64 Audio Tia Trio VS Softears Cerberus

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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.

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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.

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Softears Cerberus hits that rare mix of mellow, relaxed listening with just enough fun to avoid boredom. The 1DD+4BA+2EST array keeps the bass mostly neutral with a tasteful sub-bass lift; it arrives when called, disappears when not, and shows off excellent texture with deep reach—easily one of the better dynamic drivers for low end in a tribrid. Mids stay true-to-tone and unforced; a touch of missing lower/mid-treble “focal” energy keeps vocals from getting shouty, trading bite for a soft, laid-back presence that matches the whole vibe.

The treble is the headline. It’s a dark, smooth take that still sprinkles in the right sparkle and extension from the ESTs—far better than the graph suggests—and it’s tailor-made for the treble-sensitive who still want real performance. Raw technicalities aren’t chasing summit-fi trophies (think competent hybrid/tribrid levels in the $500–$1,000 crowd), but the soundstage stretches impressively wide, among the widest heard on an IEM at home. That choice fits: a set tuned to relax shouldn’t turn analytical or clinical.

Recommended for listeners who want to chill, unwind, and enjoy a refined, non-fatiguing top end; not for those seeking maximum detail shove and fireworks—there are brighter, more forward options for that. As a high-end “kick back” piece, Cerberus stands out as a kilobuck set that invites getting lost in the music rather than dissecting it, and that’s exactly its charm.