Today, I review the Truthear Pure IEM, the successor of the highly-regarded Hexa. Pure features one dynamic driver and three balanced armature drivers. The price is 89 USD.

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.

Truthear Pure

Specifications

Driver: 1 x Dynamic Driver + 3 x Balanced Armature Drivers
Diaphragm: Silicone Suspension + LCP Dome Composite Diaphragm
Impedance: 13.8Ω±15% @1kHz
Sensitivity: 124dB/Vrms @1kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion: THD≤1% @1kHz (94dB)
Frequency Response Range: 7-40kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
Effective Frequency Response Range: 20-20kHz (IEC60318-4, -3dB)

Inside the Box

TRUTHEAR [PURE] *1
High-quality Coaxial Cable *1
Ear-tips * 3pairs (S, M, L) (Thick Diameter)
Ear-tips * 3pairs (S, M, L) (Thin Diameter)
Foam Ear-tips * 1pair (M)
Vinyl storage pouch *1
Anime Card * 1
Manual * 1
Warranty Card *1

Design

It’s pretty clear from the get-go that Pure’s design is an adaptation of the Hexa shells. However, there are a couple of key differences. The faceplates are now corrugated but are otherwise unchanged, and the body is slightly wider, though it’s still constructed from the same DLP 3D-printed smoky grey translucent resin.

Internally, Pure features a 10mm LCP dynamic driver and three custom balanced armature drivers. A triple-bore nozzle design, paired with a passive 3-way RC crossover, helps the four drivers work together cohesively to create the desired frequency response.

I always found the Hexa to be comfortable, so it’s no surprise that the Pure fits me just as well, despite the slightly larger shells. I can wear these IEMs all day without issue. Passive noise isolation is also solid, letting you enjoy your music with minimal outside interference.

The Truthear Pure also comes with a new and improved cable. It’s now white instead of black and feels more premium than the Hexa cable — plus, it’s noticeably more tangle-resistant. Inside, it uses oxygen-free silver-plated copper wire.

Sound

Audio sources used for testing include the A&D Alpha Pro, iBasso DX180 and FiiO KA17. The Truthear Pure doesn’t require much power, making it easy to drive from virtually any source — even directly from a smartphone or basic dongle DAC.

Pure’s sound signature aims to keep what made the Hexa so popular while also addressing the main criticisms it got from the public. As a result, it has a light V-shaped presentation with a bass response that’s more sub-bass-focused and an elevated upper midrange.

Its midrange is impressive, sounding agile and articulate, while the treble is detailed yet smooth. The Pure makes a strong first impression — blending solid technical ability with finesse and musicality.

Bass

There’s a subtle bass shelf that gently slopes downward from 20Hz to about 200Hz. The sub-bass is gently elevated, providing some low-end rumble without being overpowering. From 60Hz to 200Hz, there’s a gradual downward slope, creating a restrained but punchy mid-bass. It’s a clean, tight bass presentation—sub-bass is present and extends well, but the mid-bass isn’t bloated or overly thick. It avoids muddiness in the lower mids and supports an overall clean tonality, though bassheads might find it slightly light in terms of slam.

Midrange

Pure’s lower mids are slightly recessed, following a gentle downward slope from the bass region. The dip helps to maintain separation between the bass and mids, giving the overall presentation a clean and uncluttered feel. Cello or piano body sounds a bit lighter, but also tight and well-defined.

There’s a rise peaking around 2.5–3kHz, which brings clarity and presence to vocals, guitars, and other midrange-forward elements. This gives the mids a lively, forward character, without sounding nasal or overly shouty. The gain here is moderate rather than extreme, which provides energy without harshness.

Treble

The treble on the Truthear Pure is clean, detailed, and slightly energetic, with just enough lift to highlight nuance without crossing into harshness. There’s ample speed and precision, aided by the balanced armature drivers, but it doesn’t sound peaky or splashy. In short, it’s a technically competent treble with a touch of sparkle, designed to bring out microdetails while maintaining an overall smooth and listenable tonality.

Soundstage & Technicalities

The soundstage is reasonably wide and has good depth. Pure has good layering and spatial positioning, so it’s easy to pinpoint elements within the music and games. Instrument separation and resolution are above average for an IEM in this price range. Detail retrieval is good but not class-leading. Overall, the Pure has good technical performance for a sub-$100 IEM.

Comparisons

Truthear Hexa

The Pure adds 3-4dB from the sub-bass all the way to the core midrange. From 1kHz onwards, the frequency response is almost identical to the Hexa. This gives Pure more low-end body but in particular, adds the extra bit of richness and saturation into the lower mids that was missing in Hexa. In short, the Pure trades a bit of spaciousness and separation for extra body and a more natural tonality, and it strikes just the right balance.

Simgot EA500LM

The EA500LM has more mid-bass punch but a more recessed lower midrange. In addition, it has more boost in the presence and treble, giving it a brighter tonality. The EA500LM is more detailed and has a wider stage but the upper mids can sound shouty, whereas they’re more reserved and less fatiguing on the Pure.

Verdict

Truthear has taken the solid foundation of the Hexa and refined it into something even better with the Pure. While it sacrifices a touch of spaciousness, it gains a noticeably more natural tonality and greater musical engagement. The result is a smoother, more organic presentation that feels less analytical and more emotionally satisfying.

Pure isn’t just a side-grade—it’s a genuine step forward. For its price, it delivers a wonderfully balanced sound with excellent technical chops, housed in a sleek, comfortable shell. I’m happy to add it to our Best IEMs list and give it our recommended award.