Short answer: the 64 Audio A12t. It ranks #374 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $1,999; the 64 Audio U12t ranks #381, rated 3.2/5, at $1,999. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
Why pick the 64 Audio A12t: Bass is on target down to 20 Hz with a slight 1.9 dB lift from 60 to 200 Hz, so low end feels full and solid without boom. The tradeoff: In the two hobbyist measurements on squig.link, treble from 6 to 10 kHz sits about 10 dB below target with a 13.7 dB dip near 8.7 kHz, and presence is 7.3 dB low, so cymbals, strings and vocal clarity sound noticeably dark and muffled.
The case for the 64 Audio U12t: Twelve balanced armatures produce a warm, smooth tuning with sub-bass right on target down to 20 Hz and about 1.6 dB of extra bass for body. The tradeoff: Presence sits about 5.7 dB below target from 3 to 6 kHz, with a 7.9 dB dip near 3.3 kHz, so vocals and guitars sound distant and detail is subdued.
Buy the 64 Audio A12t. It is rated higher for sound quality than the 64 Audio U12t at the same price, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| 64 Audio A12t | 64 Audio U12t | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,999.00 | $1,999.00 |
| Ranked | #374 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #381 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 64 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.50 dB standard deviation | 2.67 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.86 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 12 x balanced armature (incl. 1 tia high driver) | 12 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 12.6 ohms | 12.6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB/mW | 108 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to 64 Audio A12t:
- 64 Audio A12t vs 64 Audio Tia Trio
- 64 Audio A12t vs SoftEars Cerberus
- 64 Audio A12t vs Fir Audio e12
- 64 Audio A12t vs HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro
- 64 Audio U12t vs HIFIMAN RE2000 Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
64 Audio A12t: $1,999.00 64 Audio eBay
Pros: Bass is on target down to 20 Hz with a slight 1.9 dB lift from 60 to 200 Hz, so low end feels full and solid without boom. That warm balance suits listeners who prefer a relaxed, bass rich sound for long sessions. At 12.6 ohms and 108 dB/mW it runs easily from a phone.
Cons: In the two hobbyist measurements on squig.link, treble from 6 to 10 kHz sits about 10 dB below target with a 13.7 dB dip near 8.7 kHz, and presence is 7.3 dB low, so cymbals, strings and vocal clarity sound noticeably dark and muffled. The qdc Anole V6 earns the same rating for considerably less.
Full 64 Audio A12t review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.50 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 12 x balanced armature (incl. 1 tia high driver) |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 12.6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.8 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 206 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 9,038 Hz | +5.2 dB | 1.59 |
| Peak | 3,244 Hz | +5.1 dB | 2.01 |
| Peak | 2,134 Hz | -2.6 dB | 2.47 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,789 Hz | +2.4 dB | 5.93 |
| Peak | 599 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.55 |
| Peak | 951 Hz | +0.8 dB | 3.06 |
| Peak | 5,061 Hz | -1.6 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
64 Audio U12t: $1,999.00 64 Audio eBay
Pros: Twelve balanced armatures produce a warm, smooth tuning with sub-bass right on target down to 20 Hz and about 1.6 dB of extra bass for body. In the median of 22 hobbyist measurements on squig.link, the treble never rises more than a fraction of a decibel above target between 1.5 and 12 kHz, so there is no harshness or sibilance at any volume. At 108 dB/mW it plays loud from a phone. It matches the rating of the SoftEars Cerberus for less money.
Cons: Presence sits about 5.7 dB below target from 3 to 6 kHz, with a 7.9 dB dip near 3.3 kHz, so vocals and guitars sound distant and detail is subdued. The 64 Audio A12t from the same maker rates higher at the same price, and the Fir Audio e12 matches its rating for less.
Full 64 Audio U12t review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.67 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 12 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 12.6 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.86 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 191 Hz | -2.3 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 8,941 Hz | +5.5 dB | 1.20 |
| Peak | 3,118 Hz | +5.7 dB | 2.53 |
| Peak | 2,054 Hz | -3.1 dB | 2.08 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 5,678 Hz | +3.0 dB | 5.76 |
| Peak | 4,885 Hz | -1.9 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 314 Hz | +0.4 dB | 3.39 |
| Peak | 540 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.46 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons