Tripowin x HBB Kailua Universal IEM
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Intro
The model was created with th e participation of famous blogger Hawaiian bad boy. This is not Tripowin's first collaboration with a HBB. Before that, I had a chance to listen to the mele, olina, olina se. And none of them satisfied me in terms of tuning. Well, let's see what the new attempt promises us. Did the stick shoot this time?
You can buy Tripowin Kailua at the official Linsoul store.
Bundle
The earphones' package is rather poor. A small box, a bag with two kinds of
silicone tips and a cable.
The cable is quite pleasant, it didn't cause any negative emotions for me.
Fit and Ergonomics
Kailua' shells make a positive impression. They are made of metal and well-built.
The earphones have nozzles close to the connectors and at an acute angle. In fact, you have to struggle with the iems, as they tend to get caught in the tragus and press on it. However, after putting them in your ears and choosing a comfortable angle, they do not cause any problems and are generally even comfortable. The only thing is that I managed to get good noise isolation only with long-legged L-size eartips.
There are no problems with ventilation. The earphones are not vacuumed, do not have a driver flex when inserted into the ears and allow you to listen to music for a long time without fatigue. Noise isolation is at a good level.
Sound
As you can see on the graph, the tonal tuning is balanced. There are no strong distortions in frequency ranges. Only a strong peak after 10kHz is disconcerting. In practice, alas, it also appears as artificial timbre. Throughout the whole frequency range I feel softening and lack of details.
Bass
Bass is not overloaded, it knows its place. It does not abound in details and elasticity, but plays more in volume. It does not stand out for its briskness, but it is not rubbery either. It sounds quite organic, comfortable and versatile. Resolution is weak, textures are limited.
Midrange
The midrange is a bit of a throwback. I wouldn't say there's a very critical descent, but it's not full-body either. It's kind of middle-of-the-road. Upper mids are not shrilling and not cutting. Everything is tuned for cozy pastime.
Highs
Frankly speaking, I hoped that the driver for the highs would try and at least do it organically like dynamic driver can. However, in reality, the treble sounds as if it is played with a slightly dampened inexpensive armature. As soon as in the track there is an abundance of various percussion, hopes are finally shattered by unnaturalness, rustling and thin sounding. Again, the treble are not tiring, but it's a challenge to enjoy it.
Conclusion
This is probably the first model of the collaboration I've listened to that is beyond reproach in terms of tonal tuning. All the frequencies are good derived and there are no major chunks that stick out. The tuning is comfortable, allowing for long periods of unfocused listening. Which, in fact, is good feature. Kailua is a relaxing comfortable iems, in which you can listen to any music in the background, without the request for audiophile madness and with strong sacrifices in the highs.
Thanks for reading!
All our measurements you can check on our squig.
Attachments
Introduction
The Tripowin x HBB Kailua are the second IEMS from the brand that I review. As the name suggests, this is a new collaboration between Tripowin and the famous YouTube audio reviewer (Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews), HawaiiBadBoy (HBB). For this project, Tripowin has used two dynamic transducers (10mm and 6mm) with titanium-coated DLC diaphragms to improve responsiveness and speed. This results in superior technical performance, with fast attack, rich bass texture and detailed treble, without unnatural dips or peaks. They also feature high-purity OCC copper wire for transparent sound. The design is another strong point of the Kailua, with a relatively small size and a very oval shape, they come in three different colours that match the colour of the capsule and its external face, enhancing the contrast between the two. At a price of $79, let's see what these IEMS can do.
Specifications
Packaging
The Tripowin x HBB Kailua come in a relatively small box, measuring 116x82x38mm. The background colour is completely black and on the front you can see a real photo of the capsules. The photo of the capsules does not correspond to the actual colour of the capsules. Please note that there are three different coloured models. The name of the model is below in large letters, some being white and others the colour of the outer side of the capsules. The model description is at the bottom, while in the top left corner is the brand name and the HBB logo. The back side is very sparse and you can see the same model name but vertically. Below are the addresses of the locations and you can see that they are the same as for the Kiwi Ears models, even the outer packaging and design is very similar. Removing the outer carton reveals a black box with the brand name in large silver letters. Once the lid is lifted off, there is a thin sheet of protective foam. Underneath is the mould containing the capsules, which is lined with black cardboard, bearing the brand name in large white letters. Underneath this mould are the rest of the accessories, in transparent zip bags. In summary, the complete contents are as follows:
There is no zippered case, no pouch, no bag, no pouch... nothing. I find that for the price of $79 the level of accessories is very basic and I think that for this price some kind of protection should be included.
Construction and Design
At no point is it mentioned or specified on the sales website, but it seems that the Kailua are metallic, although very light. I'm leaning towards an aluminium alloy. There are three presentations, black with a purple face, white with a purple face (like my beloved Dragon Ball character Freezer in one of his combat forms) and black with a blue face. In my case, the model is black and violet. Its external shape could resemble a spiral oval, which starts on a flat face containing the 2Pin 0.78mm connection interface. In reality, the spiral is truncated on the first turn and separates to give way to a different coloured outer face. This piece is an irregular oval with one side rounder than the other, which is narrower. It is overlapped and the edges are rounded to blend into the capsule more smoothly. The capsule follows this shape and results in a design that looks very ergonomic. The inner side is very smooth and rounded. There is a change of inclination on the part containing the connection interface, which is triggered towards the mouthpieces. At its base there is a hole. The nozzles are projected and form a distinct part of the capsule. They have three different diameters. The first, the base, has a minimum thickness, the central part has a diameter of 4.8mm and the outer part has a diameter of 5.8mm. The total length is approximately 3.5mm. The mouthpieces are protected by a dense black metal grid. Finally, there are three more holes on the bottom edge of the capsules. The paint on the capsules has a rough micro texture.
The cable is mounted to match the spiral that initiates the capsule and from there its over-ear shape is born, supported by a semi-rigid transparent plastic guide. The cable is specified as high purity OCC copper, but is shown to be silver plated. It consists of only a single strand which splits in two after the splitter piece. This is a simple, metallic cylinder. The past is a small translucent plastic cylinder with a hole running lengthwise through it. The gold-plated 3.5mm SE jack connector sleeve is another slightly longer, but equally thin, metal cylinder. It comes with a plastic sleeve to protect the connector. The 2-pin connectors are the classic 2-pin connectors with exposed pins and a straight sleeve on two rectangular levels. The best thing is that they have a red or blue dot to indicate the channel and not those unreadable transparent raised letters. The cable is thin and has a slight stiffness. It would not be the best cable that could include some $80 IEMS.
Adjustment and Ergonomics
On a theoretical level and in view of their shape, it would seem that the Kailua capsules are very comfortable. But I have had real problems finding tips that fit my morphology without spoiling the sound. The best fit was achieved with a Symbio W cloned tips, which are usually a bit smaller than the XL foam-filled tips I usually make myself. Although the projection of the mouthpieces is slightly extended, the length of the mouthpieces themselves is short. The junction of the two elements and the angle of the projection does not suit my anatomy and that is what complicated the search for the best combination of tips. With these tips the insertion I achieved was superficial although it could have been a little deeper using a smaller size, but I couldn't get them to stay in place because they fell out. With the size L tips, they have held properly and relatively long lasting, if my activity is not too high. It is true that due to the inclination of the nozzles and the elongated size of the oval, the capsules touch gently with the end of the pinna, although I must admit that the capsules float slightly. The slight pressure due to the blissful inclination of the nozzles is felt over time. Although they seem to be well integrated at first, my ears feel it as the hours go by. On the other hand, the fit is not the fastest I have found and I need a few extra seconds to achieve the optimal insertion to enjoy the best sound the Kailua can offer.
Sound
Profile
Surprisingly, the Tripowin x HBB Kailua have a frequency response that closely resembles that of the Hidizs MP145s with Rose Gold Balanced filter, being virtually the same all the way down to 4khz. Even the treble is quite extended, with an area below 15khz quite present. So its profile goes beyond the classic V and I would lean towards a W for its attempt at sub-bass lift and its double peak in the treble. Anyway, it is a rather moulded and smoothed tuning, which tries to avoid undesirable peaks and that gives it an appreciable harmony. But just because the FR resembles that of the MP145s does not mean that they sound the same or that they can share the technical skill, resolution, definition or detail of the Hidizs.
On the other hand, the most appropriate sound may be contingent on matching tips that provide the best possible fit, without losing the potential sonic properties of the Kailua. And it's not normal for me to warn you, but I had a hard time finding the best combination, to the point that the sound I had obtained so far was not too remarkable for me. Fortunately, after finding the best combination, I have been able to enjoy this model. But it is clear that it has been one of the most complex models in this aspect that I have been able to test.
Bass
Specifically speaking, the bass has its peak between the sub-bass and the mid-bass. Although it retains some linearity at the low end, the lower human sensitivity in the lower bass region limits its presence, compared to the confluence point above. I would have preferred a higher elevation of the sub-bass to generate a distinctive nuance. But the Kailua's reflect a customary tuning in this respect. Beyond this high point the decay is gentle, which does not prevent the presence of the mid-bass from being overbearing and predominant in the lower range. Even so, it feels skilful and so it proves in the low-frequency pure tone test. While LFOs below 40Hz retain a sensory nuance, logical vibration is present, but with a sonority characteristic of a good dynamic driver. The level of colouration is low, the oscillation feels quite natural for the price range and is not marred by bass power and presence. The result is an accurate, if a little dark and shaded, timbre, while the development lacks a hint of clarity that would allow for more defined or higher resolution notes, as it has a slight tendency to homogeneity. This behaviour translated to real music implies relatively tight, punchy, present, powerful, yet slightly rubbery and rounded bass drums. The speed is good, there is a certain elasticity in the strike, although this characteristic can be pleasant, even amusing. By the same token, the volume generated is expansive and lingers slightly in the environment. However, the texture is not too rough, both the volume, the gumminess and the roundness cause a softly nuanced range that recreates an even, even, low roughness texture. It is not a technically exquisite or descriptive bass, but it moves with ease and recovers quite well. All in all, the aftertaste is low and the springy feel brings a touch more punch, presence and range, but without possessing any pejorative or negative characteristics. In short, there is a good balance of presence, punch, power, rubberiness and retrieval. Enough to recreate a deep bass, with remarkable volume, range and ability to flood the space, but without drowning out the rest of the frequencies, but with the necessary authority to be noticeable in most situations. On the other hand, in my other classic test of unfiltered and complex bass, the Kailua passed it with a very high grade, without losing control, without suffering at any time and drawing realistic bass, quite natural and not at all strange, capable of distributing the layers with success, harmony and following the different bass lines without mixing any of them. And, above all, preventing the low end from becoming an undefined magma that eats up the rest of the frequencies, even minimising its negative impact within the mix. The result is an ability that combines control with fun and power in equal parts. Quite serious.
Mids
The homogeneous, musical character persists and this musical continuity adds harmony in the mix, but also subtly shades the sound, velveting the final result. The mids are slightly creamy and rounded, with no peaks or unevenness. But it is also true that these virtues counterbalance a better level of separation, definition and resolution, as well as giving the sound a subtly dark warmth.
On the other hand, the good profile maintains a good body, physicality, fleshiness and density in the male voices, presenting them with an appropriate prominence, but without being predominant. But, by the same token, although they are quite full, they lack a little sparkle to avoid a certain sense of dullness and congestion. This feeling also carries over to the instrumentation, limiting the sense of dynamics and adding warmth to the timbre.
The balance of the frequency response is demonstrated, even in the upper-mid range. The homogeneity achieved gives the female voices a point of prominence, but without a single predominance. There is a good degree of control that limits sibilance, abruptness, unnecessary brightness, but also shades the sparkle and a sense of transparency, which, at times, may be necessary. Even so, there is clarity, more from intonation than brightness. In fact, the sound is quite sweet, which does not detract from the fact that, at times, it is at odds with a more limited sense of resolution and a diffuse rather than obvious appreciation of the background. The result is a very strong midrange, with a very good base, quite extensive at both ends, with hardly any hollowness, something that gives it a rather ample feeling of fullness. On the other hand, in my opinion, they are too secure and the feeling of warmth, balance and smoothness prevents them from being analytical or descriptive. Although they possess a good expressive and expositional ability, the notes are rounded to be nice and warm. If you are looking for analysis and a cooler sound you will have to look elsewhere.
Treble
The treble starts with a narrow control zone or dip above 5kHz which has an influence on the sound. While the sibilance is limited by an extensive, but maintained, treble tuning, this initial hollowness prevents a certain sense of sparkle at some points, even in the vocals. The end of some instruments and voices is nuanced, limited, softened. It is true that there is no harshness, but there is a loss of vivacity and realism at these points. Then, as I say, the treble has a good extension, this makes the sonority of the whole recover or moderate thanks to the average. Although, depending on the musical style, a nuanced or more balanced feel may predominate. The good thing is that the level of presence, power and energy level is quite well integrated with the rest of the band, highlighting the level of balance and equilibrium that exists throughout the frequency range.
On the other hand, there is no doubt that the integration of the two drivers is quite well achieved and is demonstrated by the familiar homogeneity. Meanwhile, the small driver stretches the upper range quite steadily up to almost 15kHz, which gives it an above-average airy feel.
Soundstage, Separation
From the low end, the feeling of fullness and volume that the bass provides allows the scene to reach a fairly large occupied space for the price range. The good integration of the lower range and the respect for the rest of the frequencies avoid any oppressive effect and this favours a deep, wide and even high representation. It is true that the exposure is quite frontal, but the oval generated overcomes the laterality, providing a subtly greater amplitude than 180 degrees, something quite positive.
On the other hand, the high musicality of the ensemble and its warmth limit the sense of separation. The notes are not very precise, something that prevents a higher exposure of detail, even restricting the visibility at the micro level, while maintaining the type at the medium and macro level. As I said, these are not analytical or overly descriptive IEMS, while background visibility and separation at that boundary is not very obvious.
Comparisons
Simgot EA500 Filtro Red
Normally, I like to compare IEMS with similar frequency responses to try to show which one is better. This time I wanted to compare IEMS with the same price, but with quite different sound characteristics. These are the Simgot EA500 with their Red filter.
Being objective and coherent with my tastes, just by looking at the graphs, I would be inclined to choose the Kailua because of their higher bass boost. But I also like the more analytical character of the EA500. In terms of accessories there is no big difference except for the EA500's zippered case, which is very good. The Kailua doesn't have anything to protect the IEMS. Construction is very good on the Simgot, but they are larger and heavier. At first glance, the smaller and lighter size of the Kailua seemed to have the ergonomic advantage. But, in my situation, this is not the case. Despite the EA500's greater weight, thickness and size, they fit my ears like a glove and fit much better. The smaller Kailua's require much more manipulation and adjustment exercise to find a good seal and the most optimal sound. Clearly, this is a particular issue for me and others may find the Kailua much lighter and more comfortable. As for the cable, the one that comes with the tripowin is one strand of the two from the Simgot, and that's all there is to it.
In terms of profile, it seems that what the Kailua have of excess in the bass, the EA500 have in the mid-highs and first treble. The Tripowin are warm and the Simgot are clearer, more transparent and analytical. As I said, at first glance, my preference leans towards the Kailua, but the brightness and sense of light and better definition of the EA500s really appeals to me in practice. A quick switch between the two shows a lot of differences. The EA500s are a little easier to move, have a more neutral low end, with less impact on the sound, but are faster and more concise. The emphasis is clearer in the mid-highs, there is more light, clarity, transparency and brightness. The treble is more prominent, there is a higher energy level that builds up from the end of the mids. The absence of a more powerful bass makes this area between midrange and treble, which is always compromised in terms of aural safety and long hours of listening, stand out to a greater extent. The EA500s present a more critical sound, with a detail-oriented exposure. Vocals and mid-bass have less base and are thinner. The Kailua's show their punch, body and volume from the bass to the mid-range. They are denser and also more opaque. Their warmth, smoothness and balance make them more harmonious and musical, but they are also darker and with worse separation. You could say that the Kailua has a boosted bass over the base that the Simgot brings up. The fact that they possess more energy is what makes them present a sense of greater volume, power, space and punch, as well as a little more rubberiness and elasticity. The greater restraint of the EA500s allows for better control, speed and reduced punch, but also space, presence and impact within the sound. The opposite is true for the mid-highs and first treble. This area is predominant in the EA500 and together with a more neutral bass, it thins the initial midrange band, generating a thinner, but more excited, clear, vivid and energetic sound. The Simgot's treble has a more realistic sparkle, not as subtle as the Kailua's, and a more natural sound and timbre, but also more excited.
The soundstage is voluminous from the bass on the Kailua and this results in a wide and loud sound. The EA500s are more volatile and offer more foreground detail. They don't have as much volume and depth, but their more splashy, ethereal, close and dynamic sound gives a sense of openness and movement that also enhances the soundstage. They are different propositions, but in terms of three-dimensional feel and separation, it seems that the scene is a little more eye-catching on the EA500s. Of course, there's no doubting the better separation, cleanliness and distance between elements that the Simgot's possess, as well as a darker background and better definition. Now, they also have a more critical and incisive sound that can produce a more fatiguing sensation compared to the softer Kailua. However, it should also be noted that the higher bass presence can be tiring for those who like a quieter, more neutral low end.
Conclusion
The Tripowin x HBB Kailua have a great profile, a good design, good construction, although the ergonomics are somewhat compromised for my particular physiognomy. There is no storage case and the cable is a bit simple for their price range. In my opinion, the response is better than the final sound, which is based on a quasi-excellent low end, powerful, voluminous, very fun and attractive. The mids are honeyed, warm, dense and musical. They lack a certain transparency, sparkle and dynamics, but are harmonious, full-bodied and balanced. The highs are in line with the mids, in terms of energy and smoothness, although there is a slight dip at a critical point that can affect the overall performance in some situations. On the other hand, the combination of the two dynamic drivers offers an improvement in treble extension, but does not make them gain in detail, resolution level or definition, where the Kailua presents itself with a more than acceptable technical ability, but which in no case is an analytical, critical or very detailed sound, but focuses on the mid and macro nuances.
Sources Used During the Analysis
Purchase Link
You can read the full review in Spanish here
The Tripowin x HBB Kailua are the second IEMS from the brand that I review. As the name suggests, this is a new collaboration between Tripowin and the famous YouTube audio reviewer (Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews), HawaiiBadBoy (HBB). For this project, Tripowin has used two dynamic transducers (10mm and 6mm) with titanium-coated DLC diaphragms to improve responsiveness and speed. This results in superior technical performance, with fast attack, rich bass texture and detailed treble, without unnatural dips or peaks. They also feature high-purity OCC copper wire for transparent sound. The design is another strong point of the Kailua, with a relatively small size and a very oval shape, they come in three different colours that match the colour of the capsule and its external face, enhancing the contrast between the two. At a price of $79, let's see what these IEMS can do.
Specifications
- Driver Type: 10mm DLC Titanium-Coated Dynamic + 6mmTitanium-Coated Dynamic.
- THD: < 0.5% (at 1KHz).
- Sensitivity: 106dB (at 1KHz/mW).
- Impedance: 19Ω.
- Frequency response: 12Hz-36KHz.
- Power rating: 5mW.
- Cable type: 1.2m ± 5% detachable high purity OCC copper cable.
- Jack Connector: 3.5mm gold plated.
- Capsule Connection Type: 2Pin 0.78mm.
Packaging
The Tripowin x HBB Kailua come in a relatively small box, measuring 116x82x38mm. The background colour is completely black and on the front you can see a real photo of the capsules. The photo of the capsules does not correspond to the actual colour of the capsules. Please note that there are three different coloured models. The name of the model is below in large letters, some being white and others the colour of the outer side of the capsules. The model description is at the bottom, while in the top left corner is the brand name and the HBB logo. The back side is very sparse and you can see the same model name but vertically. Below are the addresses of the locations and you can see that they are the same as for the Kiwi Ears models, even the outer packaging and design is very similar. Removing the outer carton reveals a black box with the brand name in large silver letters. Once the lid is lifted off, there is a thin sheet of protective foam. Underneath is the mould containing the capsules, which is lined with black cardboard, bearing the brand name in large white letters. Underneath this mould are the rest of the accessories, in transparent zip bags. In summary, the complete contents are as follows:
- The two Tripowin x HBB Kailua capsules.
- One high purity OCC copper cable with 3.5mm Jack SE connector and 2Pin 0.78mm interface.
- Three pairs of black SxMxL wide-channel silicone tips.
- Three pairs of narrower channel SxMxL grey silicone tips.
- Warranty card.
There is no zippered case, no pouch, no bag, no pouch... nothing. I find that for the price of $79 the level of accessories is very basic and I think that for this price some kind of protection should be included.
Construction and Design
At no point is it mentioned or specified on the sales website, but it seems that the Kailua are metallic, although very light. I'm leaning towards an aluminium alloy. There are three presentations, black with a purple face, white with a purple face (like my beloved Dragon Ball character Freezer in one of his combat forms) and black with a blue face. In my case, the model is black and violet. Its external shape could resemble a spiral oval, which starts on a flat face containing the 2Pin 0.78mm connection interface. In reality, the spiral is truncated on the first turn and separates to give way to a different coloured outer face. This piece is an irregular oval with one side rounder than the other, which is narrower. It is overlapped and the edges are rounded to blend into the capsule more smoothly. The capsule follows this shape and results in a design that looks very ergonomic. The inner side is very smooth and rounded. There is a change of inclination on the part containing the connection interface, which is triggered towards the mouthpieces. At its base there is a hole. The nozzles are projected and form a distinct part of the capsule. They have three different diameters. The first, the base, has a minimum thickness, the central part has a diameter of 4.8mm and the outer part has a diameter of 5.8mm. The total length is approximately 3.5mm. The mouthpieces are protected by a dense black metal grid. Finally, there are three more holes on the bottom edge of the capsules. The paint on the capsules has a rough micro texture.
The cable is mounted to match the spiral that initiates the capsule and from there its over-ear shape is born, supported by a semi-rigid transparent plastic guide. The cable is specified as high purity OCC copper, but is shown to be silver plated. It consists of only a single strand which splits in two after the splitter piece. This is a simple, metallic cylinder. The past is a small translucent plastic cylinder with a hole running lengthwise through it. The gold-plated 3.5mm SE jack connector sleeve is another slightly longer, but equally thin, metal cylinder. It comes with a plastic sleeve to protect the connector. The 2-pin connectors are the classic 2-pin connectors with exposed pins and a straight sleeve on two rectangular levels. The best thing is that they have a red or blue dot to indicate the channel and not those unreadable transparent raised letters. The cable is thin and has a slight stiffness. It would not be the best cable that could include some $80 IEMS.
Adjustment and Ergonomics
On a theoretical level and in view of their shape, it would seem that the Kailua capsules are very comfortable. But I have had real problems finding tips that fit my morphology without spoiling the sound. The best fit was achieved with a Symbio W cloned tips, which are usually a bit smaller than the XL foam-filled tips I usually make myself. Although the projection of the mouthpieces is slightly extended, the length of the mouthpieces themselves is short. The junction of the two elements and the angle of the projection does not suit my anatomy and that is what complicated the search for the best combination of tips. With these tips the insertion I achieved was superficial although it could have been a little deeper using a smaller size, but I couldn't get them to stay in place because they fell out. With the size L tips, they have held properly and relatively long lasting, if my activity is not too high. It is true that due to the inclination of the nozzles and the elongated size of the oval, the capsules touch gently with the end of the pinna, although I must admit that the capsules float slightly. The slight pressure due to the blissful inclination of the nozzles is felt over time. Although they seem to be well integrated at first, my ears feel it as the hours go by. On the other hand, the fit is not the fastest I have found and I need a few extra seconds to achieve the optimal insertion to enjoy the best sound the Kailua can offer.
Sound
Profile
Surprisingly, the Tripowin x HBB Kailua have a frequency response that closely resembles that of the Hidizs MP145s with Rose Gold Balanced filter, being virtually the same all the way down to 4khz. Even the treble is quite extended, with an area below 15khz quite present. So its profile goes beyond the classic V and I would lean towards a W for its attempt at sub-bass lift and its double peak in the treble. Anyway, it is a rather moulded and smoothed tuning, which tries to avoid undesirable peaks and that gives it an appreciable harmony. But just because the FR resembles that of the MP145s does not mean that they sound the same or that they can share the technical skill, resolution, definition or detail of the Hidizs.
On the other hand, the most appropriate sound may be contingent on matching tips that provide the best possible fit, without losing the potential sonic properties of the Kailua. And it's not normal for me to warn you, but I had a hard time finding the best combination, to the point that the sound I had obtained so far was not too remarkable for me. Fortunately, after finding the best combination, I have been able to enjoy this model. But it is clear that it has been one of the most complex models in this aspect that I have been able to test.
Bass
Specifically speaking, the bass has its peak between the sub-bass and the mid-bass. Although it retains some linearity at the low end, the lower human sensitivity in the lower bass region limits its presence, compared to the confluence point above. I would have preferred a higher elevation of the sub-bass to generate a distinctive nuance. But the Kailua's reflect a customary tuning in this respect. Beyond this high point the decay is gentle, which does not prevent the presence of the mid-bass from being overbearing and predominant in the lower range. Even so, it feels skilful and so it proves in the low-frequency pure tone test. While LFOs below 40Hz retain a sensory nuance, logical vibration is present, but with a sonority characteristic of a good dynamic driver. The level of colouration is low, the oscillation feels quite natural for the price range and is not marred by bass power and presence. The result is an accurate, if a little dark and shaded, timbre, while the development lacks a hint of clarity that would allow for more defined or higher resolution notes, as it has a slight tendency to homogeneity. This behaviour translated to real music implies relatively tight, punchy, present, powerful, yet slightly rubbery and rounded bass drums. The speed is good, there is a certain elasticity in the strike, although this characteristic can be pleasant, even amusing. By the same token, the volume generated is expansive and lingers slightly in the environment. However, the texture is not too rough, both the volume, the gumminess and the roundness cause a softly nuanced range that recreates an even, even, low roughness texture. It is not a technically exquisite or descriptive bass, but it moves with ease and recovers quite well. All in all, the aftertaste is low and the springy feel brings a touch more punch, presence and range, but without possessing any pejorative or negative characteristics. In short, there is a good balance of presence, punch, power, rubberiness and retrieval. Enough to recreate a deep bass, with remarkable volume, range and ability to flood the space, but without drowning out the rest of the frequencies, but with the necessary authority to be noticeable in most situations. On the other hand, in my other classic test of unfiltered and complex bass, the Kailua passed it with a very high grade, without losing control, without suffering at any time and drawing realistic bass, quite natural and not at all strange, capable of distributing the layers with success, harmony and following the different bass lines without mixing any of them. And, above all, preventing the low end from becoming an undefined magma that eats up the rest of the frequencies, even minimising its negative impact within the mix. The result is an ability that combines control with fun and power in equal parts. Quite serious.
Mids
The homogeneous, musical character persists and this musical continuity adds harmony in the mix, but also subtly shades the sound, velveting the final result. The mids are slightly creamy and rounded, with no peaks or unevenness. But it is also true that these virtues counterbalance a better level of separation, definition and resolution, as well as giving the sound a subtly dark warmth.
On the other hand, the good profile maintains a good body, physicality, fleshiness and density in the male voices, presenting them with an appropriate prominence, but without being predominant. But, by the same token, although they are quite full, they lack a little sparkle to avoid a certain sense of dullness and congestion. This feeling also carries over to the instrumentation, limiting the sense of dynamics and adding warmth to the timbre.
The balance of the frequency response is demonstrated, even in the upper-mid range. The homogeneity achieved gives the female voices a point of prominence, but without a single predominance. There is a good degree of control that limits sibilance, abruptness, unnecessary brightness, but also shades the sparkle and a sense of transparency, which, at times, may be necessary. Even so, there is clarity, more from intonation than brightness. In fact, the sound is quite sweet, which does not detract from the fact that, at times, it is at odds with a more limited sense of resolution and a diffuse rather than obvious appreciation of the background. The result is a very strong midrange, with a very good base, quite extensive at both ends, with hardly any hollowness, something that gives it a rather ample feeling of fullness. On the other hand, in my opinion, they are too secure and the feeling of warmth, balance and smoothness prevents them from being analytical or descriptive. Although they possess a good expressive and expositional ability, the notes are rounded to be nice and warm. If you are looking for analysis and a cooler sound you will have to look elsewhere.
Treble
The treble starts with a narrow control zone or dip above 5kHz which has an influence on the sound. While the sibilance is limited by an extensive, but maintained, treble tuning, this initial hollowness prevents a certain sense of sparkle at some points, even in the vocals. The end of some instruments and voices is nuanced, limited, softened. It is true that there is no harshness, but there is a loss of vivacity and realism at these points. Then, as I say, the treble has a good extension, this makes the sonority of the whole recover or moderate thanks to the average. Although, depending on the musical style, a nuanced or more balanced feel may predominate. The good thing is that the level of presence, power and energy level is quite well integrated with the rest of the band, highlighting the level of balance and equilibrium that exists throughout the frequency range.
On the other hand, there is no doubt that the integration of the two drivers is quite well achieved and is demonstrated by the familiar homogeneity. Meanwhile, the small driver stretches the upper range quite steadily up to almost 15kHz, which gives it an above-average airy feel.
Soundstage, Separation
From the low end, the feeling of fullness and volume that the bass provides allows the scene to reach a fairly large occupied space for the price range. The good integration of the lower range and the respect for the rest of the frequencies avoid any oppressive effect and this favours a deep, wide and even high representation. It is true that the exposure is quite frontal, but the oval generated overcomes the laterality, providing a subtly greater amplitude than 180 degrees, something quite positive.
On the other hand, the high musicality of the ensemble and its warmth limit the sense of separation. The notes are not very precise, something that prevents a higher exposure of detail, even restricting the visibility at the micro level, while maintaining the type at the medium and macro level. As I said, these are not analytical or overly descriptive IEMS, while background visibility and separation at that boundary is not very obvious.
Comparisons
Simgot EA500 Filtro Red
Normally, I like to compare IEMS with similar frequency responses to try to show which one is better. This time I wanted to compare IEMS with the same price, but with quite different sound characteristics. These are the Simgot EA500 with their Red filter.
Being objective and coherent with my tastes, just by looking at the graphs, I would be inclined to choose the Kailua because of their higher bass boost. But I also like the more analytical character of the EA500. In terms of accessories there is no big difference except for the EA500's zippered case, which is very good. The Kailua doesn't have anything to protect the IEMS. Construction is very good on the Simgot, but they are larger and heavier. At first glance, the smaller and lighter size of the Kailua seemed to have the ergonomic advantage. But, in my situation, this is not the case. Despite the EA500's greater weight, thickness and size, they fit my ears like a glove and fit much better. The smaller Kailua's require much more manipulation and adjustment exercise to find a good seal and the most optimal sound. Clearly, this is a particular issue for me and others may find the Kailua much lighter and more comfortable. As for the cable, the one that comes with the tripowin is one strand of the two from the Simgot, and that's all there is to it.
In terms of profile, it seems that what the Kailua have of excess in the bass, the EA500 have in the mid-highs and first treble. The Tripowin are warm and the Simgot are clearer, more transparent and analytical. As I said, at first glance, my preference leans towards the Kailua, but the brightness and sense of light and better definition of the EA500s really appeals to me in practice. A quick switch between the two shows a lot of differences. The EA500s are a little easier to move, have a more neutral low end, with less impact on the sound, but are faster and more concise. The emphasis is clearer in the mid-highs, there is more light, clarity, transparency and brightness. The treble is more prominent, there is a higher energy level that builds up from the end of the mids. The absence of a more powerful bass makes this area between midrange and treble, which is always compromised in terms of aural safety and long hours of listening, stand out to a greater extent. The EA500s present a more critical sound, with a detail-oriented exposure. Vocals and mid-bass have less base and are thinner. The Kailua's show their punch, body and volume from the bass to the mid-range. They are denser and also more opaque. Their warmth, smoothness and balance make them more harmonious and musical, but they are also darker and with worse separation. You could say that the Kailua has a boosted bass over the base that the Simgot brings up. The fact that they possess more energy is what makes them present a sense of greater volume, power, space and punch, as well as a little more rubberiness and elasticity. The greater restraint of the EA500s allows for better control, speed and reduced punch, but also space, presence and impact within the sound. The opposite is true for the mid-highs and first treble. This area is predominant in the EA500 and together with a more neutral bass, it thins the initial midrange band, generating a thinner, but more excited, clear, vivid and energetic sound. The Simgot's treble has a more realistic sparkle, not as subtle as the Kailua's, and a more natural sound and timbre, but also more excited.
The soundstage is voluminous from the bass on the Kailua and this results in a wide and loud sound. The EA500s are more volatile and offer more foreground detail. They don't have as much volume and depth, but their more splashy, ethereal, close and dynamic sound gives a sense of openness and movement that also enhances the soundstage. They are different propositions, but in terms of three-dimensional feel and separation, it seems that the scene is a little more eye-catching on the EA500s. Of course, there's no doubting the better separation, cleanliness and distance between elements that the Simgot's possess, as well as a darker background and better definition. Now, they also have a more critical and incisive sound that can produce a more fatiguing sensation compared to the softer Kailua. However, it should also be noted that the higher bass presence can be tiring for those who like a quieter, more neutral low end.
Conclusion
The Tripowin x HBB Kailua have a great profile, a good design, good construction, although the ergonomics are somewhat compromised for my particular physiognomy. There is no storage case and the cable is a bit simple for their price range. In my opinion, the response is better than the final sound, which is based on a quasi-excellent low end, powerful, voluminous, very fun and attractive. The mids are honeyed, warm, dense and musical. They lack a certain transparency, sparkle and dynamics, but are harmonious, full-bodied and balanced. The highs are in line with the mids, in terms of energy and smoothness, although there is a slight dip at a critical point that can affect the overall performance in some situations. On the other hand, the combination of the two dynamic drivers offers an improvement in treble extension, but does not make them gain in detail, resolution level or definition, where the Kailua presents itself with a more than acceptable technical ability, but which in no case is an analytical, critical or very detailed sound, but focuses on the mid and macro nuances.
Sources Used During the Analysis
- Tempotec BHD Pro.
- Burson Audio Playmate II.
- HiBy R3 Pro.
Linsoul Audio Store, offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.
Purchase Link
You can read the full review in Spanish here
Review Of The Tripowin X HBB Kailua
Introduction
The audiophile community holds Tripowin in high regard for producing IEMs and cables of the highest caliber at prices that are extremely competitive and with the best features available. Personally, I adore their cables and IEMs, particularly the IEMs tuned by well-known YouTuber Hawaiian Bad Boy. The Tripowin Kailua, which this Chinese company has brought along as part of their most recent product and their third collaboration with Hawaiian Bad Boy, is said to sound different from the IEMs that HBB and Tripowin jointly created. And today I'll be reviewing these IEMs, but first I want to clear a few things up.
Disclaimer
*Since this unit tour was organised by the kindly people at Linsoul, I am grateful to them. And as I've said in all of my evaluations, the same is true for this one: all of the concepts I've expressed below are entirely my own, original ideas that haven't been influenced by anyone else. Ifinterested, go to this link.
*I am not associated with the connection, and I receive no financial assistance from anyone.
*For the remainder of the review, I will refer to these IEMs as “Kailua.”
*I am using different Ear-tips for convenience and better versatility.
*Finally, I will only evaluate the Kailua based on their performance, even though I will explain how it feels and seems physically and aesthetically.
Specification
Dual dynamic drivers are used in the Kailua's dual driver setup. Both a 10mm diamond-like carbon titanium coated diaphragm driver and a 6mm titanium coated composite diaphragm driver are used as dynamic drivers. The faceplate and shell of the shells are painted in different colors and are made of metal. Since the shells are much lighter and smaller than I had anticipated, these were easy to wear over the ears and, once I found the proper eartips, were comfortable even for extended wear. I used different eartips because using the ones that came with the IEMs did not provide the proper seal, which could make the fit problematic. But aside from that, these are striking. The included cable is made of high purity OCC copper and has a 3.5mm termination straight plug on one end and a 2 pin connector on the other. In addition to the IEM and cable, two different types of eartips in three different sizes are also included. In terms of technical details, the sensitivity is 106dB and the impedance is 19 Ohms. The total harmonic distortion is less than 0.5%, and the frequency response ranges from 12Hz to 36kHz.
Sound
The Kailua has a well-balanced sound with a decent amount of bass and clear higher frequencies. The signature is safe in tuning and doesn't introduce any unsavory tones into the mix. Similar to many of the HBB-tuned IEMs, which have a potentially great bass that warms and pushes the higher frequencies in a way that sounds as natural and tonally pleasing as it can, the resemblance is almost like many of those IEMs. I can see that this IEM is actually tuned to cater to people who were either unimpressed with the other IEMs or grew tired of the same tuning that the typical generic IEM manufacturer does when comparing it to its rivals, whether I talk about dual dynamic driver IEMs like QKZ x HBB Khan or Truth Ear Zero or I talk about other single or multi driver IEMs around this price range. Compared to other IEMs in this price range, the bass and midrange seem to be more emphasized, but I'm not sure about the treble because I'm not sure if it sounds dark or not. I'll go into more detail about this in the treble section. I can categorically state that these are more geared toward consumers who favor a warm, thick bass, good vocal quality, and a desire to avoid piercing treble. Let's have a detailed discussion of it.
Treble
Although the treble region is somewhat clear and revealing, I feel that it lacks in other areas as well; it almost sounds out of tune. By examining the FR graph, I learned that the curves are dispersed throughout, making some areas intricately noticeable and others obscured. In order to bring out more clean and safe tuning, it appears that they focused on the areas that weren't offensive when tuning the treble, which is what I believe is what produced this soothing treble response. I can only find this as the cause, despite the fact that this is all blather about the fact that this is not actually proven. Returning to the response, the upper treble is decently detailed but not as expansive as one might anticipate. The vocals and instruments both seem to only exist in this space, with the exception that the instruments can be hit or miss when it comes to revealing details. The upper treble sounds calming and calm with a dark characteristic, despite the fact that the response is not as expressive as one might find it to be. Although the lower treble is lively, it is not overly energetic; it seems to hold just enough energy to bring the vocals and instruments to the front so they sound natural and unoffensive. Hearing details is more convincing. However, there are no sharp or crisp notes produced by the instruments or the vocals. Overall, the treble region's presentation is clear, unoffensive, and enjoyable to listen to.
Mid Range
The presentation brings out the best in both the vocals and the instruments while sounding as natural and melodic as it can, with the mid range being established to sound the most forward in the mix. The mid range provides the proper forward response because of how the treble performs. Despite sounding more energetic than the treble region, the upper mid range still sounds very balanced, as if coherence wasn't a problem for the smooth flow of response. Although the male vocals seem too dense, the vocals and instruments have a lovely tonal quality, especially the female vocals because they sound natural. Although the details aren't particularly distinct or expressive, I must admit that this pleasing combination of vocals and instruments sounds just right. The safest tuned midrange you can possibly find is this one. To be honest, it's not that one cannot distinguish between notes or their details; they are easily discernible; it's just that the notes aren't as detailed as the IEMs offer in this price range. Instruments like guitars or pianos don't reflect on each and every note, but the emulsion of all the notes give the sense of understanding which brings harmony to the mix. When it comes to the lower mid range, the response is appropriate, though, if I'm being completely honest, it might even be a little more out of sorts. The vocals and the instruments sound shaky and hazy due to the dense and thick notes in the lower mid range, but only to the point where it is understandable. The notes on the bass guitar sometimes sound vague because they aren't very textured, despite how thick and fine the instrument sounds. Apart from this, the presentation is warm throughout the mid range. The mid range is generally presented in a melodic, enjoyable, and organic manner.
Bass
When it comes to the bass, boy is it big, dense, and thick. The response is meant to provide just enough energy to keep the mix sounding analytical, not for those who desire a precise, clean hit and punch. This type of bass calms you down and warmly envelops you. Although the bass is not particularly authoritative or overpowering, it has a significant impact on the response, particularly the mid bass. The mid bass presence adds a substantial amount of thick slams and pounding thumps that overshadow the punches and rumble you may try to find in the mix. Of course, a track with only the sub bass emphasis will also have powerful punches and rumble, but they aren't always very clear in their delivery. Punches are thrown with sufficient force to elicit a fuller response, and the sub bass is deep enough to produce rumble. A good number of heavy slams that hit hard and pounding thumps that are exposed well in the mix make up the mid bass presence. Since the mid bass does bleed into the lower mid range as a result of this response, the mid range is blessed with warmth. Although, to be clear, the bass is dynamic and sounds as it should, it is not puffy or artificial sounding to meet the needs of bass. However, the bass texture and details fall short of what you might anticipate. The bass region has a warm, pounding, and refreshing overall presentation.
Technical Performance
The Kailua doesn't have a lot of commending technical specifications, but its tone is so exquisite that it can't compete fairly with other IEMs in this price range. Although more IEMs have better technical performance than the Kailua, their tonal performance isn't as good. This isn't meant to sound evasive. However, the Kailua actually does a respectable job of producing a nice wide stage, good separation, and resolution.
Soundstage, Sound Imaging & Separation
The Kailua creates a soundstage that is average in width, not particularly expansive or distant-sounding, but there is a discernible sense of depth. Even though it is not as easy to perceive as other IEMs in this price range, the separation between the notes is somewhat distinct and far away enough to identify the direction the sound is coming from. Although the imaging could have been clearer and sharper, it still does the job.
Speed & Resolution
The resolution is good, but the details aren't particularly expressive because the micro details aren't particularly revealing to prompt an increase in note clarity. Additionally, the attack and decay of resolving notes are properly timed.
Sound Impressions
Sources
Tempotec V6 - The treble hits more strongly and sounds clearer when listening with the V6, and the mid range gradually sounds more approachable and presentable. Although the bass is more restrained, it barely makes a difference to the presentation. There are some improvements to the stage and separation, but other than that, I don't notice any other differences in the technical response. The pairing with the V6 sound, in my opinion, is pleasant and acceptable.
iFi Hipdac - With the Hipdac, the treble is darker and less expressive than before, but the midrange is more prominent, and the bass remains the same. The technical performance did not differ significantly either. Although this pairing with the Hipdac is acceptable to me, I do not like it.
Tracks
Luna Haruna - Glory days
Luna Haruna - Overfly
Rokudenashi - The Flame of Love
LMYK - 0 (zero)
ORESKABAND - Jitensya
Marina Horiuchi - Mizukagami no Sekai
RADWIMPS - Suzume
Indila - Love Story
Indila - Tourner dans le vide
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Tom Petty - Free Fallin'
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere
Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Blue Oyester Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Guns 'N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Gojira - Amazonia
TV on the radio - Wolf Like Me
Bring Me To The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart
Bring Me To The Horizon - sTraNgeRs
Avril Lavigne - Dare To Love Me
Travis - Love Will Come Through
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
DJ Shadows - Six Days (Remix) [feat. Mos Def]
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Lil Wayne - Lollipop
Flo Rida - Low
Sebastian Lopez & Flug - Electronic Measures
Federico Mecozzi - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Wayve - Not Enough
Kai Wachi & TeZATalks - Ghost
NGHTMRE, Zeds Dead & Tori Levett - Shady Intentions
Zeds Dead, DNMO & GG Magree - Save My Grave
Skrillex, Noisia, josh pan & Dylan Brady - Supersonic
Skrillex & Nai Barghouti - Xena
Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo - RATATA
Kaifi Khalil, Eva B & Wahab Bugti - Kana Yaari
A.R. Rahman, Javed Ali & Mohit Chauhan - Kun Faya Kun
Conclusion
As a conclusion to this review, I would suggest this IEM to everyone because it has the safest and purest sounding IEM I have ever heard. The reply comes across as warm, pleasant, and calming. However, if I had to pinpoint specifically who can benefit the most from these IEMs, it would be treble-sensitive audiophiles who prefer warm-sounding IEMs with good details. But regardless of whether someone is an audiophile or not, I'd suggest Kailua. You won't ever be let down by this one.
Specs:
DRIVERS 10mm DLC Titanium-Coated Dynamic +6mmTitanium-Coated Dynamic
THD <0.5%(at 1KHz)
SENSITIVITY 106dB(at1KHz/mW)
IMPEDANCE 19ohm
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 12Hz-36KHz
RATED POWER 5mW
CABLE DETAILS 1.2m±5% Detachable High-purity OCC Copper Cable
CABLE CONNECTORS 2-pin 0.78mm
CABLE TERMINATION 3.5mm
what's in the box.
Kailua earpieces
Stock high-purity OCC copper 3.5mm cable
A set of wide-bore ear tips (S/M/L)
A set of normal-bore ear tips (S/M/L)
Okay starting with the design, its more rounded than the BLON bl05 and for me at least is more comfortable. tips used and fit will affect the isolation so it could be good or average.
the box is small and simple, and you get various tips both regular and wider bore, the cable and IEM. Unfortunately, No case is included or at least a pouch would have been nice.
Sound:
The Bass is clean, Sub-Bass presents with as deep but well controlled rumble. Bass placement is accurate, it has texture and noticeable fine details. Mid-Bass is more prominent with an excellent slam, weight and speed.
Mids are slightly warm with good weight and a mild recession, still they come across smooth and quite pleasant to the ears. Vocals sound natural and with good body.
Treble: Is more smooth than analytical with decent clarity.
Soundstage is deep but has average width. Still, it is accurate and far from narrow and congested.
Afterthoughts:
Like the BLON JoJo this one has become a guilty pleasure, I'll admit it performs better than the jojo with more details and control, with a less overbearing bass presentation. Good textured Bass, lush warm mids and relaxed treble, it's very pleasant.
DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank Linsoul for furnishing this unit.
The Kailua can be obtained here (no affiliate links): https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-x-hbb-kailua
SPECIFICATIONS
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of wide-bore silicone eartips
- 3 pairs of narrow-bore silicone eartips
- Cable
The accessories are kinda meh for the price, with no case or foam tips provided.
We have 2 variants of silicone tips included. The wide-bore ones boost treble and soundstage, whereas the narrow-bore ones increase bass but compromise slightly on staging.
The stock 2-pin OCC copper cable is quite thin and on the tangly side. It is surprisingly microphonic-free with a chin cinch.
The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock narrow-bore silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
Fashioned from plastic, with a bean-shaped design, ergonomics are decent for my average sized ears, with no weird protrusions to poke the ears. Additional, the housings are light. During ordering, one can opt for a black, white or blue shelled variant.
Isolation is average as per most vented sets. I did not encounter any driver flex on my pair.
2-pin connectors are always welcome in my book, as they are generally more robust compared to MMCX with frequent cable swaps.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Kailua with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Colorfly CDA M1 DAC/AMP dongle
- Creative Sound Blaster X5
- E1DA DAC/AMP dongle
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone
This IEM is easily driven, though it does scale with amplification.
Due to its high sensitivity, the Kailua unfortunately has hiss on some sources with a poor noise floor control. Though once music starts playing, this hiss is generally not noticeable.
INTERNALS
In Hawaiian jargon, the term "Kailua" refers to "two seas" - kai means "sea", and 'elua means "two". This IEM is aptly named in view of it housing two dynamic drivers - a 1 x 10 mm DLC titanium-coated DD + 1 x 6 mm titanium-coated DD.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
Graph of the Tripowin Kailua via IEC711 coupler.
Tonally, the Kailua is V-shaped, which is generally quite consumer-friendly for most music genres.
The Kailua is mid-bass focused, with just a tickle of sub-bass rumble on bass heavy tracks. Bass texturing is actually very decent, with moderate speed. There's just a tinge of mid-bass bleed with slight smearing noted on complex bass tracks.
As a consequence of the V-shaped profile, the lower midrange is depressed, so perhaps mid-lovers might want to look elsewhere. With a 7 - 8 dB ear gain, the upper midrange is thankfully forwards without veering to shouty territory, which is not an easy line to balance.
There's a small peak near the 5 kHz region to add some clarity and resolution to the lower treble. Thereafter the upper treble rolls off quite early, and the Kailua is not a very sparkly beast. Thus, sibilance is mild with no splashiness of cymbals or high-hats.
Timbre is decent as per most DD containing sets, and this IEM does fine in this department.
Technically, the Kailua is nothing to write home about. The soundstage and instrument separation is average. Micro-details are okay but not class-leading. Thankfully, imaging is quite well done.
COMPARISONS
Comparisons were made against other budget dual DD sets. Planars, single DDs, hybrids and pure BA IEMs are omitted, as the different transducers have their own pros and cons.
TRI Star River
Graph of the TRI Star River via IEC711 coupler.
The Star River is a tunable dual DD with 2 tuning switches. However, the tuning switches are gimmicks, with only 2 truly different graphs out of the promised 4 tuning options. Even so, these 2 graphs are a very old-school shouty V-shaped profile, and the Star River comes across as shrill and fatiguing.
Timbral wise, the Star River is quite artificial and metallic sounding. In terms of technicalities, the Star River has better resolution and clarity (a function of its boosted treble/upper mids), but it loses to the Kailua in soundstage, imaging and instrument separation.
CCA Duo
Graph of the CCA Duo via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.
The CCA Duo is a U-shaped set. The Duo has less bass than the Kailua. The Duo is a bit more fatiguing and sibilant in the treble region.
The Duo has a metallic timbre and a thinner note weight. The Duo has a slightly wider soundstage and a bit more micro-details, though it has weaker imaging and instrument separation.
CONCLUSIONS
The Kailua - or "two seas" - is a dual DD IEM with good build and decent ergonomics, with easy drivability. The consumer-friendly V-shaped soundscape is quite pleasant, with minimal sibilance and harshness in the upper treble. Not many budget sets tune upper mids well (they mostly are overzealously boosted), and this region on the Kailua is forwards without much shoutiness. Timbre is quite well portrayed for acoustic instruments, and the bass is unexpectedly well-textured for the coin.
As per V-shaped tunings, the Kailua will not be for midrange lovers, and this IEM eschews outright technicalities for a more "musical" signature, so analytical-heads best look elsewhere. In addition, some hiss with sources with a poor noise floor control and the sparse accessories are also blights.
In the big scheme of things, the Kailua does more things right than wrong, and is probably an above average pair in the pantheon of budget dual DDs. This IEM might be a suitable option for consumers looking for something to chil back and relax to.
I would like to thank Linsoul for furnishing this unit.
The Kailua can be obtained here (no affiliate links): https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-x-hbb-kailua
SPECIFICATIONS
- Driver configuration: 1 x 10 mm DLC titanium-coated DD + 1 x 6 mm titanium-coated DD
- Impedance: 19 ohm
- Frequency response: 12 Hz - 36 kHz
- Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW
- Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm, OCC copper cable, 3.5 mm termination
- Tested at $79 USD
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of wide-bore silicone eartips
- 3 pairs of narrow-bore silicone eartips
- Cable
The accessories are kinda meh for the price, with no case or foam tips provided.
We have 2 variants of silicone tips included. The wide-bore ones boost treble and soundstage, whereas the narrow-bore ones increase bass but compromise slightly on staging.
The stock 2-pin OCC copper cable is quite thin and on the tangly side. It is surprisingly microphonic-free with a chin cinch.
The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock narrow-bore silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
Fashioned from plastic, with a bean-shaped design, ergonomics are decent for my average sized ears, with no weird protrusions to poke the ears. Additional, the housings are light. During ordering, one can opt for a black, white or blue shelled variant.
Isolation is average as per most vented sets. I did not encounter any driver flex on my pair.
2-pin connectors are always welcome in my book, as they are generally more robust compared to MMCX with frequent cable swaps.
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Kailua with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Colorfly CDA M1 DAC/AMP dongle
- Creative Sound Blaster X5
- E1DA DAC/AMP dongle
- Hiby R3 Pro Saber 2022 DAP
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Khadas Tone Board -> Topping L30 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone
This IEM is easily driven, though it does scale with amplification.
Due to its high sensitivity, the Kailua unfortunately has hiss on some sources with a poor noise floor control. Though once music starts playing, this hiss is generally not noticeable.
INTERNALS
In Hawaiian jargon, the term "Kailua" refers to "two seas" - kai means "sea", and 'elua means "two". This IEM is aptly named in view of it housing two dynamic drivers - a 1 x 10 mm DLC titanium-coated DD + 1 x 6 mm titanium-coated DD.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
Graph of the Tripowin Kailua via IEC711 coupler.
Tonally, the Kailua is V-shaped, which is generally quite consumer-friendly for most music genres.
The Kailua is mid-bass focused, with just a tickle of sub-bass rumble on bass heavy tracks. Bass texturing is actually very decent, with moderate speed. There's just a tinge of mid-bass bleed with slight smearing noted on complex bass tracks.
As a consequence of the V-shaped profile, the lower midrange is depressed, so perhaps mid-lovers might want to look elsewhere. With a 7 - 8 dB ear gain, the upper midrange is thankfully forwards without veering to shouty territory, which is not an easy line to balance.
There's a small peak near the 5 kHz region to add some clarity and resolution to the lower treble. Thereafter the upper treble rolls off quite early, and the Kailua is not a very sparkly beast. Thus, sibilance is mild with no splashiness of cymbals or high-hats.
Timbre is decent as per most DD containing sets, and this IEM does fine in this department.
Technically, the Kailua is nothing to write home about. The soundstage and instrument separation is average. Micro-details are okay but not class-leading. Thankfully, imaging is quite well done.
COMPARISONS
Comparisons were made against other budget dual DD sets. Planars, single DDs, hybrids and pure BA IEMs are omitted, as the different transducers have their own pros and cons.
TRI Star River
Graph of the TRI Star River via IEC711 coupler.
The Star River is a tunable dual DD with 2 tuning switches. However, the tuning switches are gimmicks, with only 2 truly different graphs out of the promised 4 tuning options. Even so, these 2 graphs are a very old-school shouty V-shaped profile, and the Star River comes across as shrill and fatiguing.
Timbral wise, the Star River is quite artificial and metallic sounding. In terms of technicalities, the Star River has better resolution and clarity (a function of its boosted treble/upper mids), but it loses to the Kailua in soundstage, imaging and instrument separation.
CCA Duo
Graph of the CCA Duo via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak.
The CCA Duo is a U-shaped set. The Duo has less bass than the Kailua. The Duo is a bit more fatiguing and sibilant in the treble region.
The Duo has a metallic timbre and a thinner note weight. The Duo has a slightly wider soundstage and a bit more micro-details, though it has weaker imaging and instrument separation.
CONCLUSIONS
The Kailua - or "two seas" - is a dual DD IEM with good build and decent ergonomics, with easy drivability. The consumer-friendly V-shaped soundscape is quite pleasant, with minimal sibilance and harshness in the upper treble. Not many budget sets tune upper mids well (they mostly are overzealously boosted), and this region on the Kailua is forwards without much shoutiness. Timbre is quite well portrayed for acoustic instruments, and the bass is unexpectedly well-textured for the coin.
As per V-shaped tunings, the Kailua will not be for midrange lovers, and this IEM eschews outright technicalities for a more "musical" signature, so analytical-heads best look elsewhere. In addition, some hiss with sources with a poor noise floor control and the sparse accessories are also blights.
In the big scheme of things, the Kailua does more things right than wrong, and is probably an above average pair in the pantheon of budget dual DDs. This IEM might be a suitable option for consumers looking for something to chil back and relax to.
Introduction!
Today in this review we will look at the new Tripowin x HBB Kailua worth $ 79, they come in such a box with a nice design, and on the front side there is an inscription Tripowin with a badguy logo, since this model is his collaboration, there is also the name of the model kailua and images of the headphones themselves!
Here, the technical characteristics are indicated on the side and 2 dynamic drivers are responsible for the sound, the main 10mm with a DLC diaphragm and an additional second 6mm, but the sensitivity of the headphones is 106 dB, and they received an impedance of 19 Ohms, now we unpack.
Let's take a look at what's included.
And first of all, we are greeted by such a black box in which we are immediately greeted by headphones, their case is plastic, so they are very light, quite small and look good but nothing unusual, the headphones have a standard 2-pin connector, and they have 4 acoustic holes, three on the outside of the cabinet, and one next to that rather short nozzle.
And this is not the most convenient solution, since not all ear tips will fit here.
Ergonomics and convenience.
Personally I would have liked a tighter fit as they feel a bit loose in the ear,it's not the deepest landing
Accessories.
And in these small bags there are ear pads and a cable, surprisingly it is such a fairly standard and simple copper cable, with 2 pin connectors and a 3.5 mm jack connector, it has a good braid, it is quite flexible and very light, but you can also replace it to any other cable of your choice.
And of course, where without ear pads, here are two sets of 6 nozzles, dark ones are wider and gray ones are narrower and more bassy.
How do these headphones sound?
Well, now friends, let's talk about the most important thing, namely the sound of this model!
Low Frequencies :
Their low frequencies are quite massive with good depth, the emphasis is slightly shifted to mid-bass with such a pleasant complementary punch, and the sub-bass has a fairly noticeable subwoofer effect, and the bass in them is quite well controlled and does not climb into the middle range and does not sound somehow relaxed and resonant and has an underlined attack, although not the most accurate that I've heard among dynamic headphones.
Well, the transparency and texture are at a well-audible level, you don’t need to strain yourself somehow in order to hear the bass harmonics.
And the kick kick sounds quite clear with good body and density, complementing the bass notes perfectly.
Mid Frequencies :
Well, the average frequencies here are pretty good, but they are suitable for fans of such a darkened sound where there is no excessive brightness and extension of the vocal part and percussion drums ahead of everything else, because the vocals in them sound a little intimate and calm enough with a good preservation of neutrality and a hint of warmth, that is, it is not piercing and at the same time has a good resolution and elaboration, and female vocals will not let you get tired, so fans of such a slightly darker sound will be happy here. The upper middle in them is not loud enough, neat enough, very slightly emphasized, so the mix sounds pretty smooth and nothing comes out ahead of everything, so the medium frequency feed itself turned out to be not tedious here, a little bit smoothed, but pleasant to the ear with such a good fat on the lower middle.
High Frequencies :
They are quite warm and slightly smoothed, they have sufficient gain at eight khz to give greater clarity and emphasize the cymbals, but for me this range does not feel like some kind of screaming and tiring, it also does not go into some strong darkness, although of course there is no super transparency and analyticity, since these headphones have the bias is more such musicality and a fat constructed canvas, so they don't really need to show you all the nuances in music and bring all the flaws on the record forward, these accents are clearly not necessary here, therefore, they simply play this area comfortably by ear with good resolution and not hidden detail.
Stage and stereo panorama :
The scene and visualization in these headphones turned out to be well-developed in width, that is, it is visually quite such an optimal and correct scene, although a little intimate for the vocal part, but still they try to cover and entice you with their depth study, brightening up this small nuance.
My conclusion on these headphones :
Tripowin Kailua turned out to be quite cheerful dynamic headphones for fans of such a darkened setup without excessive psvdodetalization with a good textural bass and a neat, not tedious middle.
Link where you can buy them!
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-x-hbb-kailua
Icygenius was with you, I will be glad if you subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch this full review on Tripowin x HBB KAILUA!
Review
Today in this review we will look at the new Tripowin x HBB Kailua worth $ 79, they come in such a box with a nice design, and on the front side there is an inscription Tripowin with a badguy logo, since this model is his collaboration, there is also the name of the model kailua and images of the headphones themselves!
Here, the technical characteristics are indicated on the side and 2 dynamic drivers are responsible for the sound, the main 10mm with a DLC diaphragm and an additional second 6mm, but the sensitivity of the headphones is 106 dB, and they received an impedance of 19 Ohms, now we unpack.
Let's take a look at what's included.
And first of all, we are greeted by such a black box in which we are immediately greeted by headphones, their case is plastic, so they are very light, quite small and look good but nothing unusual, the headphones have a standard 2-pin connector, and they have 4 acoustic holes, three on the outside of the cabinet, and one next to that rather short nozzle.
And this is not the most convenient solution, since not all ear tips will fit here.
Ergonomics and convenience.
Personally I would have liked a tighter fit as they feel a bit loose in the ear,it's not the deepest landing
Accessories.
And in these small bags there are ear pads and a cable, surprisingly it is such a fairly standard and simple copper cable, with 2 pin connectors and a 3.5 mm jack connector, it has a good braid, it is quite flexible and very light, but you can also replace it to any other cable of your choice.
And of course, where without ear pads, here are two sets of 6 nozzles, dark ones are wider and gray ones are narrower and more bassy.
How do these headphones sound?
Well, now friends, let's talk about the most important thing, namely the sound of this model!
Low Frequencies :
Their low frequencies are quite massive with good depth, the emphasis is slightly shifted to mid-bass with such a pleasant complementary punch, and the sub-bass has a fairly noticeable subwoofer effect, and the bass in them is quite well controlled and does not climb into the middle range and does not sound somehow relaxed and resonant and has an underlined attack, although not the most accurate that I've heard among dynamic headphones.
Well, the transparency and texture are at a well-audible level, you don’t need to strain yourself somehow in order to hear the bass harmonics.
And the kick kick sounds quite clear with good body and density, complementing the bass notes perfectly.
Mid Frequencies :
Well, the average frequencies here are pretty good, but they are suitable for fans of such a darkened sound where there is no excessive brightness and extension of the vocal part and percussion drums ahead of everything else, because the vocals in them sound a little intimate and calm enough with a good preservation of neutrality and a hint of warmth, that is, it is not piercing and at the same time has a good resolution and elaboration, and female vocals will not let you get tired, so fans of such a slightly darker sound will be happy here. The upper middle in them is not loud enough, neat enough, very slightly emphasized, so the mix sounds pretty smooth and nothing comes out ahead of everything, so the medium frequency feed itself turned out to be not tedious here, a little bit smoothed, but pleasant to the ear with such a good fat on the lower middle.
High Frequencies :
They are quite warm and slightly smoothed, they have sufficient gain at eight khz to give greater clarity and emphasize the cymbals, but for me this range does not feel like some kind of screaming and tiring, it also does not go into some strong darkness, although of course there is no super transparency and analyticity, since these headphones have the bias is more such musicality and a fat constructed canvas, so they don't really need to show you all the nuances in music and bring all the flaws on the record forward, these accents are clearly not necessary here, therefore, they simply play this area comfortably by ear with good resolution and not hidden detail.
Stage and stereo panorama :
The scene and visualization in these headphones turned out to be well-developed in width, that is, it is visually quite such an optimal and correct scene, although a little intimate for the vocal part, but still they try to cover and entice you with their depth study, brightening up this small nuance.
My conclusion on these headphones :
Tripowin Kailua turned out to be quite cheerful dynamic headphones for fans of such a darkened setup without excessive psvdodetalization with a good textural bass and a neat, not tedious middle.
Link where you can buy them!
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-x-hbb-kailua
Icygenius was with you, I will be glad if you subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch this full review on Tripowin x HBB KAILUA!
Review
TLDR version on YouTube: TDLR - Tripowin x HBB Kailua
The Tripowin x HBB Kailua have been sent to me by Linsoul in exchange for the publication of this review. As usual, or rather, as always, Linsoul have not made any requests or comments and I will do my best to be as unbiased and sincere as I can in this review.
You can find the Tripowin Kailua via Linsoul by visiting the version of this review published on my blog, link at the end of this post.
As always, the link is non-affiliate.
To avoid being repetetive in my reviews, you can find all the info about how I create the reviews, equipment used, how I receive the products and how to interpret my reviews by visiting: About my reviews
Intro…
I have come into this review with possibly more of a positive mindset that I would have a month or so ago. As you all know, I have reviewed a few of the collaborations by HBB and I wasn’t overly excited about any of them, then the last one I reviewed, the Blon Z300, I found to be a very enjoyable set.
Exactly the same story happened with Tripowin but even more extreme. I reviewed a couple of their sets and really disliked them, then the last set I received from the brand, the Piccolo, I found to be much more palatable.
Therefore, I was interested to see what the combination of both of them brings to the table.
The Kailua is the latest collaboration by HBB (of Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews), joining quite a list of previous collaborations, and features a dual dynamic driver configuration. In this case, a 10mm DLC driver is being used alongside a 6mm composite diaphragm driver.
Presentation…
The box in which the Kailua arrive is covered by a cardboard sleeve with an image of the IEMs on the front and the name of the model. On one side we get a few specs and on the the name again with a few certification logos. Nothing much to stand out but it is modern, clean and simple, more than adequate for an IEM box.
Inside the box the presentation is also quite simple, so nothing really exciting if you are looking for the unboxing experience (which is something that I don’t really care about anyway). Included we get the IEMs, the cable, 6 sets of silicone tips (3 sizes of 2 types) and a simple after sales document.
All quite simple and nothing out of the extraordinary.
Build and aesthetics…
While there is no mention of the materials used in the shells (at least that I remember seeing), they do seem to be completely made of metal and painted (white in my case). They are very light weight so the metal is obviously some kind of aluminum alloy and are also rather small.
The shape of the shells is reminiscent of something like the Airship or even the Sennheiser IE series to some degree, which are IEMs that I find extremely comfortable. In the case of the Kailua, I find that it puts a bit of pressure on my tragus and does result in a slight discomfort after a while. It is not uncomfortable to the point where I need to stop using them but I do notice that I am wearing them. Of course, everyone's ear is different, so this is probably not relevant to the majority of people, as they are small and easy to fit, so they should be comfortable for most.
The included cable is nothing special, it is thin and simple but is also lightweight and certainly does its job. It reminds me quite a bit of the cables included by Moondrop with the SSP and SSR models (although it is quite a while since I pulled those out, so I may be remembering wrong).
The Kailua is available in three colours, two with black shells and a choice of purple or blue faceplates, and one with white shells that has a pink faceplate. I can’t say I am in love with the aesthetics of any of the three options but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and they are quite simple, so no one should find them offensive.
Sound…
All tracks mentioned are clickable links that allow you to open the reference track in the streaming service of your choice (YouTube, Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, etc.)
Let me start out by saying that my first impressions of the Kailua is that it seems to be an improved version of the Blon x HBB Z300. I don’t usually do comparisons in my reviews, which is why I always follow the same format and use the same reference tracks (making it easier for people to compare themselves between models I have reviewed), but that was my first thought.
I said in my review of the Z300 that I enjoyed them but I found treble extension to be lacking and that they could benefit from some more air in those upper regions. I also said that detail suffered on the Z300 due in part to that lack of extension and air, and that they sometimes made tracks come across a little too warm for my preferences.
When I say that the Kailua is an improved Z300, I am referring to them improving those issues that I just mentioned, coming across a little clearer, with more air and extension, and a better detail response than the other model. Of course, we need to remember that the Z300 is a 30€ set of IEMs, where the Kailua is a 70€ set of IEMs, but I do feel that the improvements are worthy of the investment.
Anyway, here is the graph of the Kailua in comparison to my usual preference target for reference:
And to give a visual of what I was just talking about, here is the Kailua in comparison to the Blon Z300:
Ok, so, with that out of the way, let’s get on with how the Kailua perform on their own, using my usual test track list for detailed listening.
Starting off with the subbass and listening to the obligatory “Chameleon” work out, the subbass is clean, well defined and keeps up quite easily with the track. I don’t feel that these IEMs are heavily focused on the subbass range and the clarity possibly adds even more to that sensation, but as far as rumble goes, there is plenty for my tastes.
In the midbass section, I do find that “Crazy” has just a touch too much boom for my tastes. As with the subbass, this is kept clean and well defined, so I don’t find it overly fatiguing (unless I raise the volume too much) and it it keeps itself elevated but out of the way of the mids. Bass drums have a very nice clear punch to them, as do bass guitars, making for a lower range that is north of my personal preferences but impressive.
In the midrange vocals are clear and do not get hidden behind that low end boost. “Elephants on Ice Skates” has a nice separation between the lower bass notes and the mid and upper mid range of instruments. Even when the bass notes are ringing, the detail of the bass and guitar in the mid range is easily appreciated.
Moving into the upper mids, there is enough to brings vocals, and the upper range of electric guitars, into the spotlight when they should be but without making them too harsh or even too up front. Using “Make Noise” as a test for how much they push vocals forwards, I have to say that they don’t overdo it at all. The reason that I chose “Make Noise” for this test is due to the vocals of Busta Rhymes being mixed poorly in the recording and being quite difficult to focus on, especially when there is a larger presence in the lower mids and midbass. In this case, his vocals are not pushed forwards yet they are clear and are quite intelligible (if you can follow his style that is
).As we get into the upper ranges, I am not overly fond of that dip between 3k and 4k but it is not bad and is saved to some extent by that peak around 4.5k. Luckily this peak is at 4.5k and not at 5k, where I would probably be complaining about it (due to my intolerance for 5k peaks).
“Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes” is maybe not a clear as it could be in the upper ranges yet this removes some of the harshness of the brass section and also eliminates the sibilance from Paul Simon's voice which is present on so many sets. Testing for sibilance with the usual “Code Cool”, I would place Patricia Barber between a -1 and -2 on my totally non-scientific -12 to +12 scale. This proves that sibilance is well reduced with the Kailua.
However, while sibilance is reduced, there is still a nice sensation of air and extension. It is not the best I have heard in this regard but it is nice to hear a set that manages to be clear without being harsh or sibilant.
Detail is good, although I would say that detail is better in the lower and the mid ranges, possibly with the 10mm having better performance than the 6mm in this regard?
Soundstage is along the lines of average for a set of IEMs. The sensation of stage is not huge but the IEMs do a nice job of using the space they have at their disposal, making for an enjoyable sensation.
Conclusion…
The Kailua are possibly the IEMs that I have most enjoyed out of the HBB collaborations that I have tried, and are certainly the set from Tripowin that I have most enjoyed to date. They are certainly not perfect and have other competitors around their price range that I would probably prefer personally, but they are definitely not a bad choice.
Of course everyone's ears are different and our choice in music also varies wildly from one person to the next, but I can see a lot of people being very happy with the Kailua. I am glad that my enjoyment of IEMs from Tripowin and HBB continues to improve and am actually now looking forwards to the next set that comes this way.
____
As always, this review is also avilable in Spanish both on my blog (www.achoreviews.com) and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/achoreviews)
All FR measurements of IEMs can be viewed and compared on achoreviews.squig.link
All isolation measurements of IEMs can be found on achoreviews.squig.link/isolation
What in the sane mind I'm doing right now that I even put him as part of this product review? Well if you check its colourway options, It really reminds me of that character with his evolution (yeah, mine is a black and purple variant that reminds me of his latest evolutionary power-up).
Enough of this fandom thing and let's get straight. This is TRIPOWIN's latest entry-level product and its a collaboration partnership with Chris Ballard a.k.a. Hawaiian Bad Boy on which we know that he is one of the most prominent portable audio reviewer in audio community with his ever-popular YouTube channel.
This is TRIPOWIN Kailua, Kailua is a beach town situated in Oahu, Hawaii which is also known to have some wetland marshes and scenic mountain cliffs aside from its well-maintained golden sand beaches. The word Kailua means "two seas" in Hawaiian language which really makes sense when it was named that particular area.
TRIPOWIN Kailua is an IEM with dual dynamic driver set-up. Like almost all dual dynamic drivers that I've tested up to this day, it always has different sizes. In case of Kailua, it has 6mm and 10mm drivers, both have DLC diaphragm coated with titanium nitrate for added resistance and durability. Both drivers are encapsulated in an ovular shape metal alloy shell chassis which are quite small and light so that it sits decently inside of my lugholes though there are some points that should be taken in consideration as you need better ear tips (included stock ones won't give me that best fitting, sort of loose and wobbling) just to have an optimum fitting. This set is still uses a proven detachable mechanism which is a 2-pin connector but there some issues to be address on this one as it has edges on its square shaped connector that rubs my upper tragus which causes some discomfort as I do some activity
The product packaging of the TRIPOWIN Kailua is rather spartan. It was packed in a compact-sized rectangular box with some pretty basic inclusion inside.
Here are the following contents inside of TRIPOWIN Kailua:
■ a pair of TRIPOWIN Kailua IEMs
■ a 0.78mm stock cable constructed in a high purity OCC copper wiring terminated in 3.5mm SE plug.
■ three (3) pairs of narrow bored ear tips in different standard sizes.
■ three (3) pairs of wide bored ear tips in different standard sizes.
■ Some paperwork like instruction manual, warranty card and Q.C. certificate.
TRIPOWIN Kailua has a good scalability on amplification and power output as this set is an easy to drive that its dual dynamic drivers are quite efficient that it only requires a minimal amount of power from its source to deliver a rich, well-optimised dynamic sound.
To determine its tonality, like all HBB preferred tuning target curves, the TRIPOWIN Kailua has a warm, U tob V-shaped sound signature as it has an elevated lows and high frequencies with a notch midrange (depends of the ear tips you are using). Overall, it approaches a more analogue-ish tonality.
LOWS/BASS:
As we are quite familiar with HBB's preference, he loves a quantifying bass response that is authoritative and robust as it suits well on his library tracks. The bass response of Kailua is rather surprisingly balanced on both sub-bass and midbass. A tad boomy and impacting one that it some point that it smears a little bit on midrange frequency.
It has a discernable rumble as I felt them from sub-bass focus instruments like low tuned guitar and synthesisers mainly synth-pop, dark wave and old school hip-hop tracks. The midbass has a good texture that gives an ample body and note weight on bass guitars, bass kick drums and bass-baritone vocals. Bass guitars have that sombre and a tad hollow sound from them, bass drum kicks have those sustaining and thudding sound. Bass-baritones have enough heft to have wool-like sound from them.
MIDRANGE:
A midrange was indeed scooped in the overall presentation but due to some bass smears, it adds a texture and warmth on vocals and some percussion instruments to give a fuller sound particularly on most male vocals and contralto vocal types.
Kailua sounds really great on male vocals like baritones as it gives more depth and power to have that lush and rich sound as I enjoy listening to some operatic baritone vocals like Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Tenors have these brassy characteristics from their vocals. Listening on contralto vocals are pleasurable as they have that husky and smoky sound with their low chesty tone. Mezzo-sopranos and countertenors perform well as they have these smooth and musky sounds from them. On sopranos, its rather a mixed bag as soubrette and dramatic types sounds better as they have rather creamy and satiny sound while on lyric and coloratura types, they are rather inadequate to deliver that air and energy to sound gleaming and silvery but at least they don't sound dull and lethargic.
As for instruments, percussive like toms and snares have warm, deep and shuffling sound sound from them while a chordophone like piano have a warmer and mellow sound. Trumpets and trombones have a fuller and rounded sound while woodwinds like flute have a soft and mellow tone. Strings like acoustic guitars and violins, it has these bloom and lingering overtones on every pluck on the former while a more sensuous and calming sound on the latter instrument.
HIGHS/TREBLE:
The treble response of this set is rather balanced as it has a sufficient shimmer while retaining some smoothness due to some noticeable dip between upper mids to the presence part of the treble region. Those dips will allow it to subdue some unwanted harshness and sibilance. That sufficient shimmer will also give an ample crisp and detail.
Regarding its brilliance treble, it has an adequate sparkle but its airy extension is rather meagre and lacklustre in my opinion. But at least it gives a lustrous sound on cymbals and accurate tone on hi-hats to have the shortened buzzing sound to give that distinct "chick" sound.
SOUNDSTAGE, IMAGING AND OTHER TECHNICALITIES:
The overall sound/speaker stage dimensions are pretty average on how I perceive them spatially as it has an average on wideness and height but has good immersive depth from it to give me a rather passable headroom.
As for imaging and stereo presentation, Kailua is quite two-dimensional in presenting its spatial field as I was able to locate decently the placement of instruments and singers. It has a decent separation but the layering is nothing to be elaborate about as they perform rather unexceptional as I expected mostly on these sets in this price range and typical dual-DD set-up. It seems that it won't play well on more complex tracks like jazz ensemble, orchestras and symphonic power metal as it struggles to replay all instruments there.
It has decent resolution capabilities as it gives a more solid macro-dynamics while it has decent micro-detail retrieval as it performs fairly on extracting some nuances from a sonic background on an audio track.
PEER COMPARISONS:
QKZ X HBB KHAN
■ This is another project of HBB, it has a similar driver implementation which also has two dynamic drivers. The shell of Khan is an unoriginal design but it offers a better fitting and comfort compared to Kailua. The product packaging of KHAN is a bit better as it has a commemorative coin and storage case but less choices on ear tips.
■ Tonality-wise, both sets have similar sound signature which is warm V-shaped, Khan bass response is more robust and authoritative that it is so prominent that it bleeds across the frequency range. Treble is somehow a bit dark compared to Kailua as it subdues the detail quality and clarity of sound. Technical capabilities of these sets are eerily similar with the exception that Khan resolution capabilities aren't that good as it has a poor micro-detail retrieval as its definition is blunted and overly smoothen.
7HZ LEGATO
■ It has a similar driver implementation set-up compared to Kailua but it has a larger dynamic driver which handles the low frequencies. The shell chassis of LEGATO has a more solid build quality with some components like capacitors that simply handle the crossovers. And this set is even more pricey but its product packaging and quantity of inclusions are justified for its price.
■ Despite that they have similar sound signature but Legato has even more authoritative and even ear-shaking bass response. It also noted that it has less shimmering treble compared to the Kailua but it doesn't sound as dark and dull unlike the QKZ KHAN. On technical aspects, Legato has a tad wider sound/speaker stage and presents a more solid note and fundamentals on macro-dynamics.
To end my assessment of this set. At first impression, I'm not particularly impressed by how it sounds as this type of tuning isn't my cup of tea and some fitting issues that I encountered. But as some days go by while I'm conducting listening tests on this one to my preferred library, I just realised that it has some strong aspects that make Kailua more interesting that should be noted.
This is probably one of the most likeable among HBB's collaboration products that I really enjoy listening to. Can I recommend this IEM to other audio enthusiasts? Yes, it is, I can certainly recommend this if you are either a fan of HBB's target curve with similar track library of his or if you came from a typical consumer type of tuning who wants a significant improvement on sonic qualities.
TRIPOWIN Kailua is now available at LINSOUL, you can check the unaffiliated link below.
★★TRIPOWIN X HBB KAILUA - LINSOUL★★
You can also check out my previous reviews of other TRIPOWIN products:
● TRIPOWIN CENCIBLE
● TRIPOWIN RHOMBUS
SPECIFICATION:
MODEL: TRIPOWIN X HBB KAILUA
IMPEDANCE: 19Ω
SENSITIVITY: 106dB
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 12Hz – 36KHz
CABLE LENGTH: 1.2M
PIN TYPE: 2-PIN CONNECTOR (0.78MM)
PLUG TYPE: 3.5mm
DRIVER UNIT(S): (2) DYNAMIC DRIVER
Some Tracks Tested: ( * = 16-bit FLAC, ** = 24-bit FLAC, *'* = MQA, '*' = DSD, *'= .WAV)
Alison Krauss -When You Say Nothing At All *
Jade Wiedlin - Blue Kiss**
Led Zeppelin - When The Levee Breaks **
Mountain - Mississippi Queen *
Queen - Killer Queen **
Guns N' Roses - Patience *'*
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven '*'
Sergio Mendes- Never Gonna Let You Go '*'
Pearl Jam - Daughter **
Roselia - Hidamari Rhodonite *
Assassin - Fight (To Stop The Tyranny)*
Celtic Frost- Visual Aggression *
New Order - Blue Monday *
The Corrs- What Can I do (unplugged version) *
Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Child *
The Madness- Buggy Trousers *
Metallica - Motorbreath **
Mariah Carey- Always Be My Baby *
Destiny's Child - Say My Name *
Malice Mizer- Au Revoir *
Mozart - Lacrimosa *
New York Philharmonic Orchestra - Dvorak- Symphony 9 " From the New World." *
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting cover)*
Michael Jackson - Give In To Me *
Exciter - Violence and Force *
Diana Krall - Stop This World **
Debbie Gibson - Foolish Beat *'*
The Sisters of Mercy – Lucretia My Reflection**
Suzanne Vega – Luka **
Lauren Christy – Steep *
Ottoman Mehter - Hucum Marsi *
Diana Damrau - Mozart: Die Zauberflöte*
Type O Negative - Black No.1 *
Felix Ayo - Vivaldi: Presto **
Three Tenors - Nessum Dorma *
Mercyful Fate - Witches' Dance *
P.S.
I am not affiliated to TRIPOWIN nor receive monetary incentives and financial gains as they provide me a review unit for an exchange of factual and sincere feedback from yours truly.
Once again, I would like to send my gratitude to KAREENA TANG of LINSOUL for providing this review unit. I truly appreciate their generosity and trust towards me and other reviewers.
Tripowin x HBB Kailua
Dual Dynamic Driver In-Ear Monitors
Redcarmoose July 25, 2023
Surprisingly, I received the Kailua on June 28th, so I have spent considerable time with them. Being a double Dynamic Driver constructed of a 10mm DLC for lows and mids, and a 6mm Titanium coated driver for the upper-mids and highs, I was happy to wait and gain experience/burn-in time. Often gaining extra listening time can go one of two ways, One) the IEM may arrive at boring and as the newness wears off, or (Two) (in this case) finding the Tripowin Kailua unique (in shape) yet proficient and complete in sound response. In the end the Kailua did have admirable character and charm. One of the questions answered in this review is one of value. Is the Kailua worth $79.00? And is it better than the $35.00 Tripowin Piccolo?
Since I have just reviewed the BLON x HBB Z300 and QKZ x HBB Khan, I am a little familiar with the Youtube IEM reviewer entity known as HBB. Now in this review I’m really going to be comparing the Kailua more to the Tripowin Piccolo. Why? Due to me liking the Piccolo better than the Z300 and Khan, but more than that, I hear the Kailua as a departure in tone from the HBB (normally) L shaped bass monsters. Yep, we are traveling to a more forward upper-midrange with the Kailua. I just watched a video today that had HBB explaining Kailua in relation to the past collaborations of the Olina and Mele. To cut to the chase here, the Kailua has some relationship to the Olina. Except the Kailua is purportedly actually a better sounding for HBB’s library. While never hearing the Olina or prior Mele, I will have to take HBB’s word on this.
Now not to get too bogged down in the history of HBB collaborations, there has been improvements made structurally too. The Olina had some issues with moisture creating condensation inside of the IEM. The Kailua screen material has been changed into the identical style as the Piccolo, which has been (so far) trouble free! So to summarize here, the Mele was improved upon by the Olina, and the driver inside the Olina was identical to the Tanchjim Oxygen Single CNT Dynamic. Through OEM part suppliers, HBB was able to retail the Olina at a fraction of the Tanchjim Oxygen’s cost. And……..to get where we are today…..the Kailua is even less money, yet more capable than the Olina.
A quick-read comparison summery:
Generic Tripowin Piccolo or Tripowin x HBB Kailua?
So the burning question is if I like the Kailua more than the Piccolo, and how much money does HBB get for his input? As far as I know the amount (his fee) hasn’t been disclosed, and that’s the thing, all these collaborations have fees tagged on which get passed-on to the buyer. Now the question is if he added a special quality to the tune…….one that we just can’t go with-out? In a way it’s none of our business how much money the collaborators get. The main thing should be if we like the IEM in question and feel it’s a value. Is there a level of celebrity perfection to the tune, does HBB bring a tuning process (magic) that is worth the extra money?
Summarized comparison:
While both IEMs are birds of a feather, I do like the sound of the Kailua in that it’s slightly clearer than the Piccolo. It has more contrasts in bass and treble and a more forward midrange. It’s like someone cleaned the windows and we can view the imaging and tones of the Kailua with better clarity. Though the Piccolo is $35.00 and the Kailua is $79.00? Also I actually like the fit of the Piccolo better as it’s slightly more easygoing and more what I’m used to. Where the Kailua (fit) is fine once you discover placement, the use of ear-hooks with the cable is a must with the Kailua, whereas with the Piccolo I could use any cable. Also I had a much wider choice of ear-tips with the Piccolo. Due to a closer fit, the Kailua is almost like a sports IEM, incredibly small and gaining fitment only in one specific way. And probably the $44.00 difference in price is realistic for the diminishing returns (for an increase) in sound quality? Both IEMs I give great scores to, yet the Piccolo is the better deal for everything it does for the money. So I rated the Piccolo as a straight-up 5 star and the Kailua gets 4 stars. Of course both fit and sound quality per dollar spent are subjective………..you are reading a (personal) subjective review here.
Build:
Coming in at a stealthy 5 grams each in weight, the Kailua is way, way smaller than you think, by studying the close-up photographs. It’s really small, and dwarfed by the Piccolo. Even as far as weight goes, the Piccolo is a full 4 grams more in metal. At 9 grams a piece, you know when Piccolo is having an ear-visit. Concerning the Kailua, the whole shape idea is rather different. Where due to the Kailua size and shape, the whole IEM just sits that much closer. This results in two noticeable things, the 2Pin is normally on-top with regular IEMs, yet here it’s facing forward, next the nozzle. The entire stance (cable and nozzle) of the IEM is also facing forward into an angle, upon the ear.
The past BLON Z200
The closest to this form (in my experience) has been the BLON Z200, yet even then the Z200 didn’t have this aggressive forward angled nozzle. What all this results in for you the listener is a slight acclimation period. Number one just getting used to the small size, and number two figuring-out the position in ear. Afterwards all is well, as most folks will remember the fit of small IEMs being incredibly comfortable. Now remember too, there is some weight feedback which comes in from the Kailua 5 grams of weight, which makes you realize the IEM is still in your ear. Having 3 side air-vents and one facing your ear, the sound is very much open. Outside noise isolation is just slightly better than average, which is surprisingly good with how small in general the Kailua is. An incredibly uniform screen sits just inside of the nozzle lip, protected from any movement. The nozzle (while slightly short) may be a challenge to find the correct ear-tip? Here we seem to find smooth metal construction with an added aluminum-like faceplate. The Kailua comes in white, black or titanium. And while I don’t want to over emphasize the size and shape here, this may just be a new deal in form-factor for many Head-Fi members? Also I thought that maybe it was simple acclimation, as when stuff is different………it is just different, and not necessarily wrong. Yet still after a few weeks of use, the Kailua is different in shape and size, not necessarily a bad thing, but different.
Cable:
Incredibly small, which in a way goes with the IEM, as you don’t want a garden hose pulling on your fit. The high-purity OCC copper cable does the trick and was used for my testing. Needless to say after a bit I changed to 4.4mm to access the balanced amplification available. Probably my favorite feature about the included cable was the tiny blue and red dot on the 2Pin connectors. Just remember ear-hooks (however you can find them) are needed due to the size and fitment of this particular IEM.
Ear-tips:
Later I will discuss the use of ear-tips more, but to reiterate here, your choices of ear-tips can be limited as my typical shallow wide-bore tips would not work due to the actual ear-tip length not being long enough. Thus I moved to a slightly longer tip and was able to arrive at great ear fitment. And while each person is different as far as fitment goes, I think most would regard these nozzles as on the shorter side of the street, yet with the right ear-tips all was well.
Packaging:
The cable, the IEMs and a warranty card and 6 pairs of (possibly) usable ear-tips. There was no user manual included, yet as noted the user experience is very straight forward.
Tripowin:
I kinda can see where this is going. New Chinese audio manufacturers in the future!
Loop-O-Plane
Disk'O
Rock-O-Plane
Roll-O-Plane
Tilt-A-Whirl
TC-10 Tripowin #1 the most underrated IEM in Head-Fi's history.
Tripowin as a product name may still be a little strange, like a carnival ride. In fact I did the very first Tripowin product review here at Head-Fi. In January of 2021 I reviewed the Tripowin TC-10. Such a name as Tripowin was a novelty and no-one was sure about the meaning. But just like names go…more and more IEM products were manufactured, and before long any strangeness was gone, replaced by trust. This being my 5th Tripowin product review, all models are of the value level of budget IEMs, and often showcasing a sound far above their asking price.
Piccolo v Kailua, again yet more in-depth:
First off, my way of testing IEMs back to back is to use the same set of tips, the same cable, the same volume on the same DAP and the same songs. Lucky for me the Piccolo and the Kailua were very much the same as far as drivability. The next challenge was to find ear-tips. I went through about 7 pairs of tips listening to the Piccolo then the Kailua each time, and eventually landing on the same pair of ear-tips. My methods for songs are to use 2 songs normally and keep switching between IEMs and starting the song over and over. Eventually I extend the listening times until I’m about half-way through the song. Each time taking mental notes as to which elements are the same and different. Memorizing more and more of the song as I go along. Finally landing on at times one single element of the song to contemplate the playback results. In such a fashion I guarantee fairness both in ear-tips and DAP/Cable. The reason the ear-tips are fair is because I gave multiple chances to land on an ear-tip, with each pair of tips offering a slightly different sound. It’s a game of fit and comfortability which will enact the best sonic performance. After 13 Piccolo and Kailua change-outs I landed on a single pair of ear-tips that will allow for use on both IEMs. So that was multiple times (26) different times of playing the same two songs over and over. Listening and feeling what would possibly be the very best pair of ear-tips.
Once landed on ear-tips:
Next I continue to listen to different songs and try to fathom differences between IEMs. Using the same song I again extend its length longer and longer in an attempt to remember each special point of interest when comparing IEMs.
Results:
While the Tripowin Kailua was smaller, getting fit and placement was not as easy going as the Piccolo. Yep, the Piccolo found its fitment place easier and faster…..ending slightly more comfortable in the end. Though both were fine, the Kailua was not as easy going in fitment. Now remember this took place as I was changing ear-tips. 13 different ear-tip changes (left no doubt that) I was looking for the best fit and placement. Now there was nothing totally wrong with the Kailua fit, only that being smaller there was a little too up close and personal style to the fit, where the Piccolo was somewhat more relaxed and natural, yet bigger and more generic in fit, along with being more what I’m used to.
When landing on a common ear-tip for both IEMs the music continued to be analyzed, and truths (for myself) discovered. The Kailua seemed to offer slightly more vibrancy than the Piccolo. Both the bass and midrange could be discovered to hold a slightly clearer technicality. But as a fact, both IEMs were responsible for much of the very same tuning, being birds of a feather. Yep, they had more in common with one another than different. I kept trying to hear the 2X drivers of the Kailua in competition with the single driver of the Piccolo, yet both seemed to do technicalities well, the Kailua was in the end slightly better. While vocals were maybe slightly more forward with the Kailua, both IEMs were nice, and I came to understand why the Tripowin Piccolo got the 5 star review it got. I mean my very first reaction to the Kailua was (upper-midrange) clarity…….super clarity, and obviously it was a new tune from what I had heard before from HBB collaborations in the BLON Z300 or QKZ Khan. Those two past collaborations were L shaped and bass heavy now we are met by more midrange and overall tonal balance. Really the Piccolo and Kailua share an overall tone, yet the Kailua is more vivid and holds a forwardness of vivid clarity. Maybe this clearness was what HBB was after right at the start?
Burn-in:
Burn-in (in this case) was real and my only way of getting the most realistic review. Upon first Kailua listen I heard a slight etching style of quality to a section of the upper-midrange. Was this the place where the two drivers overlapped in frequency response? I know burn-in is debatable, yet with dynamic drivers it’s even more important at times. And the Kailua having 2 dynamic drivers meant that the process was possibly even more important. Whatever it was……..a full 7 days of burn-in seemed to do the trick. So my suggestion: if even after 24 hours of burn-in you still notice a lack of cohesion or an etching sound in the upper-midrange, try a full week of burn-in and see if it goes away. As it did for me?
Cable change-outs:
Just for Schiits and giggles I broke-out the $799.00 Penon Totem and gave it a whirl. Reason I chose this cable is it’s one of the few top-of-the-line cables I have that has ear-hooks. As it turns out (if you’re like me) you really need ear-hooks with this IEM. Being the specific size and shape the Kailua is, the hooks give control and placement into the ear. I actually tried other non-ear-hook cables and found them surprisingly a no-go. While the Totem is really not designed for dynamic driver IEMs, and this Kailua with 2X DD was the exact reason as to why. Yep, the Totem diminished almost all of the bass present, yet showed a midrange and (a little) treble emphasis. Yet what was found was clear and seemingly together, with no clue of the frequencies overlapping? The whole effect (while not my sound) may appeal to those looking for more speedy pace and upper textures? But in all seriousness, this combination was ridiculous, as why would anyone combine the two, unless they were simply curious like me. The reason I say this is obviously a more even amount spent between $440.00 on the IEM, and $440 on the cable would normally result in a more advantageous sound.
Sound design:
Bass:
More sub over middle bass, the rhythm comes from the lower emphasis. Leaving a controlled lower midrange to be found clean and relatively detailed. Such a demeanor may be Classic Rock oriented but very different from full-on excess found in the L shape BLON x HBB Z300 or QKZ x HBB Kahn? HBB put his name on the invention, yet offering a new and different tune. I have only heard three of his collaborations, so what do I know? It’s like after learning the response from the BLON x HBB Z300 or QKZ x HBB Kahn, HBB went to garner the freedom found through extra upper mids. And along with such a tune comes extra midrange detail through a subsequent diminishment of the lows.
Midrange:
These are upper-midrange focused IEMs, found inside are all the charms that you would hope to get for the money asked. With the roll-off of the upper treble, even the treble goes to express itself emanating from the midrange. Literally my first idea upon putting the Kailua in my ears is these are mid-forward and upper-mid focused IEMs. I thought there may be different kinds of knowing HBBs tuning preferences in the end? And while different there is a nuance HBBs signature inside the Kailua..........I still hear these as a new style of HBB collaboration.................but a departure into new ideas of found sound territory. Bravo HBB!
Treble:
While slightly played down, it never releases any poisonous treble perfume which could ruin the party. While looking for trouble about my entire library..........all I could do was find Kailua in check? Such a placement was relaying the fact there was both slightly enough, except no real details either, maybe expected at this price point? Probably these could be considered average as far as treble detail goes for the price-point?
Music:
KMFDM
IN DUB
SUPERHERO DUB
44.1 kHZ - 24 bit
A softer less forward bass becomes a nice variation to how I normally interpret this number. Fast in authority with the bass still delivering the goods, only the other (mid) sound elements are more forward, but beyond more forward, there is nice fast separation and imaging found. This getting in and out of drums and vocals seems to still provide all the entertainment. Such a bass is more focused and holding a viewable place in the stage, not everywhere like it normally is. This is a clean form of audiophile playback. This is still charismatic bass, holding a unique overall position inside the stage and offering pleasurable tone.
Hans Zimmer
The Dark Knight Rises OST
On Thin Ice/Gotham’s Reckoning
192 kHz - 24 bit
On Thin Ice:
The bass introduction directly at the start is a nice size and seemingly all there. Really it’s big and is in no way diminished in bass size. There is a trueness and honesty that is hard to argue with when the bass comes in at 02:16 and continues with the procession of enhancements up until the very end. This is a sad song in a way, well somber and moody. The Kailua with its correct timbre helps get you there (if you want to be somber and moody) and while as the song goes on, that 02:16 zone of bass is strikingly complete. And as a seamless continuation over to the next song at 02:54 we are finally given some positive thoughts in the OST. Remember this (Batman) mood has been a central theme ever since the Frank Miller comic book reintroduced the series with his personal touch of darkness, far removed from the original Batman of the 1960s.
Gotham’s Reckoning:
The bass at 00:20 is truly the money here. I mean this has been my one test to judge the quality of bass since maybe 2018? Now call me smitten, but there are some claps-percussion right at 00:48……….these are a test of upper midrange clarity and at times can be too hot. Yet here there is no better place to emphases the naturalness and (while intense) the claps never travel over into too much. You may read about me describing the soundstage as average in this review, yet in this particular song somehow it’s totally big enough, with no congestion found. Things seem correct in placement into the stage, with great forward and back.......and both up and down perspectives? There is an openness which seems to just work here, none of that synthetically overblown stage, yet all is real, thus correct.
John Williams
Star Wars: The Force Awakens OST
The Scavenger
96kHz - 24bit
The strings here are more close to home and not so extended far out and away as you would have with multiple BA sets. Is such string placement a technicality or a FR tune, I suspect a feature of both? Yet where the Kailua makes up for this is the more real timbre. I mean that’s what 2 DDs do here. In this exact playback the soundstage is simply shown for what it is. Not that big, but adequate and could be considered as normal. At 00:54 beautiful echoey keys come in, then big strings go to follow. There is a playful back and forth that is the trademark of John Williams, and we feel that playfulness.
Fitment:
Rarely do you see concern about an IEMs fit near the end of a review. Yet it is a double edge sword with the Kailua. I can pretty much guarantee the fit will be a new experience for many. And while once you have found a great fit, the IEM delivers its results. All the ideas of sound design provided that were invented by the Tripowin engineers and HBB can come to realization then. Yet if by chance you don’t have fit but think you do, a style of half-way-ness in sound playback may be found. All I’m saying is with this IEM correct fit is both crucial and seemingly one way. There is no enjoying the Tripowin Kailua if the fit is not achieved. Ear-tips are a huge part of that concept, meaning once a certain style of ear-tip was found all was well. You will probably read or watch Youtube videos regarding the correct placement (fit) of the Tripowin Kailua as a theme. Some reviewers change-out the cable, and others (like me) get the included cable to work. Either way the importance of this single concept is crucial to the success in use with the Kailua. And out of confusion is found success, though this particular IEM may require a little more finagling?
Conclusion:
While designed and well made, the Tripowin x Hawaiian Bad Boy Kailua brings nice authority for its size, more than you would guess by studying the IEM. Different from most IEMs I review, this particular IEM was on hand for weeks and weeks. During that time I started to understand the unique size and shape, being a little different from what I was used to. In the end the Kailua’s ways won me over by showing me that it knew more about how an IEM should fit, not me. The tone is just enough excitement to be interesting but at the same time controlled enough to play all genres. And while I wish things like the medium stage could be bigger, stage is subjective, so others may find it nothing to complain about.
Due to IEM size/form and playback, I see the Kailua being chosen for an out and about sports IEM, going places you may not take other gear. Finding the likes of simple phone playback to contain every one of the Kailua’s sonic features is another reason to place it on the go. Just big authority from a small IEM out of a phone on the go. Just the simple fact that the Kailua never moves from its ear positioning was almost reason enough? With profoundly deep and well placed bass, the Kailua is the epitome of dynamics for modern music. While there is truly enough treble to balance it out, really it’s the mids that push this particular IEM into notability. That the Kailua holds this special midrange into which clarity is found, and details are discovered becoming a value (for the dollar) even in this crowded market place.
$79.00
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-x-hbb-kailua?variant=43975791247577
Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=A267P2DT104U3C
Disclaimer:
I want to thank Kareena of Linsoul for the love and the Tripowin x HBB Kailua review sample.
Disclaimer:
These are one persons ideas and concepts, your results may vary.
Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
Shanling UA3 Dongle DAC/Amplifier 3.5mm and 4.4mm
A quick size comparison to the new Kiwi ears Quintet!
Dual Dynamic Driver In-Ear Monitors
Redcarmoose July 25, 2023
Surprisingly, I received the Kailua on June 28th, so I have spent considerable time with them. Being a double Dynamic Driver constructed of a 10mm DLC for lows and mids, and a 6mm Titanium coated driver for the upper-mids and highs, I was happy to wait and gain experience/burn-in time. Often gaining extra listening time can go one of two ways, One) the IEM may arrive at boring and as the newness wears off, or (Two) (in this case) finding the Tripowin Kailua unique (in shape) yet proficient and complete in sound response. In the end the Kailua did have admirable character and charm. One of the questions answered in this review is one of value. Is the Kailua worth $79.00? And is it better than the $35.00 Tripowin Piccolo?
Since I have just reviewed the BLON x HBB Z300 and QKZ x HBB Khan, I am a little familiar with the Youtube IEM reviewer entity known as HBB. Now in this review I’m really going to be comparing the Kailua more to the Tripowin Piccolo. Why? Due to me liking the Piccolo better than the Z300 and Khan, but more than that, I hear the Kailua as a departure in tone from the HBB (normally) L shaped bass monsters. Yep, we are traveling to a more forward upper-midrange with the Kailua. I just watched a video today that had HBB explaining Kailua in relation to the past collaborations of the Olina and Mele. To cut to the chase here, the Kailua has some relationship to the Olina. Except the Kailua is purportedly actually a better sounding for HBB’s library. While never hearing the Olina or prior Mele, I will have to take HBB’s word on this.
Now not to get too bogged down in the history of HBB collaborations, there has been improvements made structurally too. The Olina had some issues with moisture creating condensation inside of the IEM. The Kailua screen material has been changed into the identical style as the Piccolo, which has been (so far) trouble free! So to summarize here, the Mele was improved upon by the Olina, and the driver inside the Olina was identical to the Tanchjim Oxygen Single CNT Dynamic. Through OEM part suppliers, HBB was able to retail the Olina at a fraction of the Tanchjim Oxygen’s cost. And……..to get where we are today…..the Kailua is even less money, yet more capable than the Olina.
A quick-read comparison summery:
Generic Tripowin Piccolo or Tripowin x HBB Kailua?
So the burning question is if I like the Kailua more than the Piccolo, and how much money does HBB get for his input? As far as I know the amount (his fee) hasn’t been disclosed, and that’s the thing, all these collaborations have fees tagged on which get passed-on to the buyer. Now the question is if he added a special quality to the tune…….one that we just can’t go with-out? In a way it’s none of our business how much money the collaborators get. The main thing should be if we like the IEM in question and feel it’s a value. Is there a level of celebrity perfection to the tune, does HBB bring a tuning process (magic) that is worth the extra money?
Summarized comparison:
While both IEMs are birds of a feather, I do like the sound of the Kailua in that it’s slightly clearer than the Piccolo. It has more contrasts in bass and treble and a more forward midrange. It’s like someone cleaned the windows and we can view the imaging and tones of the Kailua with better clarity. Though the Piccolo is $35.00 and the Kailua is $79.00? Also I actually like the fit of the Piccolo better as it’s slightly more easygoing and more what I’m used to. Where the Kailua (fit) is fine once you discover placement, the use of ear-hooks with the cable is a must with the Kailua, whereas with the Piccolo I could use any cable. Also I had a much wider choice of ear-tips with the Piccolo. Due to a closer fit, the Kailua is almost like a sports IEM, incredibly small and gaining fitment only in one specific way. And probably the $44.00 difference in price is realistic for the diminishing returns (for an increase) in sound quality? Both IEMs I give great scores to, yet the Piccolo is the better deal for everything it does for the money. So I rated the Piccolo as a straight-up 5 star and the Kailua gets 4 stars. Of course both fit and sound quality per dollar spent are subjective………..you are reading a (personal) subjective review here.
Build:
Coming in at a stealthy 5 grams each in weight, the Kailua is way, way smaller than you think, by studying the close-up photographs. It’s really small, and dwarfed by the Piccolo. Even as far as weight goes, the Piccolo is a full 4 grams more in metal. At 9 grams a piece, you know when Piccolo is having an ear-visit. Concerning the Kailua, the whole shape idea is rather different. Where due to the Kailua size and shape, the whole IEM just sits that much closer. This results in two noticeable things, the 2Pin is normally on-top with regular IEMs, yet here it’s facing forward, next the nozzle. The entire stance (cable and nozzle) of the IEM is also facing forward into an angle, upon the ear.
The past BLON Z200
The closest to this form (in my experience) has been the BLON Z200, yet even then the Z200 didn’t have this aggressive forward angled nozzle. What all this results in for you the listener is a slight acclimation period. Number one just getting used to the small size, and number two figuring-out the position in ear. Afterwards all is well, as most folks will remember the fit of small IEMs being incredibly comfortable. Now remember too, there is some weight feedback which comes in from the Kailua 5 grams of weight, which makes you realize the IEM is still in your ear. Having 3 side air-vents and one facing your ear, the sound is very much open. Outside noise isolation is just slightly better than average, which is surprisingly good with how small in general the Kailua is. An incredibly uniform screen sits just inside of the nozzle lip, protected from any movement. The nozzle (while slightly short) may be a challenge to find the correct ear-tip? Here we seem to find smooth metal construction with an added aluminum-like faceplate. The Kailua comes in white, black or titanium. And while I don’t want to over emphasize the size and shape here, this may just be a new deal in form-factor for many Head-Fi members? Also I thought that maybe it was simple acclimation, as when stuff is different………it is just different, and not necessarily wrong. Yet still after a few weeks of use, the Kailua is different in shape and size, not necessarily a bad thing, but different.
Cable:
Incredibly small, which in a way goes with the IEM, as you don’t want a garden hose pulling on your fit. The high-purity OCC copper cable does the trick and was used for my testing. Needless to say after a bit I changed to 4.4mm to access the balanced amplification available. Probably my favorite feature about the included cable was the tiny blue and red dot on the 2Pin connectors. Just remember ear-hooks (however you can find them) are needed due to the size and fitment of this particular IEM.
Ear-tips:
Later I will discuss the use of ear-tips more, but to reiterate here, your choices of ear-tips can be limited as my typical shallow wide-bore tips would not work due to the actual ear-tip length not being long enough. Thus I moved to a slightly longer tip and was able to arrive at great ear fitment. And while each person is different as far as fitment goes, I think most would regard these nozzles as on the shorter side of the street, yet with the right ear-tips all was well.
Packaging:
The cable, the IEMs and a warranty card and 6 pairs of (possibly) usable ear-tips. There was no user manual included, yet as noted the user experience is very straight forward.
Tripowin:
I kinda can see where this is going. New Chinese audio manufacturers in the future!
Loop-O-Plane
Disk'O
Rock-O-Plane
Roll-O-Plane
Tilt-A-Whirl
TC-10 Tripowin #1 the most underrated IEM in Head-Fi's history.
Tripowin as a product name may still be a little strange, like a carnival ride. In fact I did the very first Tripowin product review here at Head-Fi. In January of 2021 I reviewed the Tripowin TC-10. Such a name as Tripowin was a novelty and no-one was sure about the meaning. But just like names go…more and more IEM products were manufactured, and before long any strangeness was gone, replaced by trust. This being my 5th Tripowin product review, all models are of the value level of budget IEMs, and often showcasing a sound far above their asking price.
Piccolo v Kailua, again yet more in-depth:
First off, my way of testing IEMs back to back is to use the same set of tips, the same cable, the same volume on the same DAP and the same songs. Lucky for me the Piccolo and the Kailua were very much the same as far as drivability. The next challenge was to find ear-tips. I went through about 7 pairs of tips listening to the Piccolo then the Kailua each time, and eventually landing on the same pair of ear-tips. My methods for songs are to use 2 songs normally and keep switching between IEMs and starting the song over and over. Eventually I extend the listening times until I’m about half-way through the song. Each time taking mental notes as to which elements are the same and different. Memorizing more and more of the song as I go along. Finally landing on at times one single element of the song to contemplate the playback results. In such a fashion I guarantee fairness both in ear-tips and DAP/Cable. The reason the ear-tips are fair is because I gave multiple chances to land on an ear-tip, with each pair of tips offering a slightly different sound. It’s a game of fit and comfortability which will enact the best sonic performance. After 13 Piccolo and Kailua change-outs I landed on a single pair of ear-tips that will allow for use on both IEMs. So that was multiple times (26) different times of playing the same two songs over and over. Listening and feeling what would possibly be the very best pair of ear-tips.
Once landed on ear-tips:
Next I continue to listen to different songs and try to fathom differences between IEMs. Using the same song I again extend its length longer and longer in an attempt to remember each special point of interest when comparing IEMs.
Results:
While the Tripowin Kailua was smaller, getting fit and placement was not as easy going as the Piccolo. Yep, the Piccolo found its fitment place easier and faster…..ending slightly more comfortable in the end. Though both were fine, the Kailua was not as easy going in fitment. Now remember this took place as I was changing ear-tips. 13 different ear-tip changes (left no doubt that) I was looking for the best fit and placement. Now there was nothing totally wrong with the Kailua fit, only that being smaller there was a little too up close and personal style to the fit, where the Piccolo was somewhat more relaxed and natural, yet bigger and more generic in fit, along with being more what I’m used to.
When landing on a common ear-tip for both IEMs the music continued to be analyzed, and truths (for myself) discovered. The Kailua seemed to offer slightly more vibrancy than the Piccolo. Both the bass and midrange could be discovered to hold a slightly clearer technicality. But as a fact, both IEMs were responsible for much of the very same tuning, being birds of a feather. Yep, they had more in common with one another than different. I kept trying to hear the 2X drivers of the Kailua in competition with the single driver of the Piccolo, yet both seemed to do technicalities well, the Kailua was in the end slightly better. While vocals were maybe slightly more forward with the Kailua, both IEMs were nice, and I came to understand why the Tripowin Piccolo got the 5 star review it got. I mean my very first reaction to the Kailua was (upper-midrange) clarity…….super clarity, and obviously it was a new tune from what I had heard before from HBB collaborations in the BLON Z300 or QKZ Khan. Those two past collaborations were L shaped and bass heavy now we are met by more midrange and overall tonal balance. Really the Piccolo and Kailua share an overall tone, yet the Kailua is more vivid and holds a forwardness of vivid clarity. Maybe this clearness was what HBB was after right at the start?
Burn-in:
Burn-in (in this case) was real and my only way of getting the most realistic review. Upon first Kailua listen I heard a slight etching style of quality to a section of the upper-midrange. Was this the place where the two drivers overlapped in frequency response? I know burn-in is debatable, yet with dynamic drivers it’s even more important at times. And the Kailua having 2 dynamic drivers meant that the process was possibly even more important. Whatever it was……..a full 7 days of burn-in seemed to do the trick. So my suggestion: if even after 24 hours of burn-in you still notice a lack of cohesion or an etching sound in the upper-midrange, try a full week of burn-in and see if it goes away. As it did for me?
Cable change-outs:
Just for Schiits and giggles I broke-out the $799.00 Penon Totem and gave it a whirl. Reason I chose this cable is it’s one of the few top-of-the-line cables I have that has ear-hooks. As it turns out (if you’re like me) you really need ear-hooks with this IEM. Being the specific size and shape the Kailua is, the hooks give control and placement into the ear. I actually tried other non-ear-hook cables and found them surprisingly a no-go. While the Totem is really not designed for dynamic driver IEMs, and this Kailua with 2X DD was the exact reason as to why. Yep, the Totem diminished almost all of the bass present, yet showed a midrange and (a little) treble emphasis. Yet what was found was clear and seemingly together, with no clue of the frequencies overlapping? The whole effect (while not my sound) may appeal to those looking for more speedy pace and upper textures? But in all seriousness, this combination was ridiculous, as why would anyone combine the two, unless they were simply curious like me. The reason I say this is obviously a more even amount spent between $440.00 on the IEM, and $440 on the cable would normally result in a more advantageous sound.
Sound design:
Bass:
More sub over middle bass, the rhythm comes from the lower emphasis. Leaving a controlled lower midrange to be found clean and relatively detailed. Such a demeanor may be Classic Rock oriented but very different from full-on excess found in the L shape BLON x HBB Z300 or QKZ x HBB Kahn? HBB put his name on the invention, yet offering a new and different tune. I have only heard three of his collaborations, so what do I know? It’s like after learning the response from the BLON x HBB Z300 or QKZ x HBB Kahn, HBB went to garner the freedom found through extra upper mids. And along with such a tune comes extra midrange detail through a subsequent diminishment of the lows.
Midrange:
These are upper-midrange focused IEMs, found inside are all the charms that you would hope to get for the money asked. With the roll-off of the upper treble, even the treble goes to express itself emanating from the midrange. Literally my first idea upon putting the Kailua in my ears is these are mid-forward and upper-mid focused IEMs. I thought there may be different kinds of knowing HBBs tuning preferences in the end? And while different there is a nuance HBBs signature inside the Kailua..........I still hear these as a new style of HBB collaboration.................but a departure into new ideas of found sound territory. Bravo HBB!
Treble:
While slightly played down, it never releases any poisonous treble perfume which could ruin the party. While looking for trouble about my entire library..........all I could do was find Kailua in check? Such a placement was relaying the fact there was both slightly enough, except no real details either, maybe expected at this price point? Probably these could be considered average as far as treble detail goes for the price-point?
Music:
KMFDM
IN DUB
SUPERHERO DUB
44.1 kHZ - 24 bit
A softer less forward bass becomes a nice variation to how I normally interpret this number. Fast in authority with the bass still delivering the goods, only the other (mid) sound elements are more forward, but beyond more forward, there is nice fast separation and imaging found. This getting in and out of drums and vocals seems to still provide all the entertainment. Such a bass is more focused and holding a viewable place in the stage, not everywhere like it normally is. This is a clean form of audiophile playback. This is still charismatic bass, holding a unique overall position inside the stage and offering pleasurable tone.
Hans Zimmer
The Dark Knight Rises OST
On Thin Ice/Gotham’s Reckoning
192 kHz - 24 bit
On Thin Ice:
The bass introduction directly at the start is a nice size and seemingly all there. Really it’s big and is in no way diminished in bass size. There is a trueness and honesty that is hard to argue with when the bass comes in at 02:16 and continues with the procession of enhancements up until the very end. This is a sad song in a way, well somber and moody. The Kailua with its correct timbre helps get you there (if you want to be somber and moody) and while as the song goes on, that 02:16 zone of bass is strikingly complete. And as a seamless continuation over to the next song at 02:54 we are finally given some positive thoughts in the OST. Remember this (Batman) mood has been a central theme ever since the Frank Miller comic book reintroduced the series with his personal touch of darkness, far removed from the original Batman of the 1960s.
Gotham’s Reckoning:
The bass at 00:20 is truly the money here. I mean this has been my one test to judge the quality of bass since maybe 2018? Now call me smitten, but there are some claps-percussion right at 00:48……….these are a test of upper midrange clarity and at times can be too hot. Yet here there is no better place to emphases the naturalness and (while intense) the claps never travel over into too much. You may read about me describing the soundstage as average in this review, yet in this particular song somehow it’s totally big enough, with no congestion found. Things seem correct in placement into the stage, with great forward and back.......and both up and down perspectives? There is an openness which seems to just work here, none of that synthetically overblown stage, yet all is real, thus correct.
John Williams
Star Wars: The Force Awakens OST
The Scavenger
96kHz - 24bit
The strings here are more close to home and not so extended far out and away as you would have with multiple BA sets. Is such string placement a technicality or a FR tune, I suspect a feature of both? Yet where the Kailua makes up for this is the more real timbre. I mean that’s what 2 DDs do here. In this exact playback the soundstage is simply shown for what it is. Not that big, but adequate and could be considered as normal. At 00:54 beautiful echoey keys come in, then big strings go to follow. There is a playful back and forth that is the trademark of John Williams, and we feel that playfulness.
Fitment:
Rarely do you see concern about an IEMs fit near the end of a review. Yet it is a double edge sword with the Kailua. I can pretty much guarantee the fit will be a new experience for many. And while once you have found a great fit, the IEM delivers its results. All the ideas of sound design provided that were invented by the Tripowin engineers and HBB can come to realization then. Yet if by chance you don’t have fit but think you do, a style of half-way-ness in sound playback may be found. All I’m saying is with this IEM correct fit is both crucial and seemingly one way. There is no enjoying the Tripowin Kailua if the fit is not achieved. Ear-tips are a huge part of that concept, meaning once a certain style of ear-tip was found all was well. You will probably read or watch Youtube videos regarding the correct placement (fit) of the Tripowin Kailua as a theme. Some reviewers change-out the cable, and others (like me) get the included cable to work. Either way the importance of this single concept is crucial to the success in use with the Kailua. And out of confusion is found success, though this particular IEM may require a little more finagling?
Conclusion:
While designed and well made, the Tripowin x Hawaiian Bad Boy Kailua brings nice authority for its size, more than you would guess by studying the IEM. Different from most IEMs I review, this particular IEM was on hand for weeks and weeks. During that time I started to understand the unique size and shape, being a little different from what I was used to. In the end the Kailua’s ways won me over by showing me that it knew more about how an IEM should fit, not me. The tone is just enough excitement to be interesting but at the same time controlled enough to play all genres. And while I wish things like the medium stage could be bigger, stage is subjective, so others may find it nothing to complain about.
Due to IEM size/form and playback, I see the Kailua being chosen for an out and about sports IEM, going places you may not take other gear. Finding the likes of simple phone playback to contain every one of the Kailua’s sonic features is another reason to place it on the go. Just big authority from a small IEM out of a phone on the go. Just the simple fact that the Kailua never moves from its ear positioning was almost reason enough? With profoundly deep and well placed bass, the Kailua is the epitome of dynamics for modern music. While there is truly enough treble to balance it out, really it’s the mids that push this particular IEM into notability. That the Kailua holds this special midrange into which clarity is found, and details are discovered becoming a value (for the dollar) even in this crowded market place.
$79.00
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-x-hbb-kailua?variant=43975791247577
Linsoul website: https://www.linsoul.com/
Linsoul Aliexpress Store: https://ddaudio.aliexpress.com/store/2894006
Linsoul USA Amazon Store link: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=merchant-items&me=A267P2DT104U3C
Disclaimer:
I want to thank Kareena of Linsoul for the love and the Tripowin x HBB Kailua review sample.
Disclaimer:
These are one persons ideas and concepts, your results may vary.
Equipment Used:
Sony WM1Z Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Sony WM1A Walkman DAP MrWalkman Firmware 3.5mm and 4.4mm
Sony TA-ZH1ES DAC/AMP Firmware 1.03
Electra Glide Audio Reference Glide-Reference Standard "Fatboy" Power Cord
Sony Walkman Cradle BCR-NWH10
AudioQuest Carbon USB
Shanling UA3 Dongle DAC/Amplifier 3.5mm and 4.4mm
A quick size comparison to the new Kiwi ears Quintet!
This set was bought from my own hard earned money and I don't have to thank any company or publish insincere reviews in fear that the next products will not be given to me in exchange for an „HONEST” reviews.
If you looking for a good 2DD set buy Truthear Zero and Truthear Zero Red.You can get both for the same price as Kailua.This set looks,sounds and got a cable like a random 20$ set from AliExpress.
If you looking for a good 2DD set buy Truthear Zero and Truthear Zero Red.You can get both for the same price as Kailua.This set looks,sounds and got a cable like a random 20$ set from AliExpress.
𝑻𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏 𝒙 𝑯𝑩𝑩: 𝑲𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘: 𝑫𝒚𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝑫𝒖𝒐
|| 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ||
Tripowin has never been one of those more mainstream brands in Chi-Fi with some of their releases found under the radar of a number of people. A very known audio reviewer on YouTube who goes by the name HawaiiBadBoy (Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews) is once again collaborating with Tripowin to release another set for roughly $80.
As suggested above, HBB had collaborated with Tripowin in the past with the Mele which garnered a good amount of attention from the hobby. This new release is named the Kailua, which means ‘two seas’ or ‘two currents’ in Hawaiian language which is very much so from HBB.
|| 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 ||
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𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 Tripowin 𝙣𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮.
𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 Linsoul Audio 𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙈𝙨. 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩. 𝙄 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨.
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| 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 |
The Kailua is packed in a small compact black box with a render of the earpiece itself in one of the three colorways along text and branding all over the box. The right side of the box contains the specifications of the item whilst the back contains information about the brand and the manufacturer.
| 𝗨𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 |
Removing the initial cardboard cover is the top cover with text branding. Sliding the top cover off reveals the Kailua earpieces encased in foam topped with paper. Underneath that is the remaining items such as the stock cable, ear tips and some paperwork.
𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻:
Paperwork
Kailua earpieces
Stock high-purity OCC copper 3.5mm cable
A set of wide-bore ear tips (S/M/L)
A set of normal-bore ear tips (S/M/L)
I just want to say that the cable is quite a treat. It’s small, light, not sticky, and generally behaves well along with having a chin cinch. This reminds me of the old Moondrop SSR/SSP cable but without that chonky Y-split and lack of a chin cinch.
Overall accessories for the price are quite sparse considering the competition but the things they included are more than enough to use the Kailua.
| 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 & 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 |
The Kailua is made out of some sort of aluminum that feels great in the hand. It has a nice balance of heft and lightness that gives off a premium feel. Tripowin offers the Kailua in three different colorways, that being a black body with a purple faceplate(Black), one with a black body and a blue faceplate(Titanium) and the color that we have today and is in my opinion the most interesting, one with a white body and a purple faceplate(White).
The design reminded a colleague of mine of a character named Frieza, from a popular anime namely Dragon Ball especially with the white variant of the Kailua which I very much see the resemblance. It’s nice to try a white version of the IEM after the Kinera Gimlet. I find the color very refreshing and unique in the sea of mostly black colored IEMs.
The shape of the Kailua also reminds me of the old BLON BL05, Kinera Seed, or Shure’s SE lineup of IEMs. They are quite small and lowkey that they can easily tuck in your ear no problem.
The Kailua has an angled 2-pin connection on the top. A three hole vent cluster at the bottom and another near the nozzle. Speaking of nozzles, the Kailua’s nozzles are protruded with a decent amount and have a lip to hold ear tips in place. The paint used on the Kailua is smooth and has no rough edges overall, but I am not confident if the paint used to coat this will withstand chipping after quite some time.
Tripowin packed two dynamic drivers on each ear piece of the Kailua allowing for a full, warm and natural sound presentation. A 10mm diamond-like-carbon(DLC) titanium-coated diaphragm driver is paired with a 6mm titanium-coated composite diaphragm driver to be exact.
| 𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 |
Due to the more universal design and shape, the Kailua’s isolation is pretty average. There are no special quirks like outwards facing vents or a totally closed-off design that affects the isolation. This can be used still when drowning outside noise but is still no match to actually ANC devices.
| 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 |
Very comfortable especially with the small size and the ergonomic shape of the Kailua. I never found myself uncomfortable even with hours on end of usage. The pressure seems to be managed well and the occlusion effect isn’t that severe.
** 𝗞𝗕 𝗘𝗮𝗿 𝟬𝟳(𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹) | 𝗭𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝟭(𝗘𝗦𝗦) | 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝟵(𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻)**
|| 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 ||
Very safe and relaxed sound. Never had issues with it being too harsh in the ear, considering you are in the safe volume. It sounds like a typical HBB collaboration IEM but with a few quirks that makes it quite distinct compared to other earlier collaborations.
| 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 |
Easy to drive, the dual dynamic drivers are very efficient in requiring power but I did notice that I had to push my volume on my phone more to allow the Kailua to ‘sound right’.
| 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝘀 |
Midbass is a bit more present than the sub bass but not too far apart of a discrepancy
Hits and impact are tight and fast in both attack and decay whilst only a little amount of bleed. Sub bass has a decent rumble amount and it is very well textured. Can serve bassheads well.
| 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘀 |
Vocals are thick and warm, sibilance is present but is minimal, They have a very distinct presence and don't get drowned out by other competing frequencies. Instruments are also full-sounding with good presence. The timbre sounds very natural and never once sounded off.
| 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘀 |
Highs are relatively safe and were only a bit harsh from time to time especially on higher volumes. The Kailua isn’t particularly keen on the sparkle, extension and air but all of it results in a much more relaxed and safer presentation. Details are surprisingly competent but not the best.
| 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 |
Technical abilities of the Kailua are average. Staging isn’t quite wide but also isn’t that intimate. Imaging, layering and separation are good but can sound congested during busier tasks.
|| 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ||
I really liked the midrange performance that this is presenting for some reason. The tuning is I think specifically made to be quite relaxing and safe, at the cost of not sounding the most technical.
Using the Kailua really reminds me of HBB’s type of sound that is almost consistently present in his collaborations but with little differences here and there. This one is my most favorite set out of all of his collaborations with different brands. I don’t recommend this for people with very bright and analytical taste buds, but can most definitely suggest this to people who are treble-sensitive or a basshead.
[| 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 |]
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-x-hbb-kailua...
(𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨. 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙨𝙤𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙪𝙥𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨)
|| 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ||
Tripowin has never been one of those more mainstream brands in Chi-Fi with some of their releases found under the radar of a number of people. A very known audio reviewer on YouTube who goes by the name HawaiiBadBoy (Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews) is once again collaborating with Tripowin to release another set for roughly $80.
As suggested above, HBB had collaborated with Tripowin in the past with the Mele which garnered a good amount of attention from the hobby. This new release is named the Kailua, which means ‘two seas’ or ‘two currents’ in Hawaiian language which is very much so from HBB.
|| 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 ||
- I am in no way, shape, or form affiliated with the brands I review and do not give out preview privileges.
- This set is sent in exchange for an honest review. There is no material or financial incentive for me to do this review and I guarantee no exchange has been done by both parties to influence or sway our opinions on this product.
- My thoughts and opinions are of my own. My experience will entirely differ from everybody else. The contents of this review should not be considered factual as this hobby heavily leans on subjectivity. YMMV.
- I don’t do rankings or tier lists as they can get outdated immediately as a reviewer can change their thoughts of a product to a certain extent. If you do want a recommendation then feel free to reach out so I can help out
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𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 Tripowin 𝙣𝙤𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮.
𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 Linsoul Audio 𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙈𝙨. 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩. 𝙄 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨.
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| 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 |
The Kailua is packed in a small compact black box with a render of the earpiece itself in one of the three colorways along text and branding all over the box. The right side of the box contains the specifications of the item whilst the back contains information about the brand and the manufacturer.
| 𝗨𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 |
Removing the initial cardboard cover is the top cover with text branding. Sliding the top cover off reveals the Kailua earpieces encased in foam topped with paper. Underneath that is the remaining items such as the stock cable, ear tips and some paperwork.
𝗜𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻:
Paperwork
Kailua earpieces
Stock high-purity OCC copper 3.5mm cable
A set of wide-bore ear tips (S/M/L)
A set of normal-bore ear tips (S/M/L)
I just want to say that the cable is quite a treat. It’s small, light, not sticky, and generally behaves well along with having a chin cinch. This reminds me of the old Moondrop SSR/SSP cable but without that chonky Y-split and lack of a chin cinch.
Overall accessories for the price are quite sparse considering the competition but the things they included are more than enough to use the Kailua.
| 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 & 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 |
The Kailua is made out of some sort of aluminum that feels great in the hand. It has a nice balance of heft and lightness that gives off a premium feel. Tripowin offers the Kailua in three different colorways, that being a black body with a purple faceplate(Black), one with a black body and a blue faceplate(Titanium) and the color that we have today and is in my opinion the most interesting, one with a white body and a purple faceplate(White).
The design reminded a colleague of mine of a character named Frieza, from a popular anime namely Dragon Ball especially with the white variant of the Kailua which I very much see the resemblance. It’s nice to try a white version of the IEM after the Kinera Gimlet. I find the color very refreshing and unique in the sea of mostly black colored IEMs.
The shape of the Kailua also reminds me of the old BLON BL05, Kinera Seed, or Shure’s SE lineup of IEMs. They are quite small and lowkey that they can easily tuck in your ear no problem.
The Kailua has an angled 2-pin connection on the top. A three hole vent cluster at the bottom and another near the nozzle. Speaking of nozzles, the Kailua’s nozzles are protruded with a decent amount and have a lip to hold ear tips in place. The paint used on the Kailua is smooth and has no rough edges overall, but I am not confident if the paint used to coat this will withstand chipping after quite some time.
Tripowin packed two dynamic drivers on each ear piece of the Kailua allowing for a full, warm and natural sound presentation. A 10mm diamond-like-carbon(DLC) titanium-coated diaphragm driver is paired with a 6mm titanium-coated composite diaphragm driver to be exact.
| 𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 |
Due to the more universal design and shape, the Kailua’s isolation is pretty average. There are no special quirks like outwards facing vents or a totally closed-off design that affects the isolation. This can be used still when drowning outside noise but is still no match to actually ANC devices.
| 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 |
Very comfortable especially with the small size and the ergonomic shape of the Kailua. I never found myself uncomfortable even with hours on end of usage. The pressure seems to be managed well and the occlusion effect isn’t that severe.
** 𝗞𝗕 𝗘𝗮𝗿 𝟬𝟳(𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹) | 𝗭𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝟭(𝗘𝗦𝗦) | 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝟵(𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻)**
|| 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 ||
Very safe and relaxed sound. Never had issues with it being too harsh in the ear, considering you are in the safe volume. It sounds like a typical HBB collaboration IEM but with a few quirks that makes it quite distinct compared to other earlier collaborations.
| 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 |
Easy to drive, the dual dynamic drivers are very efficient in requiring power but I did notice that I had to push my volume on my phone more to allow the Kailua to ‘sound right’.
| 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝘀 |
Midbass is a bit more present than the sub bass but not too far apart of a discrepancy
Hits and impact are tight and fast in both attack and decay whilst only a little amount of bleed. Sub bass has a decent rumble amount and it is very well textured. Can serve bassheads well.
| 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝘀 |
Vocals are thick and warm, sibilance is present but is minimal, They have a very distinct presence and don't get drowned out by other competing frequencies. Instruments are also full-sounding with good presence. The timbre sounds very natural and never once sounded off.
| 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘀 |
Highs are relatively safe and were only a bit harsh from time to time especially on higher volumes. The Kailua isn’t particularly keen on the sparkle, extension and air but all of it results in a much more relaxed and safer presentation. Details are surprisingly competent but not the best.
| 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 |
Technical abilities of the Kailua are average. Staging isn’t quite wide but also isn’t that intimate. Imaging, layering and separation are good but can sound congested during busier tasks.
|| 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ||
I really liked the midrange performance that this is presenting for some reason. The tuning is I think specifically made to be quite relaxing and safe, at the cost of not sounding the most technical.
Using the Kailua really reminds me of HBB’s type of sound that is almost consistently present in his collaborations but with little differences here and there. This one is my most favorite set out of all of his collaborations with different brands. I don’t recommend this for people with very bright and analytical taste buds, but can most definitely suggest this to people who are treble-sensitive or a basshead.
[| 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 |]
https://www.linsoul.com/products/tripowin-x-hbb-kailua...
(𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨. 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙨𝙤𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙪𝙥𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨)
SynaestheticA
Some sibilance, not the best details, average technicals, congested imaging, bass bleed and occasionally harsh highs. 5 stars!
I liked your review but are we scared of not giving an average iem a true rating? It reads like a 2.5 out 5 to be honest.
I liked your review but are we scared of not giving an average iem a true rating? It reads like a 2.5 out 5 to be honest.
Berry108
Thank you Radic and SynaestheticA for pointing this out. I generally post on my Facebook page first then copy it over to HeadFi as I'm very much not used to and active in here. I apologize for the confusion, I didn't notice I left it at 5 stars even though the written review states otherwise. I will re-rate the item more in line to what I said.
Sorry once again for such a clumsy mistake and thank you for pointing it out.
Sorry once again for such a clumsy mistake and thank you for pointing it out.
hokagoteatimereviews
Love the way the iem looks! Also great review
