Sony IER Z1R VS 64 Audio U12t

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Sony IER Z1R and 64 Audio U12t use 2DD+1BA and 12BA driver setups respectively. Sony IER Z1R costs $1,700 while 64 Audio U12t costs $1,999. 64 Audio U12t is $299 more expensive. 64 Audio U12t holds a slight 0.4-point edge in reviewer scores (8.2 vs 8.5). Sony IER Z1R has significantly better bass with a 1.1-point edge, 64 Audio U12t has significantly better mids with a 1.4-point edge, 64 Audio U12t has better dynamics with a 0.5-point edge, 64 Audio U12t has significantly better details with a 1.5-point edge and 64 Audio U12t has better imaging with a 0.5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Sony IER Z1R 64 Audio U12t
Bass 9.5 8.5
Mids 6.8 8.2
Treble 7.8 7.7
Details 7.4 8.9
Soundstage 8 8.2
Imaging 8.6 9.1
Dynamics 7.3 7.7
Tonality 8.1 7.9
Technicalities 8.2 8.6

Sony IER Z1R Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Precogvision Shuwa-T Tim Tuned
Crin Nymz
Super* Review Jays Audio

Average Reviewer Score:

8.2

Very Positive


64 Audio U12t Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Smirk Audio Jaytiss Tim Tuned Crin
Precogvision Jays Audio Shuwa-T
Nymz Audionotions IEMRanking AI
Super* Review

Average Reviewer Score:

8.5

Excellent


Sony IER Z1R User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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64 Audio U12t User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Sony IER Z1R Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.6

Gaming Grade

B+

64 Audio U12t Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

6.9

Gaming Grade

B+

Sony IER Z1R Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A+
  • Very competent with articulate presentation. Well-defined layers and precise imaging. Soundstage is immersive and handles dynamics well.
Bass S
World-class bass performance. Perfectly balanced between visceral impact, texture, and depth with zero bleed into mids.
Mids B+
Good midrange presence with solid clarity. Vocals are clear and instruments have reasonable texture and body.
Treble A
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics A-
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details A-
Excellent detail retrieval: highly resolving without being clinical. Effortlessly reveals micro-details and textural subtleties.
Imaging S-
Exceptional imaging with holographic precision. Creates a palpable sense of physical placement with perfect positional stability.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

64 Audio U12t Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A
  • Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.

Average Technical Grade

S-
  • Excellent clarity and detail. Precise imaging and expansive soundstage. Manages complex passages with minimal smearing and good transient speed.
Bass S-
Excellent bass response - powerful yet controlled. Deep extension with authoritative slam while maintaining clarity.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble A
Excellent treble: airy, extended and well-controlled. Great micro-detail retrieval without sibilance or harshness.
Dynamics A
Excellent dynamics with great contrast and speed. Transients are crisp and micro-details are clearly articulated.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Details S-
Exceptional resolution that uncovers the deepest layers. Retrieves even the most minute details while maintaining natural timbre.
Imaging S
Reference-class imaging: perfectly pinpoint accuracy in 3D space. Utterly realistic placement with zero positional drift.
Gaming B+
Respectable environmental presentation favors atmosphere over precision. Detects obvious directional cues while conveying game world ambiance. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Sony IER Z1R Reviews

Super* Review 9* * score normalized
check links for more info:

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel
- Super* Review
Jays Audio 9 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
S Tech
Best of the best in most areas, but vocals and mids can be thin due to fit issues. Insane bass texture/detail and HUGE soundstage. One of the best trebles I've heard.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio
Crin 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Extended yet natural treble, realistic sub-bass focus and spacious imaging capabilities.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
- Crin
Nymz 8 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A+ Tech
Recessed mids I can't approved but best bass tactility I've heard. One of the best stage I've heard. Top of the class treble. Fit is a massive problem for most - one of those that needs to be demoed before pressing checkout.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

- Nymz
Bass: S+ Mids: B Treble: A+ Details: A- Imaging: S
Smirk Audio 7.9 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A Tech
Visceral, hard-hitting bass, sparkly treble, and a large, spherical soundstage with impressive height. Fit may pose a challenge for many. Cons: Poor fit.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: S Mids: A Treble: A+ Dynamics: A Details: A- Imaging: S-
Precogvision 7.9 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
A Tech
Top-tier bass, treble, and soundstage height and width. I don't approve of the midrange these days.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: S+ Mids: B Treble: A+ Dynamics: A- Details: A- Imaging: S
Shuwa-T 7.9 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Fun sounding without going overboard with the subbass, organic timbre The fit is atrocious, treble can get spicy on hi-hats

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S- Mids: A Treble: A- Soundstage: A+ Details: S- Imaging: A+
Tim Tuned 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Incredible extensions on both ends Lower midrange

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: S+ Mids: A- Treble: A+

64 Audio U12t Reviews

Super* Review 10* * score normalized
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Price: $2,032

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Nymz 9.1 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech
As good as it gets. Great tuning and techs. Best set I've heard to date. Closest thing to speakers. Love it.

Nymz original ranking

Nymz Website

- Nymz
Bass: S Mids: S Treble: A+ Details: S Imaging: S+
Audionotions 9 Reviewer Score
Amazing separation and presentation, amazing bass that extends down low and hits pretty authoritavely (not just in the context of BA sets - very good quantity and quality). Pretty interesting tuning with dialed down upper mids so certain instruments and voices seem more in front of you. Pretty clear sense of center image. Previously Owned

Audionotions original ranking

Website (Audionotions)

- Audionotions
Precogvision 8.6 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Terrific dynamic range and soundstage depth; the closest I have heard to a two-channel system in an IEM for these qualities.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
- Precogvision
Bass: A+ Mids: S Treble: A- Dynamics: A+ Details: S Imaging: S
Jays Audio 8.5 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S Tech
TOTL tech. Mid-scoop can affect mids/vocal texture and placement, recessed midrange, treble is harsh at high volumes. Great bass detail, but could have more impact.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel
- Jays Audio
Shuwa-T 8.5 Reviewer Score
A+ Tuning
S- Tech
Comment: Really clean sounding monitor with excellent technical aspects. Bass texture, superb clarity Can sound too sterile

Shuwa-T original ranking

Shuwa-T Website

- Shuwa-T
Bass: S- Mids: S- Treble: A+ Soundstage: S- Details: S Imaging: S-
Smirk Audio 7.9 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Good resolution and dynamics with great imaging. Smooth, slightly recessed upper-mids with an upper treble peak.

Smirk Audio original ranking

Smirk Audio Head-Fi Profile

- Smirk Audio
Bass: A- Mids: A+ Treble: A Dynamics: A+ Details: A+ Imaging: S-
Jaytiss 7.8 Reviewer Score
B+ Tuning
A- Tech
Just Smooth and nice, great all arounder with smooth technicals, but too boring.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
- Jaytiss
Mids: A- Treble: A- Dynamics: B Soundstage: A-
Tim Tuned 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
S Tech
Extremely versatile signature, great bass and details Potentially too safe tuning wise

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
- Tim Tuned
Bass: S Mids: A- Treble: A+
Crin 7.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
A+ Tech
Amazing bass (for a BA), top-tier resolution and detail-oriented signature.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel
- Crin

IEMRanking AI

2025-09-11
IEMRanking AI 9.4 Reviewer Score
S- Tuning
S Tech

The 64 Audio U12t is a mature flagship-class UIEM built around twelve balanced armatures per side and the company’s tia (open-BA) and apex pressure-relief tech; it lists at $1,999. Module options (mX/m15/m20) vary isolation from roughly −10 to −20 dB, giving modest control over perceived balance without changing the core tuning. The driver split—1 tia high, 1 high-mid, 6 mid, 4 low—aims for coherence via a 4-way crossover in a compact, aluminum shell.

Tonally the U12t trends neutral with a sub-bass lift, yielding clean mids and controlled, generally safe treble; frequency-response databases show the gentle low-end emphasis with even mids. Swapping apex modules can nudge the balance (e.g., M20 a bit more bass, M15 a touch airier) without altering the U12t’s fundamental character. Technical performance remains the calling card: resolution, imaging, layering, and BA-bass quality are repeatedly praised at the top of the class.

Trade-offs are mostly about preference and price: treble can read polite with minor quirks depending on chain and tips, and midrange body is slightly lean versus warmer sets. Given the premium MSRP, overall value hinges on prioritizing top-tier technicalities and long-session comfort via apex.

Buy 64 Audio U12t on audio46 (affiliate)

- IEMRanking AI
Bass: S Mids: S Treble: S- Dynamics: S- Soundstage: S Details: S Imaging: S

Sony IER Z1R User Reviews

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