Thieaudio Legacy 2

Greetings!

Today we're looking at the Legacy 2 from ThieAudio.

ThieAudio is Linsoul Audio's in-house brand. Created in 2019, it quickly gained steam as a reliable brand producing competitive, high performance earphones. Their lineup has expanded greatly since their arrival on the scene, and include three main product types; tribrids, hybrids, and BA-only earphones. Of course they also offer a variety of accessories. The Legacy 2 we're checking out today is a 99 USD 1+1 hybrid utilizing a Knowles ED29689 balanced armature and 10mm beryllium coated dynamic driver.

I've been using it consistently over the last 6 months and feel it is one of the best products available at its price thanks to it s premium build, affordable price, and versatile, well-tuned signature.


What I Hear

Tips: The Legacy 2 comes with wide and medium bore tips of decent quality, the latter of which I feel best pair with the Legacy 2. The smaller bore helps highlight the sub-bass bias and warms up the signature a touch, though this comes at the expense of a some upper end energy. Alternate, higher quality tips I can suggest in place of the stock medium bode set are those from Moondrop, or Sony Hybrids if Moondrop's silicone is too stiff for you.

Treble is lean and crisp with good extension and a ~7k peak that gives the presentation plenty of energy and shimmer. Notes are well controlled and free of splash with a tight, defined feel. Refinement is high with next to no grain or rough edges present. The thinness permits plenty of space and air, and helps to highlight the exceptional detail and clarity on board. I'd be completely happy with this type of presentation on an earphone that is more neutral leaning and analytic, let alone on a mild v-shape like the Legacy 2. Good stuff here.

Dipping into the mids the Legacy 2 follows the recent trend of bumping the upper midrange. Personally I quite enjoy this style of tune since it keeps vocals prominent and clear regardless of how bassy or treble heavy a track is. Luckily I found the rise subtle enough so as to avoid causing fatigue, though the more sensitive of you out there will surely enjoy tossing buzzwords like shouty at the Legacy 2. Another benefit of this presentation is attack enabling percussive and other rhythmic instruments definitively and confidently carry a track. Complaints? I personally personally a thicker, warmer presentation for female vocalists. Works great for deeper voices though.

The Legacy 2's low end is sub-bass biased which makes sense given the lean presentation on hand. Extension is overall quite good, though it drops off suddenly leaving some passages falling flat when they should be providing a hefty, visceral feel. Texturing is impressive with grungy, dirty notes being properly represented. Those used to or seeking the Harman target might find the Legacy 2's low end lacking or anemic since the mid-bass bloat and warmth Harman seekers love is missing. Speed and control is again impressive with the dynamic driver used easily handling speedy, complicated passages without distortion or muddying.

The Legacy 2's soundstage is simply put, awesome. While depth is fairly average, width is seriously impressive with sounds careening convincingly off into the distance. I love using these for gaming since they provide a much more convincing sense of scale than most other earphones. Imaging backs this up with extremely tight, nuanced channel-to-channel movement that puts more conventionally tuned products to shame. Track layering is pretty average thanks to the moderate depth present, though the same cannot be said for instrument separation. The lean, highly detailed presentation leaves plenty of room for individual instruments to play, enabling the listener to pick apart individual track elements and follow them with ease.


Compared To A Peer (volumes matched with a Dayton iMM-6)

TinHiFi T5 (129.00 USD): Bass quantity and presentation between the two is similar with the T5 providing a slightly more linear move through sub- to upper-bass regions. The Legacy 2's bass quality is superior to my ears as it produces more texture and is a bit more controlled and nimble when it comes to rapid note repetition. They're similarly visceral though with deep providing a solid rumble. Heading into the midrange both earphones lift around 3k allowing vocals to stand out. The Legacy 2's vocal presentation isn't quite as forward but is a touch warmer. Both are quite detailed with the Legacy 2 doing a better job of nullifying sibilant tracks. Timbre quality is also firmly in the Legacy 2's camp, though it's still a bit brighter than is completely natural. Treble is where the two take a sharp detour. After the 3k rise, the Legacy 2 takes a smooth dip down to 8k, where a small 10k peak adds back some sparkle. The T5 on the other hand has strong peaks around 5k and 7k that give it plenty of sizzle and sparkle. At times it can sound harsh and cause fatigue where the Legacy 2 remains energetic but non-fatiguing. Detail and clarity are superior with the T5, but not by much. Both have immersive sound stages, with the T5 coming across wider and deeper. Technical competency goes to the Legacy 2 though, with better defined and more precise channel-to-channel movement and improved instrument separation. I found the T5 to match the Legacy 2 with how well they layered tracks, however.

Overall, I really enjoy them both but if I had to pick one it would be the Legacy 2. The additional sub-bass bias it provides, combined with it's lean, crisp mids and bright, but not fatiguing upper ranges make it a great listen with pretty much everything, and along the lines of the sort of signature I prefer. I find the T5 more comfortable and enjoy the extra energy it brings to the table, but it lacks the versatility as a result of being more fatiguing. Still one of my personal favourites though.


In The Ear The Legacy 2's shells feature the same, low profile, custom-like shape that has become exceptionally common over the years. The acrylic design is wonderfully put together, free of seams or sloppy mould lines, with a gorgeous blue, abalone-like inlay making up the face plate. The receptacles for the 0.78mm 2-pin cable sit flush with the body of the earphone and provide some protection from lateral movement. Up near the 2-pin ports are two small vents, one surrounded by a brass coloured ring. As expected, they're flawlessly integrated. While the lips on the nozzles are not overly prominent, they work well enough to hold more 3rd party tips securely. I haven't had any slip off and get stuck in my ear.... yet.

The 4 strand braided cable is also excellent. While the braiding is quite loose, something I'm not generally a fan off, the sheath itself is slightly stiff and feels plenty resistant to cuts and nicks. The compact straight jack is polished aluminum with a small but relatively effective strain relief. The aluminum y-split is featureless and really only there to hind the strands to splitting as they lead to each earpiece. While there is no strain relief here, you do get a useful rubber chin cinch. Leading up to the colour coded 2-pin plugs (clear for left, red for right) are preformed ear guides that effectively keep the cable behind your ear. This cable is light, looks good, displays limited microphonics, and is quite tangle resistant. It's a great inclusion.

Comfort is also a win for the Legacy 2. The shell is reasonably small, extremely light, and with outstanding ergonomics nearly disappears in the ear. The protrusion out back that hooks into the cavum is subtle but works well in keeping the Legacy 2 stable during movement.


In The Box The Legacy 2 arrives in a fairly plain matte black cardboard box. On the front of the exterior sheath in silver foil writing is the ThieAudio brand name, while on the back you find their website and Made in China. Slipping the sheath off reveals identical branding on the lid. Lifting off the lid reveals the earpieces with cable attached set within a dense foam insert taking up the top half of the interior. The remaining space and contains a very slim cardboard box containing the manual and other documentation. Beneath is a gorgeous faux-leather carrying case containing the remaining accessories. In all you get:

• Legacy 2 earphones
• Braided 0.78mm 2-pin cable
• Carrying case
• Wide bore single flange tips (s/m/l)
• Medium bore single flange tips (s/m/l)
• Velcro cable tie

Overall a solid, low-frills unboxing experience. The wide bore tips use a tough, durable feeling silicone that reminds me quite a lot of the those FiiO includes with a number of their products. The medium bore tips are exceptionally common and are included with countless other earphones. They're serviceable. The case is the real highlight, similar in design to those provided with TinHiFi's nicer models, like the T4. The dark blue faux-leather pattern looks stellar, and there is plenty of room inside for the earphones and spare tips. The magnetically restrained flap seals the deal.


Final Thoughts Is this the best product available at 100 bucks? For some, yes. For others, no. That's the beauty of variety being present in this hobby. There should always be something to satisfy the infinitely varied listeners out there, contrary to what the Harman curve lovers and measurement freaks want the hobby to devolve into. For my tastes, the Legacy 2 has no auditory equal at this price range. I adore it. It also doesn't hurt that they look gorgeous, are built well, are extremely comfortable, and come with a solid suite of accessories. If you follow my reviews and tend to have similar tastes, get the Legacy 2. You won't be disappointed. If you tend to dislike what I enjoy, you know what to avoid.

Thanks for reading.

- B9

Disclaimer A big thank you to Lillian with Linsoul for reaching out to see if I would be interested in covering the Legacy 2, and for sending a copy for review. And for her unlimited patience. The subjective thoughts within this review are my own and do not represent Linsoul, ThieAudio, or any other entity. At the time of writing the Legacy 2 was retailing for 99 USD. You can order yours here: https://www.linsoul.com/products/ThieAudio-legacy-2

Specifications

• Drivers: Knowles 29689 + 10mm Beryllium-Plated
• Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz
• Sensitivity: 108dB
• Impedance: 32ohms

Gear Used For Testing Huawei P40, DDHiFi TC35 Pro (Mountain), Earstudio HUD100, Earmen TR-Amp, Asus FX53V, TEAC HA-501


Some Test Tunes

Supertramp – Crime of the Century
Slipknot – Vol 3 (The Subliminal Verses)
Daft Punk – Random Access Memories
Aesop Rock – The Impossible Kid
King Crimson – Lark's Tongues in Aspic
King Crimson – Starless and Bible Black
Infected Mushroom – Legend of the Black Shawarma
The Prodigy – The Day is My Enemy
Steely Dan – The Royal Scam
Porcupine Tree – Stupid Dreams

As always, my review is also available in Spanish on my blog and on YouTube in case anyone who "habla español" wants to check it out. Links in my signature.



The Thieaudio Legacy 2 have been kindly donated by Linsoul in exchange for this review. They have not requested anything specific, however, as I always point out, even though my review will be as sincere and unbiased as possible, it is always good to consider the fact that these IEMs have not cost me anything.

As usual, I will refrain from leaving purchase links (even though they are non-affiliate) on external websites but feel free to check out the version on my blog for a link to the Legacy 2 on Linsoul.

Intro…

To be honest, I hadn’t really been keeping up with the Thieaudio product line. I mean, I know Thieaudio, as it is a brand that is mentioned quite a lot in the IEM world and has uite a fame for some of their higher end models, but I really didn’t know much about their price models or price points. I remember the Legacy 3 interesting me at one point but I never actually got to hear it.

After spending time with the Legacy 2 to form my opinion on it, without even knowing its price, I decided to check it out on Linsoul. I was surprised to find that there are also various other models, such as the Legacy 3 I mentioned, along with the 4, 5 and even 9. I thought that maybe the Legacy 2 was an older model but some quick investigation showed that it is actually newer than the other models in the series, so I was somewhat confused by the naming scheme. However, after a bit more reading, I realized that the model number matches the driver count, which now makes sense to me.

The Legacy 2, as I just mentioned, has 2 drivers in each side, a proprietary 10mm beryllium dynamic driver along with a Knowles ED29689 balanced armature, a driver that has been used on some other very well regarded IEMs.

I must say that I was actually surprised to find that the Legacy 2 sells for $89 (less than 80€), as I actually thought the price would be higher. It is slightly above the sub 50€ bracket that I mention in many of my reviews, IEMs that I consider very budget orientated, but at its price it is still a very economical IEM in the scheme of things.



Presentation…

The Legacy 2 arrives in a largish black box covered by a black cardboard sleeve. The sleeve is all black and simply says Thieaudio on the front. Sliding the box out from inside the sleeve surprisingly reveals a box that is identical to the sleeve, simply black with Thieaudio on the lid.

Inside the box we find the IEMs with their 2 Pin cable attached, along with a selection of silicone tips, a rather nice blue (imitation) leather case with magnetic closure and the usual QC card, warranty card and even an instruction manual.

I have absolutely no complaints about the contents included for the price, it is much more than is included with many other models at similar (or more expensive) price points and there is nothing really missing.



Build and aesthetics…

Thieaudio uses a semi transparent blue shell for the Legacy 2, with a faceplate that has a kind of resin marble effect. I must say that I actually like the look. It is colorful enough to be different from so many other brands but at the same time is not overpowering nor does it stand out too much.

The IEMs themselves are very lightweight and are shaped in a way that I find very comfortable. I have been using the stock tips with them and I have been able to listen for hours without any issues in regards to comfort. There is no filter on the outside of the end of the nozzle, which actually has two smaller openings, to which the drivers are routed via their tubes.

The included cable is also pretty nice. It is a 4 core braided cable, with silver coloured connectors and split, which does have a few loose weaves here and there but nothing to complain about. The chin slider is transparent plastic rather than matching metal but it works as it is supposed to and does not seem out of place.

As far as build and aesthetics, I find that they are a nice set of IEMs that seem well built and are certainly comfortable for long sessions, even if this is something that is obviously a very personal thing.



Sound…

Now, where to start with the sound… My quick description of the sound would be pleasant, not overpowering, just generally a comfortable tuning. There is really nothing that jumps out at me in a bad way from the Legacy 2, although there is nothing that really jumps out at me in a great way either.

I suppose the word mediocre would come to mind but I think that mediocre is more negative than positive and I really don’t think that there is anything really negative about the Legacy 2, it is just not exciting. I have been using these IEMs daily for a week and at no moment did I ever feel that they were doing anything wrong, but I didn’t get any “wow!” moments either.

In the subbass regions, there is quite a bit of extension down to the lower regions, without the lowest notes seeming to roll off but there isn’t any boost either. I didn’t find that songs with deep sub bass came across as powerful in those regions, but they didn’t really come across as lacking either. The usual “Chameleon” work out proved to have enough sound to appreciate the subbass but didn’t really rumble like it does on other sets.

Moving into the mid and higher bass areas, again, presence is correct and bass is as present as it needs to be without being overdone. As you all know (unless this is the first review of mine you read), I am not a bass head, so take that as you will, but I found the bass to be nicely balanced as far as tuning. When I looked at a graph after listening for a few days, I was surprised to find that the bass actually shows to be more elevated than I would have guessed. It is higher than my usual preference in the bass region but it did not give me that impression.

I think that the main reason for it not giving me that impression is that the bass is rather smooth, without really standing out. Listening to “Black Muse” by Prince, I can really say that there is any lack of bass presence but once again, it doesn’t really stand out like it does on sets with more exciting bass response (even sets that actually have less bass as far as tuning). As a bass player, I automatically pay attention to bass lines even when I don’t want to, but the Legacy 2 doesn’t make me do that. The bass just doesn’t seem to stand out, but when I actually make an effort to listen to it, there really isn’t anything wrong, it just forms part of the overall music (which is what it should do, but usually doesn’t in my case because I am always unconsciously paying attention to it).

Moving into the mids, I feel I am going to start being repetitive. I listen to a lot of acoustic and vocal music and the mids sound fine but again, not exciting. Listening to “Strange Fruit” by Dominique Fils-Aimé, again her vocals were fine, no harshness, nothing particularly missing or added, but it did not come across as it does on so many IEMs with particularly good mids. Again, I need to stress that it does not do a bad job of the mids at all, in fact it doesn’t make a bad job of any of the frequencies, it just doesn’t excel at them.

Up in the higher regions, this is the area that I usually find most faults on economic IEMs and again, I can’t really fault them. They are clean, they are not harsh, there is no sibilance, there are no weird boosts. Yes, they could extend a little further but I really can’t complain that they roll off too early, or lack air, or any of that. Again, they just don’t stand out.

As far as soundstage and placement of images in that stage, well, the width is typical for an IEM. It is again not bad but is nothing out of the ordinary. The placement of images is decent although not amazing, but I think that this is more due to the fact that everything is sort of coherently balanced, there are no real background details that stand out. It does not give the impression of being a very detailed set of IEMs but if you actually look for a specific detail that you know should be there, it usually is, it just doesn’t amaze with details.



Conclusion…

I may have given the impression that the Legacy 2 are not good IEMs but that is a long way from being true. They are good IEMs, there really isn’t anything bad about them, but they are just an overall safe and coherent presentation of music.

I really don’t think anyone could say that they hate the Legacy 2 (well, this is the internet, I’m sure plenty of people can) because there really isn’t anything to hate about them. I think that they are a set of IEMs that you could literally buy for anyone without knowing their preferences and they would be a safe bet.

My conclusion is that the Legacy 2 is a good set of IEMs that is a safe bet, something that doesn’t really excel in anything particular but doesn’t really fall behind in anything particular either. If there is something specific you want from a set of IEMs, then I think that there will always be an option that will be better at that specific task but the Legacy 2 is an all rounder that will just do its job without complaint.

www.achoreviews.com

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Firstly I would like to thank Linsoul for this sample to review.

*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings

Gear Used:
iBasso DX200 / JDS Labs Element II > Legacy 2



Tech Specs:
Sensitivity (1KHz): 108dB
Frequency range: 20Hz-20KHz
Impedance (1KHz): 32Ω
Driver: Knowles 29689 + 10mm Beryllium
Noise Isolation: 26dB
Earphone connector: 0.78 2pin
Plug: 3.5mm
Cable: 1.2m

Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:

The Legacy 2 packing isn’t quite as over the top as the Legacy 4, but you do get a nice black box with the brand name in silver on the front, slide this outer sleeve off and you have a 2-part box that reveals the IEM’s inside. The IEM’s are held in place in a foam insert, whilst there is a separate compartment for the case which holds the spare eartips. I really like the simplicity of the packaging and boldness of the branding.

The build quality is in my opinion stunning for the price, the housings of the IEM’s are beautifully finished and really stand out, they look like they should cost a lot more than they do. The cable also reinforces this, it feels the same as the one that comes with the Legacy 4, it is braided and silver plated with great comfort and strain relief.

Accessory wise you get a velcro cable wrap, a blue leather carry case and 6 pairs of tips (S, M and L in two different types of silicone tip). This is a good selection of tips and should allow most to get a good fit with them.

Comfort and Isolation:

The Legacy 2 are really comfortable to wear, once you settle on the right tips they lock in to place and fit securely for long listening sessions without discomfort. These are one of the few universal models that just fit right the first time I put them in, the cable helps here having pre-moulded soft memory wire which is always my preference over stiff memory wire.

Isolation is good, I’d say the spec of -26dB is pretty accurate and they provide more than enough isolation for regular daily use including public transport commuting. They are vented but this doesn’t seem to affect the isolation much it seems.



Sound:

Lows: The single 10mm beryllium driver is doing a great job down low, with plenty of sub-bass presence and mid bass punch you never miss a beat, however they are controlled and only slightly boosted overall. These are not a bass heavy IEM, although I’d say they are mildly u-shaped, the bass doesn’t stand out as the main focus but provides a really solid foundation for the overall sound. These are punchy and articulate, they have a powerful delivery but one that doesn’t ruin the overall balance.

Midrange: There is good texture to the midrange, it is clean and quite natural sounding without noticeable bleed from the low end. Both male and female vocals cut through the mix with good presence and detail retrieval, they are not pushed back in the mix. Electric guitars have power, acoustic have body and warmth, these are very versatile and the midrange is faithfully reproduced without fatigue yet with a level of detail that is uncommon at the price point, I keep forgetting these are sub $100. Subtle details are easily heard with the Legacy 2, they also manage to stay well sparated and clean even when the mix gets busy.

Treble: The presence and clarity up top rounds off a brilliant performance from the Legacy 2, they are never dull or dark sounding with loads of energy and sparkle, luckily they do steer clear of being sibilant or peaky though. Even treble sensitive listeners should enjoy these a lot as they portray the treble in a realistic way without sounding metallic or forced. There is good air and extension too, not rolling off too early and giving some sense of air. They are however a little more on the energetic side of sound and definitely favour more engaging music than laid back genres.

Soundstaging and Instrument Separation:

The soundstage on the Legacy 2 is not huge, it is above average though and you do get a fair amount of out-of-head moments with the right recordings. The spatial accuracy is very good, and you can pinpoint everything in the recording.

Instrument separation is very good, these remain well separated no matter how busy the recording gets.



Conclusion:

Thieaudio have got one of the most complete and refined sub-$100 IEM’s I have heard here, they have excellent extension from lows to highs, there is great body and impact to the bass whilst always remaining controlled. The midrange is exceptionally clean for the price and the treble is precise and has good presence. These do very well when it comes to complex mixes too, but overall are just an engaging and enjoyable listen with good tonality and balance, I cannot fault them for the price.

Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (Good tonality and an engaging yet balanced sound signature)