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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-24 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
• TRUTHEAR GATE biggest strength: a 10mm N52 double-cavity dynamic driver with a carbon LCP dome plus ultra-thin PU diaphragm, a 10Hz–45kHz frequency range, and a 0.78mm 2-pin detachable cable you can swap later.
• TRUTHEAR GATE biggest trade-off: it's wired only (3.5mm jack), has no noise cancellation, and you're tethered to your phone or DAC — no case, no battery, no wireless.
• iTouch Pulse Buds True biggest strength: true wireless convenience — Bluetooth 5.4 up to 33 ft, touch controls, a pocket-size USB-C case, about 3–5 hours per charge and up to 12 hours total, IPX4 splash resistance, and roughly 4g per bud.
• iTouch Pulse Buds True biggest trade-off: 20Hz–20kHz response and 16-ohm impedance mean a conventional consumer tuning, no wired option, no app, and battery life that depends on volume.
• Who each is for: pick the TRUTHEAR GATE if you care most about driver quality, cable flexibility and a wired listening chain; pick the iTouch Pulse Buds if you want grab-and-go wireless for commutes, calls and workouts.
The GATE is a wired in-ear monitor, and almost every design decision points at the driver. It uses a 10mm internal magnetic circuit dynamic driver with an N52 magnet and a double-cavity structure. The diaphragm is the interesting part: a carbon LCP dome composite paired with an ultra-thin PU layer. In plain terms, the carbon LCP dome is stiffer than a standard LCP diaphragm, which helps high-frequency sensitivity and extension, while the PU layer is there to give bass some texture instead of a flat thump. TRUTHEAR also says the acoustic structure and driver rigidity were optimized, which is their way of saying distortion was kept in check — the stated total harmonic distortion is THD ≤1% at 1kHz at 94dB, and the frequency response range is listed as 10Hz–45kHz.
The rest of the package is built for people who treat earphones as a small system rather than a disposable accessory. The 0.78mm 2-pin socket (female, sunken into the cavity) means the cable is replaceable, and the included cable is a multi-core oxygen-free copper twisted pair with a higher-quality cable skin for a tangle-free run. Impedance is 28 ohms and sensitivity is 122dB/Vrms at 1kHz, which suggests it will get loud off a phone jack without demanding a dedicated amp. The cavity is a PC+ABS composite injection shell with a transparent faceplate, tuned from TRUTHEAR's earlier HOLA design, and the weight was reduced versus previous models. It ships with six pairs of earbud covers and short-size tips, which matters if you have shallow ear canals and find long tips uncomfortable.
Who should buy it: someone who already listens through a phone with a headphone jack, a dongle DAC, or a portable player, and who wants a cheap entry point into replaceable-cable IEMs. Also anyone who dislikes charging things. Who should skip it: if you mostly listen while moving around the house, take calls constantly, or want one pair for the gym, the wire and the total absence of noise control will annoy you fast. There's also no built-in battery and no case — just a storage bag — so it lives on a desk or in a pocket, not in a charging cradle.
The Pulse Buds are the opposite philosophy: remove every friction point between you and audio. They're true wireless, Bluetooth 5.4, with a stable connection rated up to 10 meters (about 33 ft) and fast pairing to iPhone, Android, tablets and other Bluetooth devices. No companion app is required, which is a real advantage if you've ever abandoned a pair of earbuds because the app kept dropping the connection. Each bud weighs roughly 4g, so the fit is meant to be barely-there for commutes, study sessions and workouts. The earpiece shape is a rounded bud in an ABS shell, and the color is Blush.
Audio comes from a 10mm dynamic driver too — the same nominal size as the GATE — but the spec sheet tells a different story: 16-ohm impedance, 85dB sensitivity, and a 20Hz–20kHz frequency range. That's a mainstream tuning aimed at clear vocals and smooth bass for music, video and calls rather than extended treble or measured linearity. There's a built-in microphone and touch controls on each earbud for play/pause, track skipping, volume, answering calls, and waking Siri or Google Assistant. Noise control is listed as sound isolation, which is passive — you get what the tip seal gives you, not active cancellation.
The case is the practical centerpiece: a pocket-size matte plastic case measuring roughly 5.5cm long, 2cm wide and 4.5cm tall, charging over USB-C in about 1.5 hours. Playtime is stated as 3–5 hours per charge and up to 12 hours total with the case, and iTouch notes battery life varies with volume. IPX4 means splash and sweat resistant — fine for the gym or light rain, not for swimming or heavy downpours.
Who should buy it: commuters, students, gym-goers and anyone taking a lot of calls who wants one pair that pairs once and just works. Who should skip it: listeners who want a wired zero-latency path for gaming or critical music listening, anyone who needs active noise cancellation for flights or loud trains, and anyone who prefers a replaceable cable over a sealed battery.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for driver-focused sound design → TRUTHEAR GATE Dynamic Driver. Carbon LCP dome plus PU diaphragm, 10Hz–45kHz range, THD ≤1% at 1kHz.
• Best for battery life → iTouch Pulse Buds True. About 3–5 hours per charge and up to 12 hours with the case; the GATE has no battery at all because it's wired.
• Best for upgradeability and repairability → TRUTHEAR GATE Dynamic Driver. The 0.78mm 2-pin socket lets you swap cables; the Pulse Buds' battery is sealed inside the buds.
• Best for workouts and sweat → iTouch Pulse Buds True. IPX4 splash resistance and 4g buds versus a wired IEM with no water rating listed.
• Best for calls on the move → iTouch Pulse Buds True. Built-in mic plus touch controls for answering without touching your phone.
• Best for plugging into a laptop, DAC or player → TRUTHEAR GATE Dynamic Driver. A 3.5mm jack is still the simplest zero-latency connection.
• Best for long-term listening comfort → it depends on your ears. The GATE ships with six pairs of covers and short tips to reduce pressure; the Pulse Buds go light at roughly 4g per bud but rely on passive isolation.
If I had to pick one for myself, I'd take the TRUTHEAR GATE Dynamic Driver. In my opinion it's the more interesting product: a genuinely engineered 10mm driver with a carbon LCP dome, a 10Hz–45kHz range, low measured distortion, and a replaceable 0.78mm 2-pin cable that keeps it useful for years. It suits how I listen — at a desk, through a phone or a small DAC, without thinking about charging.
That said, I'd recommend the iTouch Pulse Buds True without hesitation to anyone whose day involves walking, commuting, gym sessions and phone calls. Bluetooth 5.4, touch controls, IPX4 and a USB-C case that stretches playtime to about 12 hours solve problems the GATE doesn't even try to solve. Different tools, both sensible — just decide whether you want better driver specs or fewer cables.
what is 10mm driver earbuds
A 10mm driver means the dynamic driver inside each earbud has a 10-millimeter diaphragm diameter. Both products here use a 10mm dynamic driver — the TRUTHEAR GATE pairs it with a carbon LCP dome and ultra-thin PU diaphragm, while the iTouch Pulse Buds use theirs for clear, balanced everyday sound. Size alone doesn't determine quality; the diaphragm material, magnet and acoustic structure matter just as much.
is 10mm driver good for earbuds
In my opinion, yes — 10mm is a sensible middle ground that gives enough diaphragm area for reasonable bass without making the shell bulky. The TRUTHEAR GATE shows what a 10mm driver can do with a stiff carbon LCP dome and a double-cavity N52 magnetic circuit, reaching a 10Hz–45kHz range. The iTouch Pulse Buds use the same 10mm size in a 4g wireless format, which is a good example of how the same driver size can serve two very different designs.
is 6mm driver good for earbuds
A 6mm driver is smaller and typically moves less air, so it tends to suit compact or budget buds where size and fit matter more than low-end weight. It can still sound clean, but it usually won't match a 10mm driver for bass depth or headroom. Neither product on this page uses a 6mm driver — both are 10mm — so if that size is your priority, look elsewhere.
Neither of these has active noise cancellation. The iTouch Pulse Buds list sound isolation, which is passive and depends on how well the buds seal in your ears; great for offices and quiet trains, less so on a loud flight. The TRUTHEAR GATE also relies on tip seal, and it ships with six pairs of covers plus short tips so you can experiment with fit. If you need real ANC, that's a different category of product.
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