Linsoul RAPTGO Hook-X 14.2mm Open Planar Diaphragm Driver + PZT Driver HiFi in-Ear Earphone with Detachable 0.78 2pin OCC Cable for Musician Audiophile

Product Information

First, is the already mentioned planar driver measuring 14.2mm in diameter. With a thin ribbon in between two N52 magnets, it is tuned for impactful sub-bass and used for its wide frequency range. I’ve seen other Raptgo IEMs in forums and pictures, and all have showcased contrasting and vivid colors. Seemingly fixed on making a splash in each of its in-ear designs, even the Hook-X in its lone color configuration can be seen as a striking and visually appealing set.

It’s slightly bright, without problematic peaks, harshness, or sibilance, so smoothly bright we can say where lushness meets brightness with appealing bass warmth basis.

Design

Extending to the upper extremes, the PZT drivers aren’t exactly as forward or obvious as expected but the room information is there. Timbre I mean that’s where it all goes down, the midrange. Yet there are those embellishments which always take place outside the midrange, those upper treble areas, those lower (bass) realms that seem like they are not really as low or as high (as normal) due to the cohesiveness! If that even makes sense? Meaning the magic here is that nothing seems like it’s the odd tone or even a need in any one frequency, yet it still seems like it’s all midrange. All. Experimenting with the proposed sub-bass qualities of the Hook-X, I gave time to listen to a variety of genres from EDM, pop, classical, and anything in between. All the while, the bass presence has always impressed in how behaved it can get with calmer passages and how punchy it becomes with some.

I could very well be accused of being too myopic choosing another TRON song..............so be it. Truly though the RAPTGO HOOK-X are in their element. I simply like the way the low end is presented. The fact that it has dimensions of tone. This is why we are here, at Head-Fi anyway. To experience this stuff the way it was meant to be heard. So what’s going on here is we are truly surrounded by sound. So the detail that gets found is simply due to the imaging leaving room and actual space between sound elements. The bass walks this line where certain tones actually travel out to a different area of the soundstage. I’m not sure if the music was mixed this way, or it’s just the character we are working with? But I truly never heard my library like this. So try to imagine a song you know............only supersized. Due to everything being bigger you now gain perspective to be able to experience more. You can aurally see into the music better than before. There are no downsides to this phenomenon, this is not a question of giving up anything at all. At first I did hear a slight blanket of distortion that was perceived as fuzz. After I switched to Sony Hybrid Tips that all went away. Burn-in brought a wider soundstage, as well as slight smoothness. But the other thing that happened was I guess the Planar drivers and maybe the Piezoelectric drivers somehow became not only smoother but their sound output was then showcased with world class imaging. It’s the kind of imaging that would make a normal audiophile sit down and ask for a big glass of water. It challenges all you have ever learned or know about audio.......and even that is an understatement. It’s just something new due to the four concepts already gone over.Iron man - The sound at the beginning is hard to make sound great, great drums, and cymbals, and if done right it feels like an old-school band. Drivability​The Hook is said to be rated at 15 ohms and a sensitivity of 105db. This is another case (like with other planars) where I can drive the Hook to reasonably good volume levels with lower powered dongle dacs. In this case the Zooaux Dongle Dac. However, it is plainly obvious how much more open and expressive the Hook becomes with more power. To properly attach, there is simply a key that needs to be aligned to match the removable connectors.

First off I just want to say that every new IEM is met with suspicion and distrust. It’s only upon finding out the magical properties of music replay that such an item gets loved and respected! While all previous Raptgo monitors like the GR-40CP use Knowles balanced armatures, the Hook-X is their first IEM to use a combination of planar and piezoelectric drivers in a hybrid configuration. CABLE: I feel it needs to be emphasized how lovely the cable is! This is my first time using a cloth cable, so that may partly why it feels so different to me. However, it can't be understated, the cable is SOFT and it has perhaps the least amount of microphonics out of any cable I have tried. This is honestly my favorite cable, even up against more expensive ones I own. I ended up trying to find where these were sourced, and the cable alone costs about 50 dollars, without the multiple determinations which this one comes with. Very good value.I think it's evident that the Dunu Talos is a joke compared to the Hook X HBB. No more comments apart that planar mode is good and offers a smoother leaner and more neutral tonality than HBB, with inferior technicalities and less dynamic and engaging musicality. This is maybe out of character but I want to use a song to explain the treble. This album was in-fact the creative work of one of Head-Fi’s very own members. In charge of the total sound of the movie..........was his responsibility. Though this album would have been a favorite anyway..............even if I did know someone who worked on it.