TruthEar Nova

Truthear has garnered a certain cult following, thanks to a fairly “solid” series of IEMs, albeit all of them in the <USD$100 range. The brand’s latest release, Nova, aim to change the strictly “budget” outlook of the brand. At $150, the Nova are the most expensive product Truthear has released so far.

With higher price comes loftier expectations. Time to see how well the Nova can manage that weight.

Note: this review originally appeared on Audioreviews.

Sources used: Cayin RU7, Questyle CMA Twelve Master
Price, while reviewed: $150. Can be bought from Shenzhenaudio.

PACKAGING AND ACCESSORIES​

Truthear remains true to its “waifu art” packaging. You can even order an acrylic cutout of the “waifu” during the purchase process. Well, I am not the intended audience for this but I guess there is a demand out there for such “perks”.



The packaging is quite large but there is a lot of wasted space for the sake of a more appealing arrangement of the accessories. I mean, one can easily just bundle the tips in small zip-lock bags, but I digress.



Other than the silicone and foam tips, you also get a PU leather carry case that doesn’t offer a lot of protection but looks cool nonetheless. The stock cable has a visually striking black and blue color scheme, but the length is longer than your standard 1.2m cables, resulting in a more cumbersome experience while walking around.

BUILD QUALITY​

The Nova have similar glossy, slippery, and fingerprint-attracting black shells as the Truthear Zero. Other than the faceplate design, the overall aesthetics have many similarities with the budget model.

This is somewhat perplexing as I assumed Truthear would go for a more premium build or at least a different finish for the resin shell. Nonetheless, “premium” is not a word I can associate with the Nova’s overall build. It’s serviceable, decent even – but not something noteworthy.



There are three different sound-bores, with each of them channeling sound from separate driver arrays. The 2-pin port is, thankfully, recessed and there are 4 vents on the side to alleviate pressure and also allow the dynamic driver to have additional air to move around.

COMFORT, ISOLATION, AND FIT​

Despite the nozzle being on the thicker side, the Nova have very good fit and comfort. Isolation is good with the supplied foam tips, but not class-leading.

SOURCE AND EARTIPS​

At a sensitivity of 108 dB/mW into 15 ohms, the Truthear Nova are fairly easy to drive. Do note that the crossover circuit is prone to impedance mismatch, so a source with low output impedance is recommended. For this review, I used stock tips and cable, and the Cayin RU7 dongle.

DRIVER SETUP​

The Nova utilize a 1DD + 4BA setup, with the DD being in charge of the sub-bass and the mid-bass, while the BA drivers handle the mids and highs. The BA drivers are dual-BAs, so they occupy less space inside the shells. Each driver has a separate acoustic tube/wave-guide attached to channel the sound into the bores.

Finally, there are dampers placed in the nozzle for attenuating resonant frequencies and aberrant peaks. A fairly competent driver setup and kudos to Truthear for nailing down the basics and then some.

TONALITY AND TECHNICALITIES​

The Truthear Nova are Harman-neutral (2019 V2), apart from some subtle deviations. They are perhaps the most “true Harman” IEMs you can get under USD$200, so if you love Harman tuning and religiously abide by it – skip the rest of the review and grab a pair right now.

For those who have their reservations about Harman – there is more to the story than meets the eye.



The tell-tale sub-bass shelf is here to stay, with a sudden rise from about 300Hz downward. Understandably, the upper-mids need to be pushed upward to counter-balance the sub-bass dominance and to ensure that vocals have enough clarity and forwardness.

I strongly believe that a pair of IEMs’ bass response is only as good as the driver allows it to be. With a subpar or under-performing driver, the bass will lack authority, slam, and texture. No amount of EQ shenanigans can compensate for high distortion characteristics. Fortunately, the Nova have a pretty decent dynamic driver for the “woofer”.

Bass has good slam and rumble and doesn’t break up or distort even at higher volumes. Bass texture is lacking, but some of that can be attributed to the mid-bass thinness which is a point of contention about the Harman target itself. Either way, bass is satisfyingly deep and punchy for the most part, and can provide the “macrodynamism” one expects from sudden bass drops, for example.

The lower-mids can come across as “thin” at times, especially if you are accustomed to the sound of certain old speakers, or reference headphones like Sennheiser HD 650. Baritone vocals lack the heft while snare hits can sound anemic, lacking in density.

Upper-mids, meanwhile, take the center stage with female vocals being noticeably more forward than the male vocals. This forwardness can be engaging if there is enough bass in the recording to balance things out. In acoustic tracks with low or no sub-bass , the balance gets skewed towards the upper-midrange instead, resulting in shout and shrillness. if your library rarely consists of such tracks, this should not be an issue. Otherwise, take note.

The treble is quite dark past 7kHz. There is a steep roll-off with not much upper-treble to add air into the mix. Treble can at times exhibit BA timbre, with cymbals and hi-hats lacking the note weight one expects. Due to the lack of airiness, cymbals abruptly stop “ringing” and the decay is unnaturally fast. This also limits the perceived “wideness” of the soundstage, even though the Nova do not sound closed-in.

Imaging is precise, with only ordinal directions being somewhat difficult to pinpoint. Instrument separation is another strong area of the Nova, as even in busy tracks it is easy to figure things out individually.

Microdynamics (subtle shifts in volume) are not so evident on the Truthear Nova, resulting in somewhat of a flat representation of music.

SELECT COMPARISONS​

Truthear Nova vs Simgot EM6L​

Simgot EM6L are noticeably cheaper than the Truthear Nova and come with a less flashy design and arguably worse accessories. Comfort is similar on both, while isolation is slightly better on the Simgot IEMs. Ironically, both these IEMs share the same driver configuration: 1DD + 4BA, though Simgot utilizes a smaller 8mm dynamic driver compared to the 10mm driver on Nova.



As for the sound, EM6L also closely follow the Harman 2019 V2 with a distinct deviation near the mid-bass where Simgot decided to fill up the “suck-out” around 250Hz. This noticeably improves male vocals and the rendition of percussion instruments. Upper treble is slightly more pronounced on the EM6L compared to the Nova (and Harman IE target), resulting in better perceived airiness, albeit the differences are minimal.

Imaging is about similar on both of these IEMs, though EM6L render microdynamics more convincingly.

In the end, I prefer the EM6L overall, not only because it offers similar performance for significantly less, but also because the tuning “fixes” aligns them closer to my preferences.

CONCLUDING REMARKS​

The Truthear Nova are competent IEMs. Tonal preferences aside, there are no glaring flaws in the overall package, be it technicalities or build/accessories. It’s just that the competition is offering the same, if not more, for less. And that’s where things get tricky.

The current IEM market is a race to the bottom: a frenzied hustle to give the customers the “best” for the “least”. Truthear built its reputation based on that very mission statement but competition has not only caught up, rather they’ve turned the whole game on its head by driving prices down further.

So, while the Nova indeed hit their target: a mid-tier Harman-abiding pair of IEMs with decent technicalities, they find themselves late to the party. Unless you are really afraid of mid-bass, there are better options out there. But if it’s Harman you want in its pure, unadulterated form – the Nova will have your back.

Review Of The Truthear Nova​

Introduction​

This is not the first time I've heard an IEM from Truthear. The firm, which only launched last year, has issued renowned IEMs, including the Zero, which was a collaboration endeavor between Trruthear and Crinacle, a well-known audiophile critic. I did not get to hear the truther Zero, but I did evaluate its successor, the Zero:Red Edition, which I truly enjoyed. I was just fortunate to get my hands on their newest product known as the Truthear Nova, but before we get into the review, I'd like to clear a few points.

Disclaimer​

*I am appreciative to my fellow audiophile Pulkit Dreamz for lending me this unit. And just as I've stated in every one of my assessments, this one is no different: every idea I've presented below is wholly original and entirely mine, uninfluenced by anyone else. Click on this "link" to show interest.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “Nova.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Nova based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.

Specification​

The Nove has a multi-driver layout, which contains four balanced armatures and one dynamic driver. The dynamic driver employs a PU suspension and an LCP dome diaphragm, whilst the balanced armatures are specially designed for the IEM, and all of these drivers are linked via a three-way crossover. The shell appears more buffed than any other Truthear IEM, yet the fit and comfort are excellent. The shells are constructed of resin and feature a gorgeous blue faceplate. The included cable looks and feels significantly better than Truthear's previous IEM cords. The cable feels and looks lightweight and expensive, with two pin connections on one end and a 3.5mm terminating straight plug on the other. Other attachments include a variety of eartip shapes and sizes, as well as a carrying pouch. Technical characteristics include an impedance of 14.8 Ohms and a sensitivity of 123dB. The frequency response ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz.

*** Click to know photo credit (above)***

Sound​

So, when I first heard the Chopin, which felt tonally superior to the Nova, I assumed that the Nova was more technically advanced, which led me to do a side-by-side comparison of the Nova and Chopin, and I realized that the Nova had its own charm in its own way, and I literally prefer both, but I learned the necessary differences so that I can advise who is better suited. So the Nova sounds more neutral and bass linear than the Chopin, but the details and overall mix control are significantly better and tighter with the Nova. With a sharp treble and crisper notes, Chopin sounds more fluid and comfortable in contrast. The midrange voices are more powerful and vibrant, while the instrument is distinct and clear. Overall, I find it thinner and less calming than Chopin. Let's delve deeper into sound for more clarity.

Treble​

The treble is skillfully done, and the notes may become crisp and precise with improved clarity and distinction, making it more attention-grabbing since the subtleties are more spread out and audibly visible even while listening to complicated music with a lot going on. There may not be another IEM in this pricing range that can create such detailed details. The top treble sounds expansive, if not as vast as the Chopin, yet the sharpness hurts you in a nice way. The quality of. The sharp sounds are not painful, however listening to the bright tunes may be an issue for treble haters. In contrast, the lower treble area is quite active and forceful, with a lively and expressive response that is crisper and more precise. The voices and instruments have a more transparent response, which is effectively detailed and captures your attention since the nuances are plainly apparent. Overall, the treble area is presented in a comprehensive, clear, and vivid manner.

Mid Range​

When it comes to the midrange, I feel it is as crisp and detailed as the lower treble and adds a bit more energy to the mix. I also believe that the response is quite intriguing since the notes are different, which leads to greater imaging and layering. True, the Chopin gives a more pleasant, natural response, whilst the Nova produces a more analytical and differentiated response that is purer and crisper. The upper midrange resonates with the lower treble, putting a nice emphasis on the vocals, which are bright, while the instruments complement while remaining as detailed as any note in the mix. Specifically, I find it interesting as the vocal or vocals have a highly enticing response and distinct character that is evident, which I have never experienced with any other IEM in this price range. I was startled to hear the vocals so nuanced, with each syllable including subtleties and texture that fascinated me. However, the voices are not as captivating to my liking as the new EA1000 and HYPE2. The lower midrange notes lack correct note weight, causing the higher frequency notes to seem skinny. The notes are still not particularly clear, but I like a more dense response, and Chopin projects the appropriate amount to fit my preferences. Consequently, the overall response of the mid-range area is clear, crisp, detailed, and clean.

Bass​

In terms of bass, I find it missing in the mid bass zone; it's not that it doesn't allow for presence, but the notes seem fake. To be honest, I loved such a reaction at first, but the sub bass had a more pillowing response that met my needs, so I found the bass to be extremely controlled while still being more detailed and clear. The sub bass region is highlighted, and while I find the slight rumbling in the ear canals agreeable, the punches lack force. The same is true for the mid bass region, which lacks warmth, smashes and thumps.It is audible in tracks with substantial bass, but it is a textured tone rather than the physicality of the sounds that strike you. Rather than providing information about what instruments are being played. Consequently, the entire presentation of the bass area is exceptionally controlled, clear, and textured.

Technical Performance​

Well, I believe that this IEM's technological skill well outweighs the majority of the features you perceive, particularly in terms of detail and imaging. When comparing the Chopin to the Nova, I find that the Chopin has a larger stage, but the Nova is a better value overall. Let's get into further depth.

Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation​

The stage is more immersive than sounds spacious since the upper frequencies are richer in details that are plainly discernible. The vocals and instruments are clearly separated, with crisp and clear imaging of the sounds. I consider the overall reaction to be more of a holographic presentation since, despite the stage's immersive nature, the 3D response is loud and clear.

Speed & Resolution​

The resolution is considerably superior to any other IEM in this price range, with details that are both expressive and clear, whether macro or micro. The attack and decay of the notes are also highly sensitive and rapid, making them sound clear.

Sound Impressions ​

Sources​

Sony WM1A - When Nova was paired with the WM1A, the response became more relaxed, with a more controlled midrange and treble area. Although there was no loss of detail, energy was disseminated significantly more efficiently, making every component of the answer feel more rich and enjoyable to listen to. The stage improved significantly, seeming more large and airy while yet retaining the intriguing intricacies of the mix. The vocals felt more genuine since the notes were richer and fuller. The bass seemed similar, but more rounded and thundering, with less clarity but greater physicality. I particularly enjoyed the combo with the WM1A.

Tempotec V6 - While listening to Nova with the V6, I notice that the sound is quite transparent, the notes are detailed and clearer than before, and the response has become more expressive, particularly in the midrange, where the voices have an upfront presentation. The bass also felt slightly less forceful than previously, and there is a good probability of hearing BA timbre. Although the sound is clear, I find it slightly uncomfortable when listening to mild to bright-sounding tunes.

Musehifi M4 - The M4 and Nova pairing sounded more bass and mid range prominent, with the bass feeling more thump and punchy and the vocals introducing a little sibilance; the energy in the treble felt a little tamed; aside from this, there weren't many differences in the sound response, except that the response felt as detailed as before with a more staggering response. I might prefer this combo over V6.

Tracks​

Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyester Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun

Conclusion​

In conclusion, if one is really interested in finding a real neutral sound with sub bass boost where the person doesn't care about the note's warmth or weight, then the Nova is a perfect IEM. I mean, it is an IEM that can satisfy you with all the details and clarity with light and lean response from vocals and instruments that becomes more interesting and linear to provide a consistent response, which is actually hard for an IEM that can provide a detailed response and cohesion. Chopin, on the other hand, is more expensive, but this is a musical response rather than a clinical one. So the Nova has my wholehearted endorsement.

The Nova is the latest addition in Truthear’s catalog. A hybrid in-ear monitor consisting of 1DD and 4BA per side with a three way crossover. NOVA uses a 10mm diameter specialized dynamic driver to take charge of the bass and a composite full-frequency dual balanced armature driver which is responsible for mids and part of trebles. It is combined with a custom composite double balanced armature driver that is responsible for the trebles, further improving the bandwidth while matching the sensitivity of the mid-high frequency composite driver.
Nova adopts a polyurethane suspension composite liquid crystal dome diaphragm and dual-cavity internal magnetic circuit dynamic driver of N52 magnet.

The acoustic waveguide structure with filtering function realized by the high-precision DLP-3D printed technology and the RC frequency division makes the five drivers perform well under different corresponding acoustic waveguides.

Tuning concept

The tuning of the NOVA is realized with slightly less bass gain than the HARMAN IE 2019 curve and is close to the high-frequency amplitude response of HARMAN OE 2013 with high HRTF characteristics. The result is a warm, soft, clear and natural sound thanks to the brand-new overall system design of lowering the Q value.

Non Audio stuff

The 3D printed ear-shells are made by HeyGears using their own medical-grade high-transparency resin which is skin friendly. The ear-shells have an anatomical, custom-like design and despite being a little bulky they are lightweight and comfortable just slightly protruding outside the ear if it is of a smaller size.

The Nova is beautiful looking without attracting too much attention, it combines a black colored main body with an attractive blue faceplate that has a wavy pattern as the main design element.

The Nova comes with a 2-pin detachable cable that is made from single crystal copper wires in 4 strands with 112 cores each. The cable has a rather outdated textile sheathing and pre-shaped ear-hooks. It is soft and lightweight but is little noisy, it gets easily tangled and the 3.5mm plug is not interchangeable.

The Truthear Nova comes in a box beautifully decorated with a printed design of the brand's female mascot. The package includes a set of classic silicone ear-tips in three sizes plus short double-flange and long double-flange ear-tips, as well as foam ear-tips with multiple limiters. The bad resonance peak of the high frequencies will move backwards further with the use of the double-flange ear-tips while foam ear-tips with multiple limiters can meet the different needs for depth insertion. Also included are the detachable cable and a carrying case made from soft, synthetic leather.



Audio Stuff

The Truthear Nova (14.8Ω/123dB) is very easy to drive and for the review I have used the Truthear Shio, the iBasso DC03PRO and the Mojo2.

Harman-target fans have plenty of reasons to rejoice with the Truthear Nova as it is tuned closely following the Harman in-ear target curve. This is an affordable earphone specifically tuned for people who like this target curve.

The Nova has a mid-bass focused tuning that works well with a lot of kinds of music but not that well with classical where certain low pitched instruments will sound out of tune, a little unrealistic and too colored. Sub-bass is also well emphasized and extended making the Nova very fun and enjoyable for casual but not that suitable for audiophile critical listening. The bass is big and imposing, dynamic and impactful, this is the kind of low-end that will definitely please gamers and movie watchers. Additionally the bass on the Nova is quite fast and tight but not that well controlled, it isn't muddy or overly dark and despite its dominance it doesn't cloud the mid-range while the dynamic driver can handle high listening volumes without distortion.

The Nova has an upper mid-range emphasis that is followed by a smooth and slightly subdued treble thus making this particular region the star of the show or a living nightmare, depending on how sensitive your hearing is to this area. Lower mids are slightly underwhelming and play a rather supportive role to the dominant upper mid-range, a tuning concept that adds sparkle, clarity and favors female vocals. Resolution is quite good, the mid-range is crystal clear and well defined with a mostly realistic timbre but you can't fail to notice some tuning imbalances, not all instruments sound equally focused.

The treble is smooth and forgiving without lacking in extension and clarity, it is well defined and energetic but not bright or fatiguing. The Nova is resolving and detailed enough but it has some issues with the texture of its treble, the timbre is not devoid of some BA artificiality and roughness. The fundamentals and overtones of higher pitched instruments can sound a little fake, metallic and too thin to be considered as natural and realistic. This is something particularly audible when listening to instruments like the harpsichord or the violin where their upper register fails to sound convincing enough.

The presentation on the Nova is intimate, the soundstage is moderately wide and the listener feels like sitting next to the stage. The Nova will not earn any praises for its depth layering or holography but positioning accuracy is good so you can easily pick all individual instruments in heavily populated passages.

Conclusion

There are so many earphones at this price range that adhere to the Harman in-ear target curve that something has to be really special in order to stand out from the crowd and take the lead. The Truthear Nova ticks a lot of boxes right but they are not enough to make it better than the competition. On the other hand, except for the tuning concept and the rather competitive technicalities, it might also appeal to you because it is comfortable, lightweight, exceptionally well made, beautiful looking and comes with plenty of accessories at an affordable price.