Short answer: the 64 Audio Tia Trio. It ranks #373 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $2,299. The SoftEars Cerberus ranks #377, rated 3.2/5, at $2,099.99, $199.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the 64 Audio Tia Trio: A single dynamic driver and two balanced armatures give near-neutral sub-bass down to 20 Hz and about 1.8 dB of extra bass for warmth and weight. The catch: In squig.link measurements the 3 to 6 kHz presence band sits about 4.7 dB below target with a 6.6 dB dip near 5.5 kHz, so vocals and strings can sound recessed.
Why pick the SoftEars Cerberus: A seven driver hybrid with a dynamic woofer, four balanced armatures and two electrostatic tweeters, tuned with a warm, relaxed balance. The tradeoff: Treble runs about 4 to 6 dB below target from 3 to 16 kHz, with a 9.8 dB dip near 6.1 kHz, so cymbals, string texture and vocal consonants sound dim and distant.
Buy the 64 Audio Tia Trio. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $199.01 you would save on the SoftEars Cerberus does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| 64 Audio Tia Trio | SoftEars Cerberus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,299.00 | $2,099.99 |
| Ranked | #373 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #377 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 | 2.59 dB standard deviation | 2.89 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.76 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 2 x balanced armature | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Impedance | 5.5 ohms | 5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW | 104 dB/100mV |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 80kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
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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 Tia Trio: $2,299.00 64 Audio eBay
Pros: A single dynamic driver and two balanced armatures give near-neutral sub-bass down to 20 Hz and about 1.8 dB of extra bass for warmth and weight. Air above 10 kHz rises about 4.9 dB, giving cymbals shimmer and a sense of space. At 104 dB/mW it runs fine from a phone. It rates above the 64 Audio U12t and the SoftEars Cerberus.
Cons: In squig.link measurements the 3 to 6 kHz presence band sits about 4.7 dB below target with a 6.6 dB dip near 5.5 kHz, so vocals and strings can sound recessed. A 5.9 dB peak near 11.9 kHz may add a touch of sizzle. The 64 Audio A12t from the same maker earns the same rating for less money.
Full 64 Audio Tia Trio review and specifications →
| Released | 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.59 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 5.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.76 (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 | -0.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 173 Hz | -2.9 dB | 0.47 |
| Peak | 5,866 Hz | +5.1 dB | 2.52 |
| Peak | 1,079 Hz | +3.6 dB | 3.41 |
| Peak | 3,899 Hz | +3.2 dB | 3.50 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -10.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,335 Hz | +5.3 dB | 1.90 |
| Peak | 2,172 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.36 |
| Peak | 642 Hz | -1.1 dB | 3.27 |
| Peak | 364 Hz | +0.6 dB | 1.70 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
SoftEars Cerberus: $2,099.99 HiFiGo eBay
Pros: A seven driver hybrid with a dynamic woofer, four balanced armatures and two electrostatic tweeters, tuned with a warm, relaxed balance. Across seven hobbyist measurements on squig.link, bass sits within a decibel of target from 60 to 200 Hz and sub-bass stays within 6 dB down to 20 Hz, so low notes keep their weight. The subdued top end suits listeners who find most in-ears fatiguing. Its 5 ohm impedance and 104 dB per 100 mV sensitivity mean a phone drives it easily.
Cons: Treble runs about 4 to 6 dB below target from 3 to 16 kHz, with a 9.8 dB dip near 6.1 kHz, so cymbals, string texture and vocal consonants sound dim and distant. The 64 Audio A12t rates higher for slightly less money. A preference score of 64 from crinacle and a 2.9 dB standard deviation point to an uneven overall response.
Full SoftEars Cerberus review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.89 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 4 balanced armature + 2 electrostatic) |
| Drivers | 1 x dynamic + 4 x balanced armature + 2 x electrostatic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 80kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 104 dB/100mV |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 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 | -0.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 7,728 Hz | +6.5 dB | 0.79 |
| Peak | 262 Hz | -2.4 dB | 0.44 |
| Peak | 1,896 Hz | -2.8 dB | 1.34 |
| Peak | 62 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.67 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,226 Hz | -2.4 dB | 5.45 |
| Peak | 5,402 Hz | +2.0 dB | 4.97 |
| Peak | 989 Hz | +0.8 dB | 3.73 |
| Peak | 662 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.16 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons