Many of the people reading this will be familiar with the TOPPING brand. They have been making quality DACs and amplifiers for ages. Well, now they do IEMs too. In this article, I review the new ArpegEar Hane. It is a single 10mm dynamic driver IEM with tuning switches and is priced at $129.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Shenzhen Audio for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
ArpegEar Hane
Specifications
Driver: 10mm DLC dynamic driver
Impedance: 80Ω±15%
Frequency response: 5Hz – 35kHz
Sensitivity: 115dB
In the Box
- Hane * 1
- Earphone cable * 1
- Storage bag * 1
- Tuning tool * 1
- Eartips * 6 pairs
- User manual * 1
Design
The ArpegEar Hane has glossy black resin shells and attractive faceplates with a glistening, blue feathery pattern. The 2-pin sockets are slightly recessed and the nozzles have a good lip that holds eartips on securely.
Located on the back are the 4 tuning switches, offering up to 16 different sound profiles. They’re very small and can be a challenge to manipulate, even with the included tool but I’m sure people will enjoy testing the available sound signatures.
Hane’s shells are reasonably small and fit comfortably in my ears. I can wear them for hours on end without discomfort or hotspots. Passive noise isolation is slightly above average, so you can enjoy your music without disruptions.
Hane comes with a braided black fabric-covered cable. It’s 1.5m long which is unusual (1.2m is the standard) but it’s supple and handles very well with no microphonics. The plug, Y-splitter and chin slider are all metal and the 2-pin socket housings are plastic.
Sound
Gear used for testing includes the iFi ZEN DAC 3, Shanling UP4 and Cayin RU6. Hane has an unusual 80Ω impedance coupled with 115dB sensitivity. This means it requires more driving power than average and I would recommend using at least a dongle DAC to hear its full potential.
TOPPING is known for making neutral DACs so I wasn’t too surprised to hear Hane’s near neutral tuning. This IEM is great for purists and people who like their IEMs transparent and uncoloured. But don’t discount Hane if you do like a bit of added flavour because you can achieve that with the tuning switches.
ArpegEar Sound Profiles
Unlike some ‘tunable’ IEMs, Hane’s dip switches make distinct audible changes to the sound signature. Moreover, most, if not all of the sound profiles are satisfying. Quite often (especially with nozzle filters) there’s only one truly viable sound profile but in this case, all of the ones I tried sounded good. I settled on the 1000 setting for the most part – with the subtle 2dB boost in the bass, Hane sounds quite similar to the I/O Audio Volare, which I am fond of.
Bass
Hane’s bass provides a deep and satisfying low-end with excellent control. The level of bass can change quite dramatically (up to ±6dB) depending on the switch configuration but it maintains its core characteristics at all times.
The bass is authoritative and well-extended. With switches 1 and 2 turned on, it leans almost into basshead territory but in the default setting (all switches off) it’s precise and near neutral. It has good texture, with ample punch and presence. In boosted bass mode, there is some bleeding into the mids but it’s non-intrusive and of course, can easily be adjusted to match your preferred bass level.
Midrange
The midrange is a bit tricky to describe with Hane because of all the possible sound profiles available. However, it always sounds clear, detailed and engaging. Some switch configurations bring vocals more forward while others can push them back to create a larger percieved space. Regardless, the midrange is smooth and refined.
Treble
Hane has a slightly boosted core and upper treble. This adds clarity and definition to the sound. Moreover, it gives Hane precision and sparkle. The extension is good, providing ample air and openness, yet preserving note density.
Like the other core fundamentals (bass and mids), the treble can be adjusted with the tuning switches. I found it to be edging towards harshness on the default tuning but it was easily remedied by either adding a 2dB bass lift or attenuating it with the 0010 profile.
Soundstage & Technicalities
The soundstage has more width than depth but the dimensions are good all around. It’s an organized stage, kept in order by good instrument separation and overall resolution. It’s articulate and airy making it tidy and spacious. Detail retrieval is very good, facilitated by the lifted yet smooth treble. Positioning and layering within the soundstage is holographic.
Comparisons
AFUL Explorer ($119)
The AFUL Explorer (review here) is a 1DD+2BA IEM. It has a similar type of shell and a great design. Explorer has a thicker and warmer tonality. It has more bass than Hane’s default tuning but a similar level to the 1100 profile. However, its treble is more laid-back, giving Explorer a darker sound.
Letshuoer S08 ($109)
The S08 (review here) has a single planar driver and metal shells. S08 has a fuller bass response, particularly in the mid-bass region. This gives it more bass punch and at the same time, adds more fullness to the lower mids. Its treble is more laid-back, which, combined with the extra bass gives it a warmer and smoother tonality. Thanks to the nimble planar driver, it has good resolution but the detail retrieval is inferior to the Hane.
Verdict
The ArpegEar Hane marks the brand’s debut in the IEM market, and it leaves a strong first impression. From its stylish design and comfortable fit to its clear and engaging sound, the Hane confidently positions itself among the top contenders in its price range. If this is any indication of what’s to come, ArpegEar’s future releases will be worth watching—and hearing. Recommended.
