TRUTHEAR GATE : Everything is adequate, no need to complain, comfortable
Hey guys! Here we have an IEM that I find quite interesting, both in terms of design and sound quality.
Could this be a recommendation? Maybe. Personally, I quite like this IEM, though if you're looking for something exceptional, there isn't much that stands out. Similarly, there aren't many complaints either—there’s not much to criticize about this IEM.
We're actually a bit late reviewing this, as others have already done so about two or three months ago.
Alright, let's get started. Here's my review of the Truthear Gate.
DISCLAIMER & THANKS TO
First off, I want to say a big thank you to Intium Indonesia for providing the IEM unit for this review. For those of you in Indonesia looking for an IEM and often ask, "Bro, any recommendations for a store with good service and a clear warranty?" You can check out this store. If you're in the DKI Jakarta area, especially North Jakarta, you can also drop by Intium Indonesia’s physical store—yes, they have a physical store, not just an online shop.
As always, this review is going to be very subjective, based on my personal taste and impressions after using this IEM for about 3 weeks, while also comparing it to my other IEMs. Intium just entrusted us with the IEM for review, without any specific brief or requests.
PRICE
The price of the Truthear Gate is around Rp350.000 IDR in Indonesia, which is around $20 or $22 USD.
SPECIFICATIONS
For the specifications, this IEM uses a 10mm Single Dynamic Driver configuration, which they claim features their latest technology, the Carbon LCP Diaphragm. It has a sensitivity of 122dB, impedance of 28 Ohms, and a frequency response range up to 45,000 Hz. The cable is detachable, using the standard 2-pin 0.78mm connection.
PACKAGING
The packaging is attractive, and it has become a trend for Truthear and Moondrop to include anime characters or waifus on the front cover. Truthear models like Hola, Hexa, Shio, Zero Blue, and Zero Red, as well as Moondrop Chu, all feature anime art.
On the back, we're presented with a frequency response graph, which is somewhat similar to the Simgot EW100P, if I remember correctly. At the bottom, there’s a brief overview of the specifications.
The top, bottom, and sides are predominantly black, with only a bit of text present.
INCLUSIONS
As for the inclusions, they're pretty standard—nothing too special.
- The IEM unit is the Truthear Gate; we have the black version here, but if you prefer white, it's also available.
- The cable unit has a 2-pin connector and a 3.5mm single-ended jack.
- The eartips include 7 units: 3 small bore and 4 wide bore.
- Lastly, there's a pouch for storing or carrying the IEM.
BUILD QUALITY
As for the build quality of the IEM, it’s actually quite standard. Everything is made from resin or plastic, from the housing and faceplate to the nozzle. The resin isn’t particularly high quality, but I do like the appearance of the faceplate, which is very clear and transparent. Although, to be honest, there’s nothing special about the internals. It does allow us to see the dynamic driver, internal wiring, and connectors. This transparent design seems to be quite popular right now; I also have the KZ Merga and KZ Libra with a similar clear design.
What bothers me a bit is the placement of the "Gate" lettering and the Truthear logo. Why is it placed so far to the edge? It would have looked better if it were slightly more centered. I don’t know if it’s my OCD or what, but it’s frustrating to see the placement look so random.
Also, if the shape of the dynamic driver had a cooler design, like the internal dynamic driver of the KZ Merga or even the EDX Lite, which has a plate that looks like a racing car wheel at the top, it would look much better than this very plain design.
But overall, there are no issues with the build quality, even though there’s nothing to be particularly proud of either. It’s just average.
The eartips are also pretty standard, made of black silicone. We get 4 pairs of wide bore tips and 3 pairs of small bore tips. As you probably know, this will significantly affect the sound. The small bore tips will provide a warmer sound compared to the wide bore tips, which will direct the sound more towards a brighter or more open character.
The cable is quite good for my taste; it features an OFC material for the internal wiring and is covered with a black rubber-like material, making it flexible, not stiff, and resistant to tangling.
What I particularly like is that it comes with a volume button, which is something that's becoming quite rare in other IEMs. In fact, as far as I remember from all the IEMs I've reviewed on my YouTube channel up until this review was written, this is the first one that includes a volume button on the microphone.
This is really helpful when we’re listening to music from our phones, as we don’t have to adjust the volume on the phone itself or through the volume button on the DAC dongle. We can just click the volume button on the cable, which is simple but very useful.
The jack is L-shaped, gold-plated, and has 4 poles.
The connector from the cable to the IEM driver uses the standard 2-pin 0.78mm model.
You can listen to the audio recording from the microphone on my YouTube channel.
As for the pouch, I think it’s nice because at this price point, many other IEMs only provide a simple pouch made of velvet fabric.
Truthear consistently offers a pouch made of synthetic leather like this, which is a great touch. It’s similar to the pouches that come with the Truthear Hola, Hidizs MS3, and Hidizs MP145, which all feature the same design.
FITTING
In terms of fitting, these IEMs are very comfortable. The shape of the housing is not unusual, and once inserted into the ear, they immediately find a good fit. The seal is sufficient, the grip is adequate, and they feel relatively lightweight. The resin cuts and joins are smooth, with no rough edges.
Overall, the fitting is excellent, and wearing them for extended periods doesn’t cause any discomfort. The cable is also relatively immune to microphonic effects.
SOUND QUALITY
When it comes to sound quality, let's discuss it while comparing it to other IEMs. This time, I’m reminded of an IEM we reviewed on YouTube about a year ago: the Simgot EW100P, which was one of the early releases when Simgot became more aggressive in the market.
If you’ve already listened to the Simgot EW100P and remember its tonal characteristics well, you can skip this review because the sound is quite similar. However, the technical aspects here are slightly better.
Low / Bass
In terms of low frequencies or bass, this IEM follows a Harman Target-like tuning, providing a sufficient quantity for both sub-bass and mid-bass. You can definitely feel the impact as the bass hits, creating a sensation of air pushing against your eardrums. The low frequencies are well-represented, but they aren't overly aggressive.
The transient speed is decent—not slow by any means. Whether you're listening to fast-paced metal tracks with double pedals or intense bass-heavy EDM songs, it handles them without falling behind. However, it doesn’t deliver an overwhelmingly satisfying experience with heavy bass; it’s not boomy or rumbling. Overall, the bass performance can be described as versatile—suitable for various genres but not specifically tailored to excel in any one of them, while still being enjoyable across different musical styles.
What’s clear is that the Gate offers clean and well-controlled bass that doesn’t interfere with the mids or vocals.
Mid & Vocal
In the midrange and vocal performance, male vocals sit nicely in the center, presenting a balanced position without being too recessed. On the other hand, female vocals are slightly more forward in the mix. The thickness of the vocals feels just right, again delivered cleanly without being dry. The articulation of each lyric is clear, although shoutiness can occasionally occur in certain tracks with a lot of screaming. The emotional dynamics are well-captured, but when the shouting becomes excessive, it can introduce a bit of shoutiness. However, the sibilance in the articulation of "S" sounds is relatively safe.
Overall, the vocals on the Truthear Gate feel dynamic yet light, transparent, and clear. They share similarities with the vocals on the Simgot EW100P, but here, you won’t encounter the graininess that can sometimes be present in the Simgot EW100P.
Other midrange instruments, such as guitars and pianos, are also presented clearly and maintain a good position in the mix, not overshadowed by the bass. Overall, the sound remains clean and transparent, similar to how the vocals are represented.
High / Treble
For the high frequencies or treble, the Truthear Gate offers a satisfactory performance. It doesn’t make the overall sound of the IEM dark at all; there’s no sense of darkness here. However, it also doesn't come off as overly sparkling or excessively crisp. Once again, there are similarities to the treble of the Simgot EW100P, which provides decent detail without being overly aggressive or piercing.
Cymbals maintain a fresh and vibrant sound, without reaching a harsh or sharp level. When it comes to violin performances, like Lindsey Stirling's "Carol of the Bells" or "The Arena," they remain enjoyable, though they may lack the biting intensity found in models like the KZ Castor Harman, TRN Conch, or CCA CRA series. Overall, the treble strikes a nice balance, providing clarity without overwhelming the listener.
TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
For the technical aspects, the Truthear Gate doesn't stray far from other IEMs in the 200 to 300 thousand IDR price range, but it offers a slight improvement over the Simgot EW100P, which has a similar tonal profile. The soundstage is quite spacious, with good instrument separation and clarity, allowing each instrument to be heard distinctly.
The overall clarity is good, though not on par with the EW200. However, it's still considered clean and clear, with solid resolution from low to high frequencies. The imaging is also satisfactory, not too flat or overly three-dimensional, providing a satisfying listening experience.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this IEM is tuned safely, with its technical aspects aligning well with its tonal quality and price. It can be used for listening to a wide variety of music but isn't particularly specialized for any specific genre. My conclusion is similar to the EW100P that I reviewed about a year ago; the special feature of this IEM is its minimal complaints regarding fitting, tonal quality, and technical performance. Although technically, it is slightly better than the EW100P.
Overall, in terms of tonal balance, for those of you who have a diverse playlist listening to various genres—ranging from Pop, Rock, Dangdut, EDM, Classical, Instrumental, to J-Pop and K-Pop—the Truthear Gate is an all-rounder. It won’t make any of those genres sound significantly worse, providing a comfortable listening experience. However, it doesn't excel in any specific genre either.
For basshead friends, it’s clear that the Truthear Gate won’t deliver the booming bass found in the Castor Bass or the punchiness of the CCA Polaris. However, the Gate does present a cleaner bass response while still reaching lower frequencies. It just doesn’t have that same thickness in the bass.
For those of you who are mid-centric or vocal-centric listeners, the Truthear Gate might still be a good fit. However, if I personally want to focus solely on vocals without worrying about the bass, I would still prefer the Tanchjim Zero.
As for trebleheads, this may not be the ideal choice. However, for those looking to obtain good detail without the crunchiness, the Gate should work well. It strikes a balance that offers a pleasant listening experience without overwhelming brightness.
Is it recommended? It is highly recommended for those who prioritize comfort during use and enjoy a mixed playlist. The fitting is very comfortable, it's lightweight, the cable is flexible, and the inclusion of a volume button is a feature that is very rare in IEMs, even those priced from the hundreds to the millions. Listening to any song—from bass-heavy tracks, vocal-centered music, instrumental pieces, double pedal metal, soft vocals like Raisa or Isyana, to powerful vocals like Ariel Noah and shouting vocals like Taka from One Ok Rock—everything sounds pleasant.
I have also decided not to sell it in the near future; I want to enjoy this IEM for a few more months.
CLOSING
Okay, that's it, friends. That's all for this review of the Truthear Gate. If you liked this review, please give it a like and share it with others who might need a reference. But remember, it all comes back to your personal taste. That's it for this review; we’ll meet again in the next one. Thank you very much.