64 Audio - N8 CIEM

I wouldn't say that IEMs are inherently a better medium than headphones. My biggest takeaway from using both for so many years is that IEMs are much easier to tune and much easier to keep consistent for users. IEMs can use multiple drives and crossovers to perfect a tuning. Headphones seems to have so many more variables. From baffles materials, driver shapes, chassis shapes and materials and PADS (MY GOD THE PADS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO GET RIGHT) that it feels like the chances of success are so much smaller. My favorite IEMs are my 64 audio N8 CIEMs. They have a ton of bass, seal out a lot of noise and they are consistent. Due to the shape of the IEM, the insertion depth is constant as is the seal. This means the IEM will sound identical every time I put it in. It also is tuned reasonably ok. My favorite headphone is my old trusty HD650. Over time the pads wear and starts to sound darker and darker until the pads are dust. If I change the pads, the sound changes immediately. If I move them on my head or I'm having hot spot, the sound changes again. Getting consistent sound from a headphone is hard.

Totally fair — I get that the 109 Pro, HD660S2, and Bathys aren’t summit-tier. But that’s kind of the point: a ~$1,000 IEM like the Monarch MKIII is outperforming multiple respected full-size headphones in the $500–$1,000 range. If the IEM world is delivering TOTL-tier detail, imaging, and tuning at mid-fi prices, that says more about how far IEMs have come — or how slow headphones have evolved. I’ve heard the Susvara, Utopia, LCD-5, etc., and yeah, they’re incredible. But they require $3K–$10K in amps and sources to get there. The Monarch just plugs into my M23 and delivers. So the question isn’t just “are they in the same tier?” It’s: Why do headphones need to cost 3–5x more (and weigh 400g) to match what a pair of tribrid IEMs can do in your pocket?

This is probably one of the most level-headed takes I’ve seen in this debate totally agree with your breakdown. What you said about consistency really hit the nail on the head. IEMs, especially CIEMs or well-fitted universals like the Monarch MKIII or 64 N8, just work every time. Seal, tuning, driver performance — all locked in. No pad wear, no fit fidgeting, no “just gotta get the angle right.” Meanwhile, headphones can be brilliant, but they’re like a vintage car: when everything aligns, it’s magical — but the tuning and performance shift over time, and user-to-user variation is insane. Pad type, pad age, clamp pressure, head shape — all of it matters. It’s not that IEMs are inherently better in every way… but they’re way more efficient at delivering reliable, high-level sound in a way that scales less with fuss and more with source quality. And I think that’s why a lot of us are starting to lean IEM over full-size. It’s not about being a purist — it’s about getting consistent excellence without needing to second-guess the gear every time we listen.

Honestly? That’s a hot take… but I kinda see it. 😅 Headphones really are the middle child of personal audio: • Less precise and intimate than top-tier IEMs • Less immersive and natural than properly set-up speakers • Still need bulky gear, but lack the portability of IEMs • And yet, they’re what most audiophiles treat as the “default” I still like headphones (I mean, I own HD660S2, 109 Pro, and Bathys), but since getting deep into IEMs like the Monarch MKIII, I find myself reaching for full-size cans way less… and when I want true immersion, I fire up the monitors. Maybe you’re right — headphones are great at doing everything kinda well but rarely best at anything.

we've made a semi-open back IEM called Duo, but it has since been discontinued. A very warm tone, with a fairly laid back pinna gain. Something that may interest you is our IEMs that are built with the interchangeable apex modules. You can go from the m20 modules which is almost fully occluded to something like our mX modules which really feels and sounds like an open back when you're wearing and listening to them.

I used these for 6 years before I got some custom molded IEM’s from 64audio. IEM’s are insane but expensive unfortunately. If someone’s on a budget the 990’s are a solid option too

Just get some CIEMs from 64 Audio and call it a day.

I have a 1964 Ears CIEM, a Sony Z1R but all replaced by FatFreq Scarlet Mini. This tiny IEM brings joy listening countless hours. I revived my Cayin N6II DAP bcoz of it.

That’s 64 audio’s whole thing. They built a port with filters into their iems. Essentially acts like having a molded earplug with set db filters (believe they have 12, 15, 20, and solid) that passes signal through it.

If you don't practice with IEMs, it would be better to not play with them either. The difference in volume perception, cue mix, and dealing with human interactions is pretty significant compared to the relative ease of sliding down your 'phones. Side note: most people see the visual cue of 'headphones on' and hold back on coming up to the booth - not so with IEMs. They just don't see them! I'm fortunate to have universal ear holes ?!!! so my set of 64Audio are great. Tried the Sennheiser HD-25 and they're good, also but actually did hurt my ears after a long gig. They also seemed to be tuned to clip certain frequencies but that could have just been my perception, Found that the bass was almost always too rich, when I really needed the mids to be in my sweet spot. The other gotcha with wearing IEMs, whether you get a custom fit or get away with the universal fits, is that you have to absolutely know, trust and believe in your FOH music management. You obviously don't need a booming booth monitor but if you're also controlling your own FOH on the fly, IEMs are not good for keeping your overall volume balanced. If you have to manage your own sound, I wouldn't trust my IEMs to not get in the way.