Preamble:
HiSoundAudio (http://www.hisoundaudio.com/en/index.asp, not up to date) is a Chinese audio company, known for their in-ears and audio players. Besides their new DAP, they are also about to come out with a new in-ear model.
Having talked to Jack from HiSoundAudio, he said that they are extremely confident about their upcoming single-BA in-ear which is expected to be launched very soon and is supposed to retail for
Jack sent me this pre-production evaluation sample of the HA-2 free of charge for the purpose of an honest evaluation. I am not affiliated with HiSoundAudio, nor do I get any kind of financial compensation for it and this review reflects my actual thoughts on the product – things that can be applied to each of my reviews.
Technical Specifications:
Drivers: Balanced Armature (1x)
Impedance: 36 Ohms
Sensitivity: 109 dB
Highest Sound Pressure: 125 dB (1 kHz, 1 Vrms)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 Khz
Cable Length: 109 cm
Delivery Content:
My evaluation sample arrived solely with the carrying case as well as one pair of silicone tips; the retail version and packaging might and will surely vary.
Looks, Feels, Build Quality:
The in-ear bodies are entirely made of metal and feature two colours, black and gold. The housings’ shape is a bit unusual, as we have an elongated bridge to which a small ball is attached on the side. The Balanced Armature driver is located inside that ball and the overall design of the bodies reminds me of either a shower head or a street lamp. On the inner side, the model number as well as the side markers can be found. The bodies appear very sturdily and well made, there are no sharp edges at all.
The cable is quite identical to the one of the SoundMAGIC E10 and especially Brainwavz M3, as its inner braids are twisted and then coated with a thin layer of rubber. Above the y-split, there is unfortunately no cable cinch. The angled (45°) 3.5 mm jack is quite small and has got decent strain relief, just like the part directly below the y-split. Above and directly at the in-ear bodies, there is unfortunately no strain relief at all.
The small carrying case with the HiSoundAudio logo on the outside is nicely cushioned inside.
Comfort, Isolation:
The bridge eases insertion plus positioning, but it can probably also cause some comfort issues, depending on the ear anatomy (especially with very small ears). I with my large ears have no fit issues at all with the HA-2, as it sits very comfortably in my conchas and I don’t notice it anymore after just short time. Because of the bridges, a classical wearing style with the cables straight down is intended, but in my ears, it is also possible to turn the in-ears around by 180° and then to guide the cables over the ears, which improves fit and distinctly reduces microphonics. Though, that could be difficult in small ears as well. The lack of a cable cinch is a bit sad when wearing the in-ears.
In each body is a small vent, nonetheless isolation is very good and clearly above average (I’s say it is identical to the MEE A151’s).
Sound:
The source devices I used were the iBasso DX80, DX90 as well as HiFiMe 9018d; source material was stored in FLAC, Hi-Res, DSD and MP3 format.
For listening, I used the largest silicone tips from SoundMAGIC, as those had the same inner diameter as well as nozzle length as the stock medium tips that arrived (I did that to remain the same sound and as I about always need the largest silicone tips).
Tonality:
HA-2’s tonality is very balanced and natural with a slight tendency to warmth and smoothness.
Mid-bass, upper bass and the lower fundamental area are moderately north of neutral (about 4.5 dB compared to the Etymotic ER-4S), enough to add slight weight but little enough not to become bassy, just a bit warmer. From 300 to 600 Hz, the moderate emphasis evenly decreases to a normal level and remains flat, neutral until somewhat above 1 kHz. From there on, level decreases towards 2.7 kHz, so the presence area is slightly in the background. At 3.5 kHz is a moderate peak, at 5 kHz level is somewhat in the background again and at 7 kHz is another, broad-banded peak (both peaks are however below 0 and only audible with a sine generator). From 10 kHz on, level decreases evenly, which is okay for a single-driver BA earphone. At 11.5 kHz, there is yet enough level, though subtle glare in the super treble is not really present (just as with most single-BAs). Below 40 Hz, sub-bass also somewhat rolls of.
For people who prefer a beefier low end, the HA-2 will likely not be sufficient but sound too balanced, though it is not neutral (flat) either, albeit quite balanced. In comparison to a neutral monitor, the HA-2 has got somewhat more warmth in the fundamental area and somewhat darker and warmer mids (-> voices) with a smooth treble that is minimally in the background. Who is looking for a slightly smooth, well balanced and natural sound will likely love this in-ear.
The sound is overall natural and seems realistic, with authentically displayed instruments and voices, although these are a bit more on the relaxed and dark side.
Resolution:
This in-ear’s sound is extremely cohesive. Compared to other single-BA in-ears below $100, HA-2’s bass doesn’t soften towards sub-bass but remains a good, quite high level of speed. Also overall, the lows are pretty quick, arid and controlled.
I would also say that HA-2’s detail retrieval is audibly higher than with most single-BA in-ears below $100, however still below the single-BA reference called Etymotic ER-4S.
What’s offered here nonetheless is really convincing and the in-ear sounds very detailed and precise, with good control and excellent cohesion.
Soundstage:
HiSoundAudio’s promises regarding a large and convincing soundstage are able to hold true: the imaginary soundscape the HA-2 creates is indeed quite large, typically for most single-BA in-ears very cohesive, sounds natural, realistic, round as well as three-dimensional. I would say projection is more forward-oriented and also slightly distanced. Even with fast tracks, the soundstage does not collapse but remains steady and precise.
Instrument separation is good as well as precise, and so is layering. Small tonal elements are nicely separated from each other and HA-2’s soundstage is more precise than many other single-BA IEMs’, though it doesn’t reach the level of precision the Etymotic ER-4S has.
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In Comparison with other Single-BA In-Ears:
MEE A151 (2nd Generation):
Both in-ears have got quite similarly warm lows, the MME however sounds darker in the highs and has got the darker as well as thicker, more upfront mids. In the treble, the HA-2 is more forward than the A151 and therefore sounds more balanced and less dark.
I already stated in my review of the A151 that I see it as being better than the more expensive UE600, but the HA-2 is even better than the MEE, with higher detail retrieval, the more precise overall sound and quicker lows.
In terms of soundstage reproduction, the 2nd generation of the A151 is even a slight bit wider, with the same depth as the HA-2, which however has got the more precise spatial presentation with better instrument separation.
Phonak Audéo PFE 132 (grey Filters):
The Phonak is the more neutral in-ear, with somewhat less fundamental warmth and the tonally more correct midrange as well as brighter treble, which however features a peak in the upper highs (which is not bothering though).
In terms of resolution, both are about similar, though I would still say that the HA-2 is the overall winner, as though it has a darker sound signature, it is still able to put out more subtle details in the higher ranges. In terms of bass speed, both are on par.
I always perceived the Phonak’s soundstage as somewhat artificially sounding, and so it is no too big surprise for me that HA-2’s sounds more natural and realistic in my ears; on top the HSA also has got the more open, larger spatiality with the somewhat more precise instrument separation and placement.
Fostex TE-07:
Tonally, both are quite similar in the bass and mids, nonetheless the TE-07 sounds a bit more relaxed. In the treble, the HSA is slightly less dark.
In terms of resolution, both in-ears are almost on par, though the TE-07 is overall somewhat more refined and differentiated in the treble. The bass speed is identical with both in-ears.
HA-2’s soundstage is larger, but both are equally good when it is about instrument separation and imaging.
Etymotic ER-4S:
As one of the most neutral in-ears ever made, the Ety logically sounds flatter, more linear.
Overall, ER-4S’ resolution is a bit higher and it also sounds more natural and realistic.
Though, because of its tonal tuning, the HA-2 is more forgiving with bad recordings.
In my ears, soundstage size is about comparable with both in-ears (maybe the HA-2 appears a slight bit more spacious), but the Etymotic sports the sharper instrument separation and more precise imaging with more precise instrument placement.
Conclusion:
So, let’s get back to the initial question – would it be justifiable for HiSoundAudio to charge a higher three-digit price in US-Dollars for their single-BA in-ear named HA-2 they claim to outperform some dual- and triple-driver in-ears? Though that is some very strong self-confidence, the HA-2 is not the super killer budget IEM that blows away all of the much higher priced competition, but that was nothing I expected at any time anyway – if it would, some very strong magic would have to be involved for a single-driver BA to get around its limitations.
Nonetheless, the HA-2 is an extremely well sounding single-BA in-ear that is definitely among the better (/best) single-BAs and plays almost in the same ballpark as the Etymotic ER-4S and Fostex TE-07, the first being my favourite single-driver BA in-ear of all time. Yes, the HA-2 is an incredibly nice sounding single-driver in-ear, but don’t expect it to outperform better dual-BA in-ears that are priced much higher. Where it (like many single-drivers) excels many multi-drivers though is soundstage, naturalness and especially cohesion – the HSA has one of the most cohesive and round soundstage that many multi-drivers fail to reproduce.
So all in all, the HA-2 does indeed offer excellent value – would I be willing to spend around $500 for it? No, definitely not, as there are better multi-driver solutions for that price with higher resolution and better instrument separation plus speed. Would I be willing to spend around $150 to 200 for it? Yes, I probably would, for the pure sound, given how cohesive, well resolving and quick it is for a single-BA in-ear, and in addition, it also has got a really nice soundstage and plays about more or less close to the Etymotic ER-4S (though with a different tonal approach). For this higher price, the cable would have to be more valuable though – but HiSoundAudio doesn’t intend to charge exorbitant prices but just extremely fair $60, so the cable is very sufficient and nothing to blame the in-ear for at this price point.
Its sound is really good, especially for the asked price, nonetheless it is still a single-BA in-ear and won’t reach a better multi-BAs’ control, speed, separation and resolution. Still, for around $60, the value is very very good and the HA-2 outperforms about all single-BA in-ears in that price range below $100. Therefore it is very easy to give it 5 out of 5 stars.
Subsequent edit/adjustment: The MSRP was raised from ~ $60 to 99. From this price point on, the cable should usually be more flexible and more premium in my opinion (it’s not that the cable is bad, as it certainly isn’t – it is just that it is quite springy (it is the same cable that was used on the Brainwavz M3)). Hence, the rating was slightly adjusted and half a star was subtracted. This however does not change the fact that for a single BA IEM at this price point, the value is really good – just the cable could be better (a suggestion to HiSoundAudio for the future/final production run: use a more flexible cable with chin-slider).
Sorry, I have no idea, never heard the Orion. I could write something, but it would be solely based on assumptions. I am sure though that the Orion has got the better cable, ergonomics, build quality and overall unboxing experience.