COMPARISONS:-
VS EM-5H:-
Working around 5BA drivers, one for bass, two for mids and highs, the 5H delivers one of the most detailed music in the price range of around $700.
The EM-5H has smaller bass size and the extension too is slightly less than the Pola. It doesn’t have a W shaped signature, the flatter signature of the 5H is loaded with details and notes are sharper and drier hence sounding less natural. Level of details is similar, but the 5H can be sibilant at times. The sharpness is evident with vocals too, notes have very good transparency but they lack a a bit of texture and poise with them.
Treble of the 5H has similar attributes as the Pola but the Pola delivers better details and emotions. EM-5H extension doesn’t feel as endless as the Pola. The biggest difference is the stage size, the 5H is considerably smaller here, mind you, the Pola has one of the biggest stage size in its price range.
VS FIBAE 3:-
Based on 3BA drivers the Fibae 3 has one for bass, one full range driver and one treble driver for the lifting.
The Fibae 3 lacks the bass body, the extension is slightly better and the bass is driven by sub-bass body, mid bass lacks body. Notes are smoother and doesn’t have the attack of the Pola. The mids are less forward and lack a bit of energy against the Pola, decay across the spectrum is slightly slower. The Fibae 3 is slightly less transparent and the lack of details is evident. Treble is good with energy but notes are still on the smoother side, the Pola has better bite and sharpness. Both the earphones have similar extension.
The stage size of the Pola is considerably bigger with width and height where the Fibae 3 has similar depth.
VS HYLA TE-5B:-
The Triple hybrid earphone relies on two BA drivers, one dynamic driver and one piezoelectric driver. Priced at $1250 it is driven by the bass power of the dynamic driver.
The bass of the 5B is of bass head level, it delivers one of the heaviest bass in this price point. It moves more air, has considerably more air and has better sub-bass extension and rumble. Mid bass is slightly smaller than the Pola but still has very good body. The decay is slower and has plenty of texture and has better details to it.
Mid range of the 5B takes the back seat and feels dull and veiled, I did enjoy the laid back approach but it is not very good when you switch to the Pola which delivers better notes transparency and sharper vocals. Treble has the same case, a bit veiled and lacking a bit of spark and transparency, extension is very good, layering and separation is good too. But paying $1250 and sticking with good is not reasonable is it? Sound stage is good but still is smaller than the Pola.
Even when the 5B is very lovable with its approach and the smoother presentation, if you are not looking for bass and like details over other things, the TE-5B doesn’t cut it for me for the asking price.
CONCLUSION:-
When you consider details, transparency, technicality and tonality, nothing really comes close to the performance level of the Pola for around $800, it is fantastic.
The signature as I said is W shaped, the dips at the transition points are very marginal, if you can live with that, you have a champion at hand.
If you are in the market looking to upgrade from your $500 IEM or want more bass or better details or better treble extension from your $500-600 iem, Pola should be on the top of your list.
Thanks for reading guys, enjoy your music, cheers!!
