The TRUTH About the Truthear HEXA

Summary

In this review, the Truthier Hexa IEM is heavily criticized for its muddy, congested sound, particularly in the bass and midrange. The reviewer compares it unfavorably to other models like the Etymotic ER4S, arguing that its tonal imbalance, especially in the upper treble and mid-bass regions, severely detracts from vocal clarity and instrument separation. The reviewer also expresses frustration with the audio community’s acceptance of the Hexa, suggesting that audio standards have improved, making this IEM a poor choice for those seeking high-quality sound. The video concludes with a harsh recommendation to avoid the Hexa if sound quality is a priority.

Takeaways

• 😀 The reviewer criticizes the Truthier Hexa IEM for being muddy and congested, particularly in the midrange and upper treble frequencies.
• 😀 The reviewer emphasizes the importance of tonal balance, stating that a single frequency response point cannot define the quality of an IEM.
• 😀 The lack of energy between 1.5 and 6 kHz causes the upper treble to sound unnaturally bright and harsh on the Truthier Hexa.
• 😀 The reviewer highlights the importance of sub-bass clarity, mentioning that the Hexa's sub-bass is slightly lacking compared to other IEMs like the Variations.
• 😀 Muddy IEMs like the Hexa can make vocals sound congested, diminishing the sense of space and separation in the music.
• 😀 The reviewer references scientific papers, like the 2013 Harman paper, to argue that extending the bass shelf too high damages the timbre of vocals and instruments.
• 😀 A perfect IEM should provide a natural representation of music, with clear separation and accurate timbre, but the Truthier Hexa falls short in this regard.
• 😀 The reviewer compares the Hexa unfavorably to older IEMs, like the EddieModic ER4s, stating that even though the Hexa would have been impressive in the past, modern standards are much higher.
• 😀 The Hexa's sub-bass and overall bass performance are deemed subpar, with the reviewer suggesting a better balance might fall between the Variations and the Hexa.
• 😀 The reviewer concludes with a strong recommendation against purchasing the Truthier Hexa, advising those who think it sounds good to either stop reviewing audio or keep exploring better IEMs.

Q & A

What is the main complaint the reviewer has about the Truthier Hexa IEM?

The main complaint is the excessive 'muddy' sound, especially in the mid-bass region, which leads to a lack of separation and clarity in vocals and instruments. The reviewer describes it as a congested and boxy timbre, making music sound unnatural and unpleasant.

Why does the reviewer dislike the lack of tonal balance in the Truthier Hexa IEM?

The reviewer argues that the lack of energy between 1.5 to 6 kHz causes the upper treble to sound overly bright and disconnected from the rest of the frequency range. This imbalance negatively affects the overall sound, especially the timbre of vocals and instruments.

What is the significance of the 1.5 to 6 kHz frequency range mentioned by the reviewer?

The 1.5 to 6 kHz range is crucial for tonal balance, particularly in human vocals and instruments. A dip in this region, as seen in the Truthier Hexa, can cause the treble to sound unnaturally bright and cause congestion, which affects the clarity and realism of the music.

What does the reviewer think of the bass response in the Truthier Hexa IEM?

The reviewer believes that the bass response is overly boosted, particularly in the mid-bass area, which leads to muddiness. While the sub-bass is not entirely lacking, the excessive mid-bass masks the lower frequencies and ruins the overall balance.

How does the reviewer compare the Truthier Hexa to the variations in terms of sub-bass?

The reviewer notes that the variations have slightly more sub-bass presence and are overall more balanced. They prefer a bass response closer to the variations, finding the Hexa’s bass to be lacking power and overly muddy.

What role does the 2013 Harman target have in the review?

The reviewer refers to the 2013 Harman target to highlight the importance of correctly implementing bass response. They point out that extending the bass shelf to higher frequencies can damage the timbre of vocals and instruments, which is an issue in the Truthier Hexa.

What does the reviewer mean by 'linear distortion' and how does it relate to the Truthier Hexa?

Linear distortion refers to a distortion in the sound that affects how natural or realistic the audio sounds, even though the frequency response is consistent. The reviewer mentions this in relation to the Truthier Hexa, stating that male vocals sound too close and unnatural, possibly due to this kind of distortion.

What does the reviewer think of the Truthier Hexa's performance with female vocals?

The reviewer finds the performance with female vocals to be particularly unpleasant. The excessive muddiness causes the vocals to sound congested, lacking the separation and space that should exist around the singer. This causes the reviewer to feel physically uncomfortable when listening to the IEM.

How does the reviewer feel about the improvement in IEM technology over time?

The reviewer acknowledges that IEM technology has generally improved over the years. However, they believe that despite this progress, the Truthier Hexa falls short in comparison to current standards, especially considering the high expectations set by more recent releases.

What does the reviewer think about the Truthier Hexa in relation to historical IEMs like the Etymotic ER4S?

The reviewer suggests that the Truthier Hexa might have been considered impressive if it had been released 20 years ago, but given the current higher standards in IEM technology, it doesn't measure up. They specifically compare it unfavorably to the Etymotic ER4S, citing its muddy sound as a major flaw.