NOTES:
Thieaudio is no stranger to those who are in the know. They have been designing and manufacturing quality products for some time now. The Hype 10 is the top of the Hype series coming in at $899usd. Thieaudio has a number of lines which include both iem and headphones topping out at the $1500usd Voyager V16 Divinity.
The Hype 10 has a driver compliment of two dynamic drivers and ten balanced armatures per side. Amongst the BA driver loadout genuine Knowles SWFK 31736 series ultra-tweeters from the USA, along with two Sonion E50DT midrange and two Sonion 28UAP bass drivers from Denmark are used. IMPACT2 (Impact Squared) is the name Thieaudio gives to their DD arrangement and design. There has been some back and forth in the online community over the use of the term “Isobaric” used by Thieaudio with respect to the implementation of the DD’s. As usual I won’t dive too deep into the technicalities here as marketing aside, a product lives or dies by both how it sounds and the inherent quality of its manufacture. The Hype 10 is blessed with great bass regardless of the tech used or how it is described, point finale.
Fairly easy to drive, the Hype 10 is a resolving iem and deserves to be driven by a quality source. A more neutral or slightly warm source will offer great synergy. Tip selection is also not to be overlooked and I chose a wide bore moderately deep tip with good results.
Overall, I am impressed with the sound of the Hype 10. It has on many occasions been able to draw me into the music which made being critical, and writing this review, all the more difficult as the listening experience took over.
Read on to find out more.
SPECS:
Current Price: $899 (Linsoul)
Drivers: 2DD+10BA
Sensitivity: 105dB/Vrms@1KHz
Impedance: 18Ω@1KHz
Frequency Response:10Hz-40kHz
BUILD FIT & QUALITY:
The Thieaudio is an attractive if rather unassuming looking iem. A beautifully finished shiny black resin shell with tasteful caps to round out the look. Apparent quality of the shell is good with a seamless design.
I did not have on hand the full retail box but the review unit did arrive with its original cable which was terminated in my fav the 4.4mm balanced plug. The cable is quite nice with good haptics as well as being modular with 2 other ends in the box, 3.5mm se and 2.5mm balanced...
The Hype 10 is on the larger size but its shape afforded a great fit. It is a chunky shape to be sure, but fit was never an issue even for longer listening sessions. Tip selection will be crucial here not only for sound synergy, but to achieve a secure fit.
SOUND:
BASS:
The Hype 10 has a bass that goes deep with ample texturing and definition. Impact and rumble are there in quantity when the track calls for it although I would not call the Hype 10 a “Basshead” iem as that would detract from the experience. Still bass power is impressive.
Listening to “Stella” by A Guy Called Gerald, bass was impressive with it’s organic weight and thickness while remaining solid and composed.
The next track I used was “In Passing” by the Robert Glasper Trio which includes an extended double bass solo. The Hype 10 attributed itself well with a natural presentation that highlighted the quality of bass that the Hype 10 is capable of. It was easy to discern how the gifted Bob Hunt was playing his instrument.
Moving on to “Chocolate Chip Trip” by Tool the kick drums had all the power and snap I could ask for while exhibiting great control. Likewise, for pretty much any bass laden track I could throw at the Hype 10. The bass shelf becomes prominent low enough that it does not interfere with the midrange.
The bass adds to the immersive quality of the Hype 10 and there is a feeling that nothing is missed. Bass in engaging and serves as a high quality foundation to the rest of the frequency range. Very well done.
MIDRANGE:
The Thieaudio Hype 10 has a midrange that has an organic presentation with a good mix of macro and micro detail retrieval and no harshness. There is some warmth noted, here but kept moderate enough not to be a distraction. Note weight is natural and well defined.
The Hype 10 is one of a handful of iem that can really pull me into the music. This, in no small part, is due to how natural the midrange sounds. Timbre is commendable and this was on display when listening to tracks such as “He’s A Carioca” by Eden Atwood. The guitar sounding lush and natural with her voice clear and expressive. Listening to “Zero Zero” by Dephazz I was impressed with the organics and this carried over to the sound of the horns on the track “Zin Zin (For My Wife)” by Kriz.
Transients are handled well with a nice sharp leading edge and natural decay. Layering and separation also rate highly but, on those metrics, there are other competitors in the price range. The Hype 10 sounding opened and unrestrained with all the genres I could throw at it. It is also fairly forgiving of less than perfectly recorded music.
Both male and female vocals sound clean and expressive with great clarity. I did find that female vocals were just a touch more recessed than male, but this was never a distraction.
The Thieaudio Hype 10 has a midrange that is organic, smooth and open. Thieaudio have done a marvelous job in tuning the Hype 10’s mids.
TREBLE:
The treble is clean and crisp with ample detail retrieval. There are also present good quantities of air and sparkle with no harshness noted. Very rarely I did note how cymbal strikes while sounding fantastic did tend to decay a little quicker than normal. Still, this was not always evident and unless listening with a critical ear, was not usually heard.
The treble really “shines”, pun intended, with great clarity mirroring the qualities in the bass and midrange. There is a sweetness to the treble that is alluring.
VERSUS:
-Meze Advar-
While the Advar can be had for somewhat less cash these days, they do have some similarities with respect to sound. Bass is thicker, more solid and forceful on the Hype 10 with overall superior definition and texturing. Moving on to the midrange, the Advar offers leaner sonics but is arguably less recessed vocals, although neither is on its own and I’m splitting hairs here. Midrange on either has good detail retrieval, although arguably better on the Hype 10. Treble is great on both with the Hype 10 being more extended and crisper, but each leaning towards an organic sound that I find enjoyable.
CONCLUSION:
Thieaudio have done an admirable job with the Hype 10. In both form and function the Hype 10 is a great example of a quality product. Sound wise we have a balanced sound with sub-bass emphasis. Clean open sonics and natural playback with good technicalities.
At $899usd, the Hype 10 is NOT a budget set and there is much competition in this pricing range. Still, it is one of the few iem that can really pull the listener into the music and that is not as common in the iem space regardless of price.
The Theiaudio Hype 10 gets a strong recommendation.
