The TRUTHEAR HEXA are wired-only headphones that offer audiophile-quality sound at a wallet-friendly price. Unlike the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED, which use a dual-diaphragm design to deliver audio, the HEXA combine a dynamic woofer with three balanced armature drivers in a hybrid structure. The woofer takes care of the bass, and the armature drivers the mid-range and treble. TRUTHEAR claim that this allows the headphones to produce a 'smooth' and 'clear' treble response. Does this new design lead to improved sonic results, or are there one too many drivers at the wheel of these IEMs?
Our Verdict
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are decent for neutral sound. They have a generally balanced sound profile but lack a little thump in the bass region, which can rob 808s of their impact. Their mid-range is mostly flat, but a small dip and peak in the mid-treble region mean sibilants can sound a touch dull or piercing depending on their pitch. Still, in general, these buds present audio accurately. Vocals sound detailed and present without being honky, and drums have enough punch to let you get lost in the groove. On the other hand, since these are in-ear headphones, audio doesn't interact with your outer ear, so they have a poor passive soundstage performance, and they don't create an immersive stereo image.
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Outstandingly consistent audio delivery.
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Poor passive soundstage.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are a middling choice for commute and travel. Since they don't have ANC, they do a poor job blocking out bass-range sounds like engine rumble, although their passive isolation does a better job blocking out mid-range sounds like passenger chatter. Their carrying case will help you store the buds and their cable, but it won't protect them from more substantive damage. On the upside, they have a comfortable in-ear fit and leak very little audio, so your fellow commuters won't hear what you're listening to.
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Comfortable, stable fit.
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Weak isolation against low frequency sounds.
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No IP rating against water or dust ingress.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are okay for sports and fitness use. Their wired design means they're not ideal for this use, and it's easy to get the cable snagged on something while moving around. They also lack an IP rating for protection against water and dust. On the plus side, they're comfortable and stable enough to stay in place during intense head movements, and they weigh very little.
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Comfortable, stable fit.
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No IP rating against water or dust ingress.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are sub-par for office use. They don't come with a microphone, so if you want to take calls, you'll have to purchase a standalone mic separately. On the other hand, they have a comfortable fit that you'll be content to wear all day at work, and they do a good job blocking out mid- and treble-range sounds like office chatter and the hum of AC units.
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Comfortable, stable fit.
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Weak isolation against low frequency sounds.
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No integrated mic.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are wired-only headphones; you can't use them wirelessly.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are mediocre gaming headphones. They don't have an integrated microphone, so you'll need a standalone microphone to communicate with fellow players. They also have a poor passive soundstage performance, so games don't feel immersive or life-like. Their well-balanced mid-range means dialogue is easy to pick out, even in a loud combat scene. But their slightly weak bass means sound effects like explosions aren't as impactful as they could be.
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Comfortable, stable fit.
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Outstandingly consistent audio delivery.
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Poor passive soundstage.
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No integrated mic.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA don't have a mic, so you can't use them for phone calls unless you have a standalone microphone. If you choose to bring your own mic, these do a decent job blocking out sounds like office chatter, so you'll hear the person on the other end of the line clearly.
- 8.0 Neutral Sound
- 6.0 Commute/Travel
- 6.5 Sports/Fitness
- 5.9 Office
- 4.3 Wireless Gaming
- 6.4 Wired Gaming
- 2.5 Phone Calls
- Updated Oct 28, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.8, which updates our target curve and Sound tests. You can read more about this in our changelog.
- Updated Jul 29, 2024: Review published.
- Updated Jul 23, 2024: Early access published.
- Updated Jul 15, 2024: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jun 12, 2024: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated May 29, 2024: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The TRUTHEAR HEXA come in one color: 'Black.' If you encounter another variant of these headphones, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Headphones
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are affordable wired IEMs that perform very similarly in most respects to the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO and the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED. The most notable improvement the HEXA bring to the party is their improved noise isolation: these are the set to pick if you plan to wear your IEMs in places like busy offices. The downside is that they output less bass than the other two pairs, though some people might prefer that. Of the three, the RED most closely follow our Harman-based target curve in the bass region, which makes them great for fans of both bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and acoustic music like folk. The downside is the RED have the least accurate treble of the three, so vocals can sound a bit muffled at times. If you're a bass fiend who simply can't get enough boom, the original ZERO are the set for you. Finally, if you're an IEM fan looking for top-of-the-range sound, the MOONDROP Blessing 3 have incredibly accurate bass, mid-range, and treble but are considerably more expensive than the TRUTHEAR pairs we've listed here.
If you're looking for more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best audiophile headphones, the best headphones for music, and the best wired headphones.
The TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED are a better choice for fans of bass-heavy genres than the TRUTHEAR HEXA, which lacks a little rumble in the low end. On the other hand, Jazz fans may appreciate the slightly more detailed treble of the HEXA. The RED are a bit cheaper than the HEXA, but the HEXA are slightly better at blocking out noise, though neither pair have ANC.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are a better choice for most people than the MOONDROP KATO, though these IEMs share many similarities. The MOONDROP are well-made and metal with a removable, chunky cable. You can even swap their nozzles out to extend their life. So why choose the TRUTHEAR? They block out much more sound and are significantly cheaper than the MOONDROP, and they're also well-made. Still, if you prefer one tuning over the other, then that's the dealmaker.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA are better than the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO, though it depends on your needs. The HEXA have a better-balanced frequency response that will suit a wider variety of material than the ZERO. The HEXA also do a better job blocking out sounds like A/C hum, but since neither pair have ANC, they both do a poor job isolating you from sounds like engine rumble. On the other hand, the ZERO put out a lot more bass than the HEXA. It can get a little boomy, but if you like your EDM to have extra oomph, the ZERO are worth considering, especially as they're also cheaper than the HEXA.
The MOONDROP Blessing 3 are better headphones than the TRUTHEAR HEXA, depending on your preferences. The MOONDROP are more refined in build, with a more contoured earbud shape, a handy airplane adapter, and a more protective case. But you pay for this refinement: the MOONDROP are several times more expensive than the TRUTHEAR. The TRUTHEAR come with a couple different ear tip styles, and you may prefer them for the improved passive isolation, and an attractive angular design.
Test Results
The TRUTHEAR HEXA look a bit like a cubist version of the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED. They have a similar teardrop-shaped design, but instead of curves, this shape is built up from six straight lines, hence the HEXA(gon) name. The HEXA's outer shell is made of black plastic, and they ship with a braided, detachable cable. Internally, each IEM sports a 10mm woofer to reproduce low-end and three balanced armature drivers to reproduce mid-range and treble frequencies. The buds ship with waifu packaging, which you might find charming or cringe depending on your tastes.
These headphones have a comfortable in-ear fit. They ship with six different-sized silicone ear tips and one foam ear tip to help you find a good fit. It's unfortunate there's only one foam tip, as it provides the best seal. The foam and silicone tips are only loosely attached to the plastic nozzles on each bud, so sometimes the tips slip off when you pull the buds out of your ears, which can cause a little irritation to your ear canal. The HEXA are designed so that their wire wraps over your ears, which helps prevent the cable from twisting and the buds from becoming dislodged. One notable improvement on the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED is that the wire doesn't become unplugged from the buds through regular, day-to-day use.
These in-ear headphones are incredibly portable. They're very light and occupy little space in a bag or pocket. Their cable is detachable, so you can store it separately, and they include a carrying pouch.
These IEMs come with TRUTHEAR's standard carrying pouch, which is made of a pliable faux leather material with a soft velour interior. This basic pouch doesn't have any extra compartments, and the supple material means the case is designed more for storage than protection.
These IEMs have a good build quality. Their enclosure is made from a mix of hard black plastic and resin that feels durable. Unlike the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED, the TRUTHEAR HEXA have one exposed assembly screw. The braided cable feels stronger than similar IEMs from TRUTHEAR, but the small pair of pins that connect the cable to the pair of sockets on each bud feel a bit fragile. It's worth taking care when plugging or unplugging the cable from the buds. The silicone tips feel thick and strong but can make finding the perfect fit a little tricky. While the foam tip provides the best frequency response, it's also the most fragile of all the tips and might tear if not treated gently.
Once you find the set of tips that fit you best, these IEMS have a stable fit, just like the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO. We tested the TRUTHEAR HEXA using the foam tips, as those provide the best noise isolation and frequency response. We found that these buds will stay in place during moderate to intense workouts, so feel free to do a little weightlifting with them. But be careful because the cable might snag on something, pulling the buds out of your ears.
- TRUTHEAR HEXA headphones
- Detachable cable
- 3x sets of wide diameter silicone ear tips
- 3x sets of narrow diameter silicone ear tips
- 1x set of foam ear tips
- Documentation
- Carrying pouch
The TRUTHEAR HEXA have a generally neutral sound profile that lacks a little bass. Mixes sound well-balanced across the entire frequency range, but kick drums and basslines lack a bit of punch and thump. At the other end of the spectrum, the treble region is slightly underemphasized, lending audio a slightly muffled or smooth quality, depending on your taste. A dip and a peak in the mid-treble region can leave cymbals sounding just a little muffled or piercing, depending on their pitch. It's worth noting that the frequency response changes based on the type of tip used. In general, the silicone tips have a slightly more uneven treble response.
The frequency response consistency is outstanding. Once you've figured out which set of tips fits you best, you'll enjoy consistent audio delivery from wear to wear.
The bass accuracy is very good but not as remarkable as the TRUTHEAR x CRINACLE ZERO: RED because the TRUTHEAR HEXA have a little less low- and mid-bass than the RED. While the RED do a great job making the kick and bass in a song like Justice and Tame Impala's Neverender sound powerful and immersive, the HEXA make the same song sound a little hollow. The kick drums have less thump, and the bass isn't quite punchy. That said, the range is generally well-balanced, so bass notes of different pitches won't jump out of the mix at you.
The mid accuracy is remarkable. Other than a small dip in the mid-mid and a tiny peak in the right bud's upper-mid, these headphones are virtually flat. Vocals sound well-balanced and present without ever getting too honky or boxy.
These headphones have great treble accuracy. In tunes like Four Tet's Love Cry, the cymbals sound present and detailed, and the vocal samples have enough articulation to cut through the busy drum part. There's a dip stretching from the low- to mid-treble range and a small peak in the mid-treble range that brightens sibilants a little.
The peaks and dips performance is excellent, meaning the headphones follow their own sound profile well. There is a broad dip between the low- and mid-bass that robs kick drums of a little thump and a broad peak between the high-bass and low-mid that can make mixes sound a little muddy. But both these peaks and dips are so wide it's unlikely you'll notice them in your regular listening. A couple of narrower peaks in the mid-mids and low-treble can make vocals sound a touch hollow or honky, depending on the singer, but, again, these tiny differences will be inaudible most of the time. However, the large peak in the mid-treble makes cymbals sound piercing and S and T sounds harsh.
The imaging performance is amazing. It's in line with the excellent quality control we've seen in the other TRUTHEAR headphones we've tested. Our unit's left/right drivers are closely matched in terms of group delay, phase response, amplitude, and frequency response. This is crucial for the precise placement and localization of objects, like instruments, within the stereo image. That said, imaging can still vary between units.
These IEMs have a terrible passive soundstage. Like other in-ear monitors, this is by design. Because the buds sit inside your ear canal, there's no interaction between your outer ear and your audio. This produces a soundstage that feels very small and not very spacious.
The weighted harmonic distortion performance is very good. Most of the distortion is concentrated in a broad peak stretching from the high-mid to mid-treble region, but this will be very hard to hear for even the most discerning audiophiles. We also run these tests at extremely high volumes. Listening to audio at that kind of volume can give you permanent hearing damage over time.
These are the settings used to test the TRUTHEAR HEXA. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA have very good noise isolation that easily surpasses that of the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED. The HEXA don't have ANC, so unsurprisingly do a poor job of blocking out bass frequencies. But the passive isolation provided by their snug in-ear fit means they do a good job isolating you from mid-range sounds like office chatter, and they're great at keeping out higher-pitched sounds like AC hum. It's worth noting we tested the HEXA using their foam tips, which provide noticeably better noise isolation performance than the silicone tips, especially in the mid-and treble-ranges.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA do a slightly less good but still decent job of blocking out more realistic sounds, like street noise and office chatter. However, they do a poor job of keeping out lower-pitched sounds like the rumble of plane engines, but that's to be expected since they don't have ANC. Again, the HEXA do a much better job blocking out daily noises than the TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED.
These IEMs have outstanding leakage performance. The level of escaping audio is so low that you can crank your tunes without disturbing anyone around you. Since leakage is concentrated in the mid-bass region, any audio that does leak out will sound muffled and dark.
The TRUTHEAR HEXA come with a detachable 1.25m long braided audio cable. It has a 1/8" TRS connector, so you'll need an adapter if your audio device only has 1/4" AUX ports. These IEMs don't support a wireless connection.
These headphones provide audio output only when their 1/8" TRS cable is connected to your PC. You'll need to have an external microphone to transmit and receive audio.
These in-ear headphones are compatible with your PlayStation when using your controller's 3.5mm AUX port, but you'll need to buy a separate microphone for audio input.
These buds can deliver audio when plugged into your Xbox controller's AUX port, but they don't include a microphone.