Worth the hype? Thieaudio Hype 4 IEM review

[@larrydunn4626]

Really appreciate your comparison vids. I like the Final Audio E type tip on splashy or bright IEMs as a tone corrector, but don't think it is appropriate for most IEMs I've measured the opening of a few IEM tips I have, and the Final E is by far the narrowest bore. JVC spiral dot, Moondrop Spring, Tri Clarion and a few others are 7/32" diameter opening, Spinfit W1 is 6/32". while Final E is 3/32 opening. You're a smart guy... why would you take the teeny, tiniest IEM tip opening to use for reviews? You're absolute killing air, upper mid presence, and other dynamics. Why would an IEM maker create an IEM with 6/32" opening and you decide to use a tip with half the diameter opening? Does that make sense to you? Use the tip the manufacturer has supplied, which is no accident which is the soundt the purchaser will experience, or if you want do use your odd logic to use the same tip for every IEM, then use a medium bore like 5/32". Remember your Simgot MT3 review? Those two sizes of tips are 4/32" (bass emphasis) and 6/32" (mid/treble emphasis). Olina SE are 5/32" (med bore), and 7/32" (wider bore). By comparision Final E are off the charts narrow. Notwithstanding the above, love your vids. sent you $thanks

[@TheWorldTeacher]

Why would anyone use imperial measurements in this century? 😂

[@larrydunn4626]

@@TheWorldTeacher I'm an Imperialist, of course. Oddly, none of my tape measures has metric, and I couldn't find my ruler which is metric one side, Imperial. the other side.

[@PassionforSound]

I am quite treble sensitive so I find that most IEMs improve for me with the E type, not to mention the comfort. Sadly, I expect that most manufacturers put far less thought into the specific tips included than we might hope. There are exceptions of course, but IEMs like those from Thieaudio all come with the same two baggies of average silicon tips. Finally, I've measured multiple IEMs with different tips and the shift they create is never enough to drastically alter the overall performance of the IEM, just to tame the treble a little (1-2 dB here or there) which actually improves most IEMs for my ears to give them their best chance. I hope that all makes sense. 🙂🙂

[@Hijynx87]

The first tip I went for was my feaule h570 lol. Doesn’t get much wider, but those also don’t kill the bass. Great tips

[@pong20237]

Thanks for comparing the hype 4 against the canon 2 and I'm glad my canon 2 still has its place against the competition. Btw, would the monarch mk3 be an "endgame" IEM upgrade from my canon 2 for pop, house, r&b and rap?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, the Canon II is still excellent. Whether the Monarch 3 is endgame is a very personal decision, but it's operating at a clearly higher level than the Canon II.

[@BassDad8]

Very informative review. Always enjoy your takes! Oh, and as someone who has been in sales for basically their entire life - your ad read was impeccable. Cheers!

[@PassionforSound]

Haha. Thanks Bass Dad! I'm still not sure how I feel about the sponsored segments, but if I can grow the channel, it opens up so many opportunities for exciting new content.

[@BassDad8]

@@PassionforSound Absolutely. We all know how important your integrity is to you. And we all trust you (at least I know do) I wouldn’t worry about doing the sponsor ads one bit. Like you said, if it grows the channel, that benefits everyone ☮️

[@PassionforSound]

Thank you for the support! 🙏♥️

[@hail9444]

There must be something very wrong with your measurement system if an IEM that is meant to have a ~10db bass boost is measuring below neutral in the bass. 4:50

[@Satyajit_Dey]

So weird graph. Completey different to what other reviewers are saying.

[@larrydunn4626]

he uses a different format -- in his system it looks correct.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. As I mentioned in the first video in this series, my graph approach is different and for good reason. (That's not to suggest that other approaches are wrong, just that my approach is very deliberate)

[@Satyajit_Dey]

@@PassionforSound Then please explain why the mid and sub bass is below neutral in your graph while high treble is so bumped up compared to the bass region?

[@hail9444]

10db bass boost being presented as below neutral is bad data no matter how you slice it. If people need to know the whole lore of your 1 off measurement system to extract any knowledge, you've missed the point of measurements. Buy a 711 or don't bother including it in the video.

[@corrrect]

When I bought my monarch mk3, that sleeve was so tight I couldn't remove it. I had to heat the glued seam with a hair dryer to peel it apart.

[@PassionforSound]

Yeah - it's pretty tricky packaging if you want to keep for potential resale.

[@mylifeisbroken34]

I'm taking your suggestions into consideration. I can't decide between PULA PA02 and HYPE 4. My goal is to listen to music and play games. I will use it in my live broadcasts on Twitch. Which one do you think would be more suitable for me?

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't heard the PA02 so I can't compare. Depending on your budget, you might also want to consider the Oriveti OH700VB. I've got them in for review at the moment and they're excellent.

[@DigitalLiquid]

The Pula PA02 are solid for the price. The Hype 4 is probably better since it’s a tier higher.

[@MykWazowski]

I’m very familiar with the track “Freedom”. I feel the snare drum is forward in the mix with most earphones and loudspeakers, it is in fact how it was mixed, just slightly behind the harmonica and guitar solos. In fact, as a mix engineer myself the snare drum for a lot of mixes is sitting right behind or in some cases mixed at the same db or louder. Great choice of music by the way. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Monarch Mk3 vs the Hype 4. Cheers.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. I noticed, after I made that comment that it is quite forward to start with on that track. It's not as forward as some of these IEMs push it, but more than I'd ever noticed before. 🙂 The tuning of the Monarch 3 and the Hype 4 is definitely similar so you can save yourself some $$ by getting the Hype 4, however, I think the Monarch 3 has a more refined delivery of a similar tuning.

[@larrydunn4626]

you are so right about upper midrange over-doneness on some recent IEMs. For that reason I prefer the Hype2 to the Hype 4. Also, just sold my AFUL Performer 5 b/c it just goes through the roof on that snare region, and suffers in the lower mid region ... could not fix it even with Final E tips. PS. the perceived over sizzle on the Hype 4 isnt from upper midrange or even lower treble... it is from way too much energy in the 14k-17k region... it affects everything.

[@АлександрКоростелев-з8ч]

don't write nonsense. 14-17 kHz is a light rustle, not high frequencies. There's nothing to worry about.

[@larrydunn4626]

@@АлександрКоростелев-з8ч if you don't think your brain picks up those frequencies and tries to make sense of them, which is what gives a sense of brightness, then this discussion has nowhere to go. I'm not talking about 20k.

[@PassionforSound]

Yep, that 12-18kHz range can have a big impact. It's a trick used in headphones like the Meze 109 Pro too and can be great when used well... or it can mess things up...

[@The_Shock_and_Awe]

What is letshoeur is it a play on lets shower? Any chance reviewing the new planars such as letshuer s15 7hz timeless 2 and the Hidizs mp145?

[@PassionforSound]

LOL. I'm not sure where the name came from. I've got the S15 review and also the MP145 here on the channel. No news on a Timeless 2 review unit at this stage.

[@roasted6583]

how's the fit on the hype 4 compared to the canon 2? which is larger?

[@PassionforSound]

I've not directly compared the size and didn't notice any significant differences when testing. Both fit very well.

[@larrydunn4626]

looping back 6 mos after my prior comment. Have now gone through Hype2, Mega5EST 7th Ann, Elysian Pilgrim, and Juzear 61T. None to me could replace the Canon 2. However, I did learn from both the M5E and the 61T that I prefer a relaxed pinna gain ... in the end I EQ'd my Canon 2 to look like the Subtonic Storm, also like Crin's new preference graph also with relaxed pinna, as follows: DD on the switches, then: 32Hz +3.1, 64Hz +1.7, 125Hz -1.4, 1kHz -1.4, 2kHz -2.1, 4kHz -1.4. Will next try the Oracle III which sort of looks like it has relaxed pinna region in a couple of weeks. SOMETHING must be better than Canon 2 :). Not that I'm complaining, but I'd like my EQ'd Canon 2 sound with no EQ at all.

[@PassionforSound]

Sounds like you've been on quite the journey. I hope you find " the one". 😁

[@r00s.]

Good review, Lachlan. Hype 4 is on my short list. I have the Canon OG and like it quite a lot [as I do with most Bio-Dynamics, tbh]. Is that an Aune S17 Pro in the background? Have you reviewed that amp yet? A good piece of kit, that one.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, it's an S17 Pro and the review is coming soonish

[@tecno4u31]

Well, I tried it and ... Its good but I don't find them special or different from others I tried, even cheaper. I expected more. Which one do you recommend for less than €800?

[@PassionforSound]

Have you tried the IE600? That or the Oriveti OH700VB are both excellent

[@marcelomoreiradesouza]

Next time, let gravity do the work, try letting the box come down, maybe some movements from top to bottom will help.

[@PassionforSound]

Nope. Tried that! 😁

[@anatol1204]

Finally ! ❤ I like the graphs but yours are a bit different than those others in squig links..

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. I prefer a different compensation approach that is more visually representative of what we perceive. I.e. on my graphs, a flat line approximates a neutral response and I find that helpful to illustrate how they sound from a tonality perspective.

[@anatol1204]

@@PassionforSound 👍

[@alsleet442]

I’m looking for a warm sounding iem has anyone heard the Penon Serial it sells for $300 US the few reviews I’ve found sound good but I’m a little worried it might not have the detail and clarity I’m looking for.Any other suggestions fora warm sounding iem that would be good for 60’s and 70’s rock already have Anada Stealth v3 and a chord mojo2 which I really like,the Ananda are a little bright but I’m not overly sensitive as long as the treble isn’t harsh or sibilant

[@PassionforSound]

The Yume II is an excellent option and the Hidizs MP145 is too.

[@alsleet442]

@@PassionforSound thanks for the reply have you heard of Penon before haven’t found a lot about them online the few people that mention them on Reddit seem positive

[@PassionforSound]

I have heard of them, but don't have any direct experience to share about them - sorry.

[@Nstar25-v2g]

Is it worth it to pay more to get this or should I just get the Project M?

[@PassionforSound]

Project M would be my choice, but maybe wait for my Pilgrim review that's coming soon...

[@fisherboy444]

Hi, is this better than the new KZ ZS10 Pro 2? Thank you

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't tried that one - sorry

[@RocketLauncherwithInfiniteAmmo]

Just re-watched this, a good video with lots of important points.

[@taidee]

Sounds like the Canon II is the one then, thank Lachlan for the review.

[@larrydunn4626]

I love the sound of the Cannon II also. Not that different really to the Hype 4.. but more versatile. Still I am OCD about voice timbre and vocals front position on stage, and I very slightly prefer the Hype2 (don't have the 4) to the Cannon II for that reason.

[@PassionforSound]

The Canon II really is excellent, IMO. I don't recall the Hype 2 specifically to remember how it compares.

[@syzygy.levity]

Listening to the outro made me think of Cantoma

[@marekkordzik7517]

I just bought $1300 campfire atlas at Drop for $300 , great with qufelix 5k and amazing with burson conductor 3r as dac amd Feliks echo mk2 amp .....

[@PassionforSound]

Nice. Enjoy!

[@marekkordzik7517]

@@PassionforSound Have you ever tried campfire atlas or any other campfire iem ? If yes what are your thoughts and how it compares to something like hype4 , doscincos or estrella?

[@PassionforSound]

@marekkordzik7517 it's a long time since I tried a Campfire IEM, but I used to own Andromedas once upon a time. They make some great IEMs and I'd suggest that, recognising the importance of subjective preferences, the Campfires are probably better than the Hype 4. I can't comment on the others you mentioned.

[@criticactual]

Fh9 still superior?

[@PassionforSound]

Maybe. I'm actually not the biggest fan of either, but it's very subjective with IEMs.

[@ekjellgren]

Perhaps a spider graph would be useful?

[@PassionforSound]

It would be, but also a HEAP of work for videos that don't get very many views.

[@ekjellgren]

@@PassionforSound maybe they will be more views then.. but I see what you're saying.. iems are a big market that changes very quickly..

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, it might grow the views a little, but IEM videos get less than 50% of what DAC, amp, or headphone videos get so I can't currently justify the extra time. 😞

[@ekjellgren]

@@PassionforSound that's perhaps a clue.. why bother with that market at all :)

[@PassionforSound]

It's only because I like to hear what's out there too. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother from a views perspective.

[@robk5745]

Hype 4 vs Performer 8 …. Decisions decisions

[@PassionforSound]

I'm yet to try the Performer 8

[@robk5745]

@@PassionforSound would love to hear your input when you do 😀

[@Hijynx87]

P8 is more of a neutral sound, hype 4 is more of a balanced sound. P8 has probably has the best detail of the 2, but bass is on the lite side, yet high quality. Eq is always an option for the p8.

[@robk5745]

@@Hijynx87 you are echoing many of the reviews which is awesome. Ideally you could own both as they both seem amazing!

[@Helmond2017]

Im more hyped about the Upcoming Cantor 😅

[@aaronlespron2089]

Just bought hype 4 as a monitor as a musician it’s been terrible.. sounds amazing if you’re listening just for music .. but for live performance not good at all .. distortion is so bad . I regret so much ..

[@PassionforSound]

I'm sorry to hear that. What do you mean when you say the distortion is bad?

[@aaronlespron2089]

@@PassionforSound kick on drums and my voice .. this doesn’t happen when I use my juicy ears in ears .. which are for musicians as well with less drivers and less expensive .

[@PassionforSound]

It's impossible to know what's causing that, but it could be your monitoring setup and how it's interacting with the Hypes. The fact that they're fine forusic listening would suggest that something else is going on beyond the IEMs themselves.

[@fabien4489]

Hmmm s12 might better to listen to metal then 🤔

[@aceofspades6667]

I am Hype’d 4 these

[@PassionforSound]

I see what you did there!

[@syzygy.levity]

Noice

[@troupsterT]

I never knew how to pronounce the name of this company, until I did some research and found that it sounds like "thigh": "Thigh Audio".

[@PassionforSound]

Oh wow. I always wondered that. Did you learn the origins of the name and what it means?

[@troupsterT]

@ I believe it means “home” in Gaelic or Manx Gaelic. I’m not sure of the story behind naming the company Thieaudio but there has to be one!

[@bigjalapeno5347]

Was really considering this one. Dodged a bullet.

[@PassionforSound]

It's not bad, but there's better out there IMO. Glad I could help 🙂

[@sujayp11]

Good series. And I agree, overall I would pass on all 3 here.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm glad you liked the approach! 🙂

[@larrydunn4626]

Thanks!

[@PassionforSound]

Thank you, Larry!

[@Reeeepicheep]

Pretty IEM with chewed up treble

[@shaunbrady15]

What is chewed up treble? 😂

[@PassionforSound]

I know what you mean and somewhat agree. 😂 The measurement system I use is pretty basic and makes a mess of all treble on all measurements, but these also sounded a bit less refined too.

[@syzygy.levity]

Yeah the treble is a bit peaky and can become fatiguing if you're really sensitive. Overall they've managed to bring a smidge of smoothness into the mix. The bass is satisfying as an IE900 owner. Subjectively, the treble sort of overshadow the bass here and there.

[@christofferaasted]

Treble peaks SUCK on these!👎🏻 Another great IEM ruined by trebleheads who demand sharp cutting board treble👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 So disappointed.. Its excellent in EVERY OTHER WAY!

[@PassionforSound]

I'm with you on the excess treble. There's too much up there for me too.

[@MegaFabioRocks]

Just got those and yes the treble is a bit too much. Hoping it will go away with some burn in

[@PassionforSound]

@MegaFabioRocks fingers crossed for you!