Sony IER Z1R VS 64 Audio Tia Trio

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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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Sony’s IER-Z1R goes full luxury flex: an over-the-top unboxing with nested boxes, a ring-case display, two stock cables (3.5 mm SE and 4.4 mm balanced), and a mountain of tips. The shells are solid metal and surprisingly heavy, feeling like they could survive a drop—or crack a desk. Driver count is “only” three, but the focus is on large dynamic drivers rather than BA stuffing; build and presentation scream premium from the first lift of the lid.

Sonically, the headline is the bass: deep, rumbly, clean, and fast, delivering both sub-bass rumble and well-separated hits—described as the best bass heard from a universal IEM. The midrange has a thicker, weighty character that plays nicer with brighter voices and pop than with male vocals or cello, which can feel a touch heavy. The treble is fit-dependent: a deep seal nets a smooth, extended top end; a shallow fit can tilt peaky and splashy—so ear anatomy and tip choice matter more than usual.

On source pairing, the IER-Z1R scales on a beefy amp but runs just fine off an Apple dongle, undermining fears that it’s a diva. As for value, the verdict is blunt: performance is stellar, but not cost-efficient; similar results can be had for half or even a quarter of the price. This set targets listeners chasing the last 10–20% of performance (or those who simply want the full Sony flagship experience), with the caveat that fit decides whether the treble sings or stings.

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Sony’s IER-Z1R puts on a proper flagship show from the jump: an exquisite unboxing, hefty zirconium shells, and faceplates with a watch-grade finish that scream luxury. Sonically, the focus is the sub-bass—massive extension, physical rumble, and satisfying decay that together form a true basshead endgame. Compared to the 64 Audio U12t, the Z1R’s low end is clearly superior in slam and texture, while avoiding plasticky BA timbre; resolution is strong overall, even if the U12t keeps a slight edge in microdetail.

The tuning skews moderately V-shaped: male vocals can sound a touch hollow from a dip around the lower mids, whereas female vocals pop with presence and clarity—ideal for J-/K-pop and anime OSTs. Treble carries good extension but emphasizes stick impact that can draw attention over the air up top, a preference call more than a flaw. Staging is notable: among IEMs, the Z1R projects a “speaker-like” scale with one of the widest head-stages heard—still IEM-bound, but grander than most peers, and paired with a warm, engaging timbre.

The catch is fit and ergonomics. The shells are large and unforgiving, and for many ears comfort collapses within minutes; seal is extremely sensitive, with a poor fit turning the treble peaky around ~6 kHz. It’s the single biggest caveat: audition first rather than blind-buying. When the fit cooperates, this is a phenomenal-sounding flagship—arguably preferred over U12t for the right genres—yet its brilliance is undercut by comfort risks that will be a deal-breaker for some.

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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.