3. Cable
The EM64 comes with a very basic cable just like with all the other Earsonics monitors. The stock 2-pin cable is quite alright, it feels sturdy and sounds perfectly fine. For stage use it will do a perfect job. Audiophiles will probably switch it out for a nice aftermarket cable, and I would suggest the Leonidas by Effect Audio for this specific monitor. The Leonidas refines the EM64’s characteristics while not wanting to change the stage/pro tuning. It gives the EM64 the feeling of delivering more detail with a more musical presentation, where the stock cable is more in your face, as you’d expect from a stage monitor.
In a previous review I said it was a shame to see that Earsonics still isn’t offering cable upgrades, but for this stage monitor, I actually don’t see a point of doing that. For the EM64, intended for stage use, the cable is perfect.
4. Price & Accessories
The EM64, fully made in France, Europe starts at €1.140 Euro. For this money you get the EM64 with its replaceable cable, one cleaning tool, a hard case and a user manual. It’s the first time I receive hard case like that and I love the little brief case style. Maybe not the safest of choice for stage use, but you can always switch to a pelican case (as I always do)
If you’ve read our other Earsonics reviews, you know by now that Earsonics isn’t in to supplying a lot of extras and for a stage monitor, there’s no real need either.
Looking at the competition, the EM64 is correctly priced. In example the 6-driver UE 18+PRO is available for €1.330, the Vision Ears VE6 for €1.550, the Aether R from Lime Ears is €1.200 and the Jomo Tango is €1300.
The EM64 in the shop can be found here: http://www.earsonics.com/store/produit/em64/
5. Customer Service
My Earsonics monitors all fit great and as a result I didn’t really have to contact their customer service, it just hasn’t been relevant to me. I’ve not had any issues with the EM64 either and everything works as it should work. I’m convinced this monitor won’t die on me any time soon, so I don’t think I’ll be getting in touch with customer support any time soon.
That being said, I’m sure that if anything should ever happen to it, the Earsonics team will be there to help you out right away. I’ve had nothing but positive contacts with the ES team, and I’ve heard and read only good things about them.
6. Sound
Important here is to look at the EM64 as a stage monitor. Sure audiophiles can buy (and love it) but the starting point or focus should be from a stage point of view, not for mastering or anything else.
According to Earsonics, the EM64 provides a full rich sound throughout the whole spectrum with a foreground presence effect for an incredible LIVE experience.
For each monitor Earsonics always publishes an overview of what to expect for each model. For the EM64 that means balance when looking at the sound signature.
The first things that get your attention when listening to the EM64 is the full bodied sound, the speed and the lively stereo presentation. From bass to mids to treble you get good body and impact and a full presentation, typical to a stage monitor. Some might describe it as a more into your face kind of sound, but it’s more than that really.
The sound stage width and depth, together with the separation and airiness is good (especially for 6 drivers) but it’s not spectacular when compared to a TOTL audiophile tuned IEM with many more drivers. That’s quite normal and perfectly fine. For a stage monitor that isn’t really needed either. The goal on stage is not to get the ultimate separation, layering, detail retrieval or spaciousness. The goal is to hear what you need to hear in order to perform as you should. It’s quite different from the typical audiophile point of view and way of tuning, but again, the EM64 doesn’t score bad here.
So you get a full sound and good impact and the presentation is fairly clear, the delivery musical. The sound could be even more clear though, yet it wouldn’t be fair to say it’s dark at all. The level of detail is quite good, even though that probably won’t be the first thing you notice when first listening to the EM64. Sound stage wise it is good but it’s wider than it is deep to me.
As you can also see in the above picture, the EM64 is balanced and linear, displaying the same characteristics from lows to highs. Coherence is another key word for the EM64. I wouldn’t call the EM64 a fully neutral tuned monitor but it’s not a warm monitor either. It’s probably right in between (maybe leaning a bit more to neutral) and that’s a sweet spot for a lot of people using monitors or IEMs on stage or for pure fun/enjoyment.
Because of the EM64’s musicality, excellent stereo image, detail and even slightly warmer bass and mid tuning, it is extremely easy to enjoy and listen to for longer periods. The EM64 even far away of the stage, is engaging, addictive and will make you sing along with your favourite songs. And that always is a very good indicator of how good a monitor really is.
Earsonics describes the bass as organic and warm, the mids as processed and mastered and the treble as fully controlled regarding harshness (even at high volume levels). Let’s check that more in detail.
The part on sound continues on Page number 4, right Here
