Gatevs.Nova
Sound & Specs Comparison
Information
Both IEMs are widely regarded in the audiophile community. See how they differ in terms of sub-bass response, upper mids, clarity, and overall tonality. Spider charts and rating breakdowns included.
Objective Comparison
Facts, details, stuff.
| General Info | Gate | Nova |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Truthear | Truthear |
| Country | China | China |
| IEM Description | – | – |
| Price Level | < 100 | 100 – 500 |
| Housing & Driver | ||
|---|---|---|
| Driver Config | Single Dyn. Driver | Hybrid |
| Driver Types | Dynamic Driver | Dynamic Driver + Balanced Armature |
| Shell Material | – | – |
| Cable | – | – |
| Technical | ||
|---|---|---|
| Freq Range | – | – |
| Impedance (Ω) | – | – |
| Sensitivity (dB) | – | – |
| Crossover | – | – |
| Platform Info | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comments | 1 | 0 |
| Visit Count | 31 | 11 |
| External Reviews | 0 | 0 |
Meta Ratings
Sound-wise, Nova provides a considerably more refined presentation, with improved detail retrieval, microdynamics, and instrument layering when compared to Gate (7 vs 4).
| Gate | Nova | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | 4.0 | 7.0 |
| Comfort Fit | 7.5 | – |
| Build Quality | 5.5 | – |
| Stock Cable | 5.0 | – |
| Accessories | 4.5 | – |
Sound Characteristics
Nova produces sub-bass that is c more textured and present in cinematic or bass-heavy tracks (7 vs 4.5). It enhances basslines with m more energy and grip, giving them a livelier feel compared to Gate (7 vs 5). It translates bass vibrations into a s more visceral experience, while Gate lacks this tactile feedback (7 vs 4.5). Male vocals and lower instruments sound a richer and better defined on It, unlike Gate which can seem hollow (7 vs 5). Upper mids are a more resolving and expressive on It, revealing emotion and articulation better than Gate (7 vs 6). The treble on It is a more nuanced and refined, especially when it comes to cymbals and ambient elements (7 vs 5.5). It extends a further into the upper treble, adding air and openness that Gate lacks (6.5 vs 5). The stereo field on It feels d wider and more holographic, whereas Gate sounds more intimate (6.5 vs 5). It extracts low-level details c more effectively, helping subtle nuances emerge clearer than on Gate (7 vs 4.5). It organizes musical elements a better across depth, enhancing spatial realism over Gate (6.5 vs 4.5). It shows n better control of masking effects, maintaining clarity across frequency ranges better than Gate (7 vs 4.5). Notes on It feel m more grounded and weighty, whereas Gate can sound thin or hollow (7 vs 5). Percussion and quick attacks feel a more physical and punchy on It, adding excitement over Gate (6 vs 4). Across the frequency range, It stays s more consistent in tonal balance, resulting in a smoother listen than Gate (7 vs 3.5).
| Gate | Nova | |
|---|---|---|
| Sub Bass | 4.5 | 7.0 |
| Bass | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| Bass Feel | 4.5 | 7.0 |
| Lower Mids | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| Upper Mids | 6.0 | 7.0 |
| Lower Treble | 5.5 | 7.0 |
| Upper Treble | 5.0 | 6.5 |
| Sound Stage Width | 5.0 | 6.5 |
| Detail | 4.5 | 7.0 |
| Layering | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| Masking | 4.5 | 7.0 |
| Note Weight | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| Slam | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| Sibilance | 3.5 | – |
| Timbre Color | 4.0 | – |
| Tonality | 3.5 | 7.0 |
| Texture | 3.5 | – |
Tonal Signature
// Nothing to compare yet.