Truthear Gate IEM Review

The Truthear Gate is a significant update to the well-regarded but discontinued Hola but is it an upgrade. The Gate aims to deliver the same high-quality audio experience that made the Hola popular, but with a more cost-effective packaging and some different materials used to save on manufacturing costs.

But is it any good? Read on to find out.

Note: There are a couple of options with the Gate, 2 colours white and black, and you can order with or without a microphone. I have been listening to the basic black version for this review.

Introduction

The executive summary is they did a great job with the subtle different tuning compared to the Hola and in my opinion it is actually slightly better. And at no point do you feel like you are getting a lesser product than the Hola as the cable and accessories are effectively the same.

But let’s get into the details.

Unboxing and Build Quality

The Truthear Gate comes in a simple box with a nice cover Waifu :

Sliding it out of the cover you get see the box:

I do like the new trend of printing the frequency response on the back of the box:

Opening the box you get the Gate’s nicely displayed - showing off their transparent shells:

Unboxing everything you get a generous selection of ear tips in various sizes to ensure a good fit for different users.

The included cable is excellent, featuring a twisted design with a glossy black sheath that is both supple and tangle-resistant, making it one of the best stock cables available in the ultra-budget IEM category.

The cable itself is probably worth about $10

The IEM shells are lightweight and comfortable, made from clear plastic that allows you to see the internal components.

As a technology nerd, I always appreciate being able to observe the inner workings, although the visibility of some glue is a minor aesthetic drawback.

Overall, the build quality is solid, and the design choices prioritize user comfort and practicality.

The shell itself is the same shape as the Hola and I found the very comfortable.

To give you an even better feel for the size and shape of the Gate Shell here is a short video with some other popular IEMs, from left to right, I am showing the Truthear Zero, Salnotes Zero, the Gate and the Moondrop Chu II :

I would pay special attention to the angle of each IEM in this video as that in my experience is crucial to a good fit, a good seal and long term comfort with IEMs.

Here is another little video of the Gate:

Overall, given the rumours that Truthear were cutting costs to get the Gate to market I am impressed with the overall package you get.

Sound Quality

Now onto the most important aspect just how good does the Gate sound. In summary, for a $20 IEM it sounds fantastic with an excellent balanced sound, maybe a slight midrange emphasis which I do like, and it could do with a little more upper treble, in fact after my initial listening I did add a slight upper treble shelf for my preference.

Bass

The bass on the Truthear Gate is well-controlled and slightly less pronounced compared to the Hola, which suits my personal taste perfectly. The sub-bass provides a playful touch without overwhelming the rest of the sound spectrum. The bass packs a punch and retains a level of detail that is impressive for its price range. I really like listening to the new Album from ‘Aurora’ ‘What happened to the heart’ on the Gate, lots of excellent bass in various tracks on that album.

Midrange

The midrange is mostly neutral and clean, with a slight boost in the vocal region. This results in a spacious and clear sound, with an upper-midrange lift that adds brightness without harshness. Vocals are articulate and rise clearly out of the mix, providing a balanced and enjoyable listening experience. Listening to Elliot Smith “Waltz No 2.” on the Gate was an absolute joy with the vocals and keyboard really standing out.

Treble

The treble on the Gate is smooth and neutral, free from harshness but also lacking some sparkle. This can make the overall sound slightly dry and less exciting for those who prefer a brighter treble. However, the clarity and detail are commendable, making the Gate suitable for extended listening sessions without causing fatigue. For those who desire more ‘zing,’ applying a bit of EQ can enhance the treble to your liking.

Soundstage and Imaging

Despite its relaxed treble, the Truthear Gate offers an impressively wide soundstage for an IEM in this price range. The imaging is precise enough to provide a good sense of space and instrument placement, although it does not reach the level of more expensive models. The overall resolution is good, making it a strong contender in the budget IEM category.

Specifications and Measurements

• Driver: 10mm Dynamic Driver
• THD: ≤1%@1kHz (94dB)
• Impedance: 28Ω±15%@1kHz
• Sensitivity: 122dB/Vrms@1KHz
• Frequency Response Range: 10-45kHz (IEC61094, Free Field)

Frequency Response

The Gate has a nicely balanced frequency response and a nice

Comparing to the Hola you see a slightly different “tilt” with slightly less bass and a little more treble, for me this gave the Gate a more detailed presentation without feeling I was missing anything. A nice subtle change:

Comparisons

Here are some comparisons with other IEM’s that I thought people might want a comparison with:

The Zero Red has that subtle mid-bass dip to separate the bass from the midrange and has more upper treble (which is often called ’technicalities’ ) but the Gate shows an excellent balanced frequency compared to many other IEMs:

Distortion Measurements

So Truthear published some distortion measurements which were roughly inline with my measurements, but I did see a slightly more distortion in the treble region but still incredible low distortion:

Showing these distortion as a percentage you can again see the treble distortion but its is less than 0.5% so nothing to worry about:

Group Delay

Again group delay shows nothing of concern;

Rating

Given its exceptional sound quality, great cable, comfortable design, and amazing price, I rate the Truthear Gate a pragmatic 5 stars. It offers outstanding value for money and is a solid choice for anyone looking for high-quality audiophile IEMs in the budget category.

Conclusion

At just $18.99, ($19.99 with the microphone) the Truthear Gate is a fantastic investment for audiophiles building a collection and first time casual listeners alike. It combines advanced features, a comfortable fit, and impressive sound quality, making it well worth the price. Whether you’re new to the world of IEMs or looking for a reliable spare, the Truthear Gate is an excellent choice that won’t disappoint.

I will be packing the Gate for my summer holidays.