Truthear Gate Review

The budget audio scene used to be pretty slim pickings. There weren't many options, and the sound quality wasn't always great. But things have changed! Now, it's a whole different world. There are tons of amazing IEMs out there that does not cost a fortune. Truthear was one of the first to really shake things up with the Truthear HOLA. They proved that you could get incredible sound without spending a ton of money. And now, they're hoping to do it again with the GATE.

Out of the Box

The Gate's packaging looks a lot like the HOLA’s, but when you open it, you can tell there’s a bit more going on. It feels a little fancier this time around. I really liked how the HOLA came with its own little plastic case for the eartips, each one having its own spot. The Gate’s eartips however are in a box under the earphones, with the wide and narrow bore tips separated by a plastic bag. Truthear also provided GATE with the same number of eartips they provided in the HOLA, 6. There's also a cool little leather pouch for the earphones tucked away underneath. The cable provided is also similar to the one provided in the HOLA as well and the quality of it is quite good considering the price tag.

Build and Comfort

The build quality for the GATE is a downgrade. With the HOLA you get a bare untreated resin shell with a metal painted faceplate but with the GATE you get a full on glossy plastic shell with a transparent faceplate with the logo painted on the left side and GATE printed on the right side. All in all it feels quite cheap compared to its predecessor. The shape of the IEM has also changed but it still still quite comfortable and can be used for a long time without any issues.

Sound

Sony NW-A55: High Gain and FLAC

Spotify

Xiaomi Note 11

The Gate's bass is warm and comfortable. It has a good punchy feel, adding life to your music. While it's not the deepest bass you can find, it's solid for most types of songs. The bass is controlled, so it doesn't muddy up the sound. Majority of the bass presence is in the mid bass for this IEM. If you love really deep bass, you might want something else.

The GATE has clear and detailed Mids. The lower midrange of the GATE is slightly recessed, which contributes to a sense of space and prevents masking. While this approach might result in a slightly thinner midrange presentation for some, it also enhances the overall clarity and detail retrieval. Male vocals contain a touch of brightness due to the extended upper mids. This significantly helps with female vocals making them sound more lively. Overall both Male and Female vocals are quite enjoyable on this IEM as it walks a thin line between being a tad too bright or muddy and just does it perfectly.

This section is a bit complicated as the sound signature of the GATE changes a lot depending on the tips. With the wide bores provided, the treble sounds a bit recessed while making it sound a bit more wide and is not really that bright. However, with the narrow bore tips the treble changes a lot and the GATE becomes a bit bright, a tad too bright for some listeners. With the narrow bore tips the upper treble has a bit more emphasis and adds a touch of sparkle and detail.

The Gate creates a decent soundstage that extends slightly beyond the head, providing a sense of space and depth. Imaging is acceptable, with instruments positioned reasonably well within the soundstage.

Conclusion

The Truthear Gate is a budget-friendly IEM that offers a solid overall performance. It caters to listeners seeking a warm and inviting sound signature with a focus on clarity and detail. While it may not excel in every aspect, it provides a satisfying listening experience for its price point. The Gate is a suitable choice for those entering the world of audiophile-grade earphones or for those seeking a versatile earphone for everyday listening.

Author: Shaikh Jiaan Bin Tariq