Tripowin x HBB Olina – Review

Tripowin x HBB Olina – Review

Tripowin and popular headphone reviewer Hawaiian Bad Boy (HBB) have released another In-Ear Monitor collaboration: the Olina. At $100, Tripowin and HBB aim to combine affordability and a sound that audiences will love. If Tripowin or any other headphone companies are reading this, just know my inbox is open. Jokes aside, it’s very exciting to see collaborations like this. I personally really liked their other IEM, the Mele, and can’t wait to see what Olina has to offer.

Backplate closeup

What’s in the Box

  • Olina Earphones
  • 2-Pin 0.78mm to 3.5mm 1.2 meter Cable
  • Replacement Filters
  • 6 Pairs of Eartips
  • Warranty Information
  • Storage Case

Open box picture Olina

Look and Feel

Olina has a very pleasing design. The backplates have a marble pattern to them and they are very light. I can tell that they aren’t made of fine metal alloys or anything like that, but for $100, they feel very solid. I feel very comfortable wearing them and don’t have any problems with longevity during listening sessions.

Design

Olina has a 10mm dynamic driver that utilizes a carbon nanotube design to ensure maximum driver strength. While this is more common on higher priced IEMs, a CNT driver is rarely seen on budget IEMs. Olina also utilizes cavity tuning rather than traditional rubber sound tubing, allowing for a much more responsive harmonic resonance. The 2-pin silver-plated cable ensures a smooth signal flow.

The Tripowin x HBB Olina has a frequency response of 10 Hz – 43 kHz and an impedance of 32 Ohms.

Tripowin Olina with cable overhead shot

Soundstage

Olina has a pleasant soundstage, especially for a budget IEM. The separation is clear and, while it doesn’t have the most 3D feeling, it still conveys panning well. The dynamics and sound isolation work in tandem to help you hear the mix in a clearly laid out image. I am a fan of a soundstage with more wraparound and 3d imaging, but this was still very pleasant to listen on.

Lows

The lows are where Olina starts to show it’s price a little. While they are present and they sound pretty good, they’re missing a slight edge and clarity that other IEMs tend to have. That being said, for this price, you’d be hard pressed to find IEMs with low end that sounds better than Olina’s. It’s more subtle than it is powerful, and does a good job of supporting a mix without overcrowding it. The subs aren’t felt per se, but the message is still conveyed nicely.

Mids

The mids do a nice job of conveying the overall sound of the mix. While definitely not flat, it’s accentuated in just the right places to bring out some really nice textures in parts that aren’t normally there. The sound character is pleasant and has nice definition without becoming too aggressive.

Highs

The highs on the Olina add a nice sharpness to the mix that really brings up the overall quality of the mix. I rarely felt them distort and never to point where I felt actively distracted from what I listened to. It’s hard to get strong highs while not overly brightening the overall sound character of an IEM, and Olina manages to achieve that balance.

Closeup of the outer shells Olina

Overall

Once again, I’m very impressed by Tripowin and Hawaiian Bad Boy’s ability to create a high quality budget IEM. Olina is by no means perfect, but it still manages to deliver a pleasant and engaging listening experience that outclasses several IEMs well above its price point. If you’re looking for a first pair of IEMs or just want to change things up, Olina is definitely one of the best options out there. I’m excited to see where Tripowin x HBB takes us next.

Pros

Cons

  • Amazing sound for the price
  • Comfortable
  • Great High end
  • Solid Construction
  • Somewhat flat soundstage
  • Occasionally muddy low end

You can buy the Tripowin x HBB Olina at Audio46

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