier mids, so the presentation is lively without becoming harsh. Treble extension is excellent, with “air” above 10k running a tad hot depending on taste. On technicalities, detail retrieval and image clarity track surprisingly close to both the Forte and Legend Evo; the soundstage is expansive for an IEM (strong depth and layering) though not as outsized as Forte, and imaging is accurate for music but not surgical enough for competitive FPS. Taken as a whole—and especially without EQ—the tia Trio feels like the more complete listen: a high-end IEM that preserves the fun while fixing the midrange, trading only a slice of stage grandeur for a much more balanced, recommendable experience.

Youtube Video Summary

The tia Trio comes across as a hybrid with personality: rich, thick, and warm, with slightly forward treble that adds air without tipping into the harsher edge heard on the U18t. Vocals are pulled back, yet the presentation feels cohesive and surprisingly natural given its unconventional response. What really stands out is the depth and head-stage—a wraparound sense of space that feels more immersive than most peers, making guitar strums and ambient cues pop in a way that’s immediately engaging.

Despite the 1DD + 2BA configuration, bass isn’t a simple upgrade over the U12t’s BA low end; it carries a touch more body and plosive weight but can feel a bit slower and less refined. Still, detail retrieval punches well above the driver count, and the overall tuning—while relaxed in the mids—stays clean and exciting. With the usual 64 Audio caveats (no apex swapping here and a mediocre stock cable), the tia Trio earns a five-star verdict for its intoxicating stage and atmosphere, even if it’s not the safest all-rounder at its $2,300 price.

Youtube Video Summary

Most IEMs inevitably introduce flaws that shatter musical immersion—be it harsh treble, shouty vocals, or unbalanced bass. These imperfections act as chains, binding the listener and preventing that elusive state of pure, uninterrupted freedom within the music. While the OG EJ07 came close, even it faltered on certain tracks, its forward vocals becoming a jarring distraction when pushed hard. The Subtonic Storm, however, shatters this pattern entirely.

Contrary to its name, the Storm represents the eye of the hurricane—a sanctuary of pure, effortless sound. It liberates the music from tuning flaws, presenting it naturally and tranquilly. There are zero distractions or attachments holding the listener back, enabling deep introspection and complete immersion, as if conversing directly with the singer or instrument. This profound, intangible quality—achieving that free state—is why it's considered the best IEM, offering unmatched resolution, separation, and imaging, albeit at an astronomical $5,000 price point.

Value-wise, the Storm is undeniably terrible; the KZ ASF ($250) gets you 80% there, and the Monarch MKII ($1,000) delivers 95%. It's a luxury item, justified only by its unique, unmeasurable ability to dissolve worldly distractions and forge total oneness with the music. Crucially, it's not for everyone: Bass heads, background listeners, or those enjoying J-pop/K-pop/EDM will find far better value elsewhere under $300. Only those deeply seeking musical transcendence, with ample disposable income, should even consider it. For everyone else, stay away—you simply don’t need it.

Youtube Video Summary

Subtonic STORM closes the list as the ultra-high-end, “one-and-done” pick—the kind of most expensive flagship that needs no hype because the name says it all. Chosen for a “versatile” roundup, it’s framed as the endgame option for those who want a single IEM to cover everything and have the budget to match—cue the playful “rich boys” jab.

The verdict is equal parts praise and pragmatism: demo first. STORM isn’t a blind-buy, and the price is so stratospheric it gets the tongue-in-cheek advice to sell a car, a house, or a kidney. In short, a summit-fi statement piece with serious one-set potential—but only after making sure the tuning truly clicks.

Youtube Video Summary

Subtonic STORM lands as a $5,200 flagship built around novel SLAM balanced-armature tech: the dual BA “subwoofer” and “woofer” are separated and crossed over independently, joined by a regular BA mid-woofer, additional BA mids, BA mid-tweeter and tweeter, plus two EST—nine drivers total with a seven-point crossover. The result isn’t just another spec sheet; it’s a system that behaves like a rethought low-end engine that sets up everything above it.

On music, the bass ranks an honest 8/10 because it doesn’t sound like typical BA bass—there’s real weight without mid bleed, so male/female vocals, strings, and guitars stay pristine. Complex tracks reveal studio fingerprints: the 38 Hz triple drop on Big Boi’s “Kill Jill” slams; the glockenspiel in Springsteen’s “Born to Run” is crystal; Pink Floyd’s “On the Run” left-right sweeps and the early gate announcement snap into focus; Hendrix’s uneven production becomes obvious; and the Led Zeppelin IV kick-drum intro hits with the produced, swirling authority it should. From Vivaldi to hip-hop, it just handles the library.

Stage is spacious and speaker-like off good sources, with positional cues that outclass sets like Elysian Annihilator and even edge the Fatfreq Grand Maestro for resolution, stage, and tonality—though Grand Maestro’s multi-tuning keeps it competitive. Ignore treble “hacksaw” graph takes and target-chasing; the performance argues against strict adherence to Harman-style curves. Diminishing returns are real, but for those chasing something genuinely different, the STORM’s reworked BA low end and refined EST top end deliver a uniquely authoritative, all-genre presentation that’s hard to unhear.