THIEAUDIO Hype 2

THIEAUDIO Hype 2

It is really difficult to find something the Thieaudio Hype 2 doesn't do relatively well at

amazing bass texture and control, smooth mid and treble without losing extension, large soundstage with decent detail retrieval, easy reccomendation

Needed a pair of IEMs as a backup and for everyday listening, within 300$.

Compared to Clairvoyance and Monarch MK1 - these fall somewhere in between: a musical monitor that is still fun and engaging. This pair is least expensive way to try new double dynamic driver setup, which sounds impressively good, outperforming both in Bass details and quality. But, obviously, not as good when it comes to details in Mids and especially Highs: you can't beat EST drivers in their effortless extension and lushness, yet these are still impressively capable.

You will really struggle to find any negatives in these.

Perfect for Electronic music.

Compared to Hype 4, these two are slightly different all together: Hype 2 is just a touch smoother and more fun, less fatiguing. Hype 4 has slightly more resolution and details and is more analytical.

Stock Cable sounds really good: able to push a lot of details and keep everything sounding well rounded. Looks and feels fantastic. Perfect match.

Both stock silicone and foam Ear Tips are high quality, comfortable and highly resolving. Perfect match.

Larger storage case is really the perfect size. And it looks good. Included microfiber cleaning cloth is always a nice touch.

I have tested these with stock Cable and Ear Tips on 3.5mm out on MacBook; with Apple 3.5mm dongle and iPhone. Everything stock, out the box, sounds fantastic: resolving and fun. Then I pushed them a bit further with DSD 11.2MHz and PCM 32/384kHz files, DSP off, High Gain, with 4.4mm balanced 4N silver Cable, which has opened up and increased the size of soundstage; increased clarity; increased amount of details and overall made sound more balanced, smoother and effortless. Those two file formats are where magic truly begins and even on High Gain these IEMs did not even stutter - smooth and effortless all the way.

Very happy to see Shallow Recessed Sockets: these are much better and stronger than usual Flush Sockets. However, I wish they used stronger and more durable Deep Recessed Sockets.

Build quality is superb, high gloss shells, metal nozzles, neat bass port opening.

Faceplates are simple but are definitely an art: I can't stop looking at them, mesmerizing.

These have smaller shells than Clairvoyance and in my opinion fit better and deeper.

Hype 2 is a perfect gift for someone special or a friend you want to get into Hi-Res IEMs on a tight budget.

A complete package.

Sound and technical impressions:

Pros:

¬ Very good mid-bass, one of the best I’ve heard - textured, fast, tight, controlled, no mids bleeding, punchy and powerful, very impressive. The isobaric design technology works 9.8/10
¬Good sub bass, sub-bass rumble helps the drum section 8/10
¬One of the best drums and dual pedals not only for the price 9/10
¬Very organic and natural sound aimed at audiophiles and audio enthusiasts who want to listen to music, not IEM. Tonally correct. Authoritative and powerful sound with captivating musicality 9.5/10
¬ Mids are very good 9.2/10
¬ Images are very good and above the price point in my opinion, but not that sharp 9.2/10
¬The soundstage has some depth, it has excellent height, the presentation is front without a big 3D effect. The special thing is that it can change like a chameleon depending on the recording !!! 8.9/10
¬Good layering 8.9/10
¬Male vocals are clean, crisp, a bit back in the mix but not recessed 8.5/10
¬The female vocals are good, but personally I would put them a step behind the male vocals on this IEM 8/10
¬The timbre and coherence is close to DD. They sound very cohesive 9.0/10
¬Excellent micro dynamics and very good macro dynamics, overall explosive and textured sound with dynamic capabilities above the price. Fast transients 9.6/10
¬The guitars sound accurate and musical, on older or bad recordings a BA timbre can be noticed. Sometimes they are a bit dry but also depends on the record. The damping and bite of the guitars is extremely good. TBH it is better than quality DD. I guess the reason is the new Sonion BAs. Acoustic guitars sound realistic and full, with incredible micro-dynamics and emotion, without excess warmth, the reverb is on point. The atypical rhythms are presented with chops and authority that is difficult to find in IEMs at any price 9.7/10
¬The treble is tastefully done and the cymbals don’t pierce your brain, the decay is fast but they sound a bit dry 7.5/10
¬Easy to drive, but it’s good to give it a little boost 9.5/10
¬The cable is excellent - soft, good looking and has an excellent match with the HYPE2. The silicone tips are of perfect quality! 10/10
¬Very comfortable, fit like a glove 10/10

​
Cons:

¬The soundstage could be a bit wider, but that would take a bit away from the dynamics. This is offset by an excellent height that reaches well above the top of the head!
¬A little more musical instruments separation would be nice, but the separation is there
¬The mid-bass could be better separated from the sub-bass
¬The lower mids can sound a bit dry for some, but not for me
¬The resolution could be a little better, but you hear a lot of things in the mix
¬It can sound a little overdriven on fast tracks
¬They are suitable for some genres, but not as versatile as some other IEMs. I recommend for metal (if it matches well with your HRTF) and electronic music, modern jazz ,pop and some others.

Good choice of hardware - the new Soninon BAs have huge potential.

Overall, I would describe this IEM as a genius unfinished painting of Leonardo, waiting for its artist to finish it into a memorable masterpiece. Maybe HYPE10 will end it all…

Technical performance: A+
Tonal performance: А+/S-
Personal preference level: S=

​

I highly recommend

You can read my review here:https://forum.hifiguides.com/t/discussion-thread-on-thieaudio-hype-2-4-10-thieaudio-prestige-ltd-og/39661/119

Received the headphones very quickly, quality delivery. The headphones are simply excellent, ideal as in-ear monitors.

This is actually my first review of a THIEAUDIO product and what we have here is their latest hybrid driver IEM for entry-level - midrange category, the THIEAUDIO HYPE 2. What makes this set quite special was its supposedly isobaric set-up of its dual dynamic driver and the implementation of a new generation of Sonion balanced armature drivers. Will this set make a dent on the midrange segment?

PROS:

△ High quality resin shell chassis
△ The contours of its UIEM-style shell chassis gives the best fitting and comfort to wear.
△ High quality stock cable.
△ Unusually large IEM case for storage.
△ A well-balanced sound for music genre versatility.
△ Good amplification rating.
△ Punchy, incisive and clean bass response.
△ Adequately texture, lush and enough warmth on its midrange presentation for more natural timbre on vocals and instruments.
△ Almost life-like and tonally correct on its sound characteristics of most vocals and instruments.
△ Balanced and smooth treble response
△ Sibilances and harshness are practically non-existent on this one.
△ Very competent on its overall technical performances

CONS:

▽ Less energetic sound on some female vocals particularly on sopranos as it feels pretty limited on projecting its range.
▽ Less bright and lingering sound on string instruments.
▽ Wishing for a bit more of treble air.

For more information, check out the link below:

http://euphoniareviews.blogspot.com/2023/10/thieaudio-hype-2-exclusive-tonally.html

This is like Monarch MK2, with a better bass and costing less. One of the best sounding earphones I ever heard.

Pros:

Extremely Balanced Sound: The audio quality on these headphones is exceptional. It's not leaning too much in any particular direction, providing a well-rounded sonic experience that's suitable for various music genres.

Dynamic and Potent Tuning: The earphones are tuned to deliver a dynamic and powerful audio output. This adds a layer of excitement to your music, making every track sound engaging.

Safe Sound: These earphones prioritize your hearing health by delivering sound at safe volumes. You can enjoy your music for extended periods without worrying about ear fatigue.

Smooth and Clean Treble: The treble range is impressive, offering a smooth and clean high-frequency response. This ensures that high-pitched instruments and vocals sound crisp and enjoyable.

Captivating and Natural Mid-Range: The mid-range frequencies are where these headphones truly shine. They reproduce vocals and instruments with a captivating and natural quality, making your music come alive.

Thick Yet Controlled Bass: Bass enthusiasts will appreciate the controlled yet thick bass response. It adds depth to your music without overwhelming the rest of the audio spectrum.

Cons:

Lack of Clarity in Details: If I were to nitpick, these in-ears might not be as revealing in terms of intricate details compared to some competitors in the market within a similar price range. Audiophiles seeking the utmost clarity might find them slightly lacking in this aspect.
In conclusion, these headphones offer an impressively balanced and safe listening experience. The dynamic tuning, smooth treble, and captivating mid-range make them a great choice for music lovers. While they may not be the most detail-oriented in their category, they still deliver a fantastic overall sonic experience.