Truthear HEXA IEM $95.19, HOLA IEM $24.64, SHIO USB-C Audio Dongle $92.65 Delivered (Expedited w Prime) @ Shenzhen Audio Amazon

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jasswolf on 11/07/2023 - 01:50 amazon.com.au (764 clicks)
Last edited 11/07/2023 - 02:21 by 1 other user

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All well reviewed for their product class, these represent:

• entry level neutral IEM value (HOLA)
• highest value neutral IEM on the market (HEXA)
• high-end portable amping on a budget (SHIO)

The SHIO balances high level musical/timbral performance with technical prowess in a price range to deliver, and will drive pretty much everything but a high current planar competitively against DAPs and entry level desktop gear. Unless the new 1-bit DAC tech going around makes it to a much lower price point anytime soon, this is where most audiophiles should stop for portable gear. USB-C-to-Lightning cable required for current iPhones.

People are going to ask in the comments why not one of the 2DD IEMs from this brand, and it's simple: the HEXA is overall way better unless you specifically want clean low & sub bass over anything else. The Red is great, but for $13 more the HEXA is incredible, especially after a suitable eartip change (e.g. Spinfit W1).

These may be tied to current AliExpress sales rather than Prime Day specifically, so I will remove the expiry on Monday if it's still going. Enjoy!

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  Boward Woward on 11/07/2023 - 02:10

  are these good for gaming? i've been looking for iems for gaming. from my research, people recommend the truthear x crinacle zeros which i'm about to pull the trigger on, but would these be better?

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/07/2023 - 02:12

    +1

    HEXA is great for gaming. Go for it.

• 

  tienanbich on 11/07/2023 - 02:14

  Is the HEXA an upgrade in term of sound quality compared to airpods pro 2/ airpods 3?

  • 

    CrispyChrispy on 11/07/2023 - 02:15

    +1

    Yes, by a long shot.

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/07/2023 - 02:17

    +1

    While the AirPods Pro 2 are an upgrade on the AirPods 3, the answer is yes to both, though it's more marginal with the Pro 2.

    After some of the recommended tip changes such as the Spinfit W1, it will walk all over it, but it is a wired IEM, not a TWS IEM like the Pro 2 (the AirPods 3 is a TWS hybrid earbud).

    I would avoid all major bluetooth audio purchases until we're seeing more LE Audio gear with LC3Plus low latency.

• 

  lycos on 11/07/2023 - 02:27

  Simgot ea500 or Hexa?

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/07/2023 - 02:29

    +2

    The HEXA is more balanced in the treble, is a little leaner in the mid-bass, has more sub-bass presence, and better technical performance. I think the EA500 may have the tiniest timbral edge due to a warmer tonality, but the HEXA is a clear winner overall, and then you can just slap something like the Spinfit W1 on it to take it further.

    • 

      lycos on 11/07/2023 - 02:37

      Thanks!

  • 

    Dumb Dog on 11/07/2023 - 11:50

    Ea500 for me had fit and seal issues. There's this weird bump on the outside of the nozzle that prevents me from getting a good seal. I've tried heaps of tips but can't seem to get it to fit properly. Returning it today, thinking about the Hexa or Zero

• 

  tienanbich on 11/07/2023 - 02:30

  Already have some headphones to use while going out but thinking to try better ones to enjoy music at home. Want to try both overear headphones and iems. Besides the HEXA, I found the sennheiser ie200, hd 599, akg k612 are also onsale. So much choices. Any recommendations guys? Thanks in advance :)
  Current gears:
  - TWS: airpods pro 2, airpods 3, power beats pro
  - NC headphones: Bose qc45, jabra 85h
  - Wired headphones: philips x2hr (coming tmr)
  - Music source: apple lossless music 24bit 192kHz/ on mac studio m1 (I read that the built in dac is good enough). I listen to many kinds of music.

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/07/2023 - 02:34

    +2

    IE200 is a big improvement from Sennheiser in its price bracket, but Chi-Fi options like the Hexa still walk all over it. For the same money as the IE200 you can get a 7Hz Timeless, but you'd be just as happy with the Hexa after a tip change.

    HD 599 is a waste of time in 2023, as is the X2HR. Refer to this comment.

    Already covered bluetooth tech with you.

    I read that the built in dac is good enough

    It's probably not for full transparency to something like the Hexa, but it's pretty good.

• 

  rosebank on 11/07/2023 - 03:18

  I own all 3 and they're great. I also own 7hz 3.5mm, Hiby, Fiio and Moondrop Dawn with 4.4mm balanced

• 

  Sum1 on 11/07/2023 - 07:22

  Hmmm I wonder if the hexa would be a worthwhile upgrade from the etymotic ER2XR which cost slightly more but a much older product.

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/07/2023 - 13:15

    +1

    With a eartip upgrade, yes, but not overwhelmingly so beyond tonal balance and detail/separation.

• 

  SneezyTang on 11/07/2023 - 09:01

  I went for these after getting annoyed of having headphone hair and they have been great to use. Sounds better than Corsair Virtuoso XT headphones but it does lack bass. I find them really good for fps games (currently playing battebit) and music/podcasts.

  I wasn't a huge fan of the eartips as they got a bit uncomfortable after about 2 hours. I bought the DUNU Stage & Studio Silicone Eartips from Aliexpress for about $20 and they are considerbly better fit/comfort for me. They also block out a lot of sound so you may end up yelling a lot during intense games and annoy the rest of the family.

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/07/2023 - 13:32

    +1

    They're not bass light, most gaming gear is just bass bloated and boosted.

    Sub-bass isn't ideal, but it's not out by a huge amount from most people's preference, maybe 2-4 dB @ 20Hz if you're looking for that huge shelf people seek. I prefer a tiny extra bit of mid-bass ideally, but I'm hardly mad about the result here.

    Look into Spinfit W1 tips.

• 

  JHBay on 11/07/2023 - 09:58

  Have the Hexa and they actually sound so good. Only issue for me is that it isn't the most comfy but still experimenting with different tips.

  @jasswolf thoughts on the Letshuoer S12 for stepping into the planar IEM world? Not quite sure I want to spend Timeless money but the S12 is looking around $180 atm.

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/07/2023 - 13:12

    +1

    Timeless should be $230ish via AliE given they have a sale on, but if not the S12 is effectively a v-shaped tuned version of that, and goes as low as $150.

    I would instead recommend getting a tip upgrade for the Hexa, and waiting for the next generation of IEMs, where we may quickly see MEMS drivers brought into the mix.

• 

  Nokia 808 on 11/07/2023 - 18:08

  @jasswolf how these compare to 7Hz Salnotes Zero? Worth spending ~$70 more? TIA.

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/07/2023 - 18:11

    Firstly, I would opt for the Hola instead of the Zero, or alternatively maybe the Moondrop Jiu if you can deal with the crap cable and accessories.

    If you want the upgrade, the Hexa is a massive one to make. Big jump in technical performance (imaging, detail, separation of instruments and resolving of notes), taken further again with the tip upgrade I've mentioned here already.

    • 

      Nokia 808 on 12/07/2023 - 22:37

      Thanks

• 

  Shifty on 11/07/2023 - 19:16

  Dam, I bought the Titan S instead of these like 3 days ago.

  Should have waited

  • 

    jasswolf on 11/07/2023 - 19:22

    Via Amazon? Should be fine for a free return if unopened. Via AliE? Should be the same.

    • 

      Shifty on 12/07/2023 - 16:22

      AliE. They haven't even arrived yet.

      What are your thoughts on the two?

      • 

        jasswolf on 12/07/2023 - 16:56

        +1

        Hexa all the way, but neither are going to leave you upset about the other.

        • 

          Shifty on 12/07/2023 - 17:05

          +1

          @jasswolf: Thanks.

          It's about $30 cheaper and I love savings so I'll make the switch

        • 

          Shifty on 12/07/2023 - 17:22

          @jasswolf: Now that I look at it, I don't think AliE offers free returns, at least not the seller I bought it from.

          Ah well, I'll survive with the Titan

• 

  Jasonissm on 12/07/2023 - 00:06

  Trying to decide between the Hexa and the Zero Red… Need to replace my Chu, one side is very quiet also they're a bit heavy.

  • 

    jasswolf on 12/07/2023 - 00:14

    +1

    Hexa by miles, the Red is only better for two things: the tiniest better tonal balance, better sub & low-bass authority/detail due to the 2nd dynamic driver being used as a subwoofer.

    They trade in a lot of subjective qualities, but the Hexa is way more detailed and resolving. There will be elements of music and games that you will hear on the Hexa that the Red will just smear out, particularly in the treble.

    • 

      Jasonissm on 12/07/2023 - 00:21

      Thanks mate, you're always providing top advice for audio gear!

      Will go for the Hexa, hopefully will be a nice upgrade from the Chu, I have Blessing 2s but I get annoying taking them on and off so I only use them for actual music listening not when I'm watching youtube and stuff. Plus the B2 are a bit heavy so they get dinged when I accidentally drop em on stuff.

      • 

        jasswolf on 12/07/2023 - 00:38

        Hexa basically is a budget B2 Dusk, right down to the driver config, but should be an easier fitting. With a tip change it will be very close, actually better in terms of upper treble tonal balance as that's a weakness of the B2.

        If your goal was to get a different technical experience, the Red might be OK, or the Moondrop Kato, Sound Rhyme SR5, or Letshuoer S12/7Hz Timeless, at least without getting much more exotic and expensive.

        Next-gen IEMs will have MEMS as a driver option, and use built-in DSP, even without TWS/wireless.

• 

  krammis76 on 12/07/2023 - 18:56

  +1

  Just pulled the trigger on the hexa. Have the arias and hope it's an upgrade from those!