Truthear Hexa VS Subtonic STORM
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Truthear Hexa and Subtonic STORM use 1DD+3BA and 5BA+2EST+2SLAM driver setups respectively. Truthear Hexa costs $80 while Subtonic STORM costs $5,200. Subtonic STORM is $5,120 more expensive. Subtonic STORM holds a decisive 3-point edge in reviewer scores (6.1 vs 9.2). Truthear Hexa carries a user score of 7. Subtonic STORM has significantly better bass with a 3.1-point edge, Subtonic STORM has significantly better mids with a 2-point edge, Subtonic STORM has significantly better treble with a 2.5-point edge, Subtonic STORM has significantly better dynamics with a 4.5-point edge, Subtonic STORM has significantly better soundstage with a 3.3-point edge, Subtonic STORM has significantly better details with a 4.3-point edge and Subtonic STORM has significantly better imaging with a 4-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Truthear Hexa | Subtonic STORM |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 5.6 | 8.7 |
| Mids | 6.4 | 8.4 |
| Treble | 6.2 | 8.7 |
| Details | 5.3 | 9.7 |
| Soundstage | 6.3 | 9.5 |
| Imaging | 5 | 9 |
| Dynamics | 5 | 9.5 |
| Tonality | 6.2 | 9.1 |
| Technicalities | 5.8 | 9.3 |
Truthear Hexa Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
6.1Mixed to Positive
Subtonic STORM Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Average Reviewer Score:
9.2Outstanding
Reviews Comparison
Truthear Hexa reviewed by Jays Audio
6
Reviewer Score
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
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Subtonic STORM reviewed by Jays Audio
10
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Most IEMs inevitably introduce flaws that shatter musical immersion—be it harsh treble, shouty vocals, or unbalanced bass. These imperfections act as chains, binding the listener and preventing that elusive state of pure, uninterrupted freedom within the music. While the OG EJ07 came close, even it faltered on certain tracks, its forward vocals becoming a jarring distraction when pushed hard. The Subtonic Storm, however, shatters this pattern entirely.
Contrary to its name, the Storm represents the eye of the hurricane—a sanctuary of pure, effortless sound. It liberates the music from tuning flaws, presenting it naturally and tranquilly. There are zero distractions or attachments holding the listener back, enabling deep introspection and complete immersion, as if conversing directly with the singer or instrument. This profound, intangible quality—achieving that free state—is why it's considered the best IEM, offering unmatched resolution, separation, and imaging, albeit at an astronomical $5,000 price point.
Value-wise, the Storm is undeniably terrible; the KZ ASF ($250) gets you 80% there, and the Monarch MKII ($1,000) delivers 95%. It's a luxury item, justified only by its unique, unmeasurable ability to dissolve worldly distractions and forge total oneness with the music. Crucially, it's not for everyone: Bass heads, background listeners, or those enjoying J-pop/K-pop/EDM will find far better value elsewhere under $300. Only those deeply seeking musical transcendence, with ample disposable income, should even consider it. For everyone else, stay away—you simply don’t need it.
Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Truthear Hexa reviewed by Tim Tuned
6
Reviewer Score
Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Subtonic STORM reviewed by Tim Tuned
9
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Subtonic STORM closes the list as the ultra-high-end, “one-and-done” pick—the kind of most expensive flagship that needs no hype because the name says it all. Chosen for a “versatile” roundup, it’s framed as the endgame option for those who want a single IEM to cover everything and have the budget to match—cue the playful “rich boys” jab.
The verdict is equal parts praise and pragmatism: demo first. STORM isn’t a blind-buy, and the price is so stratospheric it gets the tongue-in-cheek advice to sell a car, a house, or a kidney. In short, a summit-fi statement piece with serious one-set potential—but only after making sure the tuning truly clicks.
Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Truthear Hexa reviewed by Gizaudio Axel
6
Reviewer Score
Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube ChannelSubtonic STORM reviewed by Gizaudio Axel
9
Reviewer Score
Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube ChannelTruthear Hexa reviewed by Shuwa-T
5.8
Reviewer Score
Subtonic STORM reviewed by Shuwa-T
9.3
Reviewer Score
Truthear Hexa reviewed by Precogvision
5.3
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Subtonic STORM reviewed by Precogvision
9.1
Reviewer Score
Precogvision Youtube Channel
Truthear Hexa reviewed by Head-Fi.org
6.9
* score rescaled + normalized
Subtonic STORM reviewed by Head-Fi.org
9
* score rescaled + normalized
Truthear Hexa (more reviews)
Truthear Hexa reviewed by Super* Review
8*
* score rescaled + normalized
Truthear Hexa reviewed by Jaytiss
7
Reviewer Score
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Truthear Hexa reviewed by Crin
6.5
Reviewer Score
Truthear Hexa reviewed by
Fresh Reviews
5.5*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming
Score
Truthear Hexa reviewed by Audionotions
5.5
Reviewer Score
Truthear Hexa reviewed by Nymz
4.6
Reviewer Score
Subtonic STORM (more reviews)
Subtonic STORM reviewed by Yifang
9.8
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Subtonic STORM arrives as a spectacle: a limited run of 50 units presented in a hefty suitcase-style box that feels close to 2 kg. The unboxing greets with a personalized card and serialized plate—in this case marked “STORM 019.” Accessories are equally premium: a neatly organized tip case and a Singaporean handmade leather pouch crafted from aged Italian leather, signaling boutique attention to detail before the earphones even leave the case.
The earpieces show off a golden “stormy” faceplate evoking mythic cloud imagery, backed by hand-enameled black paint so meticulous that one in three plates is discarded to meet quality standards. Even the stock cable is positioned as ultra-high end, quoted at around $2,500 with an intricate crystal-lattice design. Price is acknowledged as “way too much money”, yet the presentation unabashedly stakes a claim as the world’s best IEM. This video stays focused on the unboxing and build; a full listening review is teased for a later date.
Yifang Youtube Channel
Subtonic STORM reviewed by Smirk Audio
8.8
Reviewer Score
Subtonic STORM reviewed by Bad Guy Good Audio
8.1
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Subtonic STORM lands as a $5,200 flagship built around novel SLAM balanced-armature tech: the dual BA “subwoofer” and “woofer” are separated and crossed over independently, joined by a regular BA mid-woofer, additional BA mids, BA mid-tweeter and tweeter, plus two EST—nine drivers total with a seven-point crossover. The result isn’t just another spec sheet; it’s a system that behaves like a rethought low-end engine that sets up everything above it.
On music, the bass ranks an honest 8/10 because it doesn’t sound like typical BA bass—there’s real weight without mid bleed, so male/female vocals, strings, and guitars stay pristine. Complex tracks reveal studio fingerprints: the 38 Hz triple drop on Big Boi’s “Kill Jill” slams; the glockenspiel in Springsteen’s “Born to Run” is crystal; Pink Floyd’s “On the Run” left-right sweeps and the early gate announcement snap into focus; Hendrix’s uneven production becomes obvious; and the Led Zeppelin IV kick-drum intro hits with the produced, swirling authority it should. From Vivaldi to hip-hop, it just handles the library.
Stage is spacious and speaker-like off good sources, with positional cues that outclass sets like Elysian Annihilator and even edge the Fatfreq Grand Maestro for resolution, stage, and tonality—though Grand Maestro’s multi-tuning keeps it competitive. Ignore treble “hacksaw” graph takes and target-chasing; the performance argues against strict adherence to Harman-style curves. Diminishing returns are real, but for those chasing something genuinely different, the STORM’s reworked BA low end and refined EST top end deliver a uniquely authoritative, all-genre presentation that’s hard to unhear.
Bad Guy Good Audio original ranking
Bad Guy Good Audio Youtube ChannelSubtonic STORM reviewed by Web Search
9.5
Reviewer Score
The Subtonic Storm delivers a balanced sound signature characterized by a generous sub-bass boost, neutral midrange, and an elevated, articulate treble response. Its standout feature is the implementation of proprietary SLAM drivers—custom balanced armatures handling separate sub-bass and mid-bass frequencies—which produce exceptional slam and texture rivaling dynamic drivers. The treble exhibits deliberate, controlled peaks between 5-15kHz, contributing to vividness without harshness, though some listeners may note a slight roll-off past 16kHz.
Technically, the Storm sets a high bar with class-leading dynamics, micro-detail resolution, and driver coherence across its hybrid array. Staging offers strong width and depth but lacks a cohesive center image. Ergonomically, the titanium shells are bulky and heavy, causing fatigue during extended use, and the stock cable is often criticized for stiffness. Additionally, its low sensitivity demands powerful amplification, limiting portability.
Truthear Hexa Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+3BA
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: TRUTHEAR Top TRUTHEAR IEMs
Price (Msrp): $80
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Subtonic STORM Details
Driver Configuration: 5BA+2EST+2SLAM
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: Subtonic Top Subtonic IEMs
Price (Msrp): $5,200
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Truthear Hexa User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score:
Based on 1 user reviews
7Generally Favorable
Subtonic STORM User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!
Truthear Hexa Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5.9Gaming Grade
B-Subtonic STORM Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
7.7Gaming Grade
ATruthear Hexa Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B- It sounds pleasant overall, with some uneven spots that hint at room for refinement. Vocals remain pleasant despite the imperfections.
Average Technical Grade
B-- It offers a competent showing, maintaining cohesion on straightforward arrangements. Complex passages start to challenge it, but never derail the show.
Subtonic STORM Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
S- Expect a breathtakingly coherent response that elevates musicality and precision in equal measure. It highlights musical intent with uncanny clarity.
Average Technical Grade
S- Expect an effortlessly clean presentation that keeps complex mixes perfectly organized. There is zero sense of congestion even at high volume.
Truthear Hexa User Reviews
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