Truthear NOVA In-Ear Monitors

[VSG]

Truthear aims to follow up on its impressive releases to date with its most expensive set to date called the NOVA. It uses a 1 DD/4 BA driver configuration in an updated, more comfortable shell design to put out a highly dynamic bass and smooth-yet-detailed treble response which follows the Harman in-ear target quite closely.

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[SN2716057]

How do these fair with glasses? Do the wires interfere with them?

 

[Aynsley]

Thanks for that comprehensive review of the Truthear Nova. You're my favourite audio reviewer and I've been waiting for this particular one, having followed the snowballing pre-release hype.

I don't understand the complexities of frequency measurements, but I think I know what the Harman IEM target is, and the research behind it. I'm also aware that many audio experts have reservations about this target, and express their reservations in their reviews.

Yet IEM manufacturers, who I assume want to sell as many units as possible by pleasing as many consumers as possible, still adhere to the Harman target, or something very close to it.

What I'm attempting to articulate is: Harman target = consumer preference = increased sales? Apologies if you've answered this question before.

I've also noted that in many of your reviews, female vocals appear to be a weak point in what are otherwise excellent headphones or earphones. Is this an artifact of the Harman target, or is the female voice particularly difficult to reproduce?

 

[VSG]

How do these fair with glasses? Do the wires interfere with them?

These should be fine with glasses. The ear hook section can be shaped/curved to go over the glasses and the textile material is soft enough to not interfere.

Thanks for that comprehensive review of the Truthear Nova. You're my favourite audio reviewer and I've been waiting for this particular one, having followed the snowballing pre-release hype.

I don't understand the complexities of frequency measurements, but I think I know what the Harman IEM target is, and the research behind it. I'm also aware that many audio experts have reservations about this target, and express their reservations in their reviews.

Yet IEM manufacturers, who I assume want to sell as many units as possible by pleasing as many consumers as possible, still adhere to the Harman target, or something very close to it.

What I'm attempting to articulate is: Harman target = consumer preference = increased sales? Apologies if you've answered this question before.

I've also noted that in many of your reviews, female vocals appear to be a weak point in what are otherwise excellent headphones or earphones. Is this an artifact of the Harman target, or is the female voice particularly difficult to reproduce?

The Harman in-ear target never got as much attention during its development as the over-ear target did. In particular, the people who were in the study could only change the bass level but everything else was kept constant. This means that the upper mids, which were already too high in my opinion, had to be balanced by more bass than perhaps people would prefer. It results in both too much bass and too much upper mids (affecting female vocals). This has been brought up to Harman researchers recently and it appears that they are finally working on a new in-ear target.

As for where it generally fits in, I'd see it as a more mature/audiophile take on the V-shaped tuning that most mainstream products go with. You still have elevated bass and treble but get more, flatter mids that help with a lot of vocals and instruments. It's become a safe target for IEM manufacturers lately, but there are still plenty of other options in the market.

 

[Daneel]

Can you please add nozzle measurements (both on and below the flange), or did I miss them? I have the Monarch Mk1 which I like a lot, but the nozzle size (5.35mm / 6.3mm) is too large for long term comfort. Reviews saying it's "big" are not as helpful as actual measurements to compare.

 

[VSG]

Can you please add nozzle measurements (both on and below the flange), or did I miss them? I have the Monarch Mk1 which I like a lot, but the nozzle size (5.35mm / 6.3mm) is too large for long term comfort. Reviews saying it's "big" are not as helpful as actual measurements to compare.

It's in page 3, the nozzle is rated for 5.7 mm at the end although mine measured closer to 5.8 mm.

 

[Daneel]

It's in page 3, the nozzle is rated for 5.7 mm at the end although mine measured closer to 5.8 mm.

Thanks! That measurement is on the flange (larger part to keep the tips on) or not?

 

[VSG]

Thanks! That measurement is on the flange (larger part to keep the tips on) or not?

It's the end of the nozzle where the tips are inserted into and goes into the ears. The notch/flange/lip usually remains outside (or at the base of) the ear canal for most people.

 

[Daneel]

It's the end of the nozzle where the tips are inserted into and goes into the ears. The notch/flange/lip usually remains outside (or at the base of) the ear canal for most people.

Thanks. I'm a little surprised, as this guy measured the nozzle at 5.1mm. Oh well, sounds too big for me.

 

[VSG]

Thanks. I'm a little surprised, as this guy measured the nozzle at 5.1mm. Oh well, sounds too big for me.

No chance it's that thin anywhere. He already puts a disclaimer, and here's Truthear's own render:

 

[alwayssts]

The Harman in-ear target never got as much attention during its development as the over-ear target did. In particular, the people who were in the study could only change the bass level but everything else was kept constant. This means that the upper mids, which were already too high in my opinion, had to be balanced by more bass than perhaps people would prefer. It results in both too much bass and too much upper mids (affecting female vocals). This has been brought up to Harman researchers recently and it appears that they are finally working on a new in-ear target.

As for where it generally fits in, I'd see it as a more mature/audiophile take on the V-shaped tuning that most mainstream products go with. You still have elevated bass and treble but get more, flatter mids that help with a lot of vocals and instruments. It's become a safe target for IEM manufacturers lately, but there are still plenty of other options in the market.

Very interesting, thanks for the information.

After listening to a bunch of different tunings in AutoEQ, wrt over-ears I do generally prefer the Harman tuning (curve) so it's disappointing the same may not be true for IEMs.

How do you think this compares to something like the Timeless? I've been considering trying out a set one of these days unless I find a better bargain.

 

[VSG]

Very interesting, thanks for the information.

After listening to a bunch of different tunings in AutoEQ, wrt over-ears I do generally prefer the Harman tuning (curve) so it's disappointing the same may not be true for IEMs.

How do you think this compares to something like the Timeless? I've been considering trying out a set one of these days unless I find a better bargain.

You might as well wait for the November 11 sales and see. The 7Hz Timeless 2 is also on the way.

 

[alwayssts]

You might as well wait for the November 11 sales and see. The 7Hz Timeless 2 is also on the way.

Thanks. I didn't realize there was a new model coming. Hopefully TPU does a review.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

The two double BA and one DD seems to be the sweet spot in a lot of ways.

 

[reluctant_engineer]

Excellent review as always! That treble response seems right up my alley.

Can you gimme a quick comparison between Nova and S12?

I had Shuoer S12, but I had to sell it since the treble was too spicy for me.

 

[VSG]

Excellent review as always! That treble response seems right up my alley.

Can you gimme a quick comparison between Nova and S12?

I had Shuoer S12, but I had to sell it since the treble was too spicy for me.

That's pretty much it, the treble of most planar IEMs can be too much for many people. The NOVA will be more tame in that regard.

 

[reluctant_engineer]

That's pretty much it, the treble of most planar IEMs can be too much for many people. The NOVA will be more tame in that regard.

Thank you! One last question, I promise.

Is the Nova better than S12 in terms of sheer resolution or is it the other way around?

 

[VSG]

Thank you! One last question, I promise.

Is the Nova better than S12 in terms of sheer resolution or is it the other way around?

I'd probably give the S12 the slight edge there, but some of that could be down to the increased treble providing a sense of detail via additional energy for 2nd and 3rd order harmonics. Overall there isn't enough between the two in fundamental tones to really say one is absolutely better than the other.

Also, welcome to TPU! Just saw you joined today

 

[reluctant_engineer]

Overall there isn't enough between the two in fundamental tones to really say one is absolutely better than the other.

That's nice to know. The trade off in technicalities seems worth it for the smoother treble. Time to order the NOVA!

Also, welcome to TPU! Just saw you joined today

Ayy Thanks! Been an avid reader of your reviews, but today I wanted to ask couple of questions since I was in the market for a new iem.

 

[PuckStar]

I am very happy with these IEM's except for one thing that started about 2 weeks ago (I bought them early May) and that is that the eartips become lose while in my ear.
The first time I was like, why is the sound suddenly different in my right ear. I took the earbuds out but the tip stayed deep in my ear. So deep that I couldn't get it out with my fingers and had to do it with a pincer.
After that it happened more often and also the left earpiece started behaving like that.
Now I'm not looking forward anymore to wearing them because really each time the tips get lose and I need to grab the pincer, get them out. Attach them again to the earbuds and hope they will stay attached for a while again.
I'm using the smallest tips by the way and everything worked fine for about 3 months until this suddenly started happening almost daily, to really every time I use them.

Has anyone else noticed this issue?
I already contacted Truthear twice but am not getting any reply.

 

[VSG]

Sounds like you should be trying tips that are one size larger then.

 

[PuckStar]

Sounds like you should be trying tips that are one size larger then.

Larger? I thought I maybe need even smaller than the S that is comes with.
With larger I think the tips only get more stuck inside the ear and thus even less chances for the earpiece to go out with the tip still around it.
May I ask why you think larger?
Or do you think the smaller ones get too deep inside my ear and that's why they slide off the earpiece?

I'll try the larger ones but I'm afraid they hurt my ears more.

By the way thanks for your review! It helped me choose these earpieces

 

[VSG]

Larger? I thought I maybe need even smaller than the S that is comes with.
With larger I think the tips only get more stuck inside the ear and thus even less chances for the earpiece to go out with the tip still around it.
May I ask why you think larger?
Or do you think the smaller ones get too deep inside my ear and that's why they slide off the earpiece?

I'll try the larger ones but I'm afraid they hurt my ears more.

By the way thanks for your review! It helped me choose these earpieces

The smaller tips will go deeper in the ear canals and may be stuck there easier, it depends on the shape and angles of your ear canal. That's why I suggested larger ear tips or something like the Final Type E ear tips that sit closer to the base of your ear canal.

 

[Aynsley]

I am very happy with these IEM's except for one thing that started about 2 weeks ago (I bought them early May) and that is that the eartips become lose while in my ear.
The first time I was like, why is the sound suddenly different in my right ear. I took the earbuds out but the tip stayed deep in my ear. So deep that I couldn't get it out with my fingers and had to do it with a pincer.
Has anyone else noticed this issue?

I've experienced this problem any number of times, though not with the Truthear NOVA. The No. 1 cause is oily ear deposit working its way between the IEM nozzle and the inside of the tip. Regular cleaning of tip and nozzle solves the problem—until the next time it happens.

Resin nozzles without flanges are particularly prone to this problem, and I suspect some tips lose their elasticity over time. I hope you find a solution to your issue. Probing into the ear canal with tweezers is scary. Best avoided if at all possible.

 

[PuckStar]

The smaller tips will go deeper in the ear canals and may be stuck there easier, it depends on the shape and angles of your ear canal. That's why I suggested larger ear tips or something like the Final Type E ear tips that sit closer to the base of your ear canal.

I've experienced this problem any number of times, though not with the Truthear NOVA. The No. 1 cause is oily ear deposit working its way between the IEM nozzle and the inside of the tip. Regular cleaning of tip and nozzle solves the problem—until the next time it happens.

Resin nozzles without flanges are particularly prone to this problem, and I suspect some tips lose their elasticity over time. I hope you find a solution to your issue. Probing into the ear canal with tweezers is scary. Best avoided if at all possible.

Thanks both for your reply and insights!
I tried bigger eartips the last week and this improved it a lot. Those didn't come lose at all.
It is a bit harder to get them in my ear and in one ear it's also a bit less comfortable to wear for a longer period.
But at least they don't come off and I need to search for them in my ear.

The tip of cleaning the nozzles regularly is also a good one. I might try with one earpiece to clean it and then with the smallest eartip (which I had on initially).

Thanks again for your replies!