Hisenior B5+ Review – Accurate
Hisenior B5+ — 10BA unit emulates the flat tuning and accuracy of high-dollar CIEMs to a degree which would have been unheard of at this $100 pricepoint only a few years ago. Packaging and accessories are rudimentary, and the included memory cable is very awkward to use, though earpiece build is solid (if unflashy), with good quality acrylics. Fit is finicky but comfort is good; isolation is only average.
Soundwise, these Hisenior B5+ are balanced and slightly brighter than neutral, with some treble emphasis; stage is wide though not as holographic/enveloping as pricier sets; however stereo separation and instrument placement are estimable—you can hear the exact position of each performer.
Extremely tip-sensitive—foams deaden the presentation while wide silicons provide the best combination of bass, seal and detail. Note texture is of average thickness and tonality very slightly sharp, albeit free of shrillness or sibilance; driver coherence is flawless. Low end is fast and well-sculpted, but without much subbass depth or physical impact; I find myself craving more oomph, particularly in the midbass region. Mids are quite forward and clear while high end is lively and very detailed without sounding overanalytic, with a nice bit of sparkle. Drums, cymbals and voices are very well-presented
Compared to my previous $100 benchmark, the Ibasso IT01, the Hisenior B5 is slightly less expansive-sounding, less bassy and physical, but much more transparent, with a higher level of resolution esp. at the treble spectrum; the IT01 sounds rather blunt in contrast.
Compared to the UE900s ($399; tho often available for $179), the B5 is more energetic, has less lowend presence, and more treble emphasis and detail; the UE900s is warmer and more audiophile-accurate in the sense of being a more precise reproduction of the source. The UE900s also has a higher, more holographic soundstage.
The Shure SE535 likewise has a bigger stage and richer mids, but is otherwise inferior to the Hisenior B5, with comparatively monotonic bass and much less treble detail. Impressive overall, if not bassy enough to be endgame; I’d be very interested to see how these fare in a blind comparo with much pricier, similarly-tuned CIEMs.
DISCLAIMER
I bought this one.
