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Author Topic: Flat-4 IEM Measurements  (Read 4099 times)

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Marvey

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Flat-4 IEM Measurements
« on: October 19, 2013, 08:44:30 PM »

For some, these may sound like sipping warm tea with the sound of a flowing fountain inside your ears. For me, well let's just say this wasn't my cup of tea.


Notes:
  • Mid-bass was more evident - in a warmish way than the measurements would suggest.
  • The treble sounds uneven and peaky.
  • Actually not too bad of a colored sound - as long as the recorded material didn't have much treble content.
« Last Edit: October 19, 2013, 08:51:07 PM by purrin »
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tomscy2000

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Re: Flat-4 IEM Measurements
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2013, 01:54:55 AM »

Haven't heard these yet. Looks a little daunting --- I'm starting to struggle with the 10k peak on the UERM already, at least with long listening sessions.
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phillip88

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Re: Flat-4 IEM Measurements
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2013, 04:20:56 AM »

I've it for around a year. I was first stunned by its clarity, the cymbals sound so much "true". However, over time, I felt so much frustrated by the hollow mids. When I move on to vocals, it feels too thin to my taste. Bass is a bit light to me.
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Drakkard

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Re: Flat-4 IEM Measurements
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2013, 11:50:28 AM »

Had a chance to hear them when we had meeting with Musica Acoustics. Did not get this sound at all. One of the weirdest earphones I've listened to. I cant imagine anybody who can enjoy this. If price were three times lower, then, may be..
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MuppetFace

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Re: Flat-4 IEM Measurements
« Reply #4 on: October 20, 2013, 02:41:57 PM »

These IEMs are extremely tip dependent. Ocharaku voiced them (for some reason) with Comply-style tips---ie. "foamies"---in mind, and while I'm generally not a fan of these kinds of tips, using them really makes this IEM a lot more enjoyable than using silicon ones. They don't blunt its sound as with most IEMs, but rather tame the treble enough to where it's on the outskirts of the acceptable zone for me. Still the treble is going to be peaky irregardless, and these are really fatiguing. The SUI version is worse than the KAEDE in this respect, as the treble is rougher and less refined overall to my ears.

At the other end of the spectrum I cannot fathom anyone finding these bass light with the right fit. They're actually some of the punchiest IEMs I've heard with some really hard hitting mid bass that is surprisingly well controlled given how copious it is. Overall a pretty obvious U-shape signature. What draws me to the Flat4s personally is their sense of detail and layering, which to my mind ranks toward the top of universal IEMs I've heard over the years.

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shipsupt

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Re: Flat-4 IEM Measurements
« Reply #5 on: October 20, 2013, 03:51:04 PM »

If there is much U in that graph it has to be more of the upper end of the mid-bass.  Of course, it's always interesting how it sounds vs. the graph.

I've had a few IEM's that had the low end helped out with foam jobs when it was needed...

It's an interesting IEM for sure... and this graph has me more interested in hearing them than I should be.

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Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

MuppetFace

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Re: Flat-4 IEM Measurements
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2013, 11:23:20 AM »

Yeah, Marv seems to hear these as warmer than the measurements suggest (IIRC he defines warmth more via bass unlike Mike and myself) according to his impressions.

I really can't overstate how important getting a full seal on these things is. Even when the foam tips start to wear down slightly, the sound gets shrill and the bottom end starts to diminish in presence; I think that low end helps to counter-balance the highs for me. With a full seal however, the sense of impact on these things is massive --- I suspect too much for many pirates.
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mkubota1

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Re: Flat-4 IEM Measurements
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2013, 01:49:27 PM »

These IEMs are extremely tip dependent. Ocharaku voiced them (for some reason) with Comply-style tips...

At the other end of the spectrum I cannot fathom anyone finding these bass light with the right fit. They're actually some of the punchiest IEMs I've heard...

+1.0382932   :P

I thought they were too bright with Sony Hybrid tips.  I'm not a Comply person either, but in this case they really work.  I actually use the ones with the wax guard because it doesn't look like these Flat-4s have any sort of filter or grille on them.  I'd hate for something to get in there and buzz around.  As for the bass, absolutely one of my fave bass IEMs.  Like MF said, tight (for a dynamic), with the punch and weight that's hard to get from universal BAs.  The tonal balance of these reminds me a bit of how I perceive the Senn HD650s.

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