ISN H60 - Alternative Ace

 4⭐️

+ Heavy mid-bass focus is a fun divergence from the sub-bassy Harmon sets

+ Smooth and forward midrange

+ Treble is very tame and takes a backseat which suits me just fine

+ Fit and comfort are good but beware the nozzle size is a bit large

+ Musicality dialed up to eleven

- Detail retrieval and resolution take a hit for the more musical tuning

- Trebleheads—don’t even bother 

- Bass isn't the cleanest but that could be considered part of its charm

- Niche tuning won't be for everyone. 

thaslaya's star rating system:

☆☆☆☆☆ - Fantastic!

☆☆☆☆ - Recommended

☆☆☆ - There are buyers but not for me

☆☆ - Can't see the appeal

☆ - Product is a failure

Disclaimer: 

This product was loaned to me by a friend in exchange for a review period. I recieve no compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own. A special thanks to Charlie for this opportunity!

Gear used: 

●LG v30+

●Samsung Galaxy s22 Ultra

●Samsung dongle

●Hiby FC4

●Kiwi Ears Allegro 

●Letshuoer DT03 

●Dunu DTC480

●BLON V1

Source:

●Listening was done through Amazon Music HD or Ultra HD.

Introduction: 

ISN Audio is an IEM and cable manufacturer and a subsidiary of Penon. They are often lumped together, but they both offer their own unique products and house sound. ISN has released a few popular and mostly well-received IEMs such as the Neo 5, Neo 3, and EST50. The H60 is one of their newer releases, and it features a hybrid design sporting two dynamic drivers for the lows, two Sonion balanced armatures for the mids, and two Knowles balanced armatures for the highs. It is currently available through Penon's website for $349, but those who sign up for their newsletter may be able to receive discount codes for certain products. Let's dive into the latest hybrid by ISN and see how it stacks up in today's market.

Build, fit, ergonomics:

Unfortunately, I can't speak to the unboxing or accessories since this is a loaner set. I only received the IEMs themselves, so I'm unable to make comments about the stock cable and tips. The H60's shells are made of a transparent blue resin with a darker blue faceplate featuring the ISN logo. The shell size might be just a bit larger than average, but they also feature a contoured surface that faces the ear, and they fit comfortably for me. The flat 2-pin connection is great since I was able to try many of my own cables. There is a small vent hole for pressure relief near this connection as well. The nozzle is quite large—dare I say it's one of the largest I've come across—measuring 6.8 mm at the widest point, where there is a slight lip. While the nozzle size does not pose an issue for me personally, its width could be a nonstarter for those with smaller ears. Since I didn't have access to the stock tips, I tried a variety of my own and eventually settled on the Tri Clarions. The H60 is already a bassy set, so narrow bore tips were not the best match for me. They have the potential to add even more emphasis on the bass and can lead to them sounding more congested and closed off. The wider bore really helps to maximize the amount of air and treble extension while still allowing the full bass to shine through. As far as cables are concerned, I decided to use my Penon PAC480 mixed copper and silver cable. Adding a bit of silver helped to open up the top end slightly and better balance the large bass shelf.

Sound impressions:

The overall tuning of the H60 is somewhere between a V- and L-shape, with more of a mid-bass focus over sub-bass and a rolled-off treble. The note weight is thick and meaty; there's no thinness here at all. It's enjoyable for me personally, but I understand it won't be everyone's style. This set is easy to drive and can reach high volume levels without needing amplification. However, I prefer it with an injection of power, as it helps it exhibit a fuller, more effortless quality that is smoother and more robust. Detail retrieval is not the H60's best feature; it's a strong case of choosing musicality over technicality. It's much more enjoyable for simply listening and enjoying the music instead of dissecting the nuances and subtleties within it. I'd go so far as to say it's subpar for the price, but again, there's a trade-off here, and I think it was a conscious decision by ISN to tune it this way. The soundstage has decent width and depth, and I consider it one of its better features. The timbre is slightly off and it doesn't quite have the degree of natural or organic quality that I would hope for. The thick, syrupy note weight may have something to do with it. Imaging is very accurate and three-dimensional, and the dynamics are decent too. The tuning holds up well at lower volumes, but the bass truly comes to life when it's pushed more. I do have some issues with the separation, as the H60 has trouble keeping up with complex tracks and can get bogged down a bit. However, since it is more about musicality and enjoyment than critical listening, I can forgive this somewhat, but it is worth noting. Despite its somewhat lackluster technical performance, the H60 does have some special qualities to it. For those who grew up on 90's rock and alternative, this set is probably the closest I've heard to reproducing the same sound quality from my youth, at least as far as my nostalgic brain can be convinced. It harks back to the days of portable CD players and I believe these genres are where this set truly excels. That also might mean it has more niche audience. In modern recordings, it can sound a little off or too "lo-fi." But how it plays back less-than-stellar quality recordings is uncanny.

 

After trying many different sources, I found the Blon V1 dongle to be the best pairing. It helped bring out a bit more sub-bass to balance the prominent mid-bass while preserving the smoothness of the stock tuning and pushed the vocals forward just a bit more. 

●Lows - The H60 is definitely a fun, bassy set, but it has a lot of mid-bass and less sub-bass. It has that sort of "lo-fi" quality, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It just sounds different and unique from many others. The impact might be just a touch on the soft side, but that mid-bass thump is definitely there in spades. The low-end extension is okay, but since there is more focus on the mid-bass, it stands to reason that the sub-bass rolls off a little early. The sub-bass rumble is decent, but the mid-bass really is the star of the show. Of course, a lot of mid-bass does mean there is a bit of bleed here, but it's not too bad. The speed is good, but the decay can linger a bit, leading to some not-so-well-separated double bass kicks. The texture is a bit too wet or muddy, but again, that might be a good thing at times. The bass has a sort of gritty and grungy quality that somehow does sound natural with the 90's rock and alternative genres. For upbeat pop music? Eh. Metal? Again, not great. Classic rock, chill-hop, and alternative? Yes, sir! It must be something about the way it's recorded or mixed, but it just works. Overall, the bass is really fun and enjoyable for mid-bass enthusiasts, but don't expect a deep extension or the highest resolution.

●Mids - There is a certain degree of warmth here in the midrange that I find enjoyable. Vocals are smooth, clear, and forward, but at the same time, they are not overly prominent and definitely not shouty. They have somewhat of a relaxed quality that makes for easier, longer listening sessions. They are pretty much positioned perfectly for my preferences. Lower-octave instruments like cello and some brass and woodwind have a lot of presence and authority thanks to the extra energy in the mid-bass and throughout the lower midrange. The upper mids are still decently accentuated, and because of this emphasis, female vocalists stand out a bit more than their male counterparts. Guitars on the H60 have a very distinct weight and an almost guttural quality that is a rare find for me. This is where some of the magic of the H60's tuning comes out. It's hard for me to put my finger on what exactly it does so well, but running through some of the big 90's rock and alternative hits brings on wave after wave of nostalgia. This is how I remember these tracks sounding on the audio equipment of my youth. Obviously, technology has advanced quite a long way since that time, but the H60 is able to preserve some of that magical quality I remember while also offering better performance and breathing some life into these genres in particular.

●Highs - The treble takes a bit of a back seat to the bass and mids on the H60, which is how I prefer it. There is still plenty of sparkle with a tinge of brightness to counteract the big bass shelf, but things rarely get spicy. To its credit, I don't get any true sibilance or very irritating notes, just a little too much energy depending on the track. The extension and air are a little lacking, though, and this is not a set for those seeking an emphasis on the treble. Cymbals can sound splashy at high volumes, but otherwise, they are fine. I do tend to listen pretty loudly, so take that with a grain of salt. Hi-hats and snares have a good edge and crispness without detracting too much. There's not a whole lot to dissect here in the treble since it is pretty tame in order for the bass and midrange to shine. If I were to change anything here, I'd dial back the treble energy just a tad to keep any little shrillness that can pop up on some tracks at bay. Overall, the treble has a good balance with the excessive mid-bass and still makes for a prominent enough part of the tuning.

Comparisons: Credit to the audio store and treble well xtended for the graphs. 

● Dunu DaVinci ($300) - Both sets feature the same driver configuration (2DD, 4BA) and a bass-forward tuning style, but the H60 comes across as more L-shaped, while the Davinci is closer to U-shaped. The H60 is mid-bass heavy with a more authoritative impact, while the DaVinci has a better balance of sub and mid-bass. The DaVinci also has an overall warmer tonality with more intimate and less forward vocals. The vocals on the H60 can sometimes sound too dark and lack the same vigor as the DaVinci. Neither set has a ton of treble air or extension, but the H60 sounds more rolled off. The DaVinci has a wider soundstage to my ear, but the H60 is more dynamic and energetic. Overall, the Davinci sounds a bit cleaner, and its timbre is slightly better. The H60 is not without its merits, of course, but it's hard to dethrone the DaVinci for me since it resonates so well with my tuning preferences. I'll take the less expensive, better-accessorized, and better all-around tuning any day.

My pick: DaVinci 

● Aful Performer 5+2 ($240) - Sorry, there's not a graph available yet for this one. Here we have a hybrid against a tribrid utilizing micro planars. The Performer 5+2 sounds much more balanced, with cleaner bass and better-represented male vocals. The bass of the P5+2 is more sub-bass focused but still has a decent mid-bass impact and slam. The midrange is much cleaner and more resolving, thanks to the lack of mid-bass bleed. Vocals are positioned more forward and better balanced with the overall tuning. The treble is definitely brighter and more extended, with a more distinct punch but not overwhelming. The P5+2's technicalities are much better across the board for me. It's more resolving, has better detail retrieval, and much better timbre. It's honestly a massacre. That's not to say the H60 is without its own charms, but boy, what Aful has been able to do here is impressive, and the P5+2 is also over $100 cheaper. The H60 has a more unique tuning and a certain warmth and musicality that the Aful lacks, but that's not to say the P5+2 is not musical in its own right. These two are very different and fill different roles. The H60 is a strong contender and has more of a niche tuning, but the P5+2 is simply a better all-rounder and the superior performer (see what I did there?).

My pick: Performer 5+2

● Ziigatt Estrella ($300) - The Estrella and H60 feature the same driver configuration, but the former has more of a traditional V-shaped tuning, with sub-bass emphasis and better treble extension and air. There's also a wider sense of space and better layering and separation. The Estrella's bass is much cleaner and more resolving. The midrange is clear and showcases more nuances and subtleties, such as guitar strumming. The treble is crisper and has more of an edge, but it can also be more fatiguing. The Estrella's resolution, imaging, and layering are superb. Also, the timbre is more natural, and vocals are positioned slightly more forward in the mix, which I prefer. Without a doubt, the Estrella is the better technical performer, but it also lacks the same musicality, soul, and special qualities that make the H60 unique. I think the Estrella is the one to pick for that more traditional "hi-fi" sound quality upgrade, but my choice between these two would be the H60. It just has some innate, special, and unique qualities, with a certain amount of heart that the Estrella's technical performance can't match.

My pick: H60

● Penon Fan 3 ($349) - The Fan 3 has a unique hybrid driver configuration of two BAs and one BCD. Its tuning is closer to a more traditional V-shaped style with a greater emphasis on the sub-bass and better extension on both ends. It has superior imaging, a more expansive soundstage, and an overall cleaner sound. The bass is much more resolving and less bloomy or pillowy. Vocals are a hair more forward on the Fan 3, but they do sound a bit thin in comparison. Even though vocals aren't as forward as I would like on the H60, I prefer its warmer, more intimate, and natural quality. Treble is much more apparent with the Fan 3, with better extension and more air and sparkle. Both sets have things that I like and things that I would change. The Fan 3 has superior technicalities, and I prefer its sub-bass rumble and extension, but it also comes across as more clinical, and its treble can be irritating at times. The H60 is a little more "lo-fi," and I wish the overall sound was a bit cleaner. Also, the mid-bass can sometimes be a bit much, but overall it has an innate charm and a warmer, more musical quality. These two can easily coexist in a collection and are somewhat complementary. If I'm forced to choose between the two, my affinity for warmth and musicality wins out in the end, and I find the H60 to be more unique and enjoyable.

My pick: H60

In conclusion:

The ISN H60 is a very interesting set. I wouldn't characterize it as an all-rounder, but when paired with the right tracks and genres, it can sound absolutely excellent! I would definitely recommend this set more for easy listening, relaxation, and simple audio enjoyment. It's not really made for dissecting the music or revealing every little detail. To my ear, it has somewhat of a "lo-fi" sound quality, but I really do mean that in the best way possible. It's just part of the H60's charm. The tuning is more musical in that it presents a smooth, pleasant, and forgiving experience; recording quality isn't as much of a factor as it is with other IEMs. Sure, you might miss some of the subtleties and nuances that are revealed with better technicalities, but I can almost guarantee that the music won't hit the same way and might not be as enjoyable. The best way I can describe the H60's tuning is that it takes me back to the days of portable CD players. When I first put the H60s in my ears and started some 90's alternative music, I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. Suddenly, I was 10 years old again, sitting on the floor of my brother's room, perusing his CD collection. Something about the sound quality brings me back to carrying a Discman and how music sounded back then, at least to my nostalgia-flooded brain. For me, the H60 shines fantastically with 80s/90s rock and alternative genres. That's not to say it sounds inherently bad with more modern music, but there is a bit of magic in the way it plays back those tracks from my childhood. In my opinion, the ISN H60 is for those who enjoy a lot of mid-bass. It's one of the more niche tunings I've come across so far. Because of this, I'm not sure I can give the H60 an outright recommendation. However, when you find the music it's best suited for, it truly shines. Sure, my enjoyment factor is quite high, but I do understand that this tuning has its limitations. The price-to-performance ratio is also lower than I would expect for the $349 MSRP, and the H60's technicalities are not its strong suit. It arguably overpriced in today's market, but I think fans of meaty mid-bass and a greater focus on the midrange will find that the ISN H60 truly is "mid" in the best possible way.