64 Audio tia Trio vs InEar ProMission X Review

December 20, 2019 2:48 pm

Here are two great IEMs that have been on our news feed over the past week or two. 64 Audio’s Tia Trio is a well established IEM. But InEars’ ProMission X is a newcomer. And both models fall in a similar price range. I recently reviewed the ProMission X, and I was so impressed that I couldn’t wait to find out how it would stand up to the big players. Much has already been written about both of these models. So, this review is for folks who are already familiar with at least one of these IEMs but are hesitant to pull the trigger. Which IEM is right for your ears? Let’s find out in this 64 Audio tia Trio vs InEar ProMission X Review.

64 Audio tia Trio vs InEar ProMission X Review

FIT

I found both IEMs comfortable to wear. But the ProMission X gave me a snugger fit. And unsurprisingly, the sound isolation was better. That being said, my colleague found the ProMission X less comfortable. So, it depends on the size and shape of your ear contours. If you tend to run into problems with fit, then the more conventionally shaped Tia Trio may be a safer bet.

DESIGN

In terms of drivers, these two models are very different. The Tia Trio employs a hybrid triple driver design, using 1 dynamic driver for the lows and 2 balanced armatures for the mid-high frequencies. In contrast, the ProMission X packs in 10 balanced armatures (with a 4-way crossover).

One difference also worth noting is the shell materials. While the Tia Trio has a solid almunimum shell with aluminum faceplates, the ProMission X is made of a hybrid material that combines violet wood and acrylic. The ProMission X is incredibly light compared to the Tia Trio. And just holding them both in your hand, you can safely place bets on which model is more likely to survive an unfortunate accident. So, your choice may depend on how carefully you look after your pricey possessions. Also, just by looking at the photo below, you can probably decipher the difference in cable quality as well. The Tia Trio cable is on the left.

Both IEMs are easy to drive, and I hardly had to adjust the volume when switching between the two models. For the purposes of this review, I paired both IEMs with the FiiO Q5S.

SOUND

Lows

Both models deliver a similar level of bass presence. But the tia Trio reveals a little more depth, giving the listener a more visceral experience. And listening to hip-hop, the tia Trio offers more sub-bass response. Listening to rock, the low end on the ProMission X is a bit warmer, which is partly due to the fact that the ProMission X gives a little more oomph in the low mids. Listening to classical string instruments in the low-end, the ProMission X displays a more majestic feel. This is because the ProMission X has a more robust profile overall, and its soundstage is grander than it is on the tia Trio. But more about this below.

Mids

The main difference in this range lies in the upper mids. The tia Trio emphasizes some frequencies around the higher-midrange, while the frequencies on the ProMission X are more smoothly distributed. And as mentioned above, the low-mids are a little more meaty on the Promission X. So, on many tracks, vocals (female vocals especially) stand out quite a bit more on the tia Trio. If you like powerful vocals or a more dynamic sound, this may suit you. But if you prefer a more natural mix with a more all-encompassing feel, then the ProMission X would be more appropriate. And because of this difference, you may also find the ProMission X to be a less fatiguing listen.

In terms of transparency, these IEMs are neck and neck. Listening to string solos in this range, both models revealed an impressive level of detail. Nuances in timbre and bow contact shined through on both models. (Though in terms of texture, the Tia Trio is slightly smoother). That being said, there’s no question that the tia Trio is the tidier IEM of the two. The tia Trio’s superior separation becomes most evident in recordings with heavy instrumentation, as well as in acoustic tracks. Guitar strums in the lower mids, for example are cleaner and more well defined on the tia Trio. And overall, the tia Trio just feels more controlled.

Highs

You’ll get a little more crispness and sparkle from the ProMission X, though the difference is small. And both IEMs avoid overdoing the highs, making them both an easy listening experience in this range. Vocals in this range have a tad more weight listening to the ProMission X, and they feel a little more delicate on the tia Trio. But both reveal plenty of breath and airiness.

Soundstage

The ProMission X feels a lot bigger and more multidimensional. The primary reason for this is that instruments placed far away from center are richer with more definition on the ProMission X. When listening to the Tia Trio, the same instruments fade a little and become less apparent. So, you’re basically hearing more of the mix on the ProMission X. In fact, I don’t know if I’ve ever heard anything like it on an IEM. And I don’t know if the producers on the tracks I listened to even intended these instruments to be this audible. But I love it. And it certainly makes the listening experience incredibly engaging.

PROS and CONS

ProMission X

Pros: Fantastic resolution; well-balanced; mind-blowing soundstage.

Cons: Separation not as good as Tia Trio; could it handle being stepped on?

Tia Trio

Pros: Fantastic resolution; clean and well-separated; solid build quality.

Cons: Balance not suitable for purists.

SUMMARY

Listen, you’re not going to end up with crap at this price point. Both IEMs show off great resolution with tons of skill. And which one is better balanced all depends on your tastes. But at the end of the day, if you’re looking for the cleanest or most tidy sound, opt for the Tia Trio. If you’re looking for the biggest, most holographic sound, go for the ProMission X.

You can find both IEMs for the best price here:

64 Audio tia Trio at Audio 46

InEars ProMission X at Audio 46