Yep you are right, the Tanchjim Kara has quite natural timbre for a 4BA + 1DD hybrid.
Yep you are quite close haha!
These are listening impressions OOTB.
Accessories are pretty generous, we have a huge leather clamp carrying case with 2 sets of eartips and a cable.
The shells are very light and
ergonomics are top-notch. No driver flex.
The Kara is moderately easy to
drive, it can be driven off weak sources, but this IEM scales a lot with amplification (in terms of dynamics, soundstage and bass tightness). Highly recommended to be amped (sensitivity is 115 dB/Vrms, which is about 99 dB/mW).
Tonally, the Kara can be described as warm midcentric with a sub-bass boost.
Timbre is very organic, with thicker note weight. Notes are not harsh with marked edge definition, but have a feather like touch.
The Kara eschews outright technicalities for a
musical signature.
Technically, the Kara is no slouch though, and probably above average for a sub $200 set. Soundstage is above average in all 3 dimensions. Imaging is quite sharp, layering in a dark background is displayed with ease in pinpointing instruments. The Kara isn't very analytical when it comes to micro-detailing or clarity as alluded to, but for a somewhat darkish signature, resolution is surprisingly not lacking.
The Kara is sub-
bass focused, with an almost subwoofer like sub-bass. Extension in the bass is deep. Bass quality is quite well done, with good texturing and quick bass. There's minimal mid-bass bleed.
The
midrange is the star of the show. It is quite transparent and forwards as
@o0genesis0o surmised. Even though vocals are forwards, the upper mids are not shouty at all. This is definitely a midcentric IEM to showcase vocals and acoustic instruments. As mentioned previously, the layering and imaging on a dark background really lets the midrange standout. If you are a vocal or mids lover, this is the set to get!
Treble rolls off somewhat early, this is not an airy or sparkly set. The treble is definitely safe for treble sensitive folk with restrained cymbals/high hats. Sibilance is very minimal.
The Kara is very
cohesive when it comes to the drivers, with the timbre and speed of the BAs handling the higher frequencies in tandem with the DDs handling the bass.
So will do more burn in and A/B comparisons in the days to come, but to summarize, the Kara is a coherent warm midcentric IEM. Great timbre and definitely an IEM for treble sensitive, and more importantly, for vocal or midheads!