JH Audio Sheena Universal Review

It’s been a long time since I’ve tried out a JH Audio IEM, but I never forgot how they sounded, and that’s saying a lot in such an overcrowded market. So, I was curious if the brand’s IEMs stood the test of time. Does the Sheena have the same wow factor as so many of JH Audio’s old favorites, or is the long-established IEM company falling behind the competition? Let’s took a look what you can expect from the Sheena in terms of sound signature and performance.

What’s in the Box?

• Sheena Universal™ In-Ear Monitors

• Litz Cable with 3.5mm termination.

• JH Audio Aluminum Round Case

• Wax Tool

• Flygirl Sticker

• User Guide

Look and Feel

Given the glitz and glamour of the IEM aesthetic these days, the Sheena almost has an understated look. Although there is touch of color to the faceplate, it’s mostly an earthy brown color and certainly not garish or adolescent in appearance, which is part of the appeal for me. I also had no problems with fit. The shape of the shells and size of the stem were also perfectly ergonomic and provided a decent seal with a good amount of sound isolation.

Design

Under the hood are 8 balanced armature drivers with a 4-way integrated crossover: 2 low, 2 mid, 2 high, and 2 super tweeters. With an impedance of 12 Ohms and a sensitivity of 117 db, these IEMs aren’t tough to drive, but they still benefit from a little extra driving power. For this review, I paired the Sheena with the Astell & Kern SR35.

Sound Impressions

Soundstage

In terms of width, there’s a great deal of space. You’ll also experience a solid amount of depth, with fun interaction between forward-sitting and behind-sitting instruments. Interestingly, there is little height to speak of. That said, you will hear nuanced imaging along the vertical axis. It just never feels tall. Still, the sheer width of the stage, combined with good dimension and precise imaging make for a sufficiently immersive experience. And at the end of the day, I think JH Audio tends to deliver a grandness in scale, rather than a thoroughly holographic soundstage. Certainly, that JH Audio majesty is present in the Sheena.

Low-End

A bombastic lower-bass and warm low to upper-bass blankets the entire low-end with a sumptuous darkness. The sub-bass frequencies are substantial too, making for a super meaty profile all around. There’s a thickness to the tone in the bass frequencies, making bass guitars sound fat and soft around the edges. This is sometimes at the expense of detail. Cellos, for example, feel a bit smoothed over, missing a touch of the grip that characterizes the instruments more subtle qualities. And while I can’t call the presentation sloppy, it’s clear that the Sheena is not flaunting a super tight or exceedingly controlled delivery. 

Mids

There's this subtle veiling effect in the lower-mids that can occur on certain tracks. But on the flip side, the Sheena serves up some beefy low-mids, and the upper-mids aren't in your face, allowing the warmth to be the prevailing theme. Most enjoyable is that the midrange feels undeniably solid and thick, giving music a hefty punch. Snare drums hit you like a ton of bricks, and the overall vibe is all about weight and impact. Again, the Sheena could use a bit more separation in the lower-mids, especially considering the price tag, but things start to tidy up as you move into the treble range. And what the Sheena may lack in cleanliness it makes up for with its energy and unrelenting momentum, which is highly addictive.

Highs

You may hear a touch of sparkle up here, but for the most part, notes end on a crisp note, rather than a brilliant one. And overall, the treble profile feels smooth. Vocals have a refined and velvety feel, swapping rawness for more of a fluid quality. That being said, I never felt a lack of treble extension, even though the Sheena is a notably easy listening experience. And at the end of the day, the high frequencies reflect the entire sound signature, which is never sharp or grating and always firmly planted.

Summary

I’ve always been a big fan of JH Audio IEMs. And although the competition has become much more cut-throat since the release of crowd favorites, like the Lola and Roxanne, the brand still manages to carve out its own space. And this is simply because in this highly saturated market, their IEMs still sound unique and recognizable. Such is the case with the Sheena. Warm, powerful and energetic with a ton of punch, the Sheena is a perfect example of what makes Jerry Harvey’s stuff stand out. And what the Sheena may lack in one or two areas of performance, it certainly makes up for with its undeniable charisma. So, if you’re a fan of a meaty and impactful sound signature, the Sheena is sure to please.

You can buy the JH Audio Sheena at Audio 46.