Jomo Haka

General Information

Limited by the physical size of driver, Balanced Armature technology were believed that cannot produce full spectrum of sound so that multiple drivers with electronics passive crossover and acoustic damping has to be used to create something with decent bass, smooth mid range and sharp high frequencies.

We studied existing single BA driver IEMs in the market and the result was not very pleasant. We kept challenging ourselves to see what we can deliver by using the minimum number of driver and how we can make it better.

Working closely with well-known Balanced Armature technology supplier, we were not satisfied with what they can provide off the shelf. We went one step further, to design new Balanced Armature driver with our own specification. Brainstorm and discussion meeting with the engineers, samples were made and tested over and over again. Multiple rounds of pre-production demo and peer critique with industry insiders. Haka is the result and answer of our hardworking.

Specs:
- Single Proprietary Precision Balanced Armature Drivers
- 3D printed ergonomic semi-custom shell design
- FR: 20Hz - 20kHz
- Sensitivity: 107dB
- Impedance: 18 ohms @ 1K Hz
- Solid Brass nozzle
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Latest reviews

NewEve

1000+ Head-Fier
Pros: Overall tuning
Non-fatiguing highs
Natural, rich and smooth mids
Precise bass one can also feel *when* the track demands it
Incredible balance in terms of separation, texture and soundstage
Cons: Not the cheapest around, though, from a price / enjoyment perspective, these are a no brainer
Disclaimer: I have a preference for an open, lush/smooth/warm sound with some definition, texture and soundstage — none to excess. I am not into an analytical or clinical sound. Keep this in mind when reading this review.

· · ·

"No crossover, no phase cancellation, just powerful and coherent pure sound."

— Jomo Audio's description of the HAKA

Reading this, I was in from the get go and ordered the HAKA with Effect Audio's Ares II cable. The HAKA seemed right up my alley with the notable exception of a tuning veering more on the side of neutral than what I usually like. There's also the elephant in the room: it's a single BA IEM — so how much can it achieve on its own? In spite of the above description, I was also looking for something different in order to review something outside of my comfort zone…


SOUND

I genuinely listen to a bit of everything and I quickly discovered that a neutral, balanced, tuning presents lots of advantages in that regard.

Bass is where it should be, both on tracks with subtle and emphasised low end. Being someone who doesn't mind emphasized bass on my headphones and IEMs, when coupled with tracks which, themselves, present an emphasized low end, it sometimes can get a bit overwhelming. In that sense, I feel that the HAKA offer a wonderful equilibrium with precise bass one can also feel when the track demands it.

The mids feel natural, rich and smooth which, together with the non-fatiguing mid-highs and highs, offer a well-rounded sound one can enjoy for hours on end, particularly given how confortable these IEMs are.

Similarly, the HAKA strike an incredible balance in terms of separation, texture and soundstage.


COMFORT, TIPS AND SEAL

The HAKA's semi-custom 3D printed ergonomic shell makes them the most comfortable IEM I ever had. Effect Audio's Ares II cable, however, isn't the thinnest cable around nor the most comfortable. It is nonetheless very good — and seriously gorgeous!

Out of the two types of tips with which the HAKA shipped, I preferred the double flange silicone ones yet ended-up settling for my usual Campfire Audio medium silicone tips which I use on my CA Andromeda and Comet as I find them to be an excellent fit for both my ears and BA drivers in general.


CONCLUSION

The HAKA's are baffling. Not only do they sound outstanding compared to other single BA IEM such as Campfire Audio's Comet, they're also distinguishably better than other dynamic driver IEMs. Bundled with Effect Audio's Ares II cable, it isn't the cheapest set around, though, from a price / enjoyment perspective, these are a no brainer. The HAKA are truly special IEMs which genuinely deserve to be with you wherever you go.

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· · ·
SOURCE

Sources: (1) Astell & Kern A&ultima SP1000M / Firmware: 1.41CM – Audio effects: none / Music app used: Stock & Spotify – Official site and (2) Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter & VOX Music Player


CABLE & TIPS

Effect Audio Ares II, 3.5mm, Single-ended (stock cable)


SONGS
  • Fleetwood Mac, Rumours, Never Going Back Again
    Quality: 24-Bit 192.0 kHz – Stereo, FLAC
  • Iron Maiden, Fear Of The Dark, Fear Of The Dark
    Quality: 24-Bit 44.1 kHz – Stereo, FLAC
  • Joni Mitchell, Blue, California
    Quality: 24-Bit 192.0 kHz – Stereo, FLAC
  • Nina Simone, Pastel Blues, Sinnerman (Live In New York/1965)
    Quality: 24-Bit 192.0 kHz – Stereo, FLAC
  • Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here, Wish You Were Here
    Quality: DSD / SACD
  • Plüm, You’re the one, You’re the one
    Quality: 16 bit 44.1 kHz – Stereo, FLAC
  • Simon & Garfunkel, Sounds Of Silence, Anji
    Quality: 24-Bit 192.0 kHz – Stereo, FLAC
  • Stevie Wonder, Talking Book, Superstition (Album Version)
    Quality: 24-Bit 192.0 kHz – Stereo, FLAC
  • Various Artists, Atlantic Jazz: Soul, Comin’ Home Baby (LP Version)
    Quality: 16 bit 44.1 kHz – Stereo, FLAC

BURN-IN

None

· · ·
Last edited:

yong_shun

1000+ Head-Fier
Pros: Tonality balance and neutral
Good isolation due to the small form factor
Provides a paid option to get a higher quality cable
Cons: The price is quite steep
Foam tips are not included
The case could be better
Normal 4 twisted wire cable looks shabby
Jomo Audio took on a journey to design a single Balanced Armature (BA) driver and Haka is proof to the community that the limitation of the performance of a single Balanced Armature (BA) driver can be addressed.

Disclaimer
This review is originally posted on Headphonesty. I won this pair of in-ear monitors (IEM) during CanJam Singapore 2019. Thank you Euphoria Audio who hosted the lucky draw. This is not a sponsored post, but an honest review written from a consumer’s point of view.

Introduction
Jomo Audio is founded by a broadcast engineer, Joseph Mou. Joseph has long experience in Audio & Video (AV) mixing as well as signal broadcasting. Being inspired by the Japanese word of “Takumi” or Craftsmanship Spirit in English, Joseph extending his expertise to the audio industry. He worked with experts from hearing-aid business to craft wonderful IEMs that sound decent in ear and looks splendid on hands.

"We studied existing single BA driver IEMs in the market and the result was not very pleasant. We kept challenging ourselves to see what we can deliver by using the minimum number of driver and how we can make it better." - Joseph Mou

By understanding the situation and consumers’ needs, Jomo Audio worked closely with well-known Balanced Armature technology supplier to have a breakthrough in the design. However, Jomo Audio was not satisfied with what they can provide off the shelf.

Hence, Jomo Audio decided to embark on designing a new Balanced Armature driver with self-specified performance. The journey was not easy. Numerous trials had been done by the engineers. Jomo Audio Haka is the answer to the mentioned situation.

Haka Close Look 3.jpg
Jomo Audio Haka

Unboxing
The unboxing experience for Jomo Audio Haka can be considered as pleasant. Upon removing the cardboard packaging, you’ll see a blue box with an engraved gold Jomo Audio logo.

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Jomo Audio Haka in a cardboard packaging

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Revealing a blue box after the cardboard packaging is removed

Opening the box, user can find everything that is neatly arranged in a preset foam encased layout. The top portion is a single slot for the accessories while there is another for the semi-stiffened leather zippered pill-case. Inside the pill-case, user can find the Haka with the stock cable pre-installed.

Haka Opening.JPG
On the cover of the pill-case, there is an engraved “JOMO”.

I am unsure whether is it due to the case, the stock cable was stained - there are some black spots on the cable that I cannot clean it even with a wet wipe.

Haka Case 1.JPG
The pill-case

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Haka can sit perfectly in the case.

The included accessories are as follows:
  • 1 x cleaning brush/tip
  • 3 x single bore Tennmak Whirlwind tips (s/m/l)
  • 3 x dual flange silicone tips (s/m/l)
  • 1 x quarter jack adapter
  • Airplane adapter
  • Leather semi-stiffened carry case
Haka Unbox.JPG
Accessories provided in the box.

Users have the freedom to choose the cable when purchasing Jomo Audio Haka - a normal 4 wire braided silver plated copper (SPC) cable or an Effect Audio Ares II cable. You have to top up an additional of SGD200 (~USD145) if you decided to choose the Ares II.

Since this is a gift for a lucky draw, only the normal stock cable was included. I have an Ares II from my Empire Ears IEM and I swapped it around for this review.

Specifications
  • Single Proprietary Precision Balanced Armature Drivers
  • No crossover
  • 3D printed ergonomic semi-custom shell design
  • Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
  • Sensitivity: 107dB
  • Impedance: 18 ohms @ 1K Hz
  • Solid Brass nozzle
The design approach for Haka is different. This is not a showing off of technology. This is a showcase of proprietary single balanced armature driver that Jomo Audio has crafted with their own specification and determination to break the current norm - Single BA driver IEM will not sound decent.

Build, Fit and Isolation
The shell of Jomo Haka is 3D-printed. The size is relatively small as compared to other 3D-printed IEMs’ shells such as iBasso IT03. Haka has a familiar look of a custom in-ear monitor (CIEM) which gives it a classy and sleek vibe.

There is only one color option for the universal model - Black with a gold “HAKA” on the shell.

This makes the overall presentation simple but eye-catching. Gold and black combination is always good.

Haka Close Look 2.jpg
Jomo Haka in a close look - Black with a gold “HAKA” on the shell.

The nozzle is built by brass which makes the nozzle durable. The bore of the nozzle is pretty wide so users who are looking for third parties ear tips might need to search for those with a wide bore. With the brass nozzle, it enables the ear tips to extend well into my ear canal, giving me decent noise isolation.

Haka Nozzle.jpg
A brass nozzle that makes Haka looks sturdy.

The stock cable I got from the packaging is a silverish 4 twisted wire cable. As mentioned in the earlier section, my cable got stained most likely by the internal of the pouch. The cable has moldable ear guides - a memory wire with heat shrunk outer layer.

This is a nightmare for those who are wearing spectacles. I cannot get a good fit with the stock cable. This issue is solved when I change the cable to Effect Audio Ares II.

Haka Cable.JPG
Jomo Haka with pre-installed stock cable.

The jack is a 3.5mm unbalanced stereo jack finished at a right angle with a stress relief finish. The same stiffened rubber finish of the jack is used for the y-splitter and adjustable neck slider. The microphonics on the cable is minimal if you managed to shape the memory wire to your ear shape with the aid of the neck slider

There are no sharp edges on the shell and the weight of the IEM is light. I do not feel any fatigue after hours of listening. I really like the fitting of this IEM (with Ares II). Jomo Haka is utilizing a 0.78mm non-recessed 2 pin connector. This is a common market standard so a lot of third parties cables can be found to replace or upgrade the original cable.

Haka Connector.jpg
Non-recessed 0.78mm 2 pin connector on top of Haka.

Pairing
In this review, I used my favorite Opus #3 as the source. I did some cable rollings and source matching for this review. I am using MandarinEs Symbio W ear tips (not included in the box) during this review.

Haka Pairing.jpg
Jomo Haka with Effect Audio Ares II on Opus #3.

Sound
No crossover, no phase cancellation, just powerful and coherent pure sound.

I found the tagline interesting and this could be the best words to describe the sound of Jomo Haka. The overall sound signature of Jomo Haka is relatively neutral. The presentation is uncolored. Coherent, with only a single driver and no crossover, the response is very accurate and on-point. It is almost perfect on the pace, rhythm, and timing.

The soundstage is above average. On X-axis, space is sufficient for instruments and vocalists to stand without stepping on each other. I do not find any congestion for most of the track even with a complicated track. On Y-axis, the depth is sufficient. Haka can present the stage in a precise manner. I think this is the best I can get with a single BA driver.

Haka Instagram 1.jpg
Jomo Haka looks perfect with Ares II installed.

Lows
The lows are deep and fast - for a single BA driver IEM. When listening to Die Another Day from Madonna, I wouldn’t believe this is a response that can be presented by a single BA driver IEM. The lows are not warm, rather fast and tight. This is the bass that I valued the most. It is true that a warm lows can bring in some emotions to the track but sometime it might bleed to other frequency spectrum.

The mentioned problem does not exist in Jomo Haka. The bass is very well controlled. It presents when it is needed and decay with the fastest speed after the presence. Very accurate presentation.

With Effect Audio Ares II paired with Haka, the body becomes fuller and the response is faster. I like this combination and I think users who like clean, deep and punchy bass should go for this combination. Ares II can unleash the full potential of Haka at the lows without a doubt.

Haka Instagram 2.jpg
Jomo Haka on the black cardboard packaging.

Mids
If someone was to ask what I like the most from the sound of Jomo Haka, the midrange is the one for sure.

What I love about the midrange is the smoothness and the emotion in the delivery. There is no spike in the mids and I enjoy myself especially on pop songs.

User will expect more of an upper mids focus than lower mids focus. With the pairing of Ares II, the lower mids will turn richer. There is a small focus on the vocals for Haka but these sound natural and realistic. Ares II actually warms the mids, making it sounds meatier and juicier.

There is also a good amount of space and air in the mids. When this meets with the fast and punchy bass, everything is coherent.

Haka Instagram 3.jpg
Jomo Haka on the blue box.

Highs
Energetic is a good word to describe the highs of Haka. The highs do not have the best extension but it is sufficient to make the sound sparkle.

"You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend." - Bruce Lee

The treble can be soft sometimes, giving a different presentation. It is not always energetic. It can sit in any tracks without any issues. The treble synchronizes in a balanced manner with the rest of the spectrum. It gives the overall presentation a sufficient amount of air and space. Nonetheless, the treble is not airiest but it coexist flawlessly with the mids and lows.

Haka Close look 1.jpg
Another close look on Jomo Haka and the stock cable.

Conclusion
Jomo Audio Haka is a great choice for those who want an IEM that sounds neutral and simple. At SGD499 (~USD365), this IEM’s performance to price ratio makes it attractive. However, I would highly encourage user to opt for the Ares II combination because the stock cable pulls Haka’s performance back. Ares II has a better build quality than the stock cable.

Haka retails for SGD499 (~USD365). It can be purchased at most of the major audio retailers such as ConnectIT by Jade Gift Shop (Singapore) or directly from Jomo Audio

I would like to congratulate the team from Jomo Audio with a loud “Mission Accomplished”.

The team overcomes what is constraining a single BA driver IEM, designing Haka from with a ground-up approach. The BA driver is well-designed to handle the whole frequency spectrum without any compromises.

Achievement unlocked, Jomo Audio!
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NewEve
NewEve
Just got mine and reviewed them (above) and the packaging has been much improved from your version.

Not sure if it's because I got the version with Effect Audio's Ares II cable.

Still no foam tips though.

Deezel177

Headphoneus Supremus
Pros: Value for performance
- Excellent tonal balance (and therefore, versatility)
- Impressive sub-bass extension without over-prominence
- Airy, open, spacious mids
- A light, feathery, inoffensive treble
- Gorgeous build quality
Cons: May lack treble sparkle and raw clarity for some
- Midrange positioning lies on the more neutral side
DISCLAIMER: Jomo Audio provided me with the Haka in return for my honest opinion. I am not personally affiliated with the company in any way, nor do I receive any monetary rewards for a positive evaluation. The review is as follows.

Jomo Audio is a Singaporean manufacturer specialising in universal and custom IEMs. Broadcasting engineer Joseph Mou started the company in 2015, after his efforts in the DIY space rapidly found success throughout the audiophile community. Now a staple of cosmetic flair and excellent sonic performance, Jomo Audio has become one of the largest monitor brands in Asia. Today, we’ll be looking at Joseph’s single-driver unit: The Haka. Although it is the company’s entry-level piece, Haka is probably its most unique; boasting a fully-proprietary balanced-armature driver custom-voiced by Jomo Audio themselves. Truly bespoke from the inside out, the Haka is Joseph Mou’s attempt at the less-is-morementality: Maximum yield through minimal means; a true test of technical ingenuity and relentless innovation.

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Jomo Audio Haka

  • Driver count: One balanced-armature driver
  • Impedance: 18Ω @ 1kHz
  • Sensitivity: 107dB
  • Key feature(s) (if any): Fully-proprietary balanced-armature driver; 3D-printed shells (universal variant only)
  • Available form factor(s): Universal and custom acrylic IEM
  • Price: S$599
  • Website: www.jomoaudio.com
Build and Accessories

The Haka arrives in a laser-embossed, navy blue clamshell box. Inside, you’ll find 1/4-inch and airline adapters, an owner’s card (not included in my review sample), a cleaning tool and a UE-esque, billet aluminium case with the IEMs nestled inside – all within the package’s velvet-lined cut-outs. Visually, the Haka makes a strong first impression. Accessories are modest, but the efforts that went into presentation definitely boost the unboxing experience. Despite their humble beginnings, the Jomo Audio team have effectively shed the rusticity associated with home-grown, DIY start-ups. Fully abandoning the ubiquitous Peli 1010 case as a form of packaging placebo, this is both maturity and attention to detail I’d love to see more of throughout 2018, lest I continue my hard case collection into the high 20s.

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Contrary to companies of their relatively young age, build quality and aesthetic finesse are things the Jomo Audio team struggle to get wrong. Defying the stereotypes that plague every Asian nation (but Japan), the born-and-raised Singaporean firm has produced some of the most stunning in-ears I have ever seen. Whether it’s multi-coloured swirls, genuinely-textured stone faceplates or full carbon-fibre shells, they can truly do it all. And, as you can see, my Haka is no exception. I gave Joseph full creative control over the monitor’s visual theme, and the blue-silver swirl he came up with exudes reserved glamour. From the shimmer of the shells and the vortex-like faceplate design, to the gold metallic accents, my personal Haka exemplifies simplicity and detail. Additionally, the unit boasts some of the best fit and comfort I’ve ever experienced, topped of with an outstanding lacquer coat; smooth and illustrious all throughout.

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Presentation

The Jomo Audio Haka sports a well-balanced, versatile and musically-engaging signature. With its sans-crossover, single-driver configuration, Joseph aimed to achieve a forgiving yet capable signature, and he’s certainly succeeded here. Apart from moderate lifts along the sub-bass and lower-treble, the Haka maintains impressive linearity. This superb coherence – paired with the Haka’s admirable top-end extension – is responsible for the monitor’s outstandingly black background. It’s unquestionably one of the most stable foundations I’ve ever encountered within this price range, and it does wonders for the Haka’s technical performance. The in-ear gains tons of natural headroom through sheer (linear) extension alone, so instruments maintain a sense of crackle and pop despite the monitor’s lush and laid-back presentation. Like I mentioned previously, a slight bass bias does exist here, but it’s tastefully done for the sake of fun.

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The Haka constructs a natural, cube-like image; even in width, depth and height. Additionally, it maintains Jomo Audio’s knack for excellent precision by using a familiar set of ingredients: Neutral notes, a stable stage and swift decay. Like the Samba and the Flamenco, the Haka exhibits an above-average sense of speed. Where it differs is in treble articulation. The Haka neither sparkles nor bites like its bigger brothers; favouring a linear treble until roll-off. As a result, its average note size may come across as timid, but it has the advantage of sounding smoother, more forgiving and more natural than either of its siblings. Plus, the Haka’s neutral vocal placement greatly boosts depth, tip-toeing between expansion and recession with admirable success. Instrument separation is impressive, even if a small amount of texture wassacrificed for smoothness and tone. But, at the end of the day, the Haka still manages an honourable balance between tact and musicality; compensating its lack of bite with immense speed, whilst maintaining realism throughout.

Bass

The Haka’s low-end is noticeably sub-bass-inclined. Although mainstream pieces generally prefer a fuller bottom, the Haka has forgone this for an emphasis on control and definition. Impact is still satisfying – generally above average – but more noticeable is how tight these punches are, as well as the air that surrounds each note. As a result, the Haka’s low-end achieves great clarity and a neutral-erring tone. The mid-bass region is more relaxed by comparison, which helps maintain a clean stage. Also responsible for this is the low-end’s impressive pace. Swift transient response further boosts the monitor’s dynamic energy, and its short decay maintains a pitch-black background. Though, bassheads may find themselves underwhelmed by the more foundational nature of the low-end, rather than pure, unbridled slams. But, the bass’s agility and texture renders it versatile and genre-agnostic; unprecedented in the entry level.

Give-and-take aside, the Haka’s clearest achievement is extension. Jomo Audio’s proprietary driver outputs impressive amounts of sub-bass rumble, successfully establishing the in-ear’s rhythmic foundation. Again, the rise is modest and quick, so don’t expect any skull-rattling to occur. But, the Haka still displays great physicality, leading to emotionally-satisfying cadences when listening to genres like pop, EDM or metal – all without losing an ounce of finesse. Additionally, this energy contributes slightly to vocal body in place of the mid-bass and the lower-midrange. Low-end coherence and timbre are the last to benefit from this. Upright basses and kick drums consistently sound rounded and clear, due to the linearity maintained from transience to decay. Some may notice a slight lack of bloom, but that would’ve been one compromise too many for the Haka’s balanced delivery; a work-and-play dynamic infused with skill, organicity and fun.

Midrange

The Haka begins with a lower-midrange dip. Because of a valley spanning around 500 to 1,000Hz, the Haka delivers vocals with impressive cleanliness, clarity and precision. This endows instruments with a light, wispy and feathered quality, but they never come across anaemic or thin. Again, the Haka’s solid, energetic sub-bass injects trace amounts of body and warmth into the midrange. This attenuated region also creates an impressive amount of space around lead instruments. But, thankfully, a rise in the presence region (around 2-3kHz) prevents them from sounding diffuse or distant. The result is a seductive, alluring midrange with a mindful balance between emotional resonance and finesse. Enthusiasts with a true love for singer-oriented tracks may take issue with the Haka’s lack of intimacy and note size, but its current tuning benefits versatility, because of a universally-beneficial emphasis on space and speed.

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The Haka’s lush-yet-roomy tuning inherently strays away from the bombastic, big band, wall-of-sound-esque signatures exemplified by the Lime Ears Aether or the Vision Ears VE8. But on the other hand, this contributes to its relaxing ambience; ideal for extended listening. The Haka dips once again around 4kHz, before rising in the lower-treble. These shifts make sure the monitor retains vibrancy and edge, but they’re also crucial in maximising versatility. The dip ensures the Haka is always stridence-free, while the following rise aids contrast in articulation. In terms of timbre, the Haka remains impressively natural too. Despite a neutral mid-bass, the monitor’s linear upper-treble imbues great organicity into the midrange. Again, playing into the Haka’s buttery nature, instruments truly impress in skill and tone. Although there’s room for improvement as far as harmonic detail and texture are concerned, the Haka’s midrange is a role model in the sub-$500 market; favouring tonal accuracy, effortless resolution, versatility and air.

Treble

As mentioned, the Haka employs a lower-treble peak to provide clarity and articulation. It resides somewhere around 6kHz, giving instruments an airy and tizzy edge. An earlier rise would’ve given the Haka better solidity (when reproducing hi-hats, vocal vibratos, etc.), but on the other hand, poorer recordings could’ve run the risk of sounding brittle as well. Jomo Audio clearly settled on a rise with versatility in mind, continuing the Haka’s congruent theme. This feeds into the wispy, ethereal quality present in the midrange; pairing ample headroom with smooth, effortless and clear delivery. It establishes the Haka’s natural spin on transparency (not dissimilar from IEMs like the Warbler Prelude or the Empire Ears Phantom) where linearity and coherence reign supreme. Finally, a familiar element – speed – returns to aid the Haka’s sense of attack; treble notes appearing like warm feathers to the ear before vanishing without a trace.

The lower-treble is where the Haka peaks last. My church’s slow-rock rendition of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – which I recorded live, mixed and mastered – particularly lacks the high-frequency hiss present in the piano channel; indicative of a 10-12kHz dive. However, the track still maintains admirable left-right separation (especially considering the four guitars panned throughout the stage) and an impressive centre image. I imagine this is due to the single-driver’s immunity against phasing and it plays into the solo star nature of the Haka’s vocal presentation. The calm upper-treble proves detrimental, though, in texture and friction. In instruments like guitars and violins, the Haka ever-so-slightly smears the pluck of a string or the pull of a bow. But on the bright side, this aids organicity. The reverb-like liquidity naturalises instruments, so neither the lower-midrange dip nor the lower-treble lift come across as artificial or hollow. Plus, the former allows the Haka to retain adequate separation and stability, even with its relaxed top-end.

Select Comparisons

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Warbler Audio Prelude ($1099)

The Prelude is another single-driver stunner from Turkish manufacturer, Warbler Audio. Like the Haka, the Prelude is very much a proprietary product, except its innovations take place around the driver; instead of within it. Although both monitors pursue wildly different ideologies – timbral accuracy for the Prelude, and versatility for the Haka – they arrive at their respective signatures with surprising similarities and very telling deviations. In presentation, the Warbler Audio in-ear is immediately more intimate, romantic and full-sounding compared to the Haka. Their stage dimensions aren’t too far off, but the Prelude’s forwardly-placed midrange and accentuated mid-bass occupy this space to a greater degree. The Haka allows more space around its instruments, but it sounds shier and less engaging as a result. Both in-ears exhibit great speed, rendering both their stages relatively clean, stable and well-resolved.

The Prelude’s low-end is mid-bass-inclined, comprised of dense, warm and gorgeously-textured hits with excellent definition and separation. The Haka’s is less defined and more tonally neutral, but its superior speed makes way for a cleaner stage. The Prelude’s low-end is more life-like in tone and decay, but the Haka absolutely beats it in extension; providing rumble and physicality that the Prelude simply can’t compete with. The Prelude’s bass is better heard, while the Haka’s is better felt. The midrange is probably where the two are least alike. The Haka lacks the Prelude’s forwardness, texture, power and note size, but it gives the Warbler Audio flagship a run for its money in tone and delivery. The Haka provides admirable tonal balance and constant smoothness, even if its articulation isn’t as graceful as the Prelude’s; a result of their contrasting positions at 5kHz. Though, the Haka’s decision to employ a lower-midrange dip gives it a blacker background, a more airy instrumental presentation and superior transparency.

Both monitors share a relatively linear upper-treble. The Haka’s lower-treble peak is its main source of articulation, while the Prelude’s resides in the middle-treble. As a result, the former’s interpretation of clarity is thinner and wispier, while the latter’s is thicker, meatier and more shimmer-inclined. Both emit similar amounts of energy, but they emphasise different harmonics. In cymbal crashes or open hi-hat hits, the Haka’s response is more tss… tss… while the Prelude’s interpretation sounds closer to tsh… tsh… Nevertheless, excellent speed on both allows either tuning to sound relatively clear (despite the relaxed upper-treble), so it’s simply a matter of preference. The Haka’s treble exhibits superior extension though – resulting in its blacker background – and the two trade blows in micro-detail retrieval and authority.

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Nocturnal Audio Avalon (S$629)

Also hailing from the cityscapes of Singapore, Nocturnal Audio is another promising up-and-comer in the CIEM industry. Their Avalon is the Haka’s most direct competitor in the sub-S$1000 price range; equipped with a number of the company’s in-house tweaks. Dubbed AEX technology, the Avalon comes packed with unique cross-over networks, specially-treated sound tubes and a solid capacitor for high-pass filtering. This innovation promises a clean transition between the bass and the midrange, as well as a fun, dynamic signature.

Sonically, the Avalon employs similar – albeit significantly exaggerated – peaks and humps as the Haka, along with additional peaks along the mid-bass and upper-treble. As a result, both monitors share several spatial qualities. Instruments on both are neutrally-placed with average-sized notes, but the Avalon’s are thinner and crisper due to the upper-treble peak. This aberration also means the Avalon has the cleaner stage – with a greater contrast between notes and the background – even though headroom is similar between the two. Soundstage expansion – again – leave the two within spitting distance, but the Avalon has the edge in width, while the Haka has superior depth.

The Haka and the Avalon have similarly accentuated low-ends. But, the latter has more mid-bass energy which adds thump-y-ness to tracks. The Haka’s is more versatile, polite and clear. Plus, its linear timbre also proves better-suited towards instrumental reproduction. The two monitors share a lower-midrange valley, but the Avalon’s is more exaggerated. As a result, instruments on the Avalon sound thinner and drier, even if they’re relatively cleaner by comparison. They then rise similarly in the presence region, but the Avalon – again – has a sharper rise at 6kHz. Vocals are – at this point – much more articulative, but also considerably more fatiguing. The Haka’s smoother delivery is a tad less engaging; lacking a smidgeon of texture. But, it’s infinitely easier to listen to, especially over long periods of time.

The treble region is where the two completely diverge. While the Haka settles after its lower-treble peak with a linear – but well-extended – drop-off, the Avalon has an extra rise around 11-12 kHz. This further increases its transient response, which translates to clarity, air and articulation. This’ll make the Avalon seem more detailed and clean. But, in actuality, both monitors retrieve similar amounts of detail and exhibit similar levels of resolution, even if the Haka is more subtle in its delivery. More crucially, this upper-treble peak significantly decreases the Avalon’s long-term comfort. Exaggerated contrast between the Avalon’s extremes allow for a fun – albeit short – listening experience, while the Haka is better geared for extended sessions; calmer and more restrained, but more rewarding in the long run.

Verdict

The Haka is Jomo Audio’s most ambitious release yet. Despite the limiting nature of single-driver in-ears, Joseph Mou – with the help of proprietary technology – has succeeded in his pursuit of ultimate coherence; delivering an immensely versatile monitor that balances fun, smoothness and accuracy in equal measure. In many ways, the Haka is an understated product. It exhibits none of the industry’s tropes; neither a dynamic mid-bass nor a crisp, crystalline treble. And yet, achievements in linearity, speed and headroom have resulted in a sonic palate alluringly musical, immaculately smooth and outstandingly homogenous at every turn. It’s the singular, powerful sound Joseph Mou had slaved to achieve, and it’s why the Haka is such a wonder at any price (though, the one it is in makes it all the more impressive). Kudos to the Jomo Audio team for their latest triumph, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the future.

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killaHz
killaHz
How would you compare it to the single-BA Custom Art Black?

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