Moondrop S8 VS Truthear Hexa

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Striking design meets smart ergonomics: a crystal-clear acrylic shell that looks glass-polished, with noticeably cleaner clarity than Blessing 2/Dusk. The fit is more contoured and effortless, thanks to slightly narrower nozzles; isolation is immense because it’s an unvented all-BA set, which also means some ear pressure for the uninitiated. Cable, case, and tips mirror the Blessing 2 bundle—serviceable if not premium.

Tuning sits in lean-neutral with a sub-bass lift: not a basshead set, but sub-bass presence is satisfying. As with most BA bass, it won’t move air like a DD; versus Blessing 2 Dusk the low end is considered weaker, yet it outclasses sets like the Dunu SA6 for punch and definition. The midrange delivers excellent detail and micro-contrast, tracking closely to Dusk’s slimmer mids rather than the warmer original B2. The showstopper is the treble—clean, airy, and refined with zero grit, pairing with wider-than-B2 staging (a “wraparound” feel toward ~180°) for standout imaging, separation, and layering. Among BA references, only benchmarks like 64 Audio U12t or Campfire Ara come to mind as peers for bass quality and overall finesse.

At $700, the value question hinges on priorities: dynamic-driver bass lovers may lean Monarch/Clairvoyance, but for those chasing mid/treble purity and effortless technicalities, S8 is special. Gorgeous build, secure fit, and a treble performance that feels best-in-class coalesce into an easy recommendation—ultimately earning a full 5/5 in this take.

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Truthear Hexa targets the sweet spot at $80 with a hybrid 1DD + 3BA array and a tuning that hugs a neutral reference. Build is clean and understated: metal faceplate over a translucent 3D-printed shell, compact “medium-small” footprint, and a straight 6.2 mm nozzle that holds tips securely. The stock cable isn’t flashy but handles beautifully, and the lightweight set fits securely and comfortably—easy ingress/egress, even sleep-friendly. Accessories are simple but useful (soft pouch, multiple silicone sets, foam tips).

Sonically, this is genuinely neutral with a light sub-bass lift for body, centered vocals, and treble that’s smooth yet well-extended without plasticky BA glare. Cymbals and brushes have convincing timbre, micro-detail is respectable, and imaging is solid for the price (not exaggerated). Bass quantity sits in a Goldilocks zone—never boomy—though the attack is a touch soft, trading incisiveness for ease. Technical performance overachieves for the bracket, but it’s not a giant-killer; and that neutral tonality won’t flatter weak recordings.

Contextually, Hexa’s tonality edges out close rivals: more warmth than ER2XR’s leaner lower mids, smoother and more natural treble timbre than Legacy 4 (which answers back with snappier bass texture and punchier separation), and less incisive but more extended top-end than Blessing 2, which still leads in midrange resolution and imaging sharpness. Aggregate take: five stars for value and tuning coherence—an easy recommendation at this price for listeners aligned with a neutral, mid-focused, clean presentation and a comfortable, compact fit.

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Legendary Series kickoff: Truthear Hexa gets a “legacy” deep-dive with a community poll deciding its status—60% yes votes puts it on a Hall-of-Fame list; otherwise it’s a “legendary failure.” Notable praise exists: Super* Review gave a rare five-star, Resolve called it “insanely good”, and Crinacle rated it A+ for tone and B for tech, on par with far pricier favorites. The review asks a single question throughout: is Hexa truly legendary, merely noteworthy, or just another competent IEM?

Build and kit are a mixed bag. The shell pairs a smoky resin body with a black metal faceplate and a comfortable, compact fit; the recessed 2-pin means flat-pin cables won’t seat properly. The stock tips are excellent and genuinely useful, but the cable feels thin, tangles easily, and the channel markings are hard to read; the case is serviceable but plain. Overall presentation: solid shell, great tips, forgettable cable and case.

Sonically, Hexa presents neutral-leaning tonality with airy, detailed upper mids—sparkly, airy, dreamy—and a measurement curve that looks “right,” yet in-ear performance exposes anemic bass and limited slam/dynamics. Technicalities are decent rather than class-leading; staging isn’t the holographic showcase some might want. Comparisons note Truthear Nova (more bass but hot upper-mids), and alternatives like AFUL Explorer, Moondrop Aria 2, and other well-tuned planars as potentially stronger all-rounders depending on taste. Final take: a respectful 7/10—tonally appealing and special in ways, but not personally crowned legendary; the community vote makes the call.

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The Moondrop S8 mirrors the tonal balance of the Blessing 2 Dusk—similar bass level, natural mids, solid upper-mid presence, and extended treble—but distinguishes itself in execution. Bass is notably smoother; where Dusk can feel a bit forced/dry on bass-heavy tracks, S8 stays composed and fluid. Midrange carries a touch of classic BA timbre—notes sound lighter and a bit weightless versus Dusk’s more grounded “natural weight”—yet resolution and clarity remain excellent. Up top, energy is a step higher, giving female vocals a fuller, more effortless presence.

What sells the S8 is how cohesive and refined the whole package feels: transitions are seamless, detail retrieval is clean, and the tuning reads as a polished, more elegant take on the Dusk’s recipe. It’s effectively the Dusk, elevated—smoother bass, airier sparkle, and a more effortless overall presentation—making it a standout choice for listeners who prioritize clarity and treble openness without sacrificing balance. Among Moondrop’s lineup in this guide, S8 comes across as the most complete and the most compelling upgrade for a refined, reference-leaning sound.

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Moondrop S8 makes a strong first impression: a gorgeous build, clean shells, and a presentation that feels premium without pretending to be leather-clad luxury. The design keeps it simple—no tuning switches—and packs three different types of balanced armatures, hinting at a deliberate, all-BA execution. Moondrop’s track record is front of mind here: Kanas Pro, KXXS, and the A8 (the S8’s predecessor) stay on the “constant recs” list, while the Blessing line isn’t spared criticism despite the hype.

The included cable looks copper-like, is soft and supple, and uses a right-angle plug with Moondrop branding on the Y-split—though there’s no chin slider. Past Moondrop cable quirks get a nod, but this one appears solid on first inspection. Accessory fitment and finish are treated with care (no scratching those caps), and anticipation centers on the FR graph: if it doesn’t “graph like a disaster,” S8 is poised to be a winner. For now, it’s all about the music, the look, and a tuning that—if it tracks—could push this set straight into the recommendation zone.

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Truthear Hexa brings a clean, neutral presentation in a sturdy, smoky shell where the drivers are visible. The fit is slightly larger than some rivals but still comfortable, with solid build integrity at the price. Accessories are generous—familiar Truthear cable (similar to the Zero), a pouch, and multiple tip options—though the cable feels a step below premium inclusions elsewhere.

Sonically, Hexa focuses on micro detail, clarity, and coherence, delivering more revealing male/female vocals than warmer sets. For gaming, it shines with precise imaging, depth, and verticality—excellent directional audio for tactical cues—while remaining composed in busy scenes. In close-quarters maps a warmer set like Dunu Kima can feel more “atmospheric,” but Hexa’s neutrality keeps separation crisp; in open-world/Battle Royale scenarios it’s confidently competitive and sits near the Zero in overall positional performance. At around $80, it’s an easy add to the budget recommendation list for music, casual play, and competitive gaming alike.