Gizaudio x Binary Chopin VS Truthear Pure

Initial skepticism about yet another reviewer collab IEM quickly evaporates, as the Gizaudio x Binary Chopin is declared a standout, potentially the best collab IEM in years and even an all-time favorite. For a $200 hybrid IEM from a relatively unknown company, it delivers a performance that is really, really good, making it an exceptionally exciting and competitive offering in its price bracket.

Physically, the Chopin is a bit of a mixed bag with an awkward, truncated teardrop shape, but it scores points for its compact overall size. The main fit consideration is the wide nozzle, which requires a secure ear tip for stability since the entire fit depends on the ear tip coupling with the canal. The included cable is praised for being simple, lightweight, and highly functional with a secure chin slider.

Where the Chopan truly shines is its sound. While its graph looks similar to the lackluster Truthear Nova, the Chopan's significant deviation with meatier bass provides a welcome sense of heft and body, making the entire presentation more enjoyable. The mid-range is clean and vocals are fantastic, coming across crisp and well-isolated. However, the star of the show is the outstanding treble, described as sharp, incisive, and possessing a great sense of weight that outperforms not just its competitors but even more expensive sets. It is declared superior to legendary IEMs like the Moondrop Dusk and the 7Hz Timeless, making it a full five-star product and an easy recommendation.

Super* Review original ranking

The Truthear Pure keeps the $90 hybrid recipe of the Hexa (3BA+1DD) and most of its shell geometry, but tweaks details: a slightly smaller nozzle eases fit for those who struggled with Hexa, while a thicker body changes how it sits against the antitragus. Accessories are sensible—the pocketable soft pouch and three styles of ear tips help dial in seal and stability—though the bold logo and faint channel markings won’t win style awards. Overall comfort is compact and easy, with fit security largely dependent on tip choice rather than ear-conforming contours.

Sonically this is a shift from Hexa’s laser-neutral baseline to a warm-neutral flavor: ~1–2 dB more energy from 1 kHz down adds body and density, while slightly pulled-back upper mids/treble relax the presentation. Stage size and separation aren’t the selling points, yet the treble execution is impressively clean and controlled for the price, avoiding the congestion feared from early listens. Bass remains not the star, but attack is snappier and kick definition more satisfying than on Hexa, making drums feel better outlined without abandoning neutrality.

Think HD600 vs HD650: Hexa reads brighter, airier, and a touch more “technical,” while Pure is fuller, warmer, and more relaxed—arguably the more mature tonality. For contrast seekers, the Jazir/Z Reviews Defiant hits harder with a lively V-shape; to split the difference with extra low-end and micro-contrast, the AFUL Explorer fits. As a sub-$100 choice, Pure lands as a five-star set: not a technical monster, but a beautifully tuned, dense take on neutral that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Hexa rather than replacing it—pick Hexa for openness, Pure for tone and treble refinement.

Super* Review original ranking

The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin IEM is an absolute standout, delivering a fantastically unique and immersive sound signature that is heavily focused on vocals. The presentation is spectacularly detailed, making any vocal track, from opera to pop, slam you in the eyeballs in the best way possible. The soundstage is its most intriguing feature; it doesn't sound wide or narrow but instead creates a phantasm-like effect where the music seems to wrap around and even behind your head, a phenomenally cool and different experience.

This is achieved through a hybrid driver setup of a single 8mm dynamic driver for a natural and impactful low end, plus three balanced armatures handling the mids and highs. The package is exceptionally well-presented with a clean box and a professional-looking case. It also comes bundled with the Divinus Velvet tips, which are so smooth they are considered the best pairing for this IEM and are almost mandatory for the intended experience.

Priced at $200, the Chopin is 100% worth it. The build quality extends to its cable and the smallest two-pin connectors ever seen, and the overall tuning is simply fantastic. It’s a refreshingly different IEM that avoids any painful treble or recessed mid-range, making it an easy, highly recommended pick for anyone looking for something special that excels with vocal-centric music.

Z-Reviews original ranking

Truthear Pure brings a warm, bass-impactful presentation from its 1DD+3BA setup, but the rest feels like it’s under a blanket. There’s a noticeable 2 kHz hump, then the upper range ducks hard past ~8 kHz, leaving the sound veiled—like three comforters thrown over the music. Great for bass-centric tracks (think Arcane S2 remixes), yet dull and somehow fatiguing at the same time. The shells look cool—semi-transparent with a heatsink-style back—and the stock cable is soft and supple but fixed 3.5 mm. Accessories are classic Truthear: small leather pouch, tip array, and a waifu postcard. Listed around $89 (feels more like $50 value).

The real curveball is the imaging and stage. On 3D test tracks that should sweep smoothly around the head, motion skews and snaps—front/back depth behaves weird and timing feels off. It’s the kind of tuning (or implementation) that begs for EQ just to “open it up”. For listeners who want warmth + bass and the bunny-girl aesthetic, this will scratch the itch. For a cleaner, properly integrated 1DD+3BA experience, alternatives like Defiant make more sense, especially at a similar price. Net: an acceptable set for bass enjoyment, but with odd staging and a rolled-off, veiled top end that keeps it off the must-buy list.

Z-Reviews original ranking

The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin presents a unique value, particularly for those who typically prefer speakers or over-ear headphones. Its greatest strength is its extreme comfort and easy fit, making it ideal for long gaming or music sessions without the pressure buildup common with other IEMs. Sonically, it boasts a very good quantity of bass and exceptional vocals that really pop in the mix.

However, the Chopin is not without its weaknesses. The quality of the bass is not world-class, and it can lack some air and sparkle in the highs. The most significant complaint is in the technicals of instruments, which can sometimes sound a bit muffled, unresolving, and odd in their tonality and timbre compared to the standout vocals.

When compared to the TruthEar Nova, the Chopin is found to be livelier and more musical, with warmer, richer lows, while the Nova is drier and more clinical with slightly better highs. Both are considered technical benchmarks at their respective price points. The Symphonium Meteor, meanwhile, is deemed overpriced and its bass is noted as being too overpowering, making the music sound off despite its small, comfortable shell.

Jaytiss original ranking

The Truthear Pure offers a neutral, JM1-style target tuning aimed at a studio-reference sound, achieving this goal competently for its price point. However, its build quality and accessories feel disappointing and recycled from older models like the Hexa. The shell contouring is rigid and unimpressive, while the tips and case lack innovation. The cable is a slight improvement over the Hexa's – supple but lacking clear right/left indicators – making the overall package just okay, not exciting.

Sonically, the Pure presents a linear bass rise and a generally neutral presentation, differing from the Hexa by offering a bit more warmth but less sparkle and magical mid-range presence. While it fixes the Hexa's "pillowy bass," it doesn't fully surpass it, lacking the Hexa's legendary status. Comparisons reveal it's very similar to the Audio Sense DT200 in tonality, though slightly preferred. It falls short against competitors like the Kiwi Ears Quartet (better bass/mids), Ziigaat Lush (better technicalities), Softears Volume S (more natural curve), or planar options around its price. Crucially, the fit is problematic, often requiring expensive aftermarket tips like the Baroque to work well, which feels impractical for a $90 IEM.

Ultimately, the Pure is a solid but middling release, earning a B rating. It suits those specifically seeking an affordable JM1-style neutral signature or dedicated Truthear fans. For most listeners, however, better alternatives exist: the Hexa remains preferable within Truthear's lineup for its magic, the Nova offers more fun, or competitors like the Aful Explorer (bass-focused), TANGZU Fudu (value planar), or slightly pricier Volume S provide more engaging or technically proficient experiences. It's not a strong general recommendation.

Jaytiss original ranking

Truthear Pure arrives as a $90 1DD+3BA hybrid with a solid accessory set: postcard, soft pouch, six pairs of silicone tips plus foam. The non-modular cable is notably soft, tangle-free, low in microphonics, and the chin slider actually stays put. Shells are semi-transparent 3D-printed resin with a grooved faceplate, a vent, and a nozzle lip that keeps tips secure; there’s a recessed 2-pin connector. Size is only slightly larger than Hexa, but comfort is similarly excellent—low-profile, secure, and easy for long sessions.

Sonically, Pure shifts firmly into warm territory. Bass is abundant with strong slam, yet its slower decay and “glide” into the lower mids introduce a thick, relaxed presentation that can cloud mid-range clarity and leave vocals a touch hazy; the upper-mids sit a bit too laid-back for the bass level. Treble is safe, smooth, and non-fatiguing rather than airy. Technicals are middling for the class—imaging decent, detail behind more incisive sets. Versus Hexa, Pure adds bass and impact but loses the Hexa’s clean, neutral midrange; compared with Moondrop Aria 2, it’s the “too warm” side of warm-tuned. Best suited for listeners who want a cozy, laid-back signature; not ideal for clarity seekers unless EQ is used to trim the low-mids/bass. Final verdict: 3/5 stars—comfortable build and enjoyable smoothness, but the warmth dominates the balance.

Gizaudio Axel original ranking

The Gizaudio x Binary Chopin is positioned as a more authoritative and engaging take on the familiar Harman target. It features a pronounced sub-bass that fills in the typical scoop without overdoing it, providing more slam and weight than predecessors like the Nova or Hexa. This gives the low end more authority, preventing it from sounding anemic, though it doesn't reach the subwoofer-like physicality of sets like the EA1000. The mid-range remains very clear, uncolored, and well-separated, benefiting from the extra mid-bass to sound fuller than the Nova while maintaining a correct tonal balance with no bias toward male or female vocals.

The upper mids and treble are where the Chopin really differentiates itself, coming across as a more engaging and lively version of the Nova. A boost in the 5k and 10k regions adds excitement and liveliness, creating a more open and airy stage. This makes it reminiscent of the Simgot EA1000 but much smoother overall. When compared to other sets, it's a clear upgrade over the Nova and bests competitors like the Performer 5 and EM6L with its better resolution and treble extension without low-end sacrifice. It's also a smoother, more weighted alternative to the Heyday and a more affordable option that delivers about 85% of the performance of the Moondrop Variations.

Ultimately, the Chopin is a smoother all-rounder that makes the standard Harman target less boring. It's a highly competitive set that sounds cleaner than the Kiwi Ears Hype 2 with a less pronounced bass that better highlights the mid-range, though the Hype 2 retains an advantage in bass texture for genres like EDM and hip-hop. The choice between them becomes library-dependent, but the Chopin stands out as a very well-tuned and compelling option in its price range.

Jays Audio original ranking

Truthear Pure lands as the so-called Hexa successor, but the tuning pivots hard: it’s warmer, darker, and even more laid-back. Think mini Softears Volür—only warmer—so male vocals pop with weight, extension, and a lush low-end foundation. At mid-to-low volumes it can come off bloated and a little low-res up top, with dulled upper-mid/treble detail; push it to around 75 dB+ and it scales nicely, opening the stage, adding clarity, and staying non-fatiguing thanks to the tamer upper mids.

Genre pairing leans into hip-hop, rap, R&B, jazz, and rock/metal: there’s satisfying mid-bass impact and sub-bass rumble, with restrained upper mids keeping sibilance and shout in check on hotter recordings. Tipwise, avoid bass-boosters like Final E, Divinus Venus, and even the stock silicones. Go with Softears Ultra Clear or other clear, open-bore tips to nudge in more treble air while keeping the smoothness.

On raw technicals, Pure isn’t class-leading for its bracket—less detail and separation than the older Hexa despite sharing drivers, because the warmer/darker tilt trims perceived clarity. Buy it for the tuning and volume scaling. It plays like a more vocal-centric spin on the AFUL Explorer (darker, immersive, vocals pop more, a bit less sub-bass-centric). Chasing value or technical bite? Sets like EW300 (on sale) or Moondrop Aria 2 Red, and of course Hexa, will feel cleaner and crisper. Bottom line: a side-grade with its own niche—great for listeners who prefer a warm, smooth presentation and aren’t shy about turning the volume up.

Jays Audio original ranking

Truthear Pure follows the beloved Hexa with a smarter twist on neutrality: a hybrid 1DD+3BA at $90 that keeps the sturdy 3D-printed shell, slightly chunkier but similarly comfortable. The package is generous—three pairs of “thick” tips, three “thin,” plus foams—along with a much softer, less tangle-prone cable (still a fixed termination) and a soft leather pouch that’s actually pocket-friendly. Build, fit, and accessories punch above price, making this feel more premium than the tag suggests.

Sonically, Pure takes Hexa’s neutral core and downtilts it: a touch more lower-mid energy for weight and body, with the Hexa’s brighter colorations eased back. The result is a warm-neutral, enveloping, and non-fatiguing presentation—vocals and instruments gain richness without mud, and timbre/decay stay natural rather than dark or blunted. Think of the duo like HD600 vs HD650 for IEMs: pick Hexa for cleaner/brighter clarity, pick Pure for fuller, relaxed musicality. Choose Pure if a superbly executed warm-neutral tuning, long-session comfort, and broad genre versatility are priorities (great as a first “do-it-all” IEM). Skip it if a crisper, more analytical, or treble-forward edge is needed—the Pure presents detail naturally rather than pushing it. Either way, Pure carves meaningful space beside Hexa: neither redundant nor straying too far from true neutral, just the right amount of warmth done right. (Also, a white Pure would be fun—name kinda begs for it.)

Tim Tuned original ranking