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1964EARS V6-Stage

1964EARS V6-Stage Review

1964EARS V6-Stage
Reviewed November 2013

Details: 6-driver flagship custom in-ear from Portland, OR-based 1964EARS
Starting Price: $699 from 1964ears.com (discontinued)
Specs: Driver: 6-BA / 3-way crossover | Imp: 22Ω | Sens: 115 dB | Freq: 10-20k Hz | Cable: 4’ L-plug / other lengths available
Wear Style: Over-the-ear

Accessories (5/5) – Shirt clip, ¼” adapter, cleaning tool, and custom crushproof Pelican storage case
Build Quality (5/5) – Aside from its triple-bore configuration, the V6-Stage is similar in construction to my 1964-V3. Molding quality is excellent with no bubbles, very clear faceplates, and good finish around the cable sockets and nozzles. It uses a cable with a standard Westone socket and short memory wire section. Options include recessed cable sockets, ambient vents, custom colors, custom artwork, and various exotic faceplates
Isolation (4/5) – Very good isolation from the fitted acrylic shells
Microphonics (5/5) – Nonexistent as with most of my custom monitors
Comfort (5/5) – As with all acrylic customs, the shells are hard but very comfortable. If the earphones are uncomfortable after an initial break-in period, a refit is probably a good idea. 1964EARS does refits at no cost within the first 30 days

Sound (9.7/10) – The 1964EARS V6-Stage is the company’s latest flagship, designed for “stage, studio and everyday music listening”. It utilizes a 3-way, 6-armature configuration – a setup similar to those of the Unique Melody Miracle and JH Audio JH13 Pro. The sound signature of the V6-Stage combines near-neutral bass, a rich and clear midrange, and crisp treble.

The bass of the V6-Stage is slightly above neutral in quantity – a touch less impactful than with the JH13 Pro but more so compared to other reference earphones such as the Custom Art Music One, HiFiMan RE-600, and Etymotic Research ER-4S. Bass depth is very good and the low end is tight and controlled. In a way, the V6-Stage is the best of both worlds – it makes bassier earphones such as the FitEar TG334 sound boomy in comparison without giving a bass quality advantage to flatter sets from HiFiMan, Etymotic Research, and the like.

The midrange of the V6-Stage has a neutral tone with a smooth and rich character that prevents it from sounding “analytical”. Note thickness is good and the mids appear very natural overall. The V6-Stage is not as lean as the Etymotic ER-4S and its upper midrange is a little less prominent. Clarity is excellent –aided by its prominent treble, the 1964EARS unit has an advantage here over sets such as the FitEar TG334 and Heir Audio 8.A, and makes the more treble-shy RE-600 sound downright dull in comparison.

However, the treble is prominent enough to where recording quality becomes important. The earphone is significantly brighter than sets such as the Custom Art Music One and Heir 8.A, and its treble character has a tendency accentuate sibilance. This is somewhat source-dependent and more prone to occurring at higher volumes, but the fact remains that the V6-Stage is less forgiving than even the Etymotic ER-4S. Other than that, the treble is excellent – crisp and well-extended, carrying enough energy to balance out the overall sound, bass emphasis and all.

The impressive end-to-end extension of the V6-Stage also reflects in its presentation, which is broad and spacious. The soundstage is larger compared to most universals as well as many customs, such as the Music One. It is a touch more constrained than that of the JH13 Pro but on the whole the presentation of the V6-Stage is as well-rounded as anything I’ve heard in its price bracket.

Select Comparisons

EarSonics SM64 ($399)

The SM64 is a triple-armature universal-fit earphone that impresses, among other things, with its bass response. Compared to the V6-Stage, its bass reaches deeper and hits harder but still maintains excellent control. In the midrange, the 1964EARS perform better – while the SM64 is biased towards the lower midrange, the V6-Stage is quite level throughout, offering flatter upper mids and a more balanced and neutral sound. It sounds clearer, less congested, and more refined than the SM64 except for a bit of peakiness in the treble, which makes the V6-Stage sound a little hotter and more “tizzy” next to the darker EarSonics.

Alclair Reference ($399)

Alclair’s Reference monitor pursues a sound signature very similar to that of the V6-Stage, falling a bit short of the V6 in overall performance. Bass quantity is similar between the earphones but the Reference is slightly mid-recessed and sounds more “dry” whereas the V6-Stage has a fuller, smoother sound with a more prominent midrange. Treble performance is also similar between the two – both units have a tendency to exaggerate sibilance and sound a little “hot” on certain tracks, with the V6-Stage performing a bit better in this regard. In terms of presentation, too, the V6-Stage comes across as more versatile and convincing, with a little more imaging prowess and better balance of width and depth.

1964EARS 1964-V3 ($425)

While the similarly-priced Alclair Reference bears a strong resemblance to the V6-Stage, 1964EARS’ own triple-driver sounds quite different. The 1964-V3 is bassier and more “boomy” than the V6-Stage, with the powerful mid-bass response providing much greater impact. This results in a warmer and at times more bloated sound. The V6-Stage, with its tighter, less powerful bass, also has better clarity, especially in the midrange, and sounds more refined and detailed. It is more balanced and neutral whereas the V3 is more colored. In terms of presentation, the boomier bass of the V3 makes it a touch more congested but both units provide a good sense of space.

Westone ES5 ($950)

Westone’s flagship custom is a warm and smooth affair that emphasizes it lows and mids. The ES5 has more bass than the 1964EARS V6-Stage, but the V6 is a little more textured and controlled. Its mids are leaner and clearer while the ES5 sounds fuller and more forward in the midrange. The treble of the Westones is smoother but the overall sound is darker and a bit more muffled. The 1964EARS, on the other hand, have treble that is brighter and peakier, and tend to be more sibilant. I find the V6-Stage to sound more natural overall, though the peaks in the treble region sometimes cause it to sound a little “tizzy” in comparison. In terms of presentation, the ES5 tends to be more intimate, especially in the midrange, whereas the V6-Stage is wider and more laid-back, a-la the UM Miracle.

Unique Melody Miracle ($950)

The UM Miracle has always impressed me most with its ability to sound neutral and balanced, yet remain smooth and not at all analytical. Compared to the Miracle, the V6-Stage produces a little more bass, especially mid-bass, lending it a slightly fuller and warmer sound. The 1964EARS sound a bit more colored as a result of the bass emphasis whereas the Miracle is more neutral and balanced. The Miracle also remains flatter through the upper midrange, boasting more presence there a-la the Etymotic ER-4S. At the top, the V6-Stage is more sibilant despite having similar overall treble energy, while the Miracle is smoother and has a bit more air. The Miracle is slightly more open-sounding with a marginally more spacious soundstage.

Value (9/10) – The mid-level 1964EARS customs I’ve tried have offered solid value for money, and the new 1964EARS V6-Stage is doing the same for the flagship segment of the still-developing custom in-ear market. The earphones are very well-made and the sound hits the sweet spot, falling just warm of neutral with a bit of added bass, mids that are clear but not thin, and crisp, if slightly hot, treble. It is an extremely competent earphone that competes with pricier models such as the Westone ES5 and Heir Audio 8.A. Like the less expensive 1964-V3, the V6-Stage is an easy recommendation in its price range and, in contrast to the V3, should work for professional applications as well as consumer audio.

Pros: Great molding quality; isolation and comfort of a custom in-ear; impressive overall performance
Cons: Can accentuate sibilance

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ABOUT AUTHOR

ljokerl

ljokerl

Living in the fast-paced city of Los Angeles, ljokerl has been using portable audio gear to deal with lengthy commutes for the better part of a decade. He spends much of his time listening to music and occasionally writes portable audio reviews across several enthusiast sites, focusing mostly on in-ear earphones.

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34 Responses

  1. EarSonics Velvet: loads more bass than e-Q7, warmer sound, a little less smooth and just less neutral overall. StageDiver3 – even more bass than Velvet, gives up some clarity compared to e-Q7 (would be a terrible upgrade, I think). Not sure about StageDiver 4 or e-Q8.

    FLC8 is very different from the Velvet and SD-3, it’s a bright earphone with punchy but not hugely powerful bass. It makes sense if you’re an EDM listener who likes treble, but it’s also very different from the more smooth and neutral e-Q7 so you’ll have to decide if that’s a risk you’re willing to take. FLC8 has the added bonus of that tuning system, which is excellent to have available if you have the patience to explore it a bit.

    As for CIEMs, the UM Miracle that I compared to the V6-Stage in the review above used to be popular with e-Q7 owners back when these were both flagship IEMs. I think it still holds up well for this purpose. Another alternative is the Custom Art Harmony 8 Pro. However, I would honestly not recommend jumping into $1000 customs after trying just one or two decent universals. You need a broader comparison basis to really narrow down the sound you like – the universals you’re considering in your posts are kind of all over the place and customs are not nearly as easy to move on from as universals if you don’t quite hit your ideal sound.

  2. And also please consider;
    BTW I listen to pop, electronic, dance and house. I like 3D or wide soundstage, bright tones and kick/fast bass (no, no I’m not a basshead). Let’s call it balanced to bright slightly. Actually I like treble very much.

    – FLC Technology FLC 8s

  3. You answer is very much appreciated, we can take limit back. I own my e-Q7 with your review may be 5-6 years ago. Soundstage is very important and I like treble instead of deep bass. Something I realized recently is that I can not buy a CIEM because I will order it remotely (tens of thousands miles away) and I guess CIEMs require the user’s ear mould that I’cant provide. So I think I must choose a universal IEM. If it’s true, what is your advice under 500USD for a e-Q7 substitute and a 500-1500USD “real upgrade” universal? I also own a RHA MA750 and think it’s not bad but not tasteful as e-Q7.

    What do you think of these over e-Q7?
    – EarSonics Velvet
    – In ears StageDiver 4s or 3s
    – Ortofon e-Q8

    You’re the only source of knowledge for me. That’s why I’m asking you everything that I wonder. Regards.

  4. I believe they have been discontinued, and since it’s a CIEM you won’t be finding any old stock anywhere.

    Unfortunately the only V6 Stage alternatives I have tried are over $750. Under $750 the closest is the Alclair Reference, but it goes a little too far in the opposite direction in terms of sound signature to be as good of an upgrade for the e-Q7. On the upside, it’s a lot less expensive than the 1964s.

  5. Hi Joker,

    I’m a very happy ortofon e-q7 user and want to upgrade to those v6 stage. The problem is I couldn’t find those, probably it is end-of-sale. what is your advice as a replacement to V6-stage and as a good upgrade for e-q7 for under 750USD?

    Thank you

  6. V6 Stage is in a similar ballpark, but a little more on the neutral side. Clarity and detail are better on the V6-Stage just because the overall balance is better.

  7. A lot of reviews mentioned about DN2000J being somewhat bright. How does the IEM compare with the V6s in terms of clarity and detail?
    Thanks.

  8. Sorry, I haven’t tried the A3. The V6-Stage is very very good at low volumes and has isolation comparable to other acrylic customs, so objectively it fits your requirements well, but I can’t tell you how it compares to the newer model.

  9. Hi Joker,
    Which one would you recommend? 1964 a3 or 1964 v6s? The a3 is slightly pricier than the v6s. My preferences would be no sacrifice in detail and clarity at low listening volume. I also prefer good isolation especially in public bus and airplane.
    Thanks.

  10. It matter much more what you actually like in terms of sound from your earphones than what I think the best is for a particular genre. I’d probably go for the 4S (for Jazz especially) and also consider it to be marginally better overall (edging out the V6-Stage thanks to its smoother treble) but it could go either way depending on the individual listener.

  11. Awesome review (and the Noble 4S review as well)!

    I’m choosing between this and the Noble 4S as my next CIEM. The genres I mostly listen to are Jazz and Classic Rock. Which of those two CIEMs is more suitable to those genres? And which one is better overall? Thanks!

  12. Pretty different – the SD-2 is what I consider a mid-focused earphone, where nothing takes away from the prominence and richness of its midrange. The bass is about even with the midrange and the treble is a bit relaxed. The V6S is different – it favors the bass and treble a little more. It’s more of a VSonic GR07 type of sound, but flatter.

    The V6’s soundstage is more spacious and open compared to the Earsonics. That’s a good thing, but it also doesn’t have that intimate, “surround” sort of presentation that the SM3 does so well. Again, different sound tunings lead to different presentations, but I think most people would agree that the V6-S is technically superior. It just doesn’t sound too similar to an SM3.

  13. Hi Joker

    i tried several IEMs today and loved the mid range of the SD2. How do u compare v6s mids to the SD2? and 1964 ears mentioned that v6s produces a 3D soundstage, is it similar to the soundstage of the sm3 v2?

    thanks in advance.

  14. Yes, that’s exactly what it is – a UM Miracle for $300 less and *slightly* hotter treble. Part of what makes it a killer deal.

    I would say the treble is about on-par with the DBA-02 and better than a GR07. With the Etymotic ER4 you can get smoother treble provided you can position it at the 2nd bend of your ear canal, which is tough to do. I have custom tips on my ER4 so I can manage it pretty well.

  15. Sorry for asking this question so long after the creation. I am new to the audiophile world. Can this be the poor man’s substitute for the UM Miracle, if I don’t mind the sibilance? the UM costs more nowadays. how hot is the treble comparing to cheaper iems? (i have heard gr07 dba-02 er4p that are quite hot imo)

  16. I have been back and forth in trying decide between 1964 V6-S and V3s. I mainly need them for leading worship on stage, as I am a vocalist and play acoustic guitar. I want to get V6, but it doesn’t have ambient ports, which seems pretty important because I like to be able to hear the room and not be so isolated….are the ambient ports worth getting V3s? Or is the quality of the V6 which are made for stage better? Price isn’t a problem either way, just not sure what it is best for what I’m looking for and need. Thanks!

  17. Thanks for the quick reply Joker. I actually have the red sub-bass port installed in the back and the dark grey installed in front — the user guide was in Korean and pretty difficult to interpret. I’ll read up on those Gorilla Ears. Thanks again.

  18. The FLC8 can deliver bass if you use the +bass and +sub-bass ports. It actually has significantly more bass than the 1964-V6 and most other customs, which are usually tuned for a flat sound. The only custom IEM I can think of around that price range with more bass than the FLC8 is the Gorilla Ears GX-4b, which is the enhanced-bass version of their quad-driver GX-4. I haven’t tried the 1964 Qi, though.

  19. I’m looking to buy either these or the 1964Ears QI (quad driver) for monitoring in my practice space. I play drums so it’s really important that bass and subbass be present. I tried the FLC 8, per your review. The highs were SUPER clear and guitar/vocals sounded great through stereo mix but I really couldn’t hear my bass drum and floor tom. I ended up boosting the bass in the mix, which drove my bandmates nuts because their cheapo over the head headpones seemed to do just fine producing those lower tones. I’m thinking about giving the guitarist the FLC 8 and getting something a little better.

    What would you recommend in the 5-600 price range?

  20. I don’t have a definitive answer for that one. The shell material is the only difference between the 4S and 4C as far as I know, but I am not sure what the perceived effect on sound (if any is).

    I do review new earphones pretty much weekly, but I don’t have those two models in the queue.

  21. Joker
    Thank you for your awesome review site I have it down to either the 1964 V-6 stage or Noble 4C
    Is the review for the 4S applicable for the 4C as I believe the only difference is shell material of Silicon vs Acrylic

    Also do you have plans to add the newer models as it appears to have been written a few years ago
    I wanted to see reviews for the 1964 V-8 as well as the Noble 3C

    Thanks in advance

  22. Hi joker,

    Have you heard the Alclair RSM Quads? If so, how would the V6 compare to it? They’re both around the same price.

    Thanks!

  23. Not really up to date with sources these days so I don’t have a specific one to recommend. I use a HiFiMan HM-901 with IEM card and have been for the better part of two years, but of course there’s lots of other options out there. Whatever you buy, just check that the output impedance is low (<1 Ohm) and noone is complaining about hiss if you're going to use it with BA customs.

  24. Hi, joker. I’ve just bought v6 stage and I want to buy the good source for it. I have dragonfly dac but the quality is not so good compare even with my grado 225. I also have cowon c2, with seems not the best source. Could you advice a good source for portable using. Thank you.

  25. If you can afford the V6-Stage, go for the V6-Stage. Overall accuracy is significantly better compared to the V3, as are detail resolution and clarity. Maybe if you were just playing bass, the V3 would be a good way to save a few hundred bucks, but the V6-Stage has superior overall fidelity.

  26. I’m considering the 1964 V3 or V6 Stage. I play bass and electric guitar. Would one be a better match based on the 2 instruments?

    Thank you,

  27. The V6-Stage has similar bass quantity to the (non-Bass Edition) GR07 and more than the Ety ER4 and HiFiMan RE-400. The VSD1S is more comparable to the GR07 Bass Edition, so maybe 4-5dB bassier than the V6-Stage.

  28. Hi ljokerl!

    One quick question about the bass quantity of the V6-Stage: What not-so-high end universals are around the same bass quantity? Maybe around the GR-07 or SteelSeries Flux? Compared to the VSD1S, how much less bass in db would you say it has?

    Thanks again. You’re a huge help!

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