Introduction

I can't think of any other audio brand that has had a more meteoric rise in recent times than Truthear. Seemingly composed of former employees from other successful brands, it quickly figured out the best way to debut a brand courtesy a collaboration with an influencer to bring out the impressive ZERO that used a dual dynamic driver configuration to provide the masses with a taste of the latest research-backed Harman in-ear target tuning at all of $50. Then came the Truthear Hexa that further impressed by using a hybrid driver set along with tonality that matches the popular MOONDROP Blessing2 IEMs but at a much reduced cost of $80. Both of these sets also had great accessories to where I was left wondering how a new brand could be so impressive. Truthear is clearly not just your typical new startup aiming to re-work OEM drivers and shells and choosing one of several stock face plates options thus, and I was certainly curious to see what's next from this upstart brand.


First it was $50, next $80, perhaps now you might have expected something in the $100-150 range next. Instead, Truthear decided it wants a piece of the budget IEM market that has been on fire recently, with various Chinese brands putting out well-tuned sets to where anyone wanting to enter the IEM world to experience a well-balanced sound signature does not have to pay much anymore! Truthear's entry in this crowded space is called the HOLA (Spanish for hello), and then came an even bigger surprise with the simultaneous launch of the SHIO (汐) where the goal is clearly for Truthear to have 4-lettered product names. The SHIO is a portable DAC/amplifier that costs more than the HOLA and. given they launched alongside each other, I figured the best way to cover both would be together in a single review that focuses primarily on the HOLA IEMs. Thanks to SHENZHENAUDIO for providing review samples to TechPowerUp as we begin by taking a look at the product specifications in the tables below!

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Anyone who's read my previous two Truthear product reviews should have expected to see the female artwork on the packaging already. This time it adopts a Chibi style for the mascot that is far less offensive even to the most critical of readers and the product box itself is on the smaller side of average. On the front is the company logo and product name—HOLA, not HALO as the typo underneath suggests that should be fixed in retail batches being manufactured—along with salient features at the bottom. On the back we see the same typo but more importantly, a factory frequency response curve published, which is a trend I want to see other companies adopt sooner rather than later. Product specs and company contact info help complete the tour, as we see the use of a two-piece packaging with an outer white sleeve over an inner gray box that slides out the top. It opens up to reveal the contents inside including paperwork in the form of an owner's manual going over the use of these IEMs, a warranty card, and a post card for those who care about the artwork itself.


The carry/storage case that comes with the Truthear HOLA reminds me of an older style coin purse complete with the metal hinges on the side and the magnets securing it in place. It is made of faux leather—likely polyurethane—and has "Truthear Co." embossed on the bottom left corner on the front. The flat nature of the case does make it easier to store and transport and I do prefer it over some of the other budget IEM cases in the past—that is assuming they even come with one! Inside the case are the IEMs with the cable pre-installed so you already know it is functional. Underneath the case is a solid sheet that has the various ear tips placed individually, and makes it easy for users to spot and remove the ones they want to use.


Truthear provides two types of silicone ear tips in sizes S/M/L each, and these differ primarily in the opening of the inner bore that can affect the presentation and soundstage slightly. I also noticed the wider bore tips were rounder and slightly more malleable owing to the thinner flange, and your mileage may vary as to which type gives you a better fit/seal even outside of the different sizes. In addition, it should also come with a single set of medium-density foam ear tips in size M. However, this early review unit ended up coming with a spare set of the wide bore tips in size L instead, so you can refer to the equivalent section of this review to see how the foam tips look.


Before we get to a closer examination of the IEMs and the cables separately, I had to first separate the IEMs from the pre-installed cable. A quick look here reveals the use of standard 0.78 mm 2-pin connectors rather than MMCX so things are simple enough given this is a friction fit. Carefully dislodge the connectors by holding one of the IEM shells in one hand and applying outward pressure on the cable connector with the other without wiggling things sideways or up/down. Repeat this with the other side and you are good to go!