Truthear Pure

Truthear Pure: the “New Neutral”

The Truthear Pure arrives as the official successor to the legendary Hexa IEM, maintaining a similar shell design but with a possible controversial new tuning. Where the Hexa was celebrated for its adherence to a very traditional ’neutral’ target, the Pure takes a more refined approach with a carefully balanced mid-bass presentation taking que’s from the JM-1 target and a relaxed “safe” treble response.

And what also makes the Pure particularly interesting is the tuning guidance provided by Listener from the Headphones.com team. While not an official collaboration, he recently admitted he provided guidance which was embraced by Truthear for the final sound. And those who follow the headphones.com audio streams will know he is not a fan of treble, so the laid-back treble of the Pure will instantly make sense and I mostly love the sound signature but I am getting ahead of myself.

After spending several weeks with the Pure, I can say that its new ’tilted’ (more mid-bass, less mid-treble) represents a much more mature tuning philosophy. I imagine this tuning will appeal more to neutral headphone fans (I count myself as one of those) than traditional ’technicalities’ chasing IEM audiophiles.

While it is still a neutral-sounding IEM, but I think we should call it the ‘New Neutral’ as it is similar to the ‘JM-1 / New Meta’ target but, in my opinion, a much more pleasant bass more representative of some classic neutral headphones.

But before I get too stuck into the sound impressions, let’s have a look at the unboxing:

Unboxing Experience

The unboxing experience for the Truthear Pure is thoughtfully designed and offers a premium feel that exceeds its price point:

The outer packaging features clean design elements with technical specifications clearly displayed on the back, giving you a good idea of what to expect performance-wise. The packaging also includes a cartoon bunny character design - a distinctive choice that extends to an included postcard featuring the same character.

I do like when companies confidently show their measurements on the back:

Removing the outer sleeve reveals the inner box:

Opening the box reveals the manuals covering the IEMs:

The IEMs are prominently displayed alongside the carrying case:

The ear tip selection is particularly impressive, offering multiple options to find your perfect fit:

The complete package includes:

• Truthear Pure IEMs
• Detachable high-quality cable with standard 2-pin connectors
• A very decent selection of silicone ear tips in two different styles (S/M/L)
• And foam ear tips for enhanced isolation
• Carrying pouch
• User manual, warranty card, and a typical postcard

Here you can see the IEMs alongside the various ear tips:

The presentation is clean, thoughtful, and provides everything you need for an excellent listening experience right out of the box.

Design, Build Quality, and Comfort

The Truthear Pure maintains a similar shell design to the Hexa, but with thoughtful refinements that enhance both aesthetics and ergonomics:

The shell has a premium feel with a smooth finish and tasteful branding, and obviously, very similar to the original Hexa.

The screw on the IEM shell is interesting for repair or simple being curiously about the internal structure:

The build quality is very solid.

The nozzles are similar to those on the Hexa but with subtle improvements:

The materials used strike a perfect balance between durability and weight, making the Pure ideal for extended listening sessions without causing fatigue.

Comfort and Fit

The Pure offers outstanding comfort for extended listening sessions. The ergonomic shape fits naturally in the ear, and the nozzle angle is particularly well-designed for a deeper fit in wider ear canals, providing an excellent seal without causing discomfort.

Compared to the Hexa, the Pure features some subtle but important changes: the shell is slightly thicker, and the nozzle diameter has been reduced to address fit concerns some users had with the Hexa. The nozzle tip measures approximately 5.5mm in diameter, with the lip section at about 6.1mm - a meaningful reduction from the Hexa’s dimensions. This results in a different fit characteristic where the Pure tends to sit more on the antitragus rather than behind it like the Hexa, though this doesn’t negatively impact comfort or stability.

This thoughtful design element significantly enhances both comfort and sound quality, as the proper seal is crucial for optimal bass response and isolation. The comfort is exceptional, making the Pure suitable for hours of continuous listening without any fatigue.

Cable

The included cable is of exceptional quality and represents a significant upgrade over the one included with the Hexa. It features a braided design that resists tangling and adds to the premium feel of the package. The cable has a silvery-white color scheme that’s well-executed, though it’s essentially the same high-quality cable found with the Truth Ear Gate (originally the Truth Ear Ola), just in this attractive silvery finish.

The 2-pin connectors are secure and well-designed:

The 3.5mm connector is also of high quality:

The cable has minimal microphonics and a supple feel that makes it easy to manage. This level of cable quality is rarely seen at this price point and adds significant value to the overall package.

Technical Overview

Similar to the HEXA, the 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.

By incorporating a simple yet effective configuration, PURE strives to deliver a high-quality hybrid earphone with a well-defined three-frequency response at a reasonable price. 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 (FO) and appropriately increase its impedance, allowing for punchy bass that meets the demands of accurate frequency crossover.

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.

Sound Impressions

Bass

The bass response of the Pure showcases the brilliance of its tilted sound profile. Unlike many IEMs that either follow the Harman target too strictly or overemphasize bass, the Pure strikes a perfect balance with a controlled mid-bass presence that adds just the right amount of warmth and body without ever becoming overwhelming.

What’s particularly impressive is how the Pure manages to deliver less bass quantity than competitors like the Kiwiears KE4 while maintaining superior bass quality. The bass notes have exceptional texture and detail, with a natural decay that works beautifully across all genres. The sub-bass extends impressively, providing a solid foundation that you can feel when needed, but it never bleeds into the midrange or dominates the presentation.

Test Tracks:

• “Billie Eilish - Bad Guy”: The bass line is rendered with perfect weight and articulation, showcasing the Pure’s ability to deliver impact without excess. Each note is clearly defined with excellent texture.
• “Massive Attack - Angel”: The sub-bass rumble is masterfully controlled and immersive, demonstrating the Pure’s ability to handle complex bass passages with authority while maintaining clarity throughout the frequency range.
• “Daft Punk - Get Lucky”: The bass line is tight, punchy, and perfectly integrated with the rest of the mix, showing how the Pure can handle rhythmic bass patterns with exceptional precision.

Midrange

The midrange presentation is where the Pure truly shines, offering a natural, slightly forward presentation that brings vocals and instruments to life with remarkable clarity and emotion. The midrange benefits from the perfectly balanced bass tuning, which provides warmth without ever encroaching on vocal clarity.

The JM-1 influence in the tuning is masterfully implemented here, resulting in a midrange that is organic and natural without sacrificing detail. Vocals have a lifelike quality that makes them sound present and intimate, while instruments are rendered with excellent timbre and texture.

Test Tracks:

• “Adele - Someone Like You”: Vocals are presented with stunning clarity and emotional weight. You can hear every nuance in Adele’s voice, from the subtle breathiness to the powerful crescendos.
• “John Mayer - Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”: Guitar notes have exceptional texture and body, with a natural resonance that perfectly captures the emotional intent of the performance.
• “Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over”: Florence Welch’s distinctive vocals are rendered with perfect clarity and presence, while the complex instrumental arrangement remains clear and well-separated.

Treble

The treble response of the Pure represents one of its greatest achievements. Where many IEMs either follow the Harman target too closely (resulting in fatigue) or roll off the treble too aggressively (losing detail), the Pure offers what I can only describe as a perfectly “safe” treble presentation that maintains excellent detail and extension without ever becoming harsh or fatiguing.

This is where the Pure significantly outperforms the Kiwiears KE4, which can occasionally become a bit too energetic in the treble region. The Pure’s treble is detailed and airy but never crosses into sibilance or harshness, making it ideal for extended listening sessions with any genre of music.

Detail retrieval is exceptional despite the more relaxed treble presentation. Cymbals, hi-hats, and other high-frequency instruments are rendered with natural timbre and appropriate decay, creating a sense of space and air without ever becoming aggressive.

Test Tracks:

• “Diana Krall - The Look of Love”: The brushed cymbals and high-hat work have exquisite detail and natural decay, with perfect presence that enhances the recording without ever becoming harsh.
• “Daft Punk - Giorgio by Moroder”: The high-frequency electronic elements are rendered with exceptional clarity and detail, maintaining their character while remaining comfortable even at higher volumes.
• “Fleetwood Mac - Dreams”: Stevie Nicks’ vocals sit perfectly in the mix without any sibilance, while the cymbals and high-hat work maintain their sparkle and detail.

Soundstage and Imaging

The Pure presents an impressively wide soundstage with excellent depth, creating a three-dimensional listening experience that exceeds expectations for an IEM at this price point. Instrument placement is precise and stable, with excellent separation that allows you to easily locate each element in the mix.

The balanced tuning contributes to the excellent imaging capabilities, as no frequency range dominates the presentation. This allows for a natural, cohesive soundstage that enhances the listening experience without feeling artificially expanded or constrained.

Comparisons

Truthear Pure vs. Truthear Hexa

The most relevant comparison is naturally with the Hexa, which the Pure is designed to succeed. A useful analogy for understanding their relationship is to think of the Sennheiser HD600 versus HD650 - both are neutral-sounding headphones, but the HD600 (like the Hexa) sounds brighter, more open, and more technical, while the HD650 (like the Pure) is more relaxed, warmer, fuller, and perhaps less technical but more mature in execution.

• Sound Signature: The Pure represents a warmer, denser version of neutral compared to the Hexa’s brighter, more lively sound. While the Hexa adheres more closely to traditional neutral targets, the Pure offers what could be described as a “tilted” neutral signature with enhanced mid-bass warmth and more relaxed treble. The Pure is less spacious and separated than the Hexa, trading some of that openness for a more cohesive, mature presentation.

• Technical Performance: Both IEMs offer similar levels of detail retrieval and resolution, though the Pure’s warmer tuning may make it seem slightly less “technical” to some listeners. However, the Pure’s excellent treble execution prevents it from sounding congested despite the warmer signature.

• Comfort: The Pure offers meaningful ergonomic improvements over the Hexa, with a reduced nozzle diameter and refined shell design that addresses fit concerns some users had with the original.

• Value: Both IEMs represent excellent value in their price bracket, with the choice between them largely coming down to tonal preference and intended use.

The decision between these two excellent IEMs comes down to your priorities: if you want maximum separation and openness as your only IEM, the Hexa might be the better choice. However, if you’re looking for an additional IEM with more mature, refined tuning that excels at long-term listening comfort, the Pure represents the more sophisticated option. For Hexa owners, the Pure offers a genuinely different and arguably more refined flavor rather than a strict upgrade.

Truthear Pure vs. Kiwi Ears KE4

The Kiwi Ears KE4 provides a fascinating comparison point for the Pure, as both IEMs aim to implement a JM-1 inspired tuning but with different approaches:

• Tuning Philosophy: Both IEMs move away from strict Harman tuning, but the Pure does so with significantly more finesse. While the KE4 offers a more bass-heavy presentation that can occasionally overwhelm the midrange, the Pure delivers a more balanced, refined tuning with less bass quantity but superior bass quality. The Pure’s treble is also more expertly tuned, offering what I would describe as a “safe” presentation that maintains excellent detail without the occasional harshness that can affect the KE4.

• Driver Configuration: Both IEMs feature a hybrid configuration with 1 dynamic driver and 3 balanced armatures. However, the Pure’s implementation shows more careful integration between the drivers, resulting in a more coherent, natural sound across the frequency spectrum.

• Technical Performance: While both IEMs offer excellent detail retrieval, the Pure edges out the KE4 in terms of overall resolution and clarity, particularly in complex passages where the KE4’s more aggressive bass can occasionally mask finer details.

• Comfort and Fit: The Pure offers superior ergonomics with its carefully angled nozzle design that provides a deeper, more secure fit for a wider range of ear shapes. The KE4, while comfortable, doesn’t quite match the Pure’s excellent fit.

• Value: Despite the KE4’s higher price point, the Pure offers equal or better performance in most areas, making it an exceptional value proposition. The Pure delivers a more refined, versatile sound signature that works beautifully across all genres.

In my opinion, the Pure is actually a better implementation of the JM-1 tuning philosophy than the KE4. It offers a more balanced, refined presentation with less bass but superior treble handling, making it the more versatile and enjoyable IEM for long-term listening. While the KE4 is certainly an excellent IEM, the Pure demonstrates that thoughtful tuning can often outperform raw specifications and higher price points.

Truthear Pure vs. Afu Explorer

The Afu Explorer (around $120, often on sale) offers an interesting middle ground between the Pure’s “new neutral” approach and a more classic harman tuning with bass tuck but with a much more relaxed upper midrange:

• Sound Signature: The Explorer features a distinct bass boost that moves it away from neutral territory into “fun, bassy” sound signature territory.

• Technical Performance: The Explorer does an excellent job with texturing and micro-contrast, potentially even better than the Pure in some areas. The bass is more incisive and tighter than what you’ll get from either the Pure or Hexa.

• Positioning: If you’re looking for something that splits the difference between pure neutrality and exciting V-shaped tuning, the Explorer represents that middle ground, more bass presence than the Pure but more relaxed.

Specifications and Measurements

Measurements

Note: The following measurements were taken with my measurement rig and are available on my measurement database. All measurements use the IEC60318-4 standard (711 coupler).

Frequency Response

The Pure demonstrates excellent channel matching across the entire frequency range, which is crucial for proper stereo imaging:

One interesting aspect of the Pure is how the included ear tips affect the frequency response. The narrow bore tips provide slightly more treble energy compared to the wide bore tips, allowing users to fine-tune the sound signature to their preference:

The frequency response shows the Pure’s “tilted” signature with elevated bass response that gradually slopes down through the midrange, creating a warm yet detailed presentation that avoids congestion.

Distortion

Distortion performance is excellent across the frequency range, with THD levels remaining well below audible thresholds even at higher listening levels:

The low distortion figures, particularly in the bass and midrange regions, contribute to the Pure’s clean and articulate sound reproduction.

EQ Recommendations

For those who appreciate the Pure’s overall presentation but would like to bring it back closer to the Hexa’s more neutral tuning, here are some simple EQ adjustments that can help:

Preamp: -3.0 dB
Filter 1: ON PK Fc 150 Hz Gain -2.5 dB Q 1.0
Filter 2: ON PK Fc 5000 Hz Gain 2.0 dB Q 1.5

These adjustments reduce the mid-bass emphasis and add some presence to the treble region, bringing the Pure closer to a more neutral presentation while maintaining its overall character.

Rating

The Truthear Pure earns a perfect 5-star pragmatic rating, representing what I believe is one of the most impressive sounding IEMs on the market. This rating reflects a nuanced decision-making process: while the Pure’s tonal balance might be slightly too far in the warmth direction versus an absolute ideal sound signature, it represents a more mature, better execution overall compared to even the excellent Hexa.

The decision between the Pure and Hexa ultimately comes down to intended use: if you need one IEM that maximizes separation and openness, the Hexa might edge out slightly. However, as an additional IEM or for those seeking the most refined, mature tuning available at this price point, the Pure is the superior choice. Its excellent treble execution elevates it beyond what the frequency response alone might suggest, creating a sophisticated listening experience that works beautifully across all genres.

The Pure excels in:

• Exceptional build quality and comfort with thoughtful ergonomic improvements over the Hexa
• Masterfully implemented “tilted” sound profile that balances warmth with clarity
• Superior treble execution that prevents congestion despite the warmer signature
• More mature, refined tuning philosophy compared to its predecessor
• Versatility across all music genres with excellent long-term listening comfort

What’s particularly impressive is how the Pure manages to avoid any significant weaknesses while offering a more sophisticated approach to neutral tuning. The “tilted” signature represents thoughtful evolution rather than compromise, creating an IEM that satisfies both technical and musical demands.

Conclusion

The Truthear Pure represents a genuine triumph in IEM design and tuning, offering what I consider to be one of the most refined, enjoyable listening experiences available at any price point, let alone its remarkably accessible cost. The Pure isn’t merely an evolution of the Hexa legacy—it’s a sophisticated reimagining of what a budget IEM can achieve when expert tuning guidance meets thoughtful engineering.

What makes the Pure special is its perfectly executed “tilted” sound profile that offers less bass than competitors like the Kiwiears KE4 while maintaining superior bass quality, combined with what might be the most expertly implemented " safe" treble I’ve heard in this price range. This tuning philosophy creates an IEM that works beautifully across all genres and can be enjoyed for hours without fatigue.

For newcomers to the Truthear lineup, the Pure represents an exceptional entry point that competes with IEMs costing two or three times its price. For Hexa owners, the Pure offers a more refined, mature tuning that may well represent a genuine upgrade rather than merely a different flavor.

In the increasingly crowded budget IEM market, the Pure stands as a new benchmark for what can be achieved through thoughtful tuning and quality engineering. It demonstrates that with the right guidance—in this case from Listener at Headphones.com—even affordable IEMs can deliver a truly premium listening experience that satisfies both casual listeners and demanding audiophiles alike.

The Truthear Pure isn’t just highly recommended—it’s an essential audition for anyone interested in experiencing just how good affordable audio can be in 2025.