DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank the Linsoul for providing this review unit.
The ThieAudio Hype 4 can be gotten here:
https://www.linsoul.com/products/thieaudio-hype-4 (no affiliate links).
SPECIFICATIONS
Driver configuration: 2 x 10 mm composite dynamic drivers (isobaric arrangement) + 2 x 26A Sonion BAs for midrange + 2 x Sonion E50 Hummingbird ultra-tweeter BAs
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 22 kHz
Impedance: 17 Ω
Sensitivity: 105 dB
Cable: 2-pin, 0.78 mm; silver-plated OCC cable
Tested at: $399 USD
ACCESSORIES
Other than the IEM, these are included:
- 3 pairs of silicone eartips (S/M/L/)
- 3 pairs of foam eartips (S/M/L/)
- Cable
- Carrying case
- Cleaning cloth
The accessory spread is serviceable, with both foam and silicone tips accounted for. Though perhaps at this midFI pricing, consumers would have preferred a wider selection of silicone tips, or even a modular cable.
The foam tips tame treble and provide the best isolation. The silicone ones are a bit more balanced sonically, though with a slight drop in isolating properties.
The stock cable is a 2-pin silver-plated OCC cable, and this is well-braided and supple. Microphonics are minimal, and it has a chin cinch. This cable only comes in a 3.5 mm termination.
The zipper semi-rigid carrying case is one of the most practical ones in the industry, being of sufficient size to store the IEM with accessories to boot. The insides are lined with a velvety material and webbing.
Lastly the cleaning cloth may be useful for wiping smudges and debris off the IEM.
The rest of this review was done with the stock cable and stock silicone tips. No aftermarket accessories were used, so as not to add any confounders to the sound.
BUILD/COMFORT
The housings are fashioned from resin. When placing an order, one can opt amongst a blue, white or black faceplate.
Comfort is excellent - the lightweight shells and lack of protruding innards make this IEM a great companion for marathon listening sessions.
The Hype 4 isolates well, even in noisy environments. Unfortunately, I found driver flex with the silicone tips, but this is partially dependent on ear anatomy and types of tips used. Thankfully, when converted to the foam tips, driver flex is lessened; another trick to mitigate this is to lift up the earlobe and open the mouth before inserting the IEM.
INTERNALS
The Hype 4 packs an eclectic array of drivers:
- 2 x 10 mm composite dynamic drivers - arranged in an isobaric arrangement which ThieAudio names "IMPACT SQUARED" - furnish solid bass texturing and a huge sub-bass rumble.
- 2 x 26A Sonion BAs assist with the midrange
- 2 x ultra-tweeter Sonion E50 Hummingbird BA takes care of the upper treble
DRIVABILITY
I tested the Hype 4 with the following sources:
- Apple dongle
- Cayin RU7
- Chord Mojo 2
- Fiio KA11 dongle
- Fiio KA17 dongle
- Khadas Tone Board -> Schiit Asgard 3 amp
- Questyle M15 DAC/AMP dongle
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW A-55 DAP (Walkman One Neutral Mod)
- Sony Walkman NW WM1A DAP (Walkman One WM1Z Plus v2 Mod)
- Smartphone
This IEM is relatively easy to drive, with no true requirement for amplification.
SOUND & TECHNICALITIES
Graph of the Hype 4 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler peak.
Tonally, the Hype 4 can be described as having a warm U-shaped profile.
The Hype 4 has a sub-woofer like sub-
bass. This is impactful - courtesy of the isobaric implementation - with a massive visceral rumble noted. Texturing is quite well done, with moderate bass speed. With such copious bass on offer, there inevitably is some element of mid-bass bleed noted, but this gives lots of heft and warmth to the note weight.
The lower
midrange - as mentioned - is lush and thick, though with no excessive loss of transparency. This region isn't too depressed too, unlike some other deep V-shaped tunings. For the anti-pinna gain gang, I'm glad to report that the Hype 4 has just a 7 dB rise in the upper mids, which translates to forward vocals without much shoutiness.
The Hype 4 is relatively sedate in the
treble, with no sibilance. Thus, it is a suitable IEM for our treble-sensitive friends. Trebleheads might want to look elsewhere though.
The Hype 4 has a small whiff of BA
timbre in the treble regions - notes have some hollowness compared to the DD notes - but it isn't the most egregious compared to other BA containing gear.
Technically, the Hype 4 would be classed as above average. Micro-detailing and instrument separation are decent enough for something that is not steroid-boosted in the treble. Soundstage is positioned slightly out of the ears, with solid imaging. The technicalities are more than serviceable for a hybrid, taking into consideration that this is not an analytical set, but something that sounds "musical".
COMPARISONS
Comparisons were made with other hybrids at the MidFI region. Planars, tribrids, single DDs and pure BA types were left out of the equation as the different transducers have their pros and cons.
ThieAudio Hype 2
Graph of the Hype 4 versus Hype 2 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler peak.
We kickstart the comparisons with the Hype 4's own older brother, the Hype 2. The Hype 2 also sports 2 x 10 mm DDs in an isobaric arrangement for the bass, but it only has 2 other Sonion BAs for the midrange and treble.
These 2 IEMs share a similar tonal DNA, but the Hype 2 is a bit thinner in the mid-bass, with more lower treble (but less upper treble).
The Hype 2 has weaker soundstaging, treble extension, imaging and micro-detailing. Overall, the Hype 4 is a true upgrade over its sibling.
Letshuoer Cadenza 4
Graph of the Hype 4 versus Cadenza 4 via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler peak.
The Cadenza 4 has less bass and treble than the Hype 4. The Cadenza 4 sounds thinner and more sterile, lacking the bassy sub-woofer fun of the Hype 4.
The Cadenza 4 has a faster bass, though it has markedly less rumble. The Cadenza 4 has poorer soundstaging, but has better imaging. Micro-detailing is about on par.
QOA Aviation
Graph of the Hype 4 versus QOA Aviation via IEC711 coupler. 8 kHz is a coupler peak.
The Aviation is a U-shaped hybrid. It has a thicker lower midrange but a much darker treble.
The Aviation is a league behind in technical aspects, losing to the Hype 4 in soundstage, micro-detailing and layering. Bass is also looser and flabbier on the Aviation.
CONCLUSIONS
The Hype 4 is a musical hybrid for head-banging fun, bestowing a visceral rumble in the sub-bass. The midrange and treble are non-fatiguing and smooth, thus being suitable for treble-sensitive preferences. These sibilant-free sonics, coupled with an agreeably lush note weight and ergonomic fit, means that the Hype 4 can be enjoyed for long listening sessions without outstaying its welcome.
Some IEMs that are bassy and smooth sometimes veer to the other extreme of being weak technically. Thankfully, the Hype 4 still boasts of above average technical chops to pair with the laid-back profile, such that it doesn't sound analoguish.
I appreciate that the excellent isolation also makes this set an option for stage monitoring or for use in noisy environments.
There are some nitpicks - such as mild BA timbre, driver flex (which may be fixed with the provided foam tips), and mild mid-bass bleed - but all thing considered, the Hype 4 gets my recommendation for an enjoyable bassy set with good balancing between technicalities and musicality.
