IEMs tuned by YouTubers and online personalities within the audio space are not going anywhere anytime soon. Crinacle of In-Ear Fidelity fame, for one, released the Kiwi Ears x Crinacle Singolo not too long ago, and just before that, there’s the 7Hz x Crinacle Zero:2 that I have previously reviewed. Several more IEMs from Crinacle have also been teased to be in the works.
Of course, other famed audio content creators have not been sitting idly either. Hawaii Bad Boy (HBB) of Bad Guy Good Audio Reviews is collaborating yet again with QKZ on what is likely to be the brand’s more niche offering: the QKZ x HBB Hades. This isn’t the first time we’ve reviewed an IEM from the aforementioned duo: the QKZ x HBB Khan was one of our favourite IEMs of 2023, and it is pretty much a no-brainer, fun, budget pickup at $39.99 (about RM190).
Compared to the Khan, the QKZ x HBB Hades is slightly pricier with a $49.99 (about RM240) price tag on Linsoul, which was kind enough to send over the IEM for this review. Without further ado, let’s get to it!
What It Is
The Hades is a dual dynamic driver IEM with 9mm LCP diaphragm drivers that have a stern focus on the lower frequencies; it is tuned specifically for bassheads by a basshead for specific genres of music. In the words of HBB himself, the Hades is “not meant to be a jack of all trades,” and he mentioned that songs by Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, and Radiohead would go well with the IEM.
Packaging of the Hades is, in a word, unique. The IEM is packaged in a square box, one much larger than your average ChiFi packaging. The design of the box sleeve is also quite unorthodox, which has a comic book style art with the branding of QKZ, HBB, and Hades in each of the comic book panels.
Instead of opting for a more premium packaging, QKZ – or perhaps HBB himself – went with a more…playful approach. If you’re familiar with the style of HBB, it’s really quite apt.
Anyway, once the box is opened, the content within are a bit more humble and familiar. If you read my review of HBB’s previous set, the Khan, you get a similar hard carrying case with a 2-pin detachable cable and three pairs of ear tips in different sizes. There’s also the decorative coin that marks the collaboration between QKZ and HBB.
How Does It Sound?
If I haven’t already made it clear, the Hades is all about the bass. It has a predominantly coloured, warm sound signature that makes it less than what one might deem a “natural” sound profile.
Despite that, the sound signature isn’t V-shape like some other basshead sets; this allows you to raise the volume with the Hades without worrying about the treble being too hot. With that in mind, if you’re looking for something bright and detailed, look elsewhere. Or rather, run the other way.
Bass
As the pièce de résistance of the QKZ x HBB Hades, the low-end of the IEM is big and meaty. The sub-bass extends its reach down low, and it even leaves behind a lasting rumble. But it’s a case of quantity over quality with the Hades: while the bass is loud, it’s also loose and not very detailed with a smear of grain over it.
Mids
Given how flamboyant the bass is, mids are definitely not left untouched here. The midrange here is already slightly recessed, but the evident bass makes it even more veiled and subdued. Male vocals are noticeably muffled as you might expect, but female vocals still manage to retain some clarity, though not much.
If you’re not a fan of air, and you’re a part of the fire nation that wants to wipe out the air benders, the Hades might just be for you. (Editor’s note: I’m inclined to remove this Avatar reference, but it is quite funny, so I’m leaving it in.)
Highs
The highs of the Hades, being the polar opposite of its dominant bass, is the region that receives the least attention. There is noticeable lack of both air and clarity, and the overwhelming warmth from the low-end leaves the details of the treble in a haze.
The soundstage of the Hades is quite closed in too, which makes the already thumping bass even more apparent and in your face.
Is It Worth It?
If the 7Hz Legato sought to achieve an old school boombox sound, the QKZ x HBB Hades aims to replicate the experience of jamming speakers in your car; that’s the best way I can describe its sound signature. While the Hades has boomier bass, Legato has cleaner mids and a brighter treble.
Basically, the Hades is a very specialised pair of IEMs. It is not a one-size-fits-all, general use IEM, but I do think it would be a good complement to other IEMs in one’s collection. It is the IEM you’ll reach for only when you really want to rock out, which may not be a bad thing at all.