So here are my thoughts on the collab between HawaiiBadBoy (A.K.A BGGAR). Let's get right into it.
Overall tonality: V-shaped
Fit: These fit me quite nicely. Should fit most with no issues. Surprisingly light as well
Comfort: Really comfortable. Better than most but not the best I've tried (like the DK2001).
Cable: Decent cable. Will do it's job well and not be annoying to deal with
Isolation: About average. Nothing outstanding but will work in a pinch
Bass: The Mele sports a single Dynamic Driver giving the bass a generous boost and nice thump. Overall I have few complaints considering its price, though I’ll go into a little more detail. Subbass is not as far extended as I would have personally liked and doesn’t give that satisfying rumble like other sets (e.g., Variations) but it’s more than adequate and still good. The midbass is where I say these excel in. For genres like rock or metal, these are quite great. Kickdrums and bass guitars have a great presence without being overpowering or bleeding into the mix. My other gripe with the bass is the lack of texture and slightly blunted notes.
Mids: The midrange is what I would label on the warmer side with an emphasis around the pinna gain. This leads me to perceive male vocals as quite relaxed or laid back and female vocals to sound more forward in the mix. Those not accustomed to shouty vocals may find them a little intense, but not a dealbreaker by any means. Both are equally detailed and pleasant to listen to in their own right. The midrange is what I perceive as tonally correct. Guitars and electric guitars sound lovely. Nothing sounds out of the ordinary but it’s not technically neutral if that’s what you’re looking for.
Highs: Treble is where these take a backseat. Specifically instruments like cymbals and hi-hats. They lack the sparkle that I’m so used to. However, treble energy is not missing. Just not as forward as I would have preferred. Thankfully there is no issues of sibilance either. “Air” frequencies are notably absent as well. So you don’t’ get that perception of instruments far away or nearby. Treble resolution is also lacking. Not bad, just not outstanding.
Soundstage: About average. Nothing exceptional. That’s to say that neither overly wide nor narrow.
Imaging: Same as soundstage.
Resolution: Resolving enough set for the price. Punches above its price point but not excellent either.
Select Comparisons:
BLON 03
I think the 03 is overall a warmer version of the Mele. As you might already know, these are supposed to be tuned based on the 03 but with more balance. The 03 has a bit more bass going for it though at the expense of sounding pretty bloated. The Mele in comparison retains most of what the 03 had going on in the bass but balances it out with its upper midrange and slightly decreased bass giving a noticeable reduction in bloat. Mids are quite similar though, but vocals on the 03 tend to sound more unnatural due to the bass bleed. Treble on both isn’t stellar, though the 03 does seem to have a little better extension. Detail on both isn’t great either but more than acceptable. Staging and Imaging are both about average. The resolution is slightly better on the Mele.
Sony MH755
I’m adding this assuming you can get your hands on a genuine one. I would argue that these are the best value in audio! However, with that said, it’s time to put it up against the Mele. The MH755 is tuned pretty close to the Harmon target, while the Mele is more V-Shaped. The MH755 has a stronger subbass presentation at the expense of reduced midbass presence. The midrange is a little thin in comparison to the warmer mids of the Mele. This gives the Mele a stronger sense of weight to notes and more pleasant male vocals. Female vocals are a toss-up, but I think the MH755 pulls ahead with its cleaner presentation. Treble extends further on the Mele though is not as detailed compared to the MH755. Staging is a tad better on the MH755, but imaging goes to the Mele. They’re both not top performers of either though. I believe it’s all about preference as both are fantastic sets. Want a more Harmon-neutral-ish sound, go with the MH755. Want a more traditional yet well-done v-shaped sound, go with the Mele. You can’t go wrong with either.
Starfield
Similar to the MH755, these are tuned to the Harmon target, so I won't go into too much detail here. The starfield deviates by adding a more balanced midrange and a slight reduction of bass. I would once again choose based on preference. Like the MH755, if you want a more Harmon-style tuning, go with the Starfield. If you're looking for a more exciting listen, go with the Mele. It should be noted that the Starfield has improved technicalities over the Mele and MH755. So if you're looking for better detail, staging, imaging, and detail retrieval, I would stick with the Starfield.
Conclusion
At $50 it’s a no-brainer. The only competition within its price range would be the Blon 03, assuming you buy third tips and the MH750/755 if you can get your hands on them. Tuning-wise, I think these could compete in the $150 realm. The only problem I would give these is the lack of technicalities. With proper technicalities and better detail resolution, these would default set until you reach much higher end gear. All in all, though I’m very impressed with what HBB and Tripowin have made here. It’s not going to best any of the already established IEMs, but it’s inching towards that goal and sets the bar for what a $100 IEM should strive to be in my opinion.
