Tangzu x HBB Xuan NV

The collaboration between Tangzu Audio and the revered reviewer HBB promises an experience as captivating as its name, The Xuan NV, which translates to "mysterious woman" in Chinese, promises an intriguing soundscape. But will it live up to the hype? Linsoul kindly sent this IEM my way for an honest review, and I'm eager to dissect its every aspect – from design and comfort to, most importantly, the soundscape HBB has helped craft.

UNBOXING:

Upon receiving the Tangzu x HBB Xuan NV in the mail, the first thing that caught my eye was the stunning artwork adorning the box, featuring captivating waifu illustrations and yes i like waifu and It sets the tone for what's to come—a blend of artistry and craftsmanship and some HBB love.

Opening the box reveals a black soft leather pouch, It's a thoughtful inclusion for safely storing your iem but the real surprise are the two sets of balance and wide bore Tang Sancai tips nestled within the packaging. These tips when bought separately cost 12usd per set.

Moving on to the IEM itself, the shell immediately commands attention with its striking bright blood-red hue, exuding elegance and sophistication. The gold-painted graphic art on the face plates further enhances its aesthetic appeal, the black cable however feels cheap and has a sticky rubber like material which remineds me of my old kz zst cable but not a deal breaker i just replaced with my 4.4 balance cable.

FIT and DESIGN:

• The Tangzu x HBB Xuan NV IEM fits like a glove, providing a snug and secure fit that ensures comfort during extended listening sessions. Its ergonomic design contours to the shape of my ear, minimizing any discomfort or strain. The shape allows them to sit flush against my ears without causing any pressure points. Overall, the fit of the Xuan NV enhances my listening experience by providing stability, comfort and a good seal.
• 3D Printed Resin Shells: The Xuan NV utilizes lightweight and comfortable 3D printed resin shells. They come in a sleek red finish with gold artwork are visually appealing.

DRIVER:

Ceramic drivers are known for their high sensitivity and low impedance, which means they can produce ample sound output with relatively low power input. This makes ceramic driver IEMs generally easy to drive however, while ceramic driver IEMs may be easy to drive, they can still benefit from higher-quality amplification for optimal performance.

PU, known for its flexibility and damping properties, provides the foundation for the dynamic driver. Its ability to absorb unwanted vibrations helps minimize distortion and coloration, resulting in cleaner and more accurate sound reproduction. Additionally, PU dynamic drivers often excel in reproducing mid-range frequencies with warmth and richness, making them well-suited for vocals and instrumentals.

On the other hand, LCP is renowned for its exceptional stiffness and strength-to-weight ratio. This allows LCP dynamic drivers to produce highly detailed and articulate sound. LCP's rigidity enables faster transient response and reduced resonance, resulting in improved clarity and resolution, particularly in the high-frequency range.

By combining PU and LCP dynamic drivers in the Xuan NV, most likely Tangzu audio aim to leverage the complementary strengths of both materials to achieve a balanced sound signature. The PU driver provides a solid foundation for the mid-range frequencies, delivering warmth and body to vocals and instruments, while the LCP driver adds clarity, detail, and precision to the overall sound presentation, especially in the treble region.

The dual dynamic driver configuration of the Tangzu x HBB Xuan NV IEM combining two distinct driver to deliver a balance audio experience with the help of a little amplification, its not hard to drive but to fully enjoy a dynamic sound of this iem a simple dongle dac amp will open it up to its full potential.

SOUND:


Bass:

One of the most impressive aspects of the Tangzu X HBB IEM is its clean and rich bass response. the Xuan NV delivers a bass that strikes a perfect balance between warmth and clarity. Sub bass rumble is strong but well controlled The mid bass is smooth, unintrusive, and maintains remarkable clarity and energy even in bass-heavy tracks. Whether you're listening to bass-shy tunes or 90s alternative rock anthems, the Xuan NV bass adds a layer of depth and richness without overshadowing other frequencies.

Mids:

The midrange of Xuan NV is the best part where i think it truly shines, offering a sweet and smooth thick sound signature that is captivating and immersive. Instruments and vocals are presented with a warm, rich, thick velvet like smoothness. Vocal clarity is superb, pristine and well-layered. Vocals sound so natural with warmth you can almost feel, the mids have weight, thick but not dark sounding. Male and female vocals are represented accurately without adding color.

Treble:

The treble of the Xuan NV is characterized by its inoffensive nature, lacking any harsh peaks or excessive emphasis. While it may not satisfy treble enthusiasts seeking heightened energy, its soft and smooth presentation makes it ideal for extended listening sessions. The treble energy is gentle and still manages to sound airy which adds to clarity and a sense of widened space and overall providing a relaxed listening experience without causing fatigue over time.

Technical Performace and Sound Signature:

• Warm Neutral with a U-Shaped Tilt: The Xuan NV strikes a delightful balance between warmth and neutrality. Bass is present and rich, adding a satisfying foundation to your music without overwhelming the mids. Vocals take center stage, presented smoothly and intimately. Treble is relaxed and inoffensive, avoiding harshness but maintaining enough sparkle to keep things interesting. This U-shaped tuning creates a very listenable and forgiving sound signature, perfect for extended listening sessions.

• Timbre and Tone: This is where the Xuan NV truly shines. Instruments and vocals have a natural and realistic quality, thanks to the excellent timbre and tonal balance. Guitars sound full-bodied, drums have satisfying impact, and strings have a smooth, articulate character. Vocals are a particular highlight, rendered with thick, warmth and clarity.

• Technical Performance: While not the most analytical IEM on the market, the Xuan NV offers a good level of detail retrieval for the price. It won't reveal every nuance of complex recordings, but it provides enough clarity to keep you engaged with the music. Soundstage isn't the widest, but imaging remains decent, allowing you to distinguish the placement of instruments within the mix.

Who is this for?

• Listeners who prefer a warm and musical sound signature.

• Vocal lovers: The smooth mids make vocals a real treat.

• Budget-minded audiophiles looking for great sound without breaking the bank.

• Those who find overly analytical IEMs fatiguing.

Things to Consider:

• If you crave a super detailed and analytical sound, the Xuan NV might not be your best bet.

• The bass, while present, might not satisfy extreme bassheads.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, the Tangzu X HBB IEM offers a compelling blend of design, sound quality, and technical performance at an accessible price point. The collaboration between Tangzu Audio and HawaiiBadboy (HBB) results in a finely-tuned, well balance and musical sound signature that strikes a good balance between audiophile performance and mass appeal with its clean bass, silky midrange, and smooth treble, it provides an immersive listening experience suitable for a wide range of music genres unlike my other fave hbb collab Xuan NVs alter-ego of sorts the Hades which shines and caters to a specific genre of music. In conclusion Xuan NV represents excellent value for listeners and enthusiasts who likes overall musicality and with the striking red with gold aesthetics this stand out in a crowded market by offering exceptional value and performance that appeal to both audiophiles and everyday music lovers.



**Disclaimer:** The Tangzu x HBB Xuan NV IEMs were provided to me by Linsoul Audio for the purpose of this review. I did not receive any compensation for my comments and the opinions expressed here are solely my own based on my personal experience with the product. This review is meant to offer an honest and unbiased impression to help potential buyers make an informed decision.