Summer’s the time for new adventures and travels. Today, we’re talking about a pair of headphones you’ll wanna take on the road. Last week, I reviewed the budget-friendly Truthear GATE from Truthear’s lineup. This time, I’m diving into their flagship wired earphones, the Truthear Nova. These IEMs are true hybrids with a 1DD+4BA setup.
What TRUTHEAR Brings with the Wired Truthear Nova
- 2013 Harman curve implementation.
- 1DD+4BA design with a three-way crossover composite structure.
- 10mm dynamic driver for bass, dual balanced armature driver for mids and partial highs, and dual balanced armature driver for highs.
- DLP-3D technology crafted earphone shells.
- Braided cable with multi-strand monocrystalline copper wire.
Sound of Truthear Nova IEMs
TRUTHEAR NOVA packs 5 drivers: one dynamic and two dual balanced armature drivers. With low impedance and high sensitivity, these IEMs work well with any source.
- Overall impression: The sound has a V-shaped tuning with a focus on highs and clear hybrid characteristics. Highs can be uneven, especially on tracks with male vocals needing more volume, while rock tracks might need a reduction. Without diving into the frequency response analysis, the overall sound leans towards natural and authentic.
- Bass: Deep and massive with smooth decays and fast attacks. The texture and relief are slightly lost due to the smoothness. Sub-bass is hefty and well-detailed, while mid-bass is soft, relaxed, and well-balanced in volume.
- Mids: Male vocals sound subdued but clear and detailed. After low-frequency tracks, you’ll want to crank up the volume for vocals. Female vocals stand out over male altos, sometimes closer to the listener. Upper mids are brighter and more expressive, with trumpets and electric guitars sounding rich.
- Highs: Crisp and bright without being piercing. Despite the brightness, they don’t feel airy due to non-linear accents confirmed by slip tests.
- Detail retrieval: High, revealing all nuances without being intrusive.
- Soundstage: Artists and instruments are well-placed in the soundstage.
- Conclusion: These IEMs have a well-balanced and mature sound. They play orchestral and classical pieces nicely, with standout female vocals and brass instruments. Drum solos are impressive with their detail and power, while male vocals slightly lag behind in expressiveness, but that’s more of a nitpick.
Sound in games and movies:
- Gaming sound: These IEMs capture the environment well and position interactions accurately.
- Movie sound: Good with a 3D effect.
Sound rating
- Sound for its price at $150 — 9 out of 10
- Sound up to $500 — 8 out of 10
Comparison with Competitors
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- Truthear Nova
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- Hidizs MS5
Conclusion: The earphones are comfortable and convenient to wear, with a complete accessory package. I didn’t like the cable’s smell and fabric wrap with microphonics, so I docked a point for that. Specs What’s in the box? Truthear NOVA are hybrid earphones with impressive sound and attractive design. I was struck by the high detail and clarity of the sound, deep and textured bass, pleasant midrange softness, and distinctly pronounced highs. There were a few disappointments, like the low volume of male vocals and some unevenness in the highs. Overall, the sound experience was above average. These earphones are perfect for various genres—from rock and classical to jazz and electronic music. NOVA can work with any source—from a smartphone to a high-quality player, provided you choose the right tips and cable. This makes them convenient for travel. My take on the Truthear NOVA is clear and straightforward: they offer excellent value for money.
Design, Accessories, and Comfort of Truthear Nova
Overall Impression of the Hybrid Earphones Truthear Nova
