I’m going to take a wiiiiiiiiild guess………….u12t
Well that's definitely one of them I bet. Although I was thinking if he can make a short list of other options. Plan to demo some of them if I can so I can get one I can really prefer.
I don't really like it, so my thoughts'll probably just go in the full-review. Hoping to get that done by early next week.
Tripowin x HBB Olina Impressions
Configuration: 1DD
Price: $99
Unit provided for review courtesy of HBB & Linsoul.
Pleasantly surprised to hear the Olina, as I recall the Tripowin Mele from a while back not being too impressive. The Mele generally sounded too bassy and too dark; the Olina straddles that fine balance more aptly. Indeed, the Olina's frequency response is highly reminiscent of Moondrop and Tanchjim's single-DD IEMs, and perhaps it should be expected: from conversations with HBB, I am told that the Olina's dynamic driver is at least sourced from the same factory that supplied the Tanchjim Oxygen's driver. As for whether the Olina sounds the same, I'd suggest "not quite from memory". I believe that the Oxygen and Hana 2021 were slightly more refined in the technical department than the Olina. This is likely attributable to the other components that have gone into the construction of the respective IEMs, unit variance, and aural memory just being fickle like that.
The treble response of the Olina is also a little more divisive due to the nature of its upper-treble. It has a resonance peak at ~13kHz (I want to say it's slightly earlier and stronger in amplitude than some of the other single-DD IEMs above) lending to some spice up top. I've made clear in the past that I don't really mind these types of peaks, as they beget a sense of shimmer I enjoy. However, some might find an IEM like the Moondrop Kato to be more refined in this area. Outside of this, my thoughts on the Olina could basically be a re-hash of my thoughts on the aforementioned single-DD IEMs. I'd characterize the Olina's tuning as a slightly warm V-shape; slightly upper-midrange leaning with some warmth in the lower-midrange. Bring in the above-neutral bass and (mostly) smooth treble, and you have a really natural sound; the type of set that just sounds right when you put them on. Indeed, most criticisms of the Olian's sound would be predicated on technicalities which are your usual B-grade affair. Bass is generally slightly pillowy and undefined; close to par with the Moondrop Kato for slam in A/B. Imaging might be a little more expansive than your usual single-DD, but the Olina doesn't really trigger the out-of-head feeling I recall the Oxygen and Hana 2021 sporting.
From head-to-toe, the Olina is a strong $100 performer with few weaknesses; it neatly slots in with budget titans like the DUNU Titan S (heh) and Moondrop Aria. The Titan S for the thinnest, most analytical listen. The Aria for the warmest and most pillowy. The Olina for the middle ground. I'd be remiss to mention that I tire of this wheel being reinvented so many times (c'mon where are the flagship DDs at?), but it's hard to complain with the price reductions and subtle refinements. Recommended.
Score: 5/10
All critical listening was done off my iBasso DX300.
Tripowin x HBB Olina Impressions
Configuration: 1DD
Price: $99
Unit provided for review courtesy of HBB & Linsoul.
Pleasantly surprised to hear the Olina, as I recall the Tripowin Mele from a while back not being too impressive. The Mele generally sounded too bassy and too dark; the Olina straddles that fine balance more aptly. Indeed, the Olina's frequency response is highly reminiscent of Moondrop and Tanchjim's single-DD IEMs, and perhaps it should be expected: from conversations with HBB, I am told that the Olina's dynamic driver is at least sourced from the same factory that supplied the Tanchjim Oxygen's driver. As for whether the Olina sounds the same, I'd suggest "not quite from memory". I believe that the Oxygen and Hana 2021 were slightly more refined in the technical department than the Olina. This is likely attributable to the other components that have gone into the construction of the respective IEMs, unit variance, and aural memory just being fickle like that.
The treble response of the Olina is also a little more divisive due to the nature of its upper-treble. It has a resonance peak at ~13kHz (I want to say it's slightly earlier and stronger in amplitude than some of the other single-DD IEMs above) lending to some spice up top. I've made clear in the past that I don't really mind these types of peaks, as they beget a sense of shimmer I enjoy. However, some might find an IEM like the Moondrop Kato to be more refined in this area. Outside of this, my thoughts on the Olina could basically be a re-hash of my thoughts on the aforementioned single-DD IEMs. I'd characterize the Olina's tuning as a slightly warm V-shape; slightly upper-midrange leaning with some warmth in the lower-midrange. Bring in the above-neutral bass and (mostly) smooth treble, and you have a really natural sound; the type of set that just sounds right when you put them on. Indeed, most criticisms of the Olian's sound would be predicated on technicalities which are your usual B-grade affair. Bass is generally slightly pillowy and undefined; close to par with the Moondrop Kato for slam in A/B. Imaging might be a little more expansive than your usual single-DD, but the Olina doesn't really trigger the out-of-head feeling I recall the Oxygen and Hana 2021 sporting.
From head-to-toe, the Olina is a strong $100 performer with few weaknesses; it neatly slots in with budget titans like the DUNU Titan S (heh) and Moondrop Aria. The Titan S for the thinnest, most analytical listen. The Aria for the warmest and most pillowy. The Olina for the middle ground. I'd be remiss to mention that I tire of this wheel being reinvented so many times (c'mon where are the flagship DDs at?), but it's hard to complain with the price reductions and subtle refinements. Recommended.
Score: 5/10
All critical listening was done off my iBasso DX300.
Coming from precog, that's not actually terrible. Especially at that price point.
It's not game changing, either. But, that was the expectations...
