TruthEar Nova - Moondrop Variations on a budget

[@ResolveReviews]

But what about the 'technicalities'? We describe stuff like this only because that's the kind of language people are used to, but in reality these are only ever descriptions of the subjective experience, and NOT any particular physical acoustic property. Moreover, using these descriptions runs the risk of conflating these two concepts and we start erroneously looking for 'technicalities' in alternative metrics that aren't necessarily relevant in headphones. It's still important to provide subjective reports and describe what we're hearing, but I'm trying to move away from language that unnecessarily prompts these weird conflations if there's no reason to use it. Of course, as said, the community still looks for subjective descriptions, and with that in mind I'll say that the acoustic behavior is similar enough between the Nova and the Variations that I think for their subjective qualities it's kind of a wash, with a slight edge to the Variations in the bass, which also measures a bit differently as well.

[@dyckstefan]

If I understand correctly, you know believe that detail retrieval and other such parameters are mainly FR related and that a sub 300$ IEM with EQ could beat the U12t or Monarch mk2 (3)? Or is it simply that you don't wish to talk about subjective qualities anymore? If it is the second option, comparing the subjective sound to various IEMs at different price points might be more scientific and understtandable for a general audience?

[@ResolveReviews]

@@dyckstefan So my position on this has for a while been that it's not necessarily the MEASURED frequency response that's indicative of differences in terms of 'detail', but rather FR at the ear drum. But importantly, while there are certain things that have been figured out with the new measurement standard - and I'd argue that subjective qualities like timbre, soundstage, and DD vs BA bass in IEMs can be correlated with FR on the graph - there are all kinds of fine-grained FR relationships and features that we may be getting at the ear drum, the goodness and badness of which isn't being predicted by the graph. Perhaps a different way of framing it would be to say that there's nothing about the visual representation of given FR features that indicates subjective goodness or badness for individual people, and therein lies the problem. And, of course... all kinds of disagreement across listeners. Beyond that, with IEMs, while we should all be EQing our IEMs, there are limitations to what can be done there, depending on the setup. BA configurations tend to have higher third and fifth harmonic distortion, and since distortion changes with level, you still want to aim for reasonable tunings with your IEMs to minimize the adjustments you have to make. That can be different with certain planar IEMs of course, but it's just something to keep in mind. So, can you EQ a budget IEM to sound like a u12t? In theory, yes, but in practice not really. Instead I recommend EQing to A) your HRTF, and B) preference.

[@dyckstefan]

@@ResolveReviews thank you for the response! I will read it and think about it. Thanks for all the work you do.

[@TFWandyzilla]

I disagree. 'Technicalities' like punch and slam differ a lot. You can have a 20usd and a 1000usd with the same exact graph after eq (or even before). One of them will be muddy, one will be ultra clear and punchy. By "punch" i mean the instant wave that a drum sends out, or the vibrations of a guitar string. For the cheap one, the drum sounds like a pillow being hit and the string vibrations melt into one sound, almost like a flute. Frequency response if just a measurement of a slow swipe from 20 to 20k hz, there's no big chunks of frequencies starting and stopping very quickly.

[@BassDad8]

So the goal is to balance the “technical performance with the subjective response and try to come up with something coherent and relatable while understanding the user experience can vary wildly depending on physiological differences and frequency preference/bias. Sounds like fun to me.

[@sidesaladaudio]

Nice! Truthear really seems to be knocking it out of the park with their releases

[@mehmetgurdal]

to be honest I'm expecting them to go after every well known tuning model. the ones that I expect to see from them a cheaper 64 audio u12t cheaper FatFreq Maestro or sony IER Z1R cheaper Elysian annihilator cheaper Diva cheaper Monarch mk2 and the good thing is they can do it. yes they might need to use more expensive EST drivers on some of these but still potential remains on the table. who wouldnt want to buy a 3700bucks worth tuning for 600 ?

[@user-nd1ef8xj6d]

True. Would love them to do it

[@amielamarasekera]

⁠@@mehmetgurdala cheaper maestro sounds like a fever dream , truthear pls do it 😂

[@chefsteve8381]

I trust this man and his big audiophile head....

[@SiddharthSharma-gj5bs]

So true 😂❤

[@minidee2194]

We need an audiophile youtubers head size tier list

[@metal571]

That's why you can trust him

[@Rsalmond83]

“Got mo’ head than he got body”

[@mokisan]

They were on sale for $95 during the 11/11 sale.

[@LazerAlisk]

Thanks for the input! I’m personally going to get the Nova’s because I am a fan of the Variations signature and I plan on EQing with the Qudelix 5k. Something I also noticed based on Crinacles graphs is that the Nova is the closest earphone that can be EQ’d to both the Variations and Blessing 3 Dusk readings with fairly low DB movements. That was my selling point honestly.

[@zhuhang.jasper]

Lol. Low dB EQing just make you happy visually

[@arc-audio]

If you really like Harman tuning, these are basically endgame. The bass is super powerful and quick, there's almost no treble roughness/grain, imaging is above average, it's just a fantastic listen regardless of price. I prefer it to my S8 in every way except for the upper treble tuning.

[@SileDevil]

are theNovas shouty sibilant in any way?

[@paulosilva8200]

I think you have the same taste as me. I listen loud and i was music producer. And nothing should sound shouty . But every iem has the perfect tone in a set volume. Meaning that when i have a shouty and brighter iem i reduce the volume until becomes perfect . But at higher volumes is very important to have 300 to 500hz up because thats where voice pina hits . By lowering that we should lower the volume too. Only a blasting volumes the voice hits at 1k on the vocal pina. Amd for each 10db up in volume the upper mids and treble goes up by 2 to 3 db. So all depends in volumes we listen and record it. Muaic preducers always produce muaic between 75 and 85db. We like it loud. So we brings things down like 64 audio does. Then we have collabs with reviwers that listen to music at 69db and they love to push that treble ans upper mids up to become audibly. What is a mistake because guitars ans voices should not be changes in the upper mids and treble only. Should be changed in all espectron . I mod more than 70 iem for my taste. Hard to find the tuning that suits me.

[@ryanhostudio]

we all truly hear differently, the variations i tried had such a smooth treble response lol

[@ResolveReviews]

The treble is pretty good IMO, it's the upper mids that are... less good.

[@isanasser]

@@ResolveReviews I agree with you, listened to the variation and the upper mids like 4khz range sounded very thin> Moreover, personally, I assume that it was because there was a specific driver that was handling that frequency range, and it didn't only sounded thin but also not very coherent wrt to the rest of the frequencies.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

its great at keeping things 'highend portable', lessfox technically better but can be 'trying too hard' to create desktop sound, which can sound unpleasing/ minimum upgrade its cayin afterall, and high pricetag, in no way it sounds bad

[@joeljohny5781]

I understand that you have an expensive gear to measure headphones, but at the end of the day these are devices that are used to listen to music. I wish at least half of the review was you picking few songs and explaining how different the song sounds to you when using the Nova and rhe Variation. Precognision's reviews always had a nice balance between measurement talk and his personal opinions with his test tracks.

[@leecaldwell1029]

Nova > variations.. oh man.. these reviewers are great. Gotta get them clicks

[@sidesaladaudio]

Andrew didn't toss aside the box for the nova. Is this an evolution? He's come to appreciate the anime style!

[@ResolveReviews]

haha no I just filmed it twice and had already thrown the box away.

[@sidesaladaudio]

​@@ResolveReviewsnoooo 😭

[@teachonlywhatiseasy]

The bass on variations is on another level. Closest rival is oh10 in the lot that I had the pleasure of listening. Timbre as well varies in different iems. These companies aren't really stupid to price at different levels. Although your have to account for labour costs in various countries

[@Lishtenbird]

"This is not necessarily about performance..." Wait - is Resolve going to review the brick bunny?!

[@mchalftz6768]

That's a Chonk great review as always, Thanks!

[@BassDad8]

Got my set for $101 during 11/11. Haven’t received them yet, but looking forward to it. Oh and I DO EQ many of my IEMs (lightly). Not all, but many.

[@aeisbaer8042]

Tuning wise I think they are even better. Using the foam tips and pushing them all the way down (to the last step) makes the upper trebble even smoother than the Variations.

[@douglasgardner4004]

Good and informative video,. I really appreciate the link to, "How IEMs are changing", paper. I go in and out of the market for IEMs and have been disappointed in the hit or miss nature of this product category. The research seems to be improving this. I've been very happy with the Truth Ear Red and have enjoyed the Truth Ear Zero (blue) but long term I carry the Red with me. It's great to see very good performance at such accessible price levels. Looking forward to the research driving this further.

[@flippedkingdom]

As there has been talk on a couple of other channels about how the Nova’s supplied foam tips provide a much more satisfying sound, I’m sad the review didn’t include a listen with these tips. Could a short addendum video be made to consider this option? Inquiring minds want to know…

[@ResolveReviews]

It's all about insertion depth - if foam tips allow you to insert it further, you are bound to get a different response. The effect is similarly demonstrated with the flange tips. So, yes I did measure it with foam tips, but the flange tips showed a more interesting difference and I went with those - but the effect will also be different depending on the person. People just need to experiment with that.

[@flippedkingdom]

@@ResolveReviews thanks for the info!

[@mhoomans]

I swapped the normal medium silicon tips for the foam tips and the improvement - for my ears - was more than subtle, the sound opened up if that makes any sense. Yesterday, I swapped to a silicon tip (XCESSOR (M)) that is roughly the same size as the included medium size silicon tip, but the opening is bigger (wide bore?). This sounds roughly the same as the foam tip and they are more comfortable for me so I'm happy.

[@SheepDude-qp7ux]

Resolve in the thumbnail reminds me of a lil gremlin tryna show us two shiny rocks he found

[@NightmareFactory830]

So what your saying is... Buy the nova AND the hexa?

[@abrahamkimu8683]

This is a really good and well explained video

[@rickelijah4270]

My conclusions on the Nova, Chopin and EA1000 Truthear Nova is the best Harman in ear. Chopin is the most fun sounding while being Harman based and the closest to the Tuning of the Variations. EA1000 has the Best timbre of them all.

[@PaulPlay]

Which one would you take?

[@rickelijah4270]

@@PaulPlay I bought the Chopin, but from the sound demo's that I have listened to at Dan audio reviews. The upper mids are done too safe for my liking, to the point that it makes Vocals lack to mutch exstencion in my opinion. Timbre also then takes a hit. Makes me want to get the EA1000 more because it does not lack that. I may loose out on Details. But the Timbre is compasating enough. Still, I don't feel like canceling my Chopin order. Bought some other stuff too and I don't feel like waiting longer then I already have too.

[@rickelijah4270]

@@PaulPlay TL:DR EA1000

[@going2Mars]

Two comments: 1 - I respect this man’s opinion and have dropped $$$ following his advice and its all worked for me…2 - this mans’s head is a snipers dream!

[@dentboxhero1717]

EQ is just controversial to folks that would rather buy another set of different iem to change sound or dump more money into cables to change the sound (cable is far controversial than doing EQ btw).

[@AndrewUKLondon]

Helpful video. I'm enjoying my truthear Hexa. However, for sheer fun, I turn to my 7hz Timeless (looking forward to the mark 2) and for detail for complex music to sennheiser ie600. For practical use though, for wireless iems, Status Between ANC works well for me.

[@Sennzho]

Can't wait to try these!

[@wrusst]

Fair review

[@PinePizza]

With a market developing so fast I really don't bother anymore. I have the Aful P5, some say it's up there when compared to 500$ stuff, others say it isn't, to me it's super detailed, the bass is absolutely crazy and that's all. No soundstage, but that's to be expected. I could buy any hyped up IEM now that is apparently better, but I could also save my money and that's what I'll continue to do. Once I have a stable income I will buy one higher end pair of headphones and one higher end IEM pair and call it a day. It's about the music after all and not about owning so many audio devices that I could change them daily like I do with my underwear.

[@adarshwhynot]

Where can i find all the graphs you guys measured and compare them?

[@ResolveReviews]

Linked in the description.

[@adarshwhynot]

@@ResolveReviews i am unable find the graph comparison tool

[@ResolveReviews]

@@adarshwhynot oh - that tool isn't available to the public yet. We're still working on it.

[@lokrj]

Please do a review of Simgot EA1000 too

[@coloris_]

I appreciate your work, I've learned a lot from your videos. Did you ever do a comparison on GRAS? I'd love to see them both against IE 2019.

[@informedchoice2249]

I'm watching this thinking please discuss the show pan as well.

[@porscheoscar]

I have 7hz Timeless. One failed but Linsoul promptly sent out a replacement. I also have The Moondrop Chu ($20) and finally got the Kato. I use with FiiO UTWS5 adapter and Quedelix 5K. Wavelet is my go to.

[@marcopignone9386]

So not worth upgrading from Hexa for you? This should be a clear upgrade, but I suspect I'm going to agree with you. I really liked my Hexa, but the pins broke off in my pocket and I'm debating whether to just pick up a new pair or "upgrade" to Nova or something else. Even after EQ to your preference, no better than Hexa?

[@Rorensuwl8]

Just got my Nova and so far I prefer it to my Hexa Not a big upgrade though

[@lyh01]

​@@Rorensuwl8 Could you describe more about the comparison? Also, I've heard lots of ppl say that the Hexa is a very neutral, flat and 'not fun' tuning while Nova is more V-shape, bassy and generally more 'fun', why are they compared so often?

[@TokenCast]

Is it better than the kato, im buying 1 or the other asap but I can't tell.

[@Rorensuwl8]

Yes

[@SSimon]

Why did you not talk about using foam tips?

[@NotHimJim]

I have the truthear x crinacle zero red at the moment. Is this a significant difference/upgrade?

[@leecaldwell1029]

Doing reviews must be so subjective and hard. Because I own variations and man… I don’t have any fatigue or issues with how they sound. I listen to them 5-6hrs daily at work. All genres of music. They are literally my end game iems and no.. I didn’t pay msrp for them. Nova doesn’t even beat the hexa…. So…. Like I said being a content creator and reviewer would be tough. I really don’t hear what he says he hears.

[@ResolveReviews]

Its tricky for a number of reasons, but chief among them is having to weigh both how something sounds to you vs how you expect it'll perform for the average person. People expect that a product performs a certain and that the various statements made from reviewers should apply universally about those products. But that's simply not the case, and you can never perfectly predict things for individuals.

[@illustrious420]

Raw measurements are back baby 😉

[@Herbridge]

greatgre, just want to have another pair of Variations

[@HobbyTalk]

Is it as good as Chopin tho?

[@AliArghavan]

Different beasts, also Chopin is 33% more expensive, so not really a fair comparison.

[@markevinlagsac3252]

@@AliArghavan your reply makes no sense

[@arc-audio]

@@markevinlagsac3252that’s a ‘you’ problem

[@aarvpaul8242]

I have budget of 180$ , currently i am using red zero which iem should i get ,, please do suggest best

[@xxjjgdrgn]

The variations are gorgeous imo.

[@ZarZar57]

They really are! I own them and they have the best sounding treble and vocals of any IEM I’ve ever heard!

[@AliArghavan]

Until the faceplate drops off.

[@xxjjgdrgn]

@@AliArghavan I've had them for a long time! Still look like the day I got them! Same goes for all my Moondrop suff! Even my Arias! Can't let a couple of negative incidents tear down a products entire reputation. Although, Moondrop could use some better painting techniques on some of their products lol. A lot of problems come up for people that live in areas where the humidity is borderline unbearable.

[@zaq9339]

Same with mine. No issues with the faceplates or otherwise. I think moondrop might've tweaked their manufacturing early on when people started to complain.

[@rajithfernando6200]

I wish if someone did a proper Nova vs Chopin cuz that's the comparison we need

[@SlavJerry]

super review technically made one he think chopin is the best collab IEM in a while, even better than dusk; and he finds nova to be dry and lifeless because the harman tuning

[@GadZookz]

The SuperNova outshines the Nova in the same way that TruthEar trumps Truth So… so, how is everyone doing today? 🙂

[@mylifeisbroken34]

I want a headset that I can use while playing games and watching videos during my live broadcasts. I'm stuck between Zero and Nova, which one would you recommend? I don't want to waste money, hearing clearly where the players are in the games is enough for me.

[@Rorensuwl8]

Nova

[@taidee]

If you say, you would like to see Truth Ear taking a stab at Hexa signature on a higher price point, why are you downplaying the fact that the Variations is this signature at a higher price point. You seem to be saying there is now no need to go to this signature at higher price point, now that Chopin and Nova are here, but feel it would be worth getting the Hexa signature at higher price point, do things need to be a t higher price point when they fit your preferred signature? By the way I don't own Variations, I'm just finding it strange that you seem to think it's no longer worth buying.

[@ResolveReviews]

Well in the video I said it could be at any price point - the relevant bit about the Hexa is that its a better fit for the ear transfer function that we only now recognize due to the new measurement standard that has a more accurate acoustic Z. IEMs like the Variations (and many others) that were tuned on the older 711 couplers often have a lower midrange dip, and this is one of the reasons for that. But regardless, it is simply NOT true to say that the Variations is the same sound signature as the Hexa at a higher price point, and this is confirmed by the measurements.

[@CptMark]

TLDR; Resolve finds Variation's tuning shit so if you 'must' buy it, do it at $150. Tech difference are irrelevant as he doesn't like the tuning anyway,

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Resolve here - this is basically it hahah.

[@Gambit33]

I don't buy most Harmen-tuned IEMs. I prefer well-tuned IEMs made by Penon/ISN and Thieaudio, that doesn't require EQ.

[@lobsterglizzy1237]

isnt harman in-ear super close to neutral? these and variations should technically be the best iems to replicate flat speakers in that sense, unless im wrong

[@lobsterglizzy1237]

obviously more enjoyable/colored tunings are a different discussion and subjective

[@ResolveReviews]

The problem is that its not - at least not perceptually. And there are reasons for this, but it also doesn't sound like the OE target. There are issues with some of the methodology for the IEM studies, and they had to make a number of assumptions that turned out to be... not the best approach given the tools available. They're now in the process of doing more work with the 5128, which has the more accurate acoustic impedance. It'll be interesting to see if things end up the same or different.

[@franciscamilo867]

im thinking of getting's these for escape from tarkov and pairing antlion boom mic with it

[@defenestratorX]

dang it I already own the variations

[@liammadridista2395]

Where's the qudelix 5k gang 😂

[@babananabanana9163]

I kinda buffled and puzzled with people in this hobby. I just dip my toe in the hobby for a years and hasnt been able to listen to alot of iem. but from what i see in the youtube comment or audiophile hobby is people always saying "technicality" as a coping mechanism for justifying their purchased above 500$.

[@ResolveReviews]

Purchase justification/validation is massive in the hobby, and I get it - I imagine it kinda sucks for people to hear the thing they bought at $500 is now being done at a lower price. Strictly speaking, I do find there to be a difference between the two, but I wouldn't say one is categorically better than the other, and they have the same strengths/weaknesses. But hey, if folks prefer the Variations, or they feel the 'technicalities' are better, they're welcome to enjoy!

[@babananabanana9163]

@@ResolveReviews I know, though it is understandable. its hard for normal people hearing them uttering the words "technicality" over and over again. Even people in the forum i saw is never even agree what categorized as "technicality". Anyway, hopefully you keep covering the budget iem. :) Have a nice day !

[@datdudeinred]

I wish you'd review yanyin canon 2.

[@AliArghavan]

Any EQ recommendation?

[@Gabrielnfs]

Review Chopin please

[@MalevolentEmeici]

I just bought Variations....so I wasted money?

[@TheHEADPHONEShow]

Not necessarily... There are some differences still, so it depends how much they matter to you.

[@HobbyTalk]

I could EQ, or I could just listen to Meteor with foams and not worry about EQ haha but ya EQ is dope.

[@ResolveReviews]

That's another option haha.

[@DJ_BROBOT]

...YOURE WATCHING....PBS...

[@NotTheOnlyMattAround]

That is one chonkin' ass IEM.

[@Maddox24425]

Truthear is after moondrop... hexa and nova

[@napalm8030]

These jabronies who whine about EQ/portability should just sack up for the Qudelix 5k already. If you could make the argument for any one item all audiophiles should have, it’s probably that thing anyway.

[@athenovae]

Anyone want to buy my Hexa? The warmth of the lower mids feels too congested 😭 lol

[@zaq9339]

EQ the mid bass and enjoy it. Not much else to get out there for the money.

[@1fareast14]

I dislike this side of the hobby. I dont care about the graph. Do you like it after eq? That is all I care about, but everyone keeps going on about tuning

[@nizukaid3389]

Cope

[@OldmanJables]

Honestly not a particularly useful review. If I wanted to hear endlessly about frequency response with no consideration for things like build quality, comfort, and most importantly subjective sound, I would got to ASR. I get that FR is a particularly important part of this IEMs design and value proposition but c'mon man.

[@ResolveReviews]

Haha yeah it seems the people just want me to listen to music and talk about how it sounds. IMO that's far less valuable than demonstrating how something may perform for a given preference segment, since I'm just an individual person with my own unique HRTF and preferences - but I suppose there's a barrier to getting there as well. I may add a "let's listen to music" section to future reviews.

[@n0xt]

@@ResolveReviews People need to know how Ghost of Perdition sounds with every IEM you review.

[@ResolveReviews]

@@n0xt Hell yes. That is one of the best tracks.

[@tradehut2782]

shopan

[@esperla123]

This must be a joke of a video. You speak about the Frequency response. No comments on technicalities, there are huge differences, starting with the Variation has ETS, which has different technical capabilities. Very disappointed here from this channel.

[@leecaldwell1029]

Agree 100% click bait video… for him to basically say buy the hexa. No thanks bro… I will stick with variations. Every time I click on these videos I feel dumber because of it. I swear they just make up shit about what they “hear”

[@moots27]

chopin>nova

[@jslbrt]

What a load of hokum this video is. I have both the Variations and the Nova. The Variations offers a much more refined sound profile and the Nova has the notably annoying BA timbre issue. It's a great IEM, but I wouldn't even think of such click-baiting titles as "TruthEar Nova - Moondrop Variations for less" because it simply isn't true or even close.

[@ResolveReviews]

I'm not going to say they sound identical, because they don't. But IMO they're similar enough to where the price delta becomes tricky. It's close enough IMO to where it's less about 'better', and more just preference.

[@samlee2562]

but tonality and technicalities don't show up on graphs, I have hadphones with similar frequency responses and different driver tech that sound quite different. Even different types of DD material makes a noticeable difference, beryllium is so smooth and liquid 🫠