FATfreq X HBB - Deuce

The sub-bass is good and gets even better with the additional amp boost included in the package. For the price its good although a little on the high side, got it during the sale so cant complain. It lacks mid-bass, if you use an EQ and push the mid-bass, you will get some amount but since they are not made for mid-bass, after certain level of increase which comes very early it just sounds boomy and muddles into the vocals.
Treble if good and does not need any EQ tuning, sometimes for certain songs and genres you might need to EQ the treble down if you listen on high volumes.
Finally, thanks to HZ team for making this available during the sale.

I was so skeptical about prebooking it. But i am really glad i made the right decision. Its light on the ears and it looks just sick. 4 stars for the product,But the package could have been way better considering the money you spent on it.

Earlier this year, I noticed a lot of hype surrounding the FatFreq x HBB Deuce. Initially, I wasn’t keen on it, as I’m not a basshead, and my music library and genre preferences are quite different from those of its chief promoter, HBB. I didn’t feel any regret about missing the pre-booking window.
However, just before the IEMs started shipping, they suddenly became available again on Headphone Zone. It felt like a godsend opportunity to try this overhyped IEM, so I took a leap of faith.
Thanks to the excellent service from Headphone Zone, I received the IEM within just a couple of days.
After trying this IEM for a few months now, here’s my take:
Reiterating upfront: I’m not a basshead.
Pros:
1. Build:
Wonderfully crafted and extremely beautiful. While it’s slightly gaudy, it’s not an issue if used at home or outdoors.
2. Cable:
No complaints, but nothing extraordinary either. It complements the aesthetics well.
3. Tips:
A pleasant surprise. The IEM came with TRI Clarion tips, which I hadn’t experienced before since they’re not widely available online in India. With my extensive eartip collection, these wide-bore tips stood out due to their unique shape and excellent seal.
4. Impedance Adapter:
Another great inclusion. I had never used one before, and its ability to boost bass is useful not only with the Deuce but also with my other IEMs. It has significantly improved the performance of many planar IEMs in my collection.
5. Bass:
Yes, it delivers bass—and cleanly at that. It doesn’t interfere with the mids and offers a glimpse into basshead sound.
Cons:
1. Bass:
While it’s abundant, the bass feels “pillowy.” It’s focused entirely in the sub-bass region, with a noticeable lack of mid-bass slam, leaving a sense that something is missing.
2. Treble:
There isn’t much treble presence, and what’s there is of poor quality with limited technicality.
Conclusion:
The conclusion is obvious: if there’s more to write about the build and accessories than the sound, it’s not a good sign. Perhaps this IEM is simply too niche for my preferences. Sound-wise, despite supporting it with best of DACs and ample power, even AirPods (even with BT with ACC codec) feel a few notches more balanced and better.

The Deuce reminds me of the Bose Triport In-Ear (discontinued over a decade ago), which had everything except good tuning and technical prowess. Collector's item, but of not much use.

My only consolation is that I now own a so-called basshead IEM in my collection.

I was excited about these IEMs, especially for their deep, powerful bass, and they delivered exceptionally well with my iBasso Jr. and PowerDAC V2.1. If you love bass, this is a solid choice. But if you prefer a balanced sound, you might want to skip these.

However, after a week, I noticed a major issue—the right earphone stops working with even slight head movements. I first ignored it since I used them for short sessions, but in a noisy workspace, where I relied on them for longer durations, it became unbearable. I had to keep my head in the same position to hear properly, which is simply unacceptable.

For a ₹2,000 IEM, I’d let it slide, but at ₹25,000, this is a dealbreaker.

2/5 – Amazing bass, but unreliable and frustrating to use.