Topping Hane IEM Review

[Nwickliff]

Because this different product that you’re describing. No TWS IEM has ever sounded as good as my Zero:Red or even the Zero:2.

And yes, I have the AirPod Pro 2 and even the Beats Fit Sport. Both are great but they aren’t the same as a dedicated IEM.

TWS?

what do you find they do worse than the dedicated IEM?

 

[Angenor]

Not necessarily… The “huge treble peak”, as you call it, may have some justification—see the Knowles white paper discussion in this thread: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/“the-knowles-curve”-for-headphones.34078/

First, in the proposed curve is not such a huge peak (just about 2dB over the rest, in comparison to about 8dB measured by Amir), more extended treble itself. Second, you are aware that this is basically just marketing for their (expensive) drivers?

 

[markanini]

First, in the proposed curve is not such a huge peak (just about 2dB over the rest, in comparison to about 8dB measured by Amir), more extended treble itself. Second, you are aware that this is basically just marketing for their (expensive) drivers?

In light of what Amir has addressed about the <10kHz FR you seem to be bringing some kind unnecessary of alarmism to the thread.

Topping Hane IEM Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Topping Hane IEM. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $129. I like the minimalistic "bling" of the Hane. It was also very comfortable to wear for me with the include silicone tips (two different sets are provided). A...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping Hane IEM Review

Among reviewed iems , TE Zero:Red and 7Hz Zero 2 surely show a smoother higher region, with Hane more resembling original 7Hz Zero: Please consider that the Harman target curve is the result of some reasoning. It is possible to revert the decission making. Observe the peaks and troughs in the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Angenor]

In light of what Amir has addressed about the <10kHz FR you seem to be bringing some kind unnecessary of alarmism to the thread.

Topping Hane IEM Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the Topping Hane IEM. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $129. I like the minimalistic "bling" of the Hane. It was also very comfortable to wear for me with the include silicone tips (two different sets are provided). A...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Topping Hane IEM Review

Among reviewed iems , TE Zero:Red and 7Hz Zero 2 surely show a smoother higher region, with Hane more resembling original 7Hz Zero: Please consider that the Harman target curve is the result of some reasoning. It is possible to revert the decission making. Observe the peaks and troughs in the...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Look at the measurements of the Truthear Nova or the Moondrop Variations, these have really smooth treble in all the measurements I have seen and also in my personal experience (I own both). This treble peak of the Hane might occur at different frequencies for different individuals, but most likely will always be present somewhere and will be audible.

 

[Jimbob54]

Here measurements on BK5128 by Hangout (Crinacle) with Harman IE 2019 as reference, it's a bit crowded but I wanted to include all switches combinations
View attachment 417246

https://graph.hangout.audio/iem/5128/?share=Harman_IE_2019_(B&K_5128)_Target,Hane

1010/udud I think would be the winner for me . Not too bassy , treble shelved down after 3k. Shall see when I receive mine

 

[capslock]

Is this the same as the Arpegear Hane? Pictures, switches etc. match, just the brand name is different.

 

[mc.god]

1010/udud I think would be the winner for me . Not too bassy , treble shelved down after 3k. Shall see when I receive mine

That combination is not directly reported on squig but I can see the output combining dark green and yellow curves, and probably the one I would also prefer.
Anyway I never been a fan of switchable tuning iems, too much points of failure and already own several iems covering many of those tuning variations. The advantage of a tuning system, when effective as in Hane, versus switching iems is consistence of fitting (provided they fit well) and much less messing with tip rolling for different shapes and nozzles size, unless you value this as a funny part of the hobby.

 

[mc.god]

Is this the same as the Arpegear Hane? Pictures, switches etc. match, just the brand name is different.

Yes they are
https://hifigo.com/products/topping-arpegear-hane

 

[Jimbob54]

That combination is not directly reported on squig but I can see the output combining dark green and yellow curves, and probably the one I would also prefer.
Anyway I never been a fan of switchable tuning iems, too much points of failure and already own several iems covering many of those tuning variations. The advantage of a tuning system, when effective as in Hane, versus switching iems is consistence of fitting (provided they fit well) and much less messing with tip rolling for different shapes and nozzles size, unless you value this as a funny part of the hobby.

 

[capslock]

Distortion of the Hane is good, but both Crinacle 7Hz Zero 2 and Crinacle Truthear Zero Red are lower yet.

 

[CedarX]

Is this the same as the Arpegear Hane? Pictures, switches etc. match, just the brand name is different.

Arpegear is the brand name. It’s a registered brand from Topping, so we may see more Arpegear products in the future.

 

[Dazerdoreal]

Distortion of the Hane is good, but both Crinacle 7Hz Zero 2 and Crinacle Truthear Zero Red are lower yet.

Yes but it does not really matter. It is so low that human ears cannot perceive the difference in practice.

 

[markanini]

Look at the measurements of the Truthear Nova or the Moondrop Variations, these have really smooth treble in all the measurements I have seen and also in my personal experience (I own both). This treble peak of the Hane might occur at different frequencies for different individuals, but most likely will always be present somewhere and will be audible.

You are too confident in your analysis, thinking that the coupler FR data is enough. It would be wise to first try the IEM yourself and listen to familiar songs. You can't contribute this information because you don't own the IEM in question. If you don't think it's an exaggeration and believe you are right based on experience with different IEMs, you may not understand the limitations of IEMs in terms of FR differences between people. Ear-mounted transducers don't work like DACs, amps, or even speakers measured with a Klippel scanner. These are much better at predicting real FR deviations. The target curves for IEMs are only averages, so a well-measuring IEM can still sound too sharp or too dull to many people.

 

[Angenor]

You are too confident in your analysis, thinking that the coupler FR data is enough. It would be wise to first try the IEM yourself and listen to familiar songs. You can't contribute this information because you don't own the IEM in question. If you don't think it's an exaggeration and believe you are right based on experience with different IEMs, you may not understand the limitations of IEMs in terms of FR differences between people. Ear-mounted transducers don't work like DACs, amps, or even speakers measured with a Klippel scanner. These are much better at predicting real FR deviations. The target curves for IEMs are only averages, so a well-measuring IEM can still sound too sharp or too dull to many people.

I don't think I am overly confident, I take knowledge from measurements (being fully aware of it's corresponding limitations) and back them up with personal experience. The Nova and the Variations both measure smoothly in the treble and sound so to me. The 7Hz Salnotes Zero I has a huge treble peak showing up in measurements and I am also hearing that when using it. So I have no reason to doubt that the large treble peak from the measurments of the Hane will be audible as well and thus I don't think it is a competetive IEM, especially in the current market, and for sure I will not spent $130 to verify what is most likely true from the start.

 

[CedarX]

I don't think I am overly confident, I take knowledge from measurements (being fully aware of it's corresponding limitations) and back them up with personal experience. The Nova and the Variations both measure smoothly in the treble and sound so to me. The 7Hz Salnotes Zero I has a huge treble peak showing up in measurements and I am also hearing that when using it. So I have no reason to doubt that the large treble peak from the measurments of the Hane will be audible as well and thus I don't think it is a competetive IEM, especially in the current market, and for sure I will not spent $130 to verify what is most likely true from the start.

I do own Hane, and Nova, and OG Zero. Is Hane ”large treble peak” audible? Maybe… But it doesn’t bother me whatsoever, and perhaps contributes to the small, but interesting, differences I can “hear” between those 3. Certainly not a deal breaker for me.

So, Hane sounds fine to me: one opinion, nothing more. But isn’t already enough to validate @markanini prudent response?

You may be correct about Hane lack of competitiveness, but it’s not because of this treble spike.

 

[capslock]

Yes but it does not really matter. It is so low that human ears cannot perceive the difference in practice.

From Amir's review: "As you see, the blue line essentially hugs the zero line producing a SINAD of 84 dB where our hearing is most sensitive. Distortion in this measurement is mathematically derived from a noisy measurement (relative to electronics) so likely won't get any better than this. Even at 114 dBSPL, Hane is cruising with no obvious signs of break up."
Well, the 7Hz Zero 2 and the Crinacle Zero Red are better.
So if those have a comparably close FR to the Harman target and lower distortion at about 1/4 or 1/5 the price, why would one buy the Hane? Of course, there is still the subjective side, so my question to folks who own both is are there perceived advantages to the Hane?

 

[Angenor]

From Amir's review: "As you see, the blue line essentially hugs the zero line producing a SINAD of 84 dB where our hearing is most sensitive. Distortion in this measurement is mathematically derived from a noisy measurement (relative to electronics) so likely won't get any better than this. Even at 114 dBSPL, Hane is cruising with no obvious signs of break up."
Well, the 7Hz Zero 2 and the Crinacle Zero Red are better.
So if those have a comparably close FR to the Harman target and lower distortion at about 1/4 or 1/5 the price, why would one buy the Hane? Of course, there is still the subjective side, so my question to folks who own both is are there perceived advantages to the Hane?

No need, really.

 

[CedarX]

No need, really.

No need for @capslock question or no need for Hane?

 

[amirm]

So if those have a comparably close FR to the Harman target and lower distortion at about 1/4 or 1/5 the price, why would one buy the Hane?

No one has concrete real answer for such questions. I certainly don't. Personally I like the look/size of the Hane and appreciate the programmability through the switches. I enjoyed all of them but can't articulate differences as there is no simple and reliable quick switching between IEMs. And frequency response differences are not following any predictive scheme for listener preference.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

From Amir's review: "As you see, the blue line essentially hugs the zero line producing a SINAD of 84 dB where our hearing is most sensitive. Distortion in this measurement is mathematically derived from a noisy measurement (relative to electronics) so likely won't get any better than this. Even at 114 dBSPL, Hane is cruising with no obvious signs of break up."
Well, the 7Hz Zero 2 and the Crinacle Zero Red are better.
So if those have a comparably close FR to the Harman target and lower distortion at about 1/4 or 1/5 the price, why would one buy the Hane? Of course, there is still the subjective side, so my question to folks who own both is are there perceived advantages to the Hane?

That's an interesting question.
The EQ switches are a somewhat unusual selling point, as it's often simpler to make EQ adjustments from the source, such as a PC, preamp, or phone.

Topping probably leveraging the positive reviews they have been receiving.