Tangzu x HBB Xuan Nv's Review - Not your usual HBB's tuning

 

General Information (Build/Packaging/Comfort)

Xuan Nv is a collaboration between Tangzu and HBB if you don’t already know. It is a dual dynamic driver config where the 10mm dynamic driver and 8mm driver 

Xuan Nv got a very beautiful faceplate. It's 3D printed and the unit is very light and I don't feel the weight on me when I'm wearing them. The packaging is the usual Tangzu’s styled packaging. Within the box, you have the IEM itself, two types of Tangzu’s eartips, the balanced and the wide, i personally preferred the wide tips with Xuan Nv, we will get to that later. So you are spoiled with choice in terms of eartips, the balanced and wide also affects the tuning so feel free to try out and see which is your preference

Gears used for this review

• Cayin N3 Ultra

• Hiby FC6

• Fiio K9 AKM

• Tangzu x HBB Xuan Nv with Sancai Wide Eartip

Foreword

My review is solely based on what I hear via my equipment and I never consider my reviews to be objective in any way rather a subjective approach. Do take into consideration that everyone’s ear anatomy is not the same, so the psychoacoustics perception might be different as well, but i believe it will not stray too far

Sound Impression (with Wide eartips)

To my surprise, the Xuan NV, despite bearing HBB’s collab badge, doesn't sound like the usual HBB”s tuning that I have heard of, especially on the bass region. Tonality wise, the Xuan Nv is a warmish set and sub bass focused, i would say, it is a very safe set overall

Bass

• It is not a bassy set like one of the collab, Hades, rather the bass has quite good control when it is properly powered

• Sub bass does rumble when the track calls for it, not bass head kind of rumble but sufficient in terms of quantity for it to be fun

• Mid bass does lack a little punch, which is why i’m surprised as HBB’s collab usually have punchy mid bass

• Not the best in terms of control and texture, but for the asking price, i think it is fair

• Bass is speedy enough to handle complex track, but there are also times where it fall shorts (Metallica’s Lux Aeterna)

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Mids

• The mids are slightly recessed and retains a little warmth from the lower region that was carried over

• Vocal positioning are neither too intimate nor recessed

• Male vocal has good enough texture, female vocal has sufficient energy, but might be lacking for females with higher vocal range

Treble

• The treble response is smooth and non sibilant, a very safe approach and I'm sure even the treble sensitive guys/girls will be able to handle it

•  While it’s good to have a safe approach, it also kills off some air which is evident on some busy tracks where everything will sound a little like “mashed” with each other. This is just me nitpicking, and of course something's got to give

• Detail retrieval is good enough for the price. Definitely not for critical listening

• A very smooth set overall

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage is slightly out of the head but lacking a little height and depth to my ears. Imaging is average

• instruments can be picked up easily but of course it struggles a little on busy tracks.

Driveability

• This Xuan Nv, loves power, in fact if you fed it when some source which doesn’t have sufficient power, the bass sounds very uncontrolled or muddy at times, lacking dynamics as well, once again, i have to re-iterate, volume does not mean/equivalent to driving power

• Hiby FC6 for example, works well with the Xuan Nv, depending on your preference, i prefers the Xuan Nv to have a slightly cleaner sound, hence pairing it with Fiio’s K9 AKM works for me

Comparison (Dunu Titan S)

• Bass is definitely not the strong point of Titan S, lacking in terms of quantity, but compensated with quality bass (fast and tight)

• Vocal is more prominent on the Titan S but also having a little more energy on the upper mids, this might be a little problematic for some people who are sensitive at this range

• In term of treble, Titan S has got a bit more energy and air but nowhere near offensive sounding or harsh

• Detail retrieval on Titan S is slightly better

• Soundstage and Imaging is slightly better on the Xuan Nv

• I made it sound like Titan S is a better choice, isn't it? It is not, well, i’d say Titan S is focusing more on technical performance while Xuan Nv is easy going and fun. To me, the target audience is different.

Final Thoughts

All in all, the Xuan Nv is a smooth and fun set that’s targeted at those who want to just plug in and listen to their music without going into a critical listening session. The Xuan Nv does everything alright and to be honest, if you already owned something similar in this price range or similar configuration, this is a sidegrade for you, but if you’re looking for some fun and smooth set and you don’t own anything with similar sound signature, by all means, get it, considering the asking price and also two types of eartips bundled, the price performance ratio is actually quite high.

*Xuan Nv is sent over by Linsoul for the purpose of this review. I thank them for the opportunity and support as always.

Head over to their store if you’re interested in getting a pair:

Tangzu x HBB Xuan Nv - Non affiliated