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Deleted member 72219
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While it’s true that distortion below a certain threshold becomes inaudible anyway, further reductions in distortion allow for cleaner EQ application.I agree that achieving such a low level of distortion for $17 is indeed impressive. We are living in a golden age of IEMs.
That said,
- While it’s true that you won’t perceive distortion on the Truthear Gate, the same is also true for many other great budget IEMs. This is a point I feel many people still overlook (and it begins to annoy me): The general rule of thumb is “less distortion is better,” but once distortion levels fall below a certain audible threshold, further reduction becomes irrelevant in practical terms. It reminds me of fans of high-end clocks who think it makes a difference if their clock errors 1 minute in 100 or 1000 years. Like, sure, its kind of great from a technical standpoint but also irrelevant in reality.
- Although "cheaper is better" is true in theory, for most people active in these forums, the difference between $17 and $25, $30, or even $40 is negligible. From what I’ve observed, much of the excitement around this IEM comes from people do not necessarily need an affordable IEM but want a new toy to play around with. That’s fine—I've done the same myself—but let's not feel too rational about it.
So, while the Truthear Gate is another great budget option, it doesn’t mean every beginner seeking for a budget IEM should default to it. The key consideration is whether you’ll enjoy its frequency response: Harman-ish neutral with a slight emphasis on the upper midrange.
Given my own experience, I’d still recommend the Moondrop LAN (~$40) for those seriously looking for a keeper in terms of neutral-bright IEMs. (Unless you are actually on a strict budget, that is.) While its distortion numbers might be technically slightly less amazing, they remain inaudible in real-world use. The sound signature is very similar on paper but turned out to be noticeably less shouty to my ears. Its upper treble balance is closer to what I and likely most listeners prefer. It offers a metal shell and a more comfortable fit, which adds to its overall value.
Moondrop LAN Review
-Ed