"The upper end is crisp too, with plenty of detail present for vocals without becoming too spiky": 64 Audio Aspire 4 review

With the advent of quieter stages thanks to digital modelling and greater use of electronics alongside the ability to play loops, phrases and entire backing tracks very easily, in-ear monitors have (and continue) to be a gigging musician’s must-have accessory.

There’s a lot of choice out there, as evidenced by our constantly evolving best in-ear monitors buyer’s guide, but IEM specialist 64 Audio is looking towards the middle of the market with its Aspire 4 model, which it says offer “best-in-class” sound and ergonomics.

64 Audio Aspire 4: Design and build

While I say the Aspire 4 is aimed towards the middle of the market, in 64 Audio’s sphere, they’re actually the entry-level to the brand’s IEMs. Aspire 4 features a universal fit (as opposed to a custom-mold option), ABS body loaded with four drivers to cover a frequency response of 20Hz - 18Khz.

In the low end, a dynamic driver takes care of the bass, while a pair of balanced armatures offer “forward midrange”, with a further balanced armature aiming to keep things crispy at the top.

64 Audio reckons Aspire 4 offers sound isolation of -20dB, and the whole package ships with an IPX cable (48-inches/122cm), silicone and foam tips, shirt clip, cleaning tool and quarter-inch jack adaptor inside a handy carry case.

64 Audio Aspire 4: Performance

Unpacking the box for the Aspire 4 gives a real impression of quality. This follows with the compact and sturdy case. Sometimes these types of accessories can feel a little bit of a box-ticking exercise, but there’s a slight rigidity to the carry case that inspires confidence, particularly if you intend to stash it in a bag with other gear to and from your gig.

Unfortunately, upon first picking up the monitors, I found one of the stuck-on logo badges came off in my hand. These may be ‘entry level’ in 64 Audio’s world, but these are certainly not cheap monitors and it’s a bit of a surprise to have bits falling off before they’ve even been plugged in. However, the good news is that a firm press has held the logo in place permanently, with no further issues.

If you’ve ever described a monitor designed to be shoved into your ear canal as ‘sexy’, I’d suggest that perhaps there are more specialised websites than MusicRadar waiting for your perusal. But, it’s all very stylish, with the matte black finish not only looking great, but giving a little grip to the monitors. Ideal if you’re taking them in and out on a sweaty stage.

As well as the stealthy looks, I’d like to give the thumbs-up to 64 Audio for having clearly labelled each ear with L and R markings. It’s a simple addition, but it’s surprising just how often in-ears designed for use in dark environments aren’t easy to differentiate.

The tips are comfortable, and having a choice of materials is a real bonus. Personally, I preferred the silicone ends, which glide a little easier when fitting them and enable them to sit comfortably, while still maintaining a good seal to block out noise.

Conversely, many people prefer the foam buds, however my experience is they can feel a little ‘wadded’, a bit like having your ear canal stuffed full of tissue. But, there’s no incorrect choice, and thanks to the range of sizes included, you’ll be able to find the best fit for your ears.

The Aspire 4 comes with a standard, detachable IPX cable which rotates through 360 degrees to avoid tangling. It’s wrapped at the ear end with clear, soft plastic, but unlike many monitor cables, there’s no way of moulding it to the top of your ear to help keep everything in place.

My first concern was this would mean the monitors might easily fall out followed by an expectation of potential fatiguing where the cable was resting. The reality is that after a number of gigs, rehearsals and video recording sessions, I didn’t experience either issue and stopped thinking about it.

In some ways, it might even be slightly beneficial as it makes quick removal and refitting slightly easier due to not having to reshape the cable.

64 Audio Aspire 4: Sound

I tested the Aspire 4 in a range of applications, from electronic drums during practice to foldback mixes at gigs, monitoring recordings in a DAW and even general listening. The isolation is solid and customisable by opting for a smaller tip if you still like a little bit of bleed coming in from the room.

They handle some heavy low end frequencies well, with some hefty sub-bass frequencies seeping into my jaw bone to give a bit of tactile feel at higher levels. The upper end is crisp too, with plenty of detail present for vocals without becoming too spiky.

I agree with 64 Audio’s ‘mid-forward’ description, with those dual armatures delivering a powerful midrange. While this tuning can remove some of the pseudo-scooped ‘hi-fi’ feel that a heavy bass and top end provide, it actually pays off nicely in louder environments, placing additional focus on guitars and vocals for some additional cut. The perception overall is one of loudness without distortion, if adding a little more honk to the sound.

64 Audio Aspire 4: Verdict

Just as headphones became a hugely popular market about a decade ago, so are IEMs fast approaching a necessity for gigging and recording musicians. With this comes many options, especially at this price, where the luxury of custom-molds is unlocked. But, not everyone wants or even likes a molded fit.

With the Aspire 4, you’re getting some detailed, great-sounding monitors. They’re a fairly serious price too, but not when you look at the market in context. If you’re looking to upgrade from budget IEMs, or looking to buy a quality pair as your first foray into the world of being able to hear the rest of your band, they’re a very solid choice.

Also try

Shure SE846 Pro
When it comes to in-ear monitors, the Shure SE846 Pro are many people’s go-to choice. They’re customisable, well designed and comfortable to wear thanks to the variety of tip sizes. They also offer up to 37dB of sound attenuation and excellent performance.

Read more: Shure SE846 Pro review

Shure SE215 Pro
If you want to dive into the Shure brand but are looking after the pennies or just starting out, then the SE215 Pro come highly recommended. For a great price you get a pair of IEM which offer a decent level of comfort and they have a detachable cable. You won’t get the same level of performance from the pricier units, but for the price, there’s little to criticise.

Read more: Shure SE215 Pro review

Audio-Technica ATH-E70
My pick for a great mid-price option goes to the ATH-E70 which offer superb audio for the money and are lightweight enough to wear for longer sessions. As you'd expect from an Audio-Technica product, build quality is excellent and they perform well both on stage and in the studio.

Read more: Audio-Technica ATH-E70 review

64 Audio Aspire 4: Specification

• Connectivity: Detachable IPX cable, 3.5mm jack
• Drivers: Four
• Impedance: 11ohms at 1Khz
• Sensitivity: 104dB
• Frequency range: 20Hz-18Khz
• Contact: 64 Audio