TRUTHEAR PURE Review – Upgraded HEXA
The Truthear PURE features one dynamic driver and three balanced armature drivers. Utilizing a silicone suspension composite with a liquid crystal dome diaphragm and an N52 rubidium magnet dual-cavity internal magnetic circuit dynamic driver.
Similar to the HEXA, PURE includes one dynamic driver and three balanced armature drivers. The design aims to align with the tuning target curve of the most advanced HATS by making adjustments based on HEXA’s design experience and feedback from audio professionals.
A specialized dynamic driver with a diameter of 10mm is responsible for managing the bass range. It features a mature internal magnetic circuit structure paired with a diaphragm made from silica gel (for suspension) and LCP material (for the dome). Unlike the commonly used copper-clad aluminum found in many dynamic drivers for bass, this model employs a specialized copper voice coil. This choice helps to reduce its natural resonant frequency (F0) and appropriately increase its impedance, allowing for punchy bass that meets the demands of accurate frequency crossover.
For mid frequencies and part of the high range, a composite full-frequency balanced armature driver, distinct from the HEXA model, is utilized. This driver is designed to establish an accurate connection with the frequency band of the specialized dynamic driver, ensuring that the high frequencies align closely with the intended design goals based on HRTF characteristics measured by BK5128 HATS.
PURE optimizes the frequency crossover and damping characteristics. By using a customized balanced armature driver similar to the WBFK series for the high-frequency range, it enhances the upper high-frequency extension and improves both resolution and information delivery for these frequencies, while also supplementing the overall bandwidth.
The nozzle structure of PURE, which incorporates a filtering function, is created using high-precision DLP-3D printing technology. This design, combined with an accurately calculated RC frequency crossover, results in a hybrid three-frequency crossover system that allows each of the four drivers to effectively perform its designated role under different corresponding nozzles. This advancement helps bring the objective measurements of the PURE closer to the intended design goals.
PURE has made significant adjustments to various components of the audio system, including the frequency divider, drivers, damping, cavity, and cable. These modifications aim to reduce the Q value of the resonance peak in the upper high-frequency range while also optimizing bass gain for a better listening experience.
PURE delivers a solid, natural sound that is versatile enough for various applications, including monitoring, music, and gaming. Compared to the HEXA, it features punchier bass, a more solid mid-range, and enhanced brightness and detail in the high frequencies, leading to a well-balanced proportion and timbre across all three frequency bands.
Like other multi-driver products from Truthear, the PURE maintains high phase consistency across all frequency bands. This design eliminates connection issues that often plague standard multi-driver earphones, ensuring a more natural listening experience without the distortions caused by phase discrepancies.
DLP 3D printing cavity, from HeyGears, utilizes medical-grade, high-transparency resin, featuring internal coloring and advanced surface grinding technology. This ensures enhanced printing accuracy and efficiency. The design achieves an exquisite sound nozzle structure that is challenging to produce with traditional methods, resulting in a lightweight cavity made from skin-friendly and reliable materials.
The PURE mirrors the design of the HEXA, showcasing a combination of square and rounded shapes. It employs multiple high-precision processing techniques to enhance the surface textures of various components, improving the overall aesthetic. Additionally, the pressure vent design has been optimized, and the housing size has been minimized while maintaining reliable wearability, thereby reducing discomfort during prolonged use.
PURE features a high-quality copper coaxial cable that is oxygen-free and silver-plated, tailored to the tuning style, and incorporates a universal 0.78 2Pin port (0.78 2Pin sunken female socket). This design facilitates outstanding sound quality and allows users to explore endless possibilities by swapping cables.
Specification
- Driver: 1 x Dynamic Driver + 3 x Balanced Armature Drivers
- Diaphragm: Silicone Suspension + LCP Dome Composite Diaphragm
- Impedance: 13.8Ω±15% @1kHz
- Sensitivity: 124dB/Vrms @1kHz
- Total Harmonic Distortion: THD≤1% @1kHz (94dB)
- Frequency Response Range: 7-40kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)
- Effective Frequency Response Range: 20-20kHz (IEC60318-4, -3dB)
In The Box
- 1. TRUTHEAR [PURE] * 1
- 2. High-quality Coaxial Cable * 1
- 3. Ear-tips * 3pairs (S, M, L) (Thick Diameter)
- 4. Ear-tips * 3pairs (S, M, L) (Thin Diameter)
- 5. Foam Ear-tips * 1pair (M)
- 6. Anime Card * 1
- 7. Manual * 1
- 8. Warranty Card * 1
Disclaimer: The Truthear PURE was kindly provided by Shenzhenaudio for review.
Sound
Weak sources can power them decently, but the PURE truly scales when amplified with regard to dynamics and soundstage. Dynamics can be a bit blunted if the PURE is not fed adequate juice.
True to form, this kind of sound signature is unique and very rarely seen in the budget segment. In comparison, most rivals habitually push out Harman or V-shaped pairs of IEMs to suit consumer preferences.
Acoustic instruments and vocals sound organic. The PURE’s timbre is very natural, with no typical BA timbre or metallic nuances noted. Note weight is on the slightly thinner side.
Some budget hybrids show their true colors when complex or fast movements come into play – they exhibit incoherency, such as the DD bass being slower than the BAs or the timbre varying between driver types. The PURE is highly coherent – they sound like a single driver set, with no peaks or troughs heard.
Lows
The bass response exhibits a moderate emphasis in the sub-bass range (20–60 Hz), peaking around 65–68 dB, providing a rich, foundational low-end without overwhelming heaviness. The mid-bass (60–250 Hz) shows a slight dip, hovering around 63–65 dB, creating a balanced transition that avoids muddiness. This results in a tight, controlled bass with enough body for genres like pop or rock but not overly dominant.
The PURE is sub-bass focused and is a tinge north of neutral. The sub-bass extends moderately, with just a slight rumble. The mid-bass is scooped out, so bassheads and those who listen to mid-bass-focused genres such as EDM and hip-hop might need to consider alternatives.
Bass texturing is average, but the bass is very agile with no mid-bass bleed. Even on very complex or fast bass movements, no smearing is noted.
Mids
The lower midrange (250 Hz–800 Hz) remains flat and neutral, averaging 55–60 dB, ensuring clarity for vocals and acoustic instruments. The upper midrange (800 Hz–1.5 kHz) sees a gentle rise to 60–65 dB, adding warmth and detail to critical frequencies like human voices and mid-range instruments (e.g., guitars). This enhances intelligibility and musicality without sounding forward or fatiguing.
The midrange continues on from the neutral mid-bass. This region is very transparent and clear, aided by the lack of mid-bass bleed. Layering is top-notch, with individual instruments and vocals easily pinpointed on a dark background.
The upper mids are a tinge forward without any shoutiness. Though due to the aforementioned thinner note weight and not uber-boosted upper midrange, vocals may sound a bit less bodied.
Treble
The presence region (1.5 kHz–4 kHz) features a significant boost up to 65–70 dB, highlighting details like cymbals, percussion, and vocal sibilance. However, the mid-treble (4 kHz–8 kHz) gradually dips back to 55–60 dB, tempering potential harshness. The air band (8 kHz–20 kHz) drops further, ending near 45–50 dB at 20 kHz, producing a smooth, airy top end with reduced hiss or brightness.
The PURE’s treble is smooth and safe for our treble-sensitive brethren. There is no sibilance, and high hats and cymbals are not splashy or overly emphasized. Micro-details are still present, and the PURE does not “cheat,” unlike some ChiFi IEMs that artificially boost the treble to give fake clarity.
Granted, this type of treble doesn’t display the most air or sparkle, and perhaps the PURE is not ultra-detailed. But on the other side of the coin, the PURE can be used for hours without fatigue.
Technicalities
In technicalities, the PURE performs well, showcasing pinpoint imaging, lightning-fast transients, and marvelous layering with sublime instrument separation. Micro-details and clarity are pretty good, though the height and depth of the soundstage are a point of weakness, being below average.
I have tested IEMs with a huge soundstage but fuzzy and nebulous imaging; given a choice, I would take a set like the PURE, which makes up for a more intimate soundstage with precise, laser-like imaging.
Sum-Up
The PURE features a neutral profile with a sub-bass boost. Despite packing multiple drivers, the PURE is highly coherent, with an organic timbre. They embrace a neutral tonality with a sub-bass. This is very rare at the budget price point.
The PURE stands out from the budget pack with a distinctly coherent and fatigue-free sub-bass boosted neutral soundscape. They combine impressive technicalities and timbre into a compact profile.