HiSoundAudio HA-2: Single-BA In-Ears [Info, Reviews, Impressions]

[HiFiChris]

Company Website: http://www.hisoundaudio.com/en/ (not up to date)
 

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Head-Fi Product Page: http://www.head-fi.org/products/hisoundaudio-ha-2
 

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Technical Specifications:

Drivers: Single Balanced Armature
Impedance: 36 Ohms
Sensitivity: 109 dB
Highest Sound Pressure: 125 dB (1 kHz, 1 Vrms)
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 Khz
Cable Length: 109 cm
 

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HiSoundAudio is about to launch a new single-BA in-ear very soon, called HA-2. The company is very confident about their new in-ears which will retail for around US$60.

This thread is dedicated to impressions, reviews and comparisons of that particular model, so feel free to post.
A dedicated review with comparisons by me is about to follow in the next few weeks.
 

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Below is their press information/release of the HA-2:

 

[HiFiChris]

My impression (haven't received the final tips yet though and the medium ones are too small for my ears, as usual, so I used other tips with more or less the same diameter as the stock ones) is that for $60 and given that they are single-BA in-ears, the overall package is good, but one shouldn't expect them to perform as good as better dual- or triple-driver in-ears or reference grade single-BA in-ears like the ER-4S.
Yes, the HA-2 is better than most single-BA IEMs below $100 (MEE A151 gen1+2, Phonak Audéo (which I imported for almost $200 to get one of the last available units worldwide, but the regular price was around $100), UE600vi), but the Fostex TE-07 is somewhat better and the ER-4S is unquestionably better than the HA-2.
 
HSA is also just cooking with water and overcoming the technical limitations that single-BA earphones have is no sorcery they managed to achieve.
Based on the pure sound, in comparison to other single-driver BA in-ears, I would say that they are worth around $150, but not more. Still, for that price, the cable should be clearly better, but as the retail price is expected to be somewhere around $60, I think their value is good - but don't expect these to be the super-killer-ultra-budget IEMs that blow away the whole much higher priced multi-driver competition, as they are surely not and also don't really come close (except for the soundstage and coherency).
 
Nice single-BA IEMs for the price, but no sorcery that gets over the technical limitations is involved. I applaud HSA for their massive (/excessive?) self-confidence though.
 
More to come in my review when the final large-sized tips are ready.

 

[Paulpark222]

Hisounaudio HA-2 Impressions
Pros: Dense and plentiful bass, extremely clear mids and highs, great soundstage with some airy feeling
Cons: Lacks isolation
 

This is my impression of Hisoundaudio HA-2.

 
HA-2 is a 1BA IEM with the retail price of $99. It will begin selling at approximately mid March.
 
The design might get revised a bit compared to my HA-2.
 
I was not able to take picture of packaging or accessories as those weren't provided to me yet, so I will proceed to the sound impression right away.
 
(Will add pics once I get the packaging.)
 
 
 
 
Sound impression:
 
First of all, you need to use eartips with wide diameters. I've tried various eartips and windwhirl eartips works the best for HA-2.
 
HA-2 have very low distortion with wide bandwidth. It has a flat response but never sounds boring.
 
Most of the 1BA products have problems such as:

1. Cold sound
2. Thin sound with weak strength on the sound.
3. Small soundstage
4. Lacks hitting sense
5. Sounds boring

 
Hisoundaudio explained that they've spend more than 6 years to solve these problems 
 
and finally constructed their own Balanced Armature driver as they were not satisfied at Knowles drivers. 
 

 
I was shocked at the sound of HA-2 because it seem like Hisoundaudio was not kidding about that. It's no joke. 
 
 
 
 
 
First of all, the resolution is extremely high. 
 
HA-2 even reveals a detailed sound such as flicking a cord or the singer smacking his/her lips.
 
It's also quite interesting as HA-2 sounds fun even though it seems like a flat response. 
 
The bass is plentiful compared to many other 1BA products and the bass performs a precise, fast response. 
 
The bass dives deep and the amount of the bass is also rich enough to even play genres like Hiphop without any problem. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The mids are full of richness and it's located very close to your ears. You cannot find any feeling of curtains covering the vocals.
 
As I stated in the beginning of the sound impression, you can here every detailed sound that you've missed from many other IEMs.
 
The thickness of the mids are quite neutral and fit well with both female and male vocals. 
 
If I obstinately have to choose the better side, HA-2 will probably fit better with female vocals. 
 
There's very small amount of sibilance which won't be a big problem even for those who are treble sensitive. 
 
HA-2 has a tendency to sound clear and bright without causing any fatigue.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The trebles also sound clear without causing fatigues. The trebles stretches out without any problem. 
 
The treble sounds natural and smooth. 
 
Selectance is perfect. It precisely separates every instruments even when the song contains multiple sounds.
 
Another interesting fact is that HA-2 uses air flow to produce a wider soundstage and an airy feeling as the Final Audio FI-BA-SS does. The soundstage and the airy feeling is
 
one of the best among other 1BA products.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
HA-2 is probably the greatest budget killer I've tried so far. Hisoundaudio really made a monster this time. 
 
While the HA-2 is in the same league as LZ-A3 and New DQSM does but the price is even cheaper than those two IEMs. 
 
I cannot make a sound comparison as I haven't received the LZ-A3 and New DQSM yet but will upload a review once I get them.
 
So yeah, I strongly advise you guys to try the HA-2 out. They're worth every dollar you spent on these. As I already said, this is no joke.
 
 
Thanks for your attention.

 

[Mimouille]

I received these with the HSA S6 DAP. On first listen nothing to write home about, but I will try again and play with tips.

 

[HiFiChris]

Updated with some impressions in the 2nd post.

 

[jant71]

Interesting impressions so far, from nothing to write home about to earphone of the year
 
Not sure I agree they will be Ety level but if they are better than the Phonak then the ER4S isn't going to be unquestionably better. I go back with both and my findings were just like Jokers. Phonak 8.8 and Ety 9.1 so not enough room there. Even if only 0.1 better than the Phonak that is pretty damn close to the Ety. Though the Phonak like their juice.
 
All you guys need to say what your driving these things with and tips etc. to get the impressions. Guessing Mimouille was with the S6 and stock tips.
 
Very controversial already sounds like fun.

 

 

[Paulpark222]

Try the wind-whirl silicon tips. The soundstage improves A LOT..

 

[Mimouille]

Ok, so first time I tried I was not so impressed, but bear in mind the other ones I have are all > 1k$, so not really fair. Now I am listening with the Ortofon tips, and they are actually very nice for the price. Pretty neutral, detailed, good enough stage, qui engaging when driven by the Lotoo Paw Gold.  I am not sure if mine are defective because the grill is broken. Jack told me it wouldn't affect sound. The two main drawbacks I see versus higher end iems I have are that the mids, while being quite clear, are a bit thin, and also subbass is a bit weak.

 

[alpha421]

I hope to join the crew this week sometime when the S6 package arrives. HiSoundAudio do make good sounding iems, but quality and consistent builds is something that needs to be improved, IMO. Both their PAA-1 earbuds and Living had failed on me build wise, which for some strange reason always shorted out the right driver. 
 
Good to know about the Ortofon tips as I'll be using those and the Spiral Dots.

 

[HiFiChris]

 
Not sure I agree they will be Ety level but if they are better than the Phonak then the ER4S isn't going to be unquestionably better. I go back with both and my findings were just like Jokers. Phonak 8.8 and Ety 9.1 so not enough room there. Even if only 0.1 better than the Phonak that is pretty damn close to the Ety.

 
Well, once playing really complex and fast recordings, the Ety is cleaner and more resolving, with better control. I wouldn't say the Phonak is bad, as it clearly isn't (I love the neutral-ish, balanced tonality), but the ER-4S has "real" treble resolution whereas the Audéo is cheating a bit with its upper treble peak. Overall, the Ety also sounds more realistic and authentic. These aren't super night and day differences though, but you know, in audiophile circles (and with the law of diminishing returns), rather small differences are actually regarded as larger ones (my UERM isn't five times better than my ER-4S and my LCD-X also isn't 1.5 times better than my HD 800).
Having said that, I never said that the ER-4S is "much" better than the Phonak, just that it is "unquestionably" better - besides the rather small (from an objective point of view) differences in term of speed, resolution etc., there is one thing about the Phonak that never appeared realistic in my ears - its soundstage. I usually find single-BAs' soundstage as circular, realistic and coherent, but unfortunately I can't personally apply that to the Phonak's.
Having said that, except for the soundstage, the Phonak and HA-2 are about on-par in my book.

 

[alpha421]

Got mine today.  Don't know why the pair of stock tips have such a narrow opening when the nozzle is huge.  After replacing those with the JVC Spiral Dots, I'm very, very impressed.  I find it hard to believe that there's a single BA driver.  The huge sound and texture is more in akin to the micro dynamics, but does have the detail retrieval that BA are typically known for.  This is the best hisoundaudio iem I've heard to date.  I agree with Paulpark22. The HA-2 is no joke - sonic wise, but it needs a wide opening tip like the Spiral Dots as well is a little more volume to really shine, IMO.
 
Also, Jack relayed that these will retail for $99, which from what I'm hearing is a helluva bargain.  I'll post a more comprehensive impression review after the weekend. The HA-2 has incredible synergy with my PONO player.

 

[jant71]

  Got mine today.  Don't know why the pair of stock tips have such a narrow opening when the nozzle is huge.  After replacing those with the JVC Spiral Dots, I'm very, very impressed.  I find it hard to believe that there's a single BA driver.  The huge sound and texture is more in akin to the micro dynamics, but does have the detail retrieval that BA are typically known for.  This is the best hisoundaudio iem I've heard to date.  I agree with Paulpark22. The HA-2 is no joke - sonic wise, but it needs a wide opening tip like the Spiral Dots as well is a little more volume to really shine, IMO.
 
Also, Jack relayed that these will retail for $99, which from what I'm hearing is a helluva bargain.  I'll post a more comprehensive impression review after the weekend. The HA-2 has incredible synergy with my PONO player.

Have you heard the Golden Crystal? Don't remember but then I guess by the micro dynamics you mean the Crystal and Golden Crystal.
 

   
Well, once playing really complex and fast recordings, the Ety is cleaner and more resolving, with better control. I wouldn't say the Phonak is bad, as it clearly isn't (I love the neutral-ish, balanced tonality), but the ER-4S has "real" treble resolution whereas the Audéo is cheating a bit with its upper treble peak. Overall, the Ety also sounds more realistic and authentic. These aren't super night and day differences though, but you know, in audiophile circles (and with the law of diminishing returns), rather small differences are actually regarded as larger ones (my UERM isn't five times better than my ER-4S and my LCD-X also isn't 1.5 times better than my HD 800).
Having said that, I never said that the ER-4S is "much" better than the Phonak, just that it is "unquestionably" better - besides the rather small (from an objective point of view) differences in term of speed, resolution etc., there is one thing about the Phonak that never appeared realistic in my ears - its soundstage. I usually find single-BAs' soundstage as circular, realistic and coherent, but unfortunately I can't personally apply that to the Phonak's.
Having said that, except for the soundstage, the Phonak and HA-2 are about on-par in my book.

Yeah, more probably just put more quantity, on my part, to the definition of "unquestionably" is the difference here.

 

 

[alpha421]

  Have you heard the Golden Crystal? Don't remember but then I guess by the micro dynamics you mean the Crystal and Golden Crystal.
 

 
Not referring to the Golden Crystal as I haven't heard them.  More on the line with Rockets, R2A, and EPH-100 with their respective performances and traits.

 

[jant71]

Well that's cool cause the Rockets and R2A aren't too shabby

  Are you gonna be getting the hybrid AD1 as well?

 

[Paulpark222]

http://www.head-fi.org/products/hisoundaudio-ha-2/reviews/15442
 
HA-2 review uploaded. Enjoy!
 
 
 
Paul