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. Not only violin sound marvelous, well resolve, and full-bodied but even the harp is properly presented, sure to achieve perfection I would have added a hint of brilliance and perhaps more boost past 10kz, but the notes well define, and pulling of strings have this clean snap and sense of openness permit long resonance enough, it’s a realist and very musical, without overly boosted texture that would ruin the listen by adding an unwanted patch of string rubbing or vibration noise artifacts. The bass is slightly boosted above normal but this is not a basshead IEM. Hook-X’s bass adapts itself to the music so, if a recording has a meaty bass then Hook-X will respond in kind. As you would expect from a planar driver, the bass is fast and tight but if bass notes have decay on the recording then you’ll hear it on the Hook-X. In August of 2021 there was a Youtube video introducing the 7HZ Timeless IEM. This “Planar” was a new take implementing a 14.2mm planar membrane. Needless to say the 7Hz became a legend in our industry. Soon to follow was the Shuoer S12, a 14.8 Planar membrane. It too became the talk of legends. These two Planar IEMs have really laid the groundwork for this next new-generation of IEMs. If the 7Hz Timeless or Shuoer S12 are truly better, it will have to wait for another day as I’ve never heard the the two. Customers are to bear the consequences and fees incurred, if the parcel was undelivered due to any of the following situation:

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. The Raptgo Hook X HBB is a fresh breath of air in this IEM world invade with Harman and DF neutral tuning and offers a muscular musicality that doesn’t bet on one specific frequency range and delivers full-bodied dynamic for bass, mids, and treble. I have the steel series arctis pro wireless headset and had no complaints, but a friend suggested some budget IEM’s for a change. S12 and Timeless are still probably my favorite two Planar iems out there. The i4 is fantastic if you can handle using EQ/cipher cable and deal with sometimes very frustrating fit, but it cost a bundle and then some.

Final Thoughts​

I was looking forward to the HBB x Raptgo Hook. I have ranked and tried out the original Hook, but wanted to try something with a different look.. The white ear tips were used in the formulation of the sound impressions. How the sound is changed by swapping tips will be discussed separately. Summary But if there’s something left to be desired is the slight grainy property developed on whispery and soft notes. The size is a bit chunky but not too big, part of the shell that enters your ears has an organic shape and isn’t thought for deep insertion unless you use super long triple-flanged ear tips (but why?). These aren’t too heavy and I find them super comfortable for long-time listening.

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. The contrabass sound is wonderfully textured with a linear enough extension, it doesn’t feel hard-slapped and boomy like an over-excited mid-bass boost can offer. One of the advantages of planar bass is its fast transient in layering and the Hook take full advantage of this, while just adding a hint of warmth to the lower mid-range that favor male vocal and permit low harmonic to be properly presented. The flat faceplate of the Hook-X isn’t boring owing to the punched holes organized in a linear pattern from the center and out. I can’t quite zero in on the actual material used, but to the touch, it feels papery and doesn’t get as cold as the aluminum housing. The size is a bit chunky but not too big, part of the shell that enters your ears has an organic shape and isn't thought for deep insertion unless you use super long triple-flanged ear tips (but why?). These aren't too heavy and I find them super comfortable for long-time listening.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. A single vent resides near the base of the nozzle. RAPTGO chose to go with standard 0.78mm 2-pin connectors which I prefer over the MMCX alternative. The connectors sit on the shell’s surface in a slightly raised and reinforced section. Bass response of the Hook-X is, in my opinion, the standout quality of the IEM. While the sub-bass doesn’t reach all that low, the impact it provides is tight and incredibly controlled. The same can be said about the mid-bass, where you’ll also immediately notice the speed of the bass – fast and full of energy. Of course the included cable is OCC silver-plated with coaxial shielding offering dynamic results, questioning ever rolling cables. Amazingly the cable and IEM are color matched stifling OCD desires you may have. The Raptgo Hook X HBB is a fresh breath of air in this IEM world invade with Harman and DF neutral tuning and offers a muscular musicality that doesn't bet on one specific frequency range and delivers full-bodied dynamic for bass, mids, and treble.