QKZ x HBB Hades review
I’ve owned these QKZ x HBB Hades for over a year now, and they still excite me every time I use them.
They’re not reference, they’re not the best audiophile headphones and they are not refined.
They’re your drunk mate who’s tweaking the bass and treble on your stereo, buzzing his head off and shouting, “Wait for the drop!”
They aren’t safe.
They’re unapologetic, tuned for fun.
No, they don’t work for every track. But when they hit, they deliver something special.
It’s pure “sod it, crank the bass” energy.
To hell with distortion—shut up and drink more.
The Surprising Bit
The mids and vocals are surprisingly solid though.
They’ve got clarity, body, and umph.
They’re absolutely not gas station tier like I’ve read in some reviews.
They’re just solid, meaty-sounding IEMs for anyone who wants their music to slap them in the face.
They actually respond well to EQ, so you can dial them back a bit if you really want to.
I choose not to.
What Are They, Actually?
These are a budget collaboration between QKZ and HBB (HawaiiBadBoy), a known name in the audio world.
They’ve got:
- A 10mm dynamic driver
- Metal housings
- A V-shaped tuning—that’s boosted bass and treble with pulled-back mids
- A price tag that’s cheaper than most takeaway meals
They’ve been called “gas station tier” by some, but I completely disagree.
Why I Love Them
If you want to close your eyes and forget about frequency response graphs, if you’re done trying to hear someone scratching their nuts in the crowd on some perfectly mastered live album…
…and instead you just want to listen to your music in a new and more intense way,
these might surprise you.
You must try different tracks with them. They will reward you for this.
I was going to recommend a genre, but honestly, I swear it’s track-dependent. If I was pushed I would say electronica broadly.
Maybe they shine on tracks produced in a certain way?
I don’t know.
All I’ll say is don’t write them off until you’ve shuffled through your library.
Sometimes the bass absolutely thumps you—yes, it actually thumps your brain.
Not all the time , and yes, sometimes it’s a bit muddy, a bit rough, a bit uncontrolled.
But it’s never boring.
And when you find the right track, you’ll sit back and go:
“Ohhhh… so that’s why they made these!”
Final Thought
I love them.
If you’re tired of dull, samey-sounding buds or headphones, take a punt on these.
You can always sell them on if they’re too much for you.
But one thing’s for sure—
they sound nothing like cheap, gas station earphones.
Want Something Fresh to Try Them Out With?
If you’re looking for something new to really put these through their paces,
check out Wax Waves’ Vibe of the Week—
a fresh selection of tracks to rediscover your library with.
You might just find your next “ohhhh…” moment.
