Ocean is 64 Audio’s latest flagship IEM, and its biggest draw is an absolutely insane level of customization. While I’ve seen IEMs with filters, nozzles, and switches before, none have matched this level of sonic customization in a single product. If you’re the type of person who gets excited about swapping filters, experimenting with eartips, and chasing that last little bit of sonic perfection, Ocean might be right up your alley.
Build and Design
Ocean is a six-driver hybrid IEM, with four balanced armatures and two dynamic drivers. 64 Audio has long used its Apex system to adjust the tuning of its IEMs, and Ocean includes four Apex modules: m20, m15, m12, and mX, and this time they’ve included a level of customization beyond that. Ocean has removable nozzles as well as a modular vent in the back of the IEMs that allows you to adjust the bass response.
The package includes two swappable nozzles, “Reference” and -2dB, as well as four bass vent modules: “Reference,” +2dB, -2dB, and -6dB. Between these modules and the Apex options, you have a huge number of ways to customize the sound. 64 Audio describes the complete system as offering up to 32 configurations, and even without diving into every possible combination, it’s a remarkable amount of flexibility for a universal IEM.
The included accessories are solid, too. You get all of the tuning modules, a tool for removing and reattaching the vent and nozzle modules, two cables, and some useful extras like a cleaning tool and shirt clip. I appreciate that 64 Audio includes both 3.5mm and 4.4mm terminations, so you have the balanced option for better performance with audiophile gear, and the standard option for everything else.
The IEMs themselves have a somewhat subdued bronze finish, with a ridged pattern on the faceplate that has a vaguely seashell-like appearance. Comfort-wise, Ocean follows the general shape and style of 64 Audio’s other IEMs, so there aren’t many surprises if you’ve used the brand’s lineup before. I find them to be quite comfortable, and I always appreciate an IEM that offers this level of performance without feeling the need to stretch your earlobes to their absolute limit.
Sound
Out of the box, Ocean has a very classic 64 Audio sound, with a little more bass than you might expect, a good overall balance, and some extra spice in the treble. The soundstage is pretty impressive, and the imaging is strong right out of the box. There’s a good sense of width and depth, and the overall presentation feels spacious without sacrificing the musicality that I’ve come to expect from 64 Audio.
At its core, Ocean offers a well-engineered and balanced sound with excellent technical performance, but it’s hard to talk too much about the specific characteristics because of how much of a difference the modules make. Ocean is more about delivering a wide range of sound than one singular tuning.
Tuning Options
The default “Reference” tuning is a bit of a misnomer, as it’s really more of a v-shaped sound with boosts in the subbass and treble. The bass here is big, but typically not too overpowering, though the subbass can generate a good amount of rumble. The bit of extra spice up to adds some energy and can give an extra emotional touch to vocals and stringed instruments.
The alternate nozzle, labeled -2dB, brings down the upper mids and treble a bit if you find Ocean to be a little too bright on the upper end of its V-shape. It’s a little confusing because, for the back vent modules, the -2dB and -6dB filters bring the bass down, but for the nozzle, the -2dB designation brings the treble down.
Using the Reference nozzle as the comparison point for the filter modules, the red +2dB module adds a modest bass boost. This was my personal favorite setup as it adds a nice bit of midbass that gives you a more well-rounded slam than the more subbass focused stock tuning. You can add the -2dB nozzle if you want to go full basshead, but that might end up feeling more veiled to most people.
The blue -2dB module pulls Ocean more into reference territory with a much less dramatic bass boost, while the black -6dB module brings the bass back into essentially negative territory with a sizable mid-bass cut. The -2dB filter (reducing the bass by 2dB) combined with the -2dB nozzle (reducing the treble by 2dB) offers probably the most balanced option, taming the most excessive elements of both the bass and the treble.
In my experience, most IEMs with more than 2 or 3 tuning options really only have 1 or 2 good tunings, but I think just about everything works here, with the exception of the -6dB module. If you just really hate bass, or you have some kind of critical listening situation where you’re focused on specific instruments more in the treble range, this could work, but for me, I couldn’t find a genre of music – even with classical or chamber music – where I preferred it over the -2dB option.
Comparisons
For comparison, I thought the best way to go was to look at two of 64 Audio’s best IEMs: U12t and Volur. Ocean shares some DNA with both, but ultimately has a unique identity. U12t has long been a favorite of both audiophiles and professionals, and Volur is one of the best audiophile-focused IEMs that 64 Audio has released; does Ocean deliver the same sort of impressive balance and performance – with or without the tuning options?
The default Reference tuning for Ocean, offers something like U12t’s upper mids and treble – though with a little less upper treble, and Volur’s bass. Ocean gives you a little more subbass than Volur, and a little less midbass out of the box. Increasing the +2 bass filter on Ocean essentially gives you a mega bass boosted U12t, while the -2 bass filter brings it closer in line with the U12t’s sound. With options like the -2 treble nozzle and the +2 bass filter combined, Ocean becomes a totally unique animal in 64 Audio’s lineup, with an over the top basshead sound.
In terms of the imaging, detail, and resolution, Ocean offers exactly what you’d hope for from the people who brought you U12t. Even with a more exaggerated tuning, Ocean offers the same level of detail as U12t, providing a really unique flagship experience.
Final Thoughts
64 Audio Ocean is a fascinating flagship IEM. It offers a very strong sound out of the box, a spacious and detailed presentation, and a level of physical tuning customization that is genuinely impressive. While the stock tuning is excellent, the real magic is in the options. The +2dB bass module is a particularly strong choice, and I enjoyed the -2dB nozzle for its ability to reduce fatigue while maintaining separation and clarity. If you want an IEM with the freedom to experiment, and you enjoy the process of shaping your sound as much as the finished result, Ocean is a brilliant choice.
