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Truthear GATE $17 IEM Review

Rate this IEM:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 7 2.3%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 7 2.3%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 18 6.0%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 268 89.3%

  • Total voters
    300
Probably won't be buying this one as I already have more than four with similar performance envelopes. But it's so important to note how good these low cost IEMs are getting. They offer a high end audio experience for next to nothing. All you really need is your phone and a subscription to a lossless streaming service. And a pair of tips that fit.

Amir, thanks again for reminding us we don't need to take out a second mortgage or raid the kids' college fund to have high end sound.
 
I wear hearing aids and no amount of EQ provides enough volume in my weak ear when I wear IEMs. I'm envious. This is another audio problem solved. Ever since the mono system I bought in the mid '60s I've been looking for the cheapest solution that provides performance that meets or exceeds the limit of human hearing. I'm glad to see all of the "problems" that have been solved for under $100.
 
I didn't like it, to me it lacks bass and upper-mids are too much, they feel cheap but the cable is worth the price of the IEM, got them for $14.50.

Of the budget sets I prefer the Zero:2 or EDC Pro (treble is a bit metallic but tolerable) for $3-5 it feels (and looks) better than the GATe (except for the cable).
 
Unbelievable value. Thanks Matias for the donation and Amir for great review. In between the zeros 2 and red not sure I need another pair but will order anyways just to express appreciation to the company for great tech at such price level.
 
Oh jeez, @amirm just "made" me spend $17, lol. Now to decide whether to dig out the RME manual and struggle through setting up the EQ there, or simply dial it into the WiiM's lovely GUI...
I suggest you to use a computer and their Remote app, which makes setting up EQ and saving a trivial task.
 
I like my pair, especially compared to the older Hola. Still, they don't get much daily use, as some have alluded to in this thread, the treble is hard to keep under control if one is sensitive to hot treble. But, at the same time, it is a major improvement over the older Hola in this regard.

And I guess I'll put in another vote for the cable, it's great. There are dedicated cables that cost way more than this entire package, that net you a worse cable. So yeah, even if you wind up not liking the IEM, the Gate are worth their money just for the cable alone in my opinion.

Overall, I really like the Gate. It's very close in terms of sound to my ideal IEM at <20 bucks. But, owning other IEMs that are closer to my preferred treble, these don't get much use even with EQ. Crazy performance for the price none the less.

Edit: Their extremely low weight and snug shell makes these IEMs very comfortable to wear for prolonged periods.
 
I think more information is required to give an appropriate answer to this type of question.
Are both comfortably within your budget? What have you used previously and did you like or dislike them?
I own the reds, they just don't fit my ears good at all...
 
As with amplification, the IEM segment has apparently found its way to peak "bang for the buck."
 
I ordered these as soon as I saw the distortion plot.

My only concern is that peak at 15K, is it harsh?

I guess I will find out tomorrow. For the most part I am using the Sennheiser IE300. Anyone compared those?
 
My only concern is that peak at 15K, is it harsh?
I filtered it out but could not tell a difference. If you are much younger then me, then you may need something there. Note however that such a resonance is dependent on your ear anatomy so no measurement is going to predict that accurately.
 
Sounds worse than the Zero:2 to me.

Treble response is peaky and hard to adjust to preference, and upper mids are accentuated and sound honky:
View attachment 439717

Additionally, the Gate feels extremely cheap in the hands.
The housing is bottom-of-the-barrel injection-molded plastic, on par with those $3 KZ IEMs from AliExpress.

A stark step-down from the resin printed housing of the Truthear Hola which this one replaces.
I couldn't agree more. Obviously, for $17 is quite some good sound, but probably only worth it if you just have that amount to spend. Build quality looks cheap and design is low profile. And while the compliance to Harman is quite good, the peaky treble will be hard, probably even impossible to fix with EQ. This is where it still is worth to spend a bit more, get for example the Truthear Nova and have better sound (even without EQ) and don't worry anymore. Even if you want to EQ to another target, with a smooth reponse this will always be possible.
 
I couldn't agree more. Obviously, for $17 is quite some good sound, but probably only worth it if you just have that amount to spend. Build quality looks cheap and design is low profile. And while the compliance to Harman is quite good, the peaky treble will be hard, probably even impossible to fix with EQ. This is where it still is worth to spend a bit more, get for example the Truthear Nova and have better sound (even without EQ) and don't worry anymore. Even if you want to EQ to another target, with a smooth reponse this will always be possible.
You might think that a smooth measuring IEM above 3kHz will be more likely to produce a smooth FR in your ears. Realistically, the physical conditions can't guarantee that:
 
Wow, the performance looks incredible for the price especially.... these high quality IEMs at low prices have just totally blown up the market in the last years. It is incredible how far they have come along with the dongle DAC's that you would use to drive them. Funnily enough as phones have dumped headphone jacks; we now have some of the best performing IEM's ever via wired connections.
 
Additionally, the Gate feels extremely cheap in the hands.
The housing is bottom-of-the-barrel injection-molded plastic, on par with those $3 KZ IEMs from AliExpress.

A stark step-down from the resin printed housing of the Truthear Hola which this one replaces.
I have trouble seeing or feeling the housing when I'm listening to it!
 
I like my pair, especially compared to the older Hola. Still, they don't get much daily use, as some have alluded to in this thread, the treble is hard to keep under control if one is sensitive to hot treble. But, at the same time, it is a major improvement over the older Hola in this regard.
I turn 60 this year. What, exactly, is "treble" again? I can't seem to remember hearing it.
 
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