Truthear Nova VS Tin Hifi C3 MK2

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Truthear Nova reads like a remix of Truthear’s hits: the bass weight of the HOLA, the clean technicals of the Hexa, and the lively treble sparkle of the RED. Tuning tracks a preferred target by about 95%, with a tasteful sub-bass lift and a mild extra push around 4–6 kHz that adds clarity without harshness. Resolution and detail feel a step up from prior budget favorites, delivering an “easy listening” tonality that still holds up for gaming. Across a broad library, the Nova comes across as balanced, energetic, and impressively refined for the price.

Build and accessories punch above class. The smooth, shiny shell fits comfortably; nozzle diameter measures about 5.1 mm (vs. RED ~5.6 mm, Hexa ~5.0 mm, HOLA ~4.4 mm). The new case is a favorite—soft interior with a practical clip—and the tip kit is generous: six sets total (3 silicone, 1 foam, and 2 double-flange, the latter being new to the lineup). Fit proves secure and ergonomic, with overall build quality comparable to bigger-name sets while staying compact enough for daily carry.

On graphs and in practice, Nova feels like a “leveled-up RED” with fewer quirks (no impedance adapter shenanigans) and more perceived resolution, while also edging the Hexa in sub-bass authority and upper-mid/low-treble presence. It’s a strong pick for newcomers and Truthear fans alike: great tone, good tech, and an all-rounder character that suits most genres. Final verdict: a confident 92/100 and an easy recommendation in its bracket.

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Truthear Nova takes a very safe Harman route: clean, well-separated bass with neutral mid-bass and not enough sub-bass to deliver that bouncy, textured thump. The result is a vanilla low end that stays in the background—great for clarity, not for slam. Midrange is open and sweet for female vocals, while male vocals can feel a touch light. Treble is a highlight: smooth, well-extended, and free of awkward peaks—more refined than sets like Performer 5 and some planars, and less boosted (thus less fatiguing) than EM6L.

On technicalities, Nova sits around EM6L tier with slightly better separation and perceived clarity, trading away sparkle for ease. It keeps its composure in busy mixes like rock and metal, but the missing mid-bass weight dulls drum and bass-guitar impact. For pop, ballads, acoustic and cleaner libraries, the signature is inoffensive, smooth, and tidy—pretty much the “don’t offend anyone” take on Harman (aside from bassheads).

Comparisons: for a warmer, fuller and punchier listen, Performer 5 (and similar “Fudu” style sets) bring more impact but give up treble cleanliness. EM6L is a more energetic, slightly warmer Nova with hotter upper-mids; sensitive listeners will prefer Nova’s restraint. Kara plays smoother, airier, and scales at higher volumes but isn’t as resolving. Heyday adds treble detail and mid-bass for liveliness (planar timbre caveat), while Hexa and Sonus feel similar in bass (also vanilla) with Nova bringing more detail. Think of Nova as a mini Blessing 3 with a touch more sub-bass, not a Variations understudy. Best use cases: upgrading from cleaner budget sets (e.g., 7Hz Zero) for better technicalities, or adding a clean Harman-neutral piece to a collection. Skip if the library leans hip-hop, EDM, rock/metal, or if a Hexa/Sonus is already on hand.

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Truthear Nova arrives as a budget hybrid built to spar with Moondrop’s Variations: a 1DD + 4BA set in that signature blue shell, anime-clad packaging, and a surprisingly nice-feeling stock cable that, unfortunately, is plagued by heavy microphonics and a rigid ear-hook. Tuning skews Harman-ish and very close to Variations, but with tweaks for a slightly more balanced presentation. Bass quality is excellent—clean sub-bass rumble and tight mid-bass punch—yet overall bass quantity sits a touch low versus the prominent upper mids, making the Nova better for low-to-medium volume listening and less ideal for bass-centric EDM or modern pop. Mids lean on the lighter side: lower-mid warmth is restrained, so male vocals and cellos can lose body, while female vocals and acoustic strings cut through with clarity. Treble impresses for the price—crisp, detailed, and generally non-sibilant—though ultimate air and openness are limited.

Where Nova truly struts is technical performance. Perceived resolution is standout for the class, pulling background cues forward and rendering percussion texture and micro-details with ease. Separation is strong on simpler passages, imaging is precise (left/right/center and angles lock in), and speed & dynamics keep the presentation lively; in complex mixes the smallish stage (especially depth/height) can bunch things up, tempering “real” resolution. Taken against Variations, it’s a blow-for-blow trade with the big differentiator being price—Nova undercuts significantly, making it the more sensible recommendation. With a cable swap to fix microphonics and a touch more low-mid/bass level, a hypothetical “Nova Red” could dominate sub-$200. As it stands, this is an affordable technical king for J-pop/K-pop, anime OSTs, and anything that thrives on clarity over heft.

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The Nova comes in with a hybrid setup (1DD + 4BA) and a look that echoes the old Truthear Zero—glossy lacquer over a plastic shell that feels more budget than its $150 tag suggests. The semi-custom shape is chunky and fills the concha; isolation and security are excellent, but comfort depends on ear volume. The nozzle is narrower than past Truthear sets, yet the body’s size still dominates fit. The included cloth cable behaves well and is a bit longer than average, though it’s mildly microphonic; the shortened earhooks have firm edges that can rub the back of the ear.

Tuning is a near dead-match to Harman: elevated sub-bass, a carved lower-mid trough, and smooth upper presence. In practice that reads as thin, dry, and polite—inoffensive and free of sibilance, but not very engaging. Kick-driven tracks without deep sub content feel light due to the scooped mid-bass; when sub-bass hits, it can come off a bit droning. Vocals are clean and forward, occasionally bordering on shrill, while treble is well-controlled and easy on the ears. Technicals tick up slightly over HEXA with better imaging and a touch more 3D placement, yet overall resolution and separation remain more competent than exciting.

Against Truthear’s own HEXA, the Nova offers a small technical bump but gives up HEXA’s richer, more relaxed tonality and nicer-feeling build—while costing roughly twice as much. Versus Tanchjim Kara, performance feels broadly comparable: Kara has fuller bass but softer definition; Nova is smoother up top but still on the lean side. As a by-the-book Harman execution the Nova is fine, but for musicality and value, alternatives in and below the price class remain more compelling.

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Truthear Nova comes in as a 4BA + 1DD hybrid around $150 with a resin shell that’s a touch more ergonomic than Zero, plus an iridescent blue faceplate. The stock “shoelace” cable is light and comfy but tends to tangle, fixed to 3.5 mm. The kit is generous—case with clip and a spread of tips; foam tips get a slight nod for comfort, though performance differences for competitive play are minor.

On performance, Nova presents a brighter, airier, more open tuning with de-emphasized mid-bass, trading thump for clarity. Imaging, depth, and verticality are strong, and positional cues are easy to map in chaotic moments; however, compared to the Truthear x Crinacle Zero, Nova’s cues feel less urgent—footsteps and distant gunfire don’t slam as hard. For gaming tiers, Nova makes the Wall Hack Certified list but sits below Zero for tactical shooters and Apex-style titles. If a cleaner, more sterile-leaning presentation is the goal, Nova delivers; if maximum cue emphasis is the priority, Zero keeps the edge.

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C3 MKII stays close to the original: a resin shell with a fancier faceplate, a thin black cable, and a zipped case. The presentation feels familiar and competent for the price, with no radical changes in ergonomics or accessories. At $49 the package reads as solid rather than exciting.

The tuning follows a classic Harman-style recipe: sub-bass around a modest shelf, a mild mid-bass lift for body, and an upper-mid plateau between roughly 2-4 kHz that delivers energetic vocals. This is effective and broadly appealing, but the firm plateau can edge into shout on certain material compared with more recent smoother takes. Treble transitions are conventional and unremarkable, tracking the expected roll-off of that target.

Against today field, value is the sticking point: several cheaper models offer near-identical tonality, and some peers at a similar price aim for smoother, more modern upper-mid-to-treble balance. If the goal is to sample that recognizable signature with nicer build and a handy case, C3 MKII remains a safe choice. For price-to-performance, however, it no longer clearly separates itself.