Short answer: the Oriolus Mellianus. It ranks #348 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $2,400. The 64 Audio Tia Trio ranks #373, rated 3.3/5, at $2,299, $101 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The Oriolus Mellianus is the better-sounding option. Ten balanced armature drivers per side earn a preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement, with an overall balance that is neither warm nor bright. The tradeoff: Its response wanders about 2.8 dB from target on average, so some bands stand out more than on the best in-ears.
The case for 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 tradeoff: 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.
Buy the Oriolus Mellianus. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $101 saving on the 64 Audio Tia Trio is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Oriolus Mellianus | 64 Audio Tia Trio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,400.00 | $2,299.00 |
| Ranked | #348 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #373 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 65 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.79 dB standard deviation | 2.59 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.03 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.76 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 10 x balanced armature | 1 x dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 36 ohms | 5.5 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 109 dB | 104 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 22kHz (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) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Oriolus Mellianus:
- Noble Audio Sultan vs Oriolus Mellianus
- Oriolus Mellianus vs qdc Anole VX
- qdc Anole VX vs 64 Audio Tia Trio
- 64 Audio Tia Trio vs 64 Audio Volur
- 64 Audio Tia Trio vs SoftEars Cerberus
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
Oriolus Mellianus: $2,400.00 HiFiGo eBay
Pros: Ten balanced armature drivers per side earn a preference score of 69 in crinacle’s measurement, with an overall balance that is neither warm nor bright. At 36 ohms and 109 dB sensitivity it runs easily from a phone or a small dongle, and the closed shell blocks outside noise like any sealed in-ear.
Cons: Its response wanders about 2.8 dB from target on average, so some bands stand out more than on the best in-ears. The Noble Audio Kadence rates clearly higher while costing less.
Full Oriolus Mellianus review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.79 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 10 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 36 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 109 dB |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.03 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.9 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 | +8.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 53 Hz | -7.0 dB | 0.32 |
| Peak | 5,072 Hz | +5.8 dB | 3.24 |
| Peak | 1,500 Hz | -7.2 dB | 1.62 |
| Peak | 1,299 Hz | +2.8 dB | 0.31 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,645 Hz | +2.0 dB | 2.59 |
| Peak | 3,608 Hz | -3.4 dB | 5.78 |
| Peak | 2,734 Hz | +1.7 dB | 3.83 |
| Peak | 4,344 Hz | +1.8 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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