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Topping Hane IEM Review

Rate this IEM:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 16 8.1%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 45 22.8%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 136 69.0%

  • Total voters
    197
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.
It's actually not unusual in the iem world
 
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.
Yes and no. Sometimes it's not that easy for example ios devices.
So switches that actually do something useful is in my opinion big selling point of this iems.
 
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.
Simple question, and I really hope it doesn‘t sound rude, but what happens if You adjust the frequency response to Your personal best liking with an equalizer? Removing the peak should be possible in case it stands out.
It is ment as an argument against Your point. On the other hand I‘m curious by what means the peak would be accessible. I couldn‘t make it with any confidence.

E/g, when exaggerating something that high it didn‘t feel, tested with white noise, like a resonance, like it easily did, say at 5kHz. It made more shine, to come to glare it needed 10+dB the least, but no feel of resonance still. Any suggestion, and sure, my hearing is not pristine?
 
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Are they smaller / lighter or is the cable more supple? That would be something to convince me to try the Hane in place of the Zero 2 which is somewhat uncomfortabel to wear.
 
I purchased the Hane because amirm's subjective evaluation was quite positive. The sound quality feels excellent to me. The bass is solid and clear. The treble exhibits a noticeable peak above 10kHz, making it sound a bit bright. However, this earphone provides a sense of spatial openness, which might be attributed to this peak. By turning on switches 3 and 4 to reduce the 3-7kHz range and soften the brightness, the treble becomes more balanced and better suits my preference. With switches 2 through 4 turned on, the sound quality perfectly matches my taste, so I don’t feel the need to use electronic EQ. This was especially nice for me since there are applications where EQ cannot be used on smartphones. While the low sensitivity is a concern, I can achieve loud playback using the Fosi DS2
 
Are they smaller / lighter or is the cable more supple? That would be something to convince me to try the Hane in place of the Zero 2 which is somewhat uncomfortabel to wear.
The Hane are better suited for people with a small ear canal, the nozzle size is smaller than that of Truthear models.
They can comfortably be worn for multiple hours on end, with the only downside being the microphonic cable.
 
Wow, you must have received your delivery from a local warehouse then.
Yes, I live in Japan and ordered it from a local shop yesterday—it arrived just a short while ago. I'm writing this with excitement as I listen to the sound. It's been a while since I used IEMs, and I'm amazed at how much they've evolved. Looking at the graph, I expected the treble to sound a bit lively, but to my ears, it also has a melting softness that's captivating. At the same time, I also purchased the Truthear x Crinacle Zero, but it didn’t suit my sound preferences. Of course, I believe it can be adjusted to my liking with EQ, but the Hane is perfect for my sound preferences
 
That would be a bit reductive for me. I think there are a number of $20-80 IEMs one could potentially daily drive, even for discerning ears. Personally Zero 2 refuse to fit securely in my ear. So if a higher or lower priced IEM works better in fit and subjective sound that's all that should matter. It's not a race to the top, neither a race to the bottom.
I found the tips supplied with the Zero: 2 to be almost unusable. I do have several sets of RHA ones acquired over the years, however, and easily found a good fit (the RHA ones seem much more substantial anyway).
 
Is this the same as the Arpegear Hane? Pictures, switches etc. match, just the brand name is different.
Yes it is. Arpegear is a Topping sub brand
 
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?
Okay, I understood the blue line at 5k to be a measurement error thing. If it is real and perceivable in a human ear you have a point.

The point I was trying to make is - and sooo many audiophiles do not "get" this - that distortion absolutely does not matter as long as it is below a certain threshold. It just is impossible for our ears to perceive it.

To be clear, my goal here is not to "defend" the Hane. Earlier in this topic I wrote something which was understood as an argument "against" the Hane. I really dont care. I generally dont believe in the "best IEM" everyone should buy. My impression is that this is a fine or even great IEM which is worth its money as long as you like the idea of tune switches. Otherwise there are cheaper options.
 
Simple question, and I really hope it doesn‘t sound rude, but what happens if You adjust the frequency response to Your personal best liking with an equalizer? Removing the peak should be possible in case it stands out.
It is ment as an argument against Your point. On the other hand I‘m curious by what means the peak would be accessible. I couldn‘t make it with any confidence.

E/g, when exaggerating something that high it didn‘t feel, tested with white noise, like a resonance, like it easily did, say at 5kHz. It made more shine, to come to glare it needed 10+dB the least, but no feel of resonance still. Any suggestion, and sure, my hearing is not pristine?
The point is, such a high treble peak cannot be equalized very easily, if at all. First, it will appear at different frequencies for each individual, but even if you localize it exactly, since it is quiet steep and narrow, EQ doesn’t work very good. There are many IEMs with smoother treble, even much cheaper ones, so why bother with this one?
 
The point is, such a high treble peak cannot be equalized very easily, if at all. First, it will appear at different frequencies for each individual, but even if you localize it exactly, since it is quiet steep and narrow, EQ doesn’t work very good. There are many IEMs with smoother treble, even much cheaper ones, so why bother with this one?
Try using Moondrop Spring tips with it. From experience and from the measurements of some other users, it has a tendency to smoothen out treble peaks
 
The point is, such a high treble peak cannot be equalized very easily, if at all. First, it will appear at different frequencies for each individual, but even if you localize it exactly, since it is quiet steep and narrow, EQ doesn’t work very good. There are many IEMs with smoother treble, even much cheaper ones, so why bother with this one?
I knew it may become a little bit controversial. But if the peak is an outstandig obstacle, it could be adressed at the first degree by an equalizer. One could assume that Q is a given, amplitude is roughly what one sees in the graph, only frequency is a variable, dependent on the individual.
Did You ever try to get deeper into the problem? If not, what is the reasoning with dismissing experimentation or other research while still complaining? Even theory, in my book, doesn‘t fit here, what do You think?
 
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 knowledge is that a measured FR with zero divergent features isn't guaranteed to be better than an FR with upper treble peak features. Some upper treble peaking features can "magically" disappear and reappear depending on the measurement rig, the operator, and the type of ear tips used. I have to conclude that you are biased for delving deep into FR analysis without considering these variables. It should make any critical evaluation of the upper treble pointless without the proper context of fitted evaluation.
 
The knowledge is that a measured FR with zero divergent features isn't guaranteed to be better than an FR with upper treble peak features. Some upper treble peaking features can "magically" disappear and reappear depending on the measurement rig, the operator, and the type of ear tips used. I have to conclude that you are biased for delving deep into FR analysis without considering these variables. It should make any critical evaluation of the upper treble pointless without the proper context of fitted evaluation.
I just don’t believe in magic.
 
I knew it may become a little bit controversial. But if the peak is an outstandig obstacle, it could be adressed at the first degree by an equalizer. One could assume that Q is a given, amplitude is roughly what one sees in the graph, only frequency is a variable, dependent on the individual.
Did You ever try to get deeper into the problem? If not, what is the reasoning with dismissing experimentation or other research while still complaining? Even theory, in my book, doesn‘t fit here, what do You think?
It is very easy. There are other IEMs out there without any peaks, like the Truthear Nova. Why would I bother to buy another one instead and have the burden to deal with peaks and the like? I prefer my life as much devoid of trouble as possible.
 
Thanks, but I prefer to avoid peaky IEMs altogether
Why would I bother to buy another one instead
Totally respect your choice/preferences here… as long as you don’t present them as “absolute & undisputed”.

Amir has not reviewed Nova (yet?), I speculate it’ll end up in his recommended list… alongside Zero:2, and Zero Red (the ones you mentioned)… Hane (the one you don’t like), and several other IEMs.
 
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