corgifall

1000+ Head-Fier
32 Total Drivers and All the Bliss
Pros: All rounder, warmer tuning, great detail retrieval, wonderful imaging.
Cons: Lacks a little upper treble sparkle, possible fit issues.
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I will happily admit I really love THIEAUDIO’s Clairvoyance and while I plan to one day review it(maybe), I constantly use the Clairvoyance in most of my reviews. I recently had the chance to check out both the THIEAUDIO Monarch MK2 and their flagship V16 Divinity. While I was excited for the new Monarch, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about their all BA V16 Divinity. Well today is the day I finally review one of the newer THIEAUDIO products. The V16 comes with 16 mixed Knowles and Sonion balanced armature drivers per shell. It comes in at $1499.00.

Quick shoutout to @TaronL from Headphones.com for letting me borrow the V16 to check out and review. While I always appreciate the chance to test and review products sent in from manufacturers and dealers, it never affects the rating of my reviews.

The V16 Divinity isn’t sold at Headphones.com but more info can be found below. Do shop at Headphones.com for other products if possible as the team there is always nice and fantastic. Plus they let me borrow IEMs to review that they don’t even sell.

https://www.thieaudio.com/products/thieaudio-v16-divinity
https://www.headphones.com/

Onto the review of the THIEAUDIO V16 Divinity! My personal preference is a hybrid/tribrid IEM where I get good hitting bass and have a detailed treble with decent mids. When it comes to an over ear headphone I prefer a spacious sound with a deep low end, the mids to be more forward and the highs to be a little bright with some sparkle. I listen to a lot of genres but I hover in the classic rock, blues and edm music with some rap here and there.

Gear Used​

IPhone 12 pro with headphone adapter, Lotto PAW S1, Moondrop Moon River 2, AUNE BU2 and SMSL SU-9 feeding the SP400 amp.

Looks and fit​

The fitment on the V16 was a little hit or miss when it came to getting a good comfortable seal. I was able to get a good seal with the CP500 spinfit tips and I was able to use the V16 for super long periods of time with no real comfort issues. I also find the design on the faceplate very pretty. It has a very unique foil and almost 3d design at certain angles. This is a very common style I find on other newer THIEAUDIO products and I love the way it looks. The rest of the shell is a glossy black and I don’t find the shell overly bulky. Though some might find this to IEM to be on the bigger side.
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Isolation and sound leakage​

While the V16 is an all BA design, it isn’t completely sealed. It does block out most outside noise fairly well but it does have a vent on the bottom of the shell. I would assume the BA drivers are all tube fed to the nozzle but I do hear a little sound leakage from the vent. I still think at a lower volume, these work well in quiet places.

Packaging and accessories​

Inside the box we are presented with the cables and IEMs on the right and on the left a bigger portable case with a zipper. Inside the case we have tips, cleaning cloth and the additional plugs for the cable. I think this is a good set of accessories and it follows THIEAUDIO’s standard packaging style as of late.
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Sound(overall)​

These final impressions were done off the SMSL SU-9 connected to the SMSL SP400. These impressions are what the V16 Divinity sounded like to my ears. This was also using the CP500 eartips from Spinfit. Things like ear tip selection and DAC/amp selection will produce different results and impressions vs what my ears hear on my specific gear.

The V16 was quite surprising in terms of the tuning I was expecting vs what I ended up hearing. The only all BA IEM I’ve really liked in the last few years was the Symphonium Helios which blew me away with its bass that sounded like a dynamic driver and showed everyone that an all BA IEM can be tuned better than most hybrids. The V16 is mostly doing the same thing here with the bass. The bass on the V16 comes in very accurate but still can produce very good impact/slam when needed. The bass does hit hard but it’s pretty fast so it doesn’t quite have the fun bass cannon quality some hybrids can produce. I can be picky at times when it comes to bass quality and the V16 does it well. The mids are fairly warm but guitars and other instruments still sound good with a little energy towards the upper mids that feel both clear and fast but lack some of the possible fatigue a strong mid range can cause. Vocals do feel slightly relaxed with less focus and I found vocals can feel a little more blended in with the background instruments. The treble is on the tame side but it does sound very detailed for a warmer IEM. Everything has a smoother and slightly slower speed at the higher frequencies. While it lacks top end sparkle or splash, I can still hear stuff I’ve only heard on much more expensive IEMs in the past. As someone who likes warmer tunings at the cost of treble extension, I’m happy to hear something that is warmer without the extreme loss of resolution. I think with this type of tuning I would call the V16 more of an all rounder type of tuning since it’s not offensive or punishing.

Soundstage/Imaging​

I like the staging here. I normally liked a balanced stage but the V16 has a deeper stage with an above average width. It feels like there is a lot of room for the sounds to spread out. This is especially noticeable with the bass hits. The imaging is fantastic here as well. There were many times I was able to notice and pick out sounds that felt precise in busy tracks. Rare for me to hear lots of little details that I normally can’t hear on some of my other IEMs. The last time I really liked the imaging on an IEM was the Helios so the V16 gets high regards for that.

Sensitivity/Drivability​

The V16 is incredibly sensitive and is extremely easy to drive. That being said, I found no issues with noise floor or issues with balanced source noise either. I think the V16 can be powered off any device easily. I would recommend keeping an eye out for possible issues with high wattage headphone amps or DAPs as volume at lower levels can cause issues due to how easy it is to drive the V16.

Stock cable​

Like the Monarch MK2, I really don’t like using the stock cable. I think its a very good looking cable but I find it uncomfortable for long term listening sessions and find it makes too much noise if I walk around and listen at low levels. The stock cable uses their own quick detach plug system which I don’t believe was designed well. It requires you to pull on a small tapered smooth part of the plug which means getting a plug off and new one on can be a pain. The unit I received already had the rubber strain relief torn. I think for like 90 percent of people this cable is perfectly fine however. I just choose to use a different cable for longer sessions.
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IEM comparisons​


UM MEXT​

The MEXT comes in a little less money wise. I do like the MEXT and while it is a little upper mid focused, I do enjoy it when I want something a little more fun sounding and thumpy. While both do bass really well, the MEXT has a stronger impact/slam compared to the V16. The V16 has better quality however at the cost of a more fun low end. The mids are much smoother on the V16 but the MEXT does have slightly more recessed lower mids. The vocals on both sound good with the MEXT having a little more energy with female vocals. The upper mids are more sibilant on the MEXT but it’s not bad and V16 simply sounds a little better controlled. The treble on the MEXT is very tame and lacks the detail retrieval that the V16 is able to produce. Both IEMs are less intense when it comes to the treble but I find the V16 sounds better overall with a more controlled tuning.
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THIEAUDIO Monarch MK2​

The Monarch MK2 is a newer tribrid IEM that was all the rage when it launched. While I didn’t really care much for the newer Monarch, I did think it was more capable than my still favorite THIEAUDIO Clairvoyance. Now the big question is whether the 16 BA V16 sounds $500 better than the new Monarch. To my ears they have two different focuses in their tuning but both do detail retrieval well, just in different ways. I think both have a similar sound but I find the bass more enjoyable on the V16 but the Monarch is very close with a better impact/slam but it just doesn’t quite feel as controlled as the V16 which sounds stronger with a slight loss to feeling the bass hits. Mids felt a little more thin and clear on the Monarch vs the smooth and warm sounding V16. I preferred vocals on the Monarch as they had just a little more clarity and sounded more accurate. The treble is where I noticed the biggest difference. Both were able to pull in fantastic details from the upper end of things, with the Monarch having a stronger sounding treble. The Monarch has some sharpness and sparkle where the V16 felt tame and smooth up top. Well I felt the Monarch had a better sounding treble, I just didn’t like the overall thinner sound. I ended up liking the V16 over the Monarch which makes sense as the V16 has a tuning that I feel is closer to the Clairvoyance. I do prefer the Clairvoyance tuning vs all three but I find both the Monarch MK2 and V16 do resolution/detail retrieval better than the Clairvoyance.
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Amping Combinations​


Aune BU2​

The BU2 is one of my preferred portable DAC/amps or traveling since I use it bluetooth when needed and Can use it as a portable desktop replacement as well when I’m not home. The BU2 has a brighter sound signature so I think it works well with the V16. The bass sounds about the same as my desktop setup with maybe a slight loss to impact when paired with the V16. Mids are still warmer with a slight sharpness at the end of tones. The treble is brighter but not so much that it really changes the sound of the V16. It just has a bit more sharpness in the treble but still maintains the smooth texture throughout the upper end of things. The staging was mostly the same if not a little more closed in. Imaging was still fantastic as I expected since I personally don’t find source gear to make much of a difference. I think that most quality sources will work just fine with producing good results on the V16.
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SMSL SU-9/SP400​

The sound impressions are always based on this SMSL stack. The V16 really doesn’t need a powerful source to get to high volumes so in this case, I prefer a really nice DAC over a hardcore solid state headphone amp. I did find the best results from my desktop setup and the Questyle CMA 15 but I had hard times on the CMA 15 getting the volume right that wasn’t instantly loud or imbalanced from the pot used on that amp. One could only run the V16 in single ended to solve that problem.
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Overall thoughts​

So how do I feel about V16 Divinity? I absolutely love it. I wasn’t expecting this outcome as I normally don’t like all BA IEMs and I was honestly more excited for the Monarch mk2 I received at the same time. The V16 is a winner in my book and I absolutely recommend it. The big thing here is that it’s not a bright IEM and that might turn off those who want an intense listen. In which case, something like the Symphonium Helios or their own MK2 monarch might be the better choice. That being said, the V16 sounds wonderful, pulls in great details and does imaging really well. All while being smooth and refined. I’m gonna have a hard time letting them go back to their home. Wonderful job to the THIEAUDIO team on making a very good all BA IEM! Thanks for reading!!
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Infoseeker

Headphoneus Supremus
Forward with lots of clarity.
Pros: Warmth and not purely cold clarity.
Passive isolating.
Lots of imaging seperation. (when paired with a neutral-clinical source like the Hugo 2)
Can generate a wet subbass profile.
Very clear vocals for those that want them.
Comes with modular cable that can switch from balanced/single-ended.
Cons: Not necessarily a con, but forward presentation (ie, vocals). But goes away at lower healthier listening volumes.
Wide nozzle that will require using smaller tips so it isn't as stuffing.
Modular adapters are bulky.
Thieaudio V16 Divinity:



First thing I notice it's high shelved treble. Airy, but borderline metallic. Its alot like the ier-z1r treble timbre; this is a positive thing.

Can't let yourself go too loud. Sensitive iem, need good volume control with your device to find your good loudness sweetspot.

Optimally listened to at lower volumes than other iems.
Sounds at its best and more dynamic at lower volumes. Unlike other iems that take to louder volumes to hear more treble details. Imaging and depth of the V16 also shines through better at lower volumes.

I find the tonality so agreeable as is, it doesn't need a warm source to give any finishing touches. Better imaging will be rewarded from less fun/more clinical sources



Bass profile:

It can generate a wet bass profile when a song calls for it. And the subbass doesn't got distracting reverb. Very good enough for synth stuff..

Midbass is punchy in a drier/snappy sense, and is as rounded as the Sennheiser ie900 (but ie900 is a benchmark for so). So very competent. (this midbass behavior changes between my sources. Does better on my dx300 dap than the dx300max dap)



Mids:

Thick noted. Instrument overtones and harmonics are both being presented with not much masking.

Vocals are forward; you can notice/unforgiving to the distortion of old tracks in their vocals.

Very forward presentation. But lots of imaging & seperation that don't conflict.



Treble:

I mentioned earlier, high shelved. Will require brain burn-in to get used to. I haven't noticed anything cursed about the last octave treble.



Overall,

Lots of clarity but expect that it comes with a cost that it may be forward & fatiguing, but not cursed in so.



EDIT: Switching from the supplied white tips for JVC Spiraldots++ does help compensate positively. But I think I need to order a step smaller Spiraldots++.



Azla Crystals TWS I forced on and it stretch to the size of the nozzle...lmao....but it kind of makes the thick ass nozzle act like a ciem.



Alot like my Final Audio a8000 as I assumed before. But better seperation of the overtones & upper-harmonics from masking. More wetter bass on the v16.

Extra Note:
Hmm, interesting. Put back my amp11 mki, amp module into my Ibasso dx300 dap.

It has a really interesting compensating effect to the V16. Pushes the vocals back, where now I can increase the volumes and never get limited by the vocals forwardness.

Lots of stereo panning on this setup too. Good depth & imaging just like my Apple-dongle but less compromises to the overall enjoyment (Dx300 amp mki being better).

Pretty good synnergy.

Only downside, it pushes the metallic details a little closer to the edge of being sibilant/sharp. Not fatiguing so, but it has approached skirting near the edge of it; but it does give a nice intensity to things at the same time.

I now want to try this DX300/amp11 mki module with an EE Odin & it's upper-mids.





Simple box

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Thieaudio V16 case conveniently fits the Ak240. If I wasn't using my other huge brick of a ibasso 300max dap instead.
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Modular cable bulkier than the average. Other cable I have is a Linsoul LSC09.
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Bass pressure relief port?
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Nozzle length
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just realized the right unit of the V16 has a fun little subtle detail.

Red for Right.

There is a splash of red in the faceplate's corner to indicate the right unit.
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I got alot to compare it to if needed.
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My Final Audio a8000 is of similar presentation for a comparison. But that is a single driver iem. It has the same forward presentation as the v16, but A8000 less treble zing, but more vocal sibilance. Less of a bass shelf than v16; polite bass that is still warmish sheved; V16 more wet presenting. Similar midbass punch between v16/a8000, but a8000 is less bass overall.

Sony Ier-z1r, this is definitely is of same tier of an iem. But too different to use-case scenario. But both these iems have a similar zing & sizzle to treble presentation. Ier-z1r a step back in staging, much less forward.

The Sennheiser ie900 is also a very different target fr. But like I said before, the ie900 has rounded notes and especially the rounded mid-bass notes are class-leading. V16 is drier punch in comparison, but very competent. Way more details are masked on the ie900, ie900 is less resolution.

Simphonio VR1. All in perfect clean balance, other than treble extension. Has a similar bass shelf to Final A8000. Low shelved, but very good bass timbre; less bass than the v16. Much less forward than V16; especially in vocals. Simphonio VR1 has less air and would need a treble EQ shelf to compete against V16. Simphonio sound great out of box without EQ though. Truly an organic sounding jack of all trades from a single-dd. Dunu Luna can be so too, but needs EQ to get it there; Luna will have extras aspects to its presentation like its small driver excursion. Amazing how effortless the Simphonio vr1 sounds; such a big driver needing less excursion.

The Dunu Luna might be relatable for a v16 comparison (but Luna is a single-dd iem). Nothing gets masked in the mids on the Dunu Luna. Bass is notn as rounded as ie900 unless EQ'd. The Luna has a similar shouty forwardness look v16, but Dunu Luna is too polite in lower treble without EQ. Not metallic feeling in treble at all until EQ'd.

Too bad I don't have like a Moondrop iem like the S8.

Vision Ears VE8, is very source dependent with its impedance swings. With my ibasso dap VE8 has a more pleasant midbass than v16, but less subbass. Ve8 mids quite pleasant are more masked than the v16. Everything on the ve8 feels less resolution than the V16. Everything feels a step more tamed on thr VE8 than the V16's intensity. The ve8 sounds equally as pleasant to listen too than the v16; ve8 has a step less forward vocals, a step less forward upper-mids, a step less forward treble. It's just more tamed, less intense, but less resolving; you can listen to the ve8 no matter your mood. No matter how tired you feel. V16 will give you all the details and you may feel it to forward presenting when you just want to relax.

Important points:
Ie900 midbass punch better than ier-z1r & others. Much more rounded and heartbeat like.

Ier-z1r has a forward subbass but it's distracting; it doesn't fit in organically to me. (This can be tamed with silicone tips that don't vibrate from being so thin). But very similar shimmer treble presentation to V16.

V16 better than both in "wet" bass presentation in my opinion. As in, V16 got a better subbass profile.


EDIT:
New update these make for an amazing combo with the 2-pin version of the Fiio Utws5 Bluetooth modules.
It has a good amount of bass slam for the playback. And might be a little hot in the treble. But ultimately had a very nice imaging seperation unexpectedly for a Bluetooth solution. Good synnergy.


The Peak ChiFi:
Thieaudio V16 Divinity + Fiio UTWS5 modules (2pin version)
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vasix
vasix
For such expensive IEMs the presentation should be better! Why are you wearing a mask? Don't expect the headphones to sneeze :))
MusicSat
MusicSat
Thank you!
I have the Monarch Mk 2 - I love it - I wonder how they compare and if this one is technically superior without sacrificing the Monarch's dynamic timbre...

(I wish Vasix avoided commenting on your mask and the vibe of it - not relevant and does not help us feel good here)
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