Tonally, as I’ve said this IEM is clearly tipped up on the bass and the upper mid; however, what makes it works for me is that it still sounds warmish overall, a far cry from the more cold-sounding dual TWFKs IEMs. The bump on the upper mid/lower treble also resides higher than GR07’s peak but lower than Triple.fi’s. Moreover, the lower treble bump is a little wider and less peaky than GR07’s. Still, turn up the volume and you can still hear some aggravation from the treble. Listening to loudness wars in Owl City’s recordings is a definite no no. However, if you are generally o.k. with some treble bump like that of GR07’s, the Ocharaku shouldn’t be a problem.
I love the bass on this thing! The bass is very impactful (at least on par with a tfp) with a definite feeling of solidity and punch, more so than the ASG 1.2. The bass feels tactile and powerful and has gobs of extension and rumble. It slams and moves serious air that I rarely encounter even from the best IEMs, all without the excessive boominess that I found too often with bassy IEMs. If I have to nitpick, the texturing could definitely be a bit better for a $400+ IEM, but still, the bass is addictive.
Soundstage size is quite wide, and I like how it retains a clear shape and borders despite the IEM sounding quite airy and open. Imaging and depth projection is superb with a solid center image. Each instrument is decently layered, which is difficult to achieve by most IEMs. Come to think of it, I think it has most if not all sub-$300 IEMs beat in its soundstage and imaging, a laudable performance indeed.
Nothing’s perfect, and I do have some complaints. Though everything sounds quite natural, I think timbre falls short of the very best, as there is just a slight tinge and very slight grain over the entire sound. However, this could also be a source issue since the grain goes away almost completely out of my Audinst MX-1, although a little grainy out of my DAPs. Mike said that he doesn’t notice much grain out of the Altmann Terra. Amping with the likes of ALO National, Matrix Mini, can increase bass power and generally increases the articulateness of the bass and lower mids especially on higher volumes, though I have yet to find an amp that completely tames the upper mid bump. So far, I’m quite happy with using it direct from Ipad, but less so out of the grainier Sansa Clip Zip.
The comparatively recessed lower mid also bugs me a little, but I tend to like my lower mids lush or at least linear. Also, for those who value bass definition and linearity above all, you will be better served by an EX1000, as the Ocha is clearly aiming for a fun rather than correct bass. Lastly, though the Ocaharaku offers a little isolation from outside noise, I believe it sounds best at a lower volume in a quiet environment, as turning the volume up can exaggerate the lower treble bump. Still, like the GR07, the Ocharaku is capable to sounds glorious at lower volumes.
Having some experience with the Sony EX1000 (my favorite dynamic driver IEM of all time if I pretend the peak is not there) and having auditioned the JVC FX700 and Sennheiser IE80 briefly (and came away unimpressed with the Senns), I can confidently say that the Ocharaku clearly competes at the top layer of the dynamic driver IEM pyramid. Definitely above the ASG-1.2 for me. Sorry, ASG fans.
Although this IEM is unlikely to win over BA fans that values clarity and a microfine detailing above all, I think the Ocharaku Flat4-SUI is an IEM that all dynamic IEM fans should try and listen to, especially if you often listen to lower volume and like me. The flaws and drawbacks of this IEM have not detracted me from enjoying the Ocharaku one bit, as I can’t get enough of the bass slam and dynamic range. If you can live with the drawbacks, there is really a lot to love about the Ocharaku.
Gears used: Apple Ipad, Samsung YP-M1, Sansa Clip Zip, Audinst HUD-MX1 and various IEMs.
Brian Hamrick
I love the descriptions I’ve heard of this IEM, and personally I like the aesthetics of it. I’ll have to try it sometime!
Hadi
After looking at the diagram of the internals that Mike added, I appreciated the aesthetic a bit more. Didn’t realize it has 2 dynamic drivers with a phase correcting shaft. It’s really form following function.
Gorboman
Hadi, my friend, you should write more reviews. You have the experience to back your writing, man. 🙂
Hadi
Thanks, Aria. Actually, I wasn’t planning to write a full review for the Ocharaku but ended loving the sound more than expected 😀
Moko Aguswan
Very nice review Hadi!
Hadi
Thanks, Moko. The review would not happen if it weren’t for your Ocharaku. I wonder how the more expensive flat 4 Kaede sounds.
Phillip Sim
Me too. Apparently some guys in Head-Fi got it already. I heard it was limited to a few hundred sets.
Hadi
That’s a shame. Hopefully I’ll be able to listen to them one day.
Moko Aguswan
I exchanged tweet yesterday with @shizgeo yesterday. He mentioned there’s no mistake to be found on Kaede. He loves it so much. He doesn’t like the Sui though.
Phillip Sim
Current 4sui owner here.
Gotta give the credit to Ocharaku. Just that, next time, they better don’t mislead me with the model name. I was expecting something relaxing, in the end it excites me rock-head in me.
Didn’t like it on vocals. Maybe need to EQ or find a suitable amp.
Love the reverb which adds a sense of space to the presentation, and also the cymbal crash!
Hadi
Yes, the soundsig does not match the brand name at all. I haven’t tried EQ but that sounds like a good idea.
Phillip Sim
Yeah, waiting for your graphs on your EQ. Would love to know how to tame it to be more neutral. Currently, I’m falling for it for the effortless detail retrieval in every songs. Besides, it does sound great on lower volume as well.
Hadi
Unfortunately, the IEM has been returned to the owner, so haven’t really gotten the chance to play it with EQ. Yes, I also love how it sounds so detailed from low volume.
rustiandra
Really really nice writing! you should be the head director of Headfonia’s IEM division! 🙂 i really looking forward to read more of IEM review from you here!
Hadi
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Mike and the other writers have really set the standard of the reviews very high.
Dave
Hi, how does nami compared to hifiman re600 since they’re price is similar. I listen to wide array of music from pop to blues jazz until hard rock. How does nami manage this kinds of musics?