Wired IEMs
JLab Metal Earbuds Blue/Black
58Average
$15
Full review dataJLab Metal Earbuds Blue/Black vs TRUTHEAR HEXA: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the TRUTHEAR HEXA comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 78. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: TRUTHEAR HEXA - Great overall at around $25.
Wired IEMs
TRUTHEAR HEXA
78Great
$25
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
JLab Metal Earbuds Blue/Black
Sound5.5
Battery5.0
Value6.5
TRUTHEAR HEXA
Sound7.8
Value8.2
Specifications
| Spec | JLab Metal Earbuds Blue/Black | TRUTHEAR HEXA |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Wired IEMs | Wired IEMs |
| Price (USD) | $15 | $25 |
| HearWiki score | 58 / 100 · Average | 78 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2011 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | Titanium dynamic driver | 1DD+3BA Hybrid |
| Driver size | 8 mm | 10 mm |
| Drivers per side | 1 | 4 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | 16 Ω | 20.5 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 120 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 4.1 | - |
| Codecs | SBC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | No | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 6 h | - |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Design | ||
| Weight | - | 6 g |
| Water resistance | IP55 | - |
| Detachable cable | - | Yes |
| USB-C | - | No |
What reviewers said
JLab Metal Earbuds Blue/Black
These JLab earbuds deliver a sturdy, metal-built design with a basic wireless experience at a budget-friendly price. They offer a compact titanium driver and IP55 sweat resistance, making them a practical pick for casual listening and workouts, though their battery life and feature set are modest.
- Pro:Rugged metal housing
- Pro:Sweat and dust resistant
- Pro:Compact and lightweight fit
- Con:Short 6-hour battery life
- Con:No multipoint or ANC
- Con:Only basic SBC codec support
TRUTHEAR HEXA
The TRUTHEAR HEXA is a hybrid in-ear monitor that combines a single 10mm dynamic driver with three balanced armatures to deliver a balanced, neutral-leaning sound with a slight warmth. Priced around $90, it offers a comfortable fit, solid build, and good passive isolation, making it a strong value pick for critical listening, though its bass response is somewhat restrained and the soundstage feels intimate rather than expansive. Its technical performance is competent for the price, but it's not particularly suited for gaming or high-energy activities.
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight design
- Pro:Excellent passive noise isolation
- Pro:Balanced, neutral tuning with a touch of warmth
- Con:Bass is somewhat restrained
- Con:Soundstage is fairly intimate
- Con:Not ideal for gaming due to mediocre imaging
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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