Hifiman TWS800 Review – Dark Horse

Comparisons –

Hifiman TWS600 ($79): The TWS600 has far greater midrange-focus and is much less balanced. The TWS800 has deeper reaching, more weighted and better controlled bass. It has greater balance with the midrange and a more inviting tonality, the TWS600 being very linear and laid-back with minimal depth. The TWS800 has more definition and texture through its mid-bass, a huge step up in dynamics.

The TWS800 has a more natural midrange, introducing richer body and tone. It isn’t as forward but more balanced. The TWS600 is quite mid-focused and roomy. The top-end is similar on both but noticeably more detailed on the TWS800 and with a sharper transient response. It has much better fine detail retrieval and a much larger soundstage on top. A very good comeback for Hifiman.

Lypertek TEVI ($89): TheTWS800 is much like a warmer, richer TEVI which is surely not a bad thing. The TEVI is more balanced and slightly more natural in the midrange. It has less bass but uptick of sub-bass emphasis that grants it good weight and power. The TWS800 has greater depth and control. The TEVI has great separation and definition, the TWS800 manages to match alongside possessing greater warmth and body.

It is more dynamic and textured. The TWS800 has similar balance but with a bit more bass and a warmer, fuller midrange. The TEVI has a more accurate midrange voicing and timbre, the TWS800 is richer but also more track dependent. The TWS800 has a more detailed top-end with a cleaner transient response. Neither have excellent extension, the TWS800 has a little more headroom. The TWS800 also has a larger soundstage with sharper imaging while the TEVI has the leg up on separation.

ADV. M5 TWS ($149): TheM5 TWS is a Harman-Target TWS in-ear. It has a brighter and higher-contrast sound with more focus on definition. The bass is not quite as deep reaching but with greater sub-bass focus that grants it good heft and hearty slam. The TWS800 is more robust, fuller and much more dynamic. It has better driver control with heaps more texture. The M5 TWS is a bit cleaner tonally and matches the TWS800 on mid-bass definition due to its higher separation. The M5 TWS sounds a bit more natural in the midrange. It’s a bit brighter and slightly more vocal-forward but has much higher definition too. The TWS800 has more power and a generally richer voicing but also sounds drier and less defined. The TWS800 has a more detailed treble while the M5 has a slightly lighter note weight with thinner instrumentation. The M5 has a bit more extension and headroom, it has a slightly wider stage with better layering and much better separation. Meanwhile, the TWS800 has slightly sharper imaging and greater depth.

Grado GT220 ($259): Another audio-centric TWS offering from a respected company. The GT220 has a more traditional tuning with cleaner midrange and a hint of Grado’s signature forward, bright tuning in the midrange paired with a more conventional bass boost. It has similar sub-bass depth and slightly greater emphasis through the sub and mid-bass with a cleaner upper-bass. The TWS800 is warmer and fuller but also a touch more balanced, the Grado being bassier. The TWS800 has better control and dynamics, it is more textured and defined, the Grado is a bit boomier and less defined due to its fuller tuning and lower driver control.

The midrange is much cleaner and clearer on the GT220, it has much higher definition and a slightly more natural voicing. The Grado is a bit thin but with great clarity and a nice, natural voicing. The TWS800 is fuller and more powerful, it has subjectively a slightly better tonality but also isn’t quite as natural in its voicing. The top-end is slightly more detailed on the Grado but also brighter. It has more lower-treble bite but also better fine detail retrieval and extension. The TWS800 has a bit more body and balance in return. The TWS800 has a larger soundstage and slightly sharper imaging.

Master & Dynamic MW07+ ($299): A premium offering with TWS and Be dynamic driver. The MW07+ is similarly balanced but a bit brighter leaning. It has similar sub-bass heft and a bit more mid-bass focus. Its low end is also warm and full in voicing but slightly more natural than the tubbier TWS800. Conversely, the TWS800 has noticeably better driver control and dynamics, being more defined and textured by a fair degree. The MW07+ has a clearer, more defined midrange. It also has a slightly more natural voicing, albeit some over-articulation is apparent.

The TWS800 sounds more coherent and powerful with richer body and greater warmth. The MW07+ has a much brighter top-end and more upper-harmonic lift granting it a much crisper, higher energy but also thinner instrument portrayal. The TWS800 is similarly detailed but not as extended or open. It has a cleaner background and better body and texture. The TWS800 has a larger soundstage and more accurate imaging.

Verdict –

In a market now so rife with competition, no longer can a manufacturer receive an accolade for producing a simply above-average TWS earphone. And, it’s clear that Hifiman are well aware of this with their second offering demonstrating huge commitment to exemplary performance. The TWS800 is not a generic creation. It is a little awkward in the ear, battery life suffers from the advanced electronic array and call quality remains to be improved. However, this was a product built from the ground up to deliver a strong listening experience and it is here where it delivers on every promise. The bass is exceptionally good for a TWS earphone, being especially dynamic and controlled. The midrange is rich and far more natural than its predecessor if still a little track sensitive. Finally, the treble is detailed if held back in part by the earphone’s limited codec support. This is likely my biggest gripe, the latency and lack of extension, though can be excused given that the company chose to use their own electronics and Apt-X is a Qualcomm certification. It remains that, Hifiman’s latest TWS800 provides a sonic experience that most TWS earphones cannot and receives a strong recommendation for those wanting to take more than a taste of Hi-Fi audio with them on the go.

The TWS800 is available from Amazon (International) for $299.99 USD at the time of writing. Please see our affiliate link for the most updated pricing, availability and configurations.

Track List –

Beck – Mellow Gold

Bob Segar – Night Moves

Brb. – Sorry That I Love You

Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit

Crush – NAPPA

Dire Straits – Communique

Dirty Loops – Next To You

Eagles – Hell Freezes Over

Elton John – Honky Chateau

Eric Clapton – Unplugged

Joji – Sanctuary

Nirvana – Nevermind

Pixies – Doolittle

Post Malone – beerbongs & bentleys

Radiohead – OK Computer

Rich Brain – The Sailor

Vampire Weekend – Father of the Bride