Review of Topping ArpegEar Hane

The first IEM from Topping

Specs & Comfort

Price: US$ 129
Transducer type: 1*dynamic driver (DD)
Sensitivity: 115 dB/Vrms @1kHz
Impedance: 80Ω @1kHz (measured)
Cable: 1.5 metres
Connector: 0.78 mm two-pin
Weight: 5 grams (ea.)
Comfort: 9/10 (medium sized nozzle, light weight)

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Mesurement & Sound

link to the frequency response measurement & more comparisons

Impressions

Today, I’m stepping outside my usual remit. Topping sent me their first IEM the Arpegear Hane for testing, and here’s what I think. Since I’m primarily a headphone guy, my perspective may be a little different.

Despite being Topping’s first IEM, the Hane feels well-executed in both design and sound. As an IEM with tuning switches, the stock sound is already quite neutral out of the box. As you would probably expect from Topping, a brand known for making neutral/uncoloured sounding DACs and AMPs, the Hane offers a monitor-like tuning with decent bass and treble extension. There’s no dip in the 200-300Hz range, which you sometimes find in IEMs tuned to the Harman Target. Compared to my Truthear Zero Red, the Hane feels more lively, with a bit more air and sparkle in the treble. Overall, I’d place it somewhere between the Moondrop Aria (2021) and the Kato/Kadenz, with the Hane leaning closer to the latter. The Hane delivers an articulate, energetic sound with no noticeable tuning quirks, allowing both vocal and instrumental timbre to feel realistic and clear.

If you’re mainly a headphone/speaker guy like me, one thing to note about the Hane is that it’s a single dynamic driver design, so there’s no BA timbre for those who aren’t fans of that. Plus, it comes with four tuning switches, giving you 16 different ways to tweak the sound. You can adjust the highs, lows, or the 3-7kHz range alone if you want to reduce ear gain. Personally, as I prefer neutral sound, I usually stick with 1010 (up, down, up, down from the left) setting on the switches, though I occasionally push up the second switch for fun (an extra 2dB of bass).

My main gripe with the Hane, like a lot of single dynamic driver IEMs, is that it tends to have a peak somewhere in the upper treble. With shallower insertion, I usually hear it around 12-13kHz, but YMMV. On some less well-mastered tracks, this can result in a bit of extra glare or sizzle. By comparison, the Moondrop Variations handles this region with a smoother presentation.

That said, Topping has been quite smart here. The third tuning switch allows you to tone down the treble significantly, which helps alleviate that peak. Also, the included Spring tips are a nice touch — they push the upper-treble peak higher, effectively smoothing out the resonance around 12-13kHz. Some may find the Spring tips tricky to seal due to their texture, though. The foam tips are also included and provide a more linear treble response with less peakiness, but I found the fit wasn’t quite right for me.

Verdict

The Hane works quite well for me, largely due to its versatility and the fact that it’s a conventional dynamic driver IEM. As a headphone guy, I found it easy to adapt to the sound, and it’s a great complement to my headphone collection when I’m on the go or need the isolation that IEMs provide.

All in all, I think Topping has made a strong entry into the IEM market. The build quality is solid. The stock sound is quite neutral, and the tuning switches provide meaningful adjustments for those looking to add more flavour to the sound.

For those interested in how the tuning switches affect the sound, I’ve included the relevant measurements here  (note: to ensure that the insertion depths are controlled when tinkering with the switches, here the resonance frequency is not 8kHz as you would typically see from other measurement databases or the measurement I include for most IEMs).

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Disclaimer: This unit was provided for testing by the company mentioned in the article. I have not been paid to share any opinions, whether positive or negative, about the product. Loan units will be returned after testing. Any links or recommendations included are purely for informational purposes and do not involve any financial affiliation or endorsement on my part.