Literally Hype Train with 3 Coaches
The ThieAudio Hype series is the newest and mid-budget-centric IEM series that is mainly focused on producing the fun signature. Their new Impact 2 technology is in the use with each contender of the hype line. Right now there are three IEMs in the line, Hype 2 which comes at $299, Hype 4 which comes at $399 and the top end variant Hype 10 which comes at $799.
History Class
When it comes to ThieAudio, the first thing that comes to my mind is “Mature Tuning”. Be it Monarch MKII or Oracle, most of the ThieAudio IEMs are known to be very audiophile-pleasing rather than mass-appealing. The ThieAudio we knew was always about refinement in tuning and producing music as perfectly as it could. But it seems that ThieAudio is venturing into the fun side of the hobby. The Monarch MKII is the symbol of this change.
Technical Specifications
Hype 2 follows the same philosophy while producing the sound. Hype means Hybrid+Performance. It consists of a subwoofer which produces the bass range, slams and attacks are the result of this inclusion. Impact 2 is made out of 2 10mm dynamic drivers in isobaric configuration. Other than that there are Sonion 2356 BA drivers for the rest of the extensions & Sonion E25ST for upper treble refinement.
Power Requirement
ThieAudio Hype 2 is a very power-hungry set. It requires more than 120mw of current and 4Vrms of output to sound good. Underpowering them would result in gloomy and unrefined technical abilities. Make sure to power it with juicy amps. Dacs although doesn’t seem to make that big of a difference.
Disclaimer
This unit is provided to me by TheAudioStore. They haven’t influenced or asked me to write anything good or bad about the review. Take a look at ThieAudio Hype 2 on their website.
I reviewd this IEM with Divinus Velvet Tips, and I don’t think it changes the sound drasticlly from sillicone tip rolling. Although lower bores might help treble sensitive people out there. But Divinus fits amazingly in my ears with this IEM.
THE WOW FACTOR
The wow factor of this IEM is the soundstage. The soundstage is very expansive and covers almost 360 degree of your head with not much of a squeeze between left and right. There is space between you and the instruments, so much so that everything including vocals sound out of the head.
THE DESIRE
The most desiring thing about this IEM was its midrange tonality. Not that is very overshadowed or lack in textural detail but it sure doesn’t have the thickness and fullness I search in all of my audio products. Although it is understandable if you focus on bass and treble the mids will likely take a backseat.
Graph Analysis (Reference IEF2023 Adjusted)
20hz – 150hz
This range is elevated very generously giving the whole bass region a huge boost. At the 20hz it is a >10db elevation whereas in the 40-50hz range, it is ever so slightly elevated even more. It contributes to the whole analogue nature of the bass region. The fall of the bass is very beautiful and gradual. It does actually feel like a separate subwoofer playing on your ears. After the 80Khz it normalizes and at 150hz it takes a slight dip in the lower mids.
Of course, ThieAudio is targeting Harman tuning here. And it is just up to you if you like this or not. Personally, I feel it is very generous and at the same time, it doesn’t overdo the bass making it a head-hurting machine.
150khz – 1khz
There is a dip in the range of 150-500hz. This contributes to a lean vocal. Not that the vocals feel subdued but it lacks the lower end connection that I like. Male vocals suffer from this, especially those who have lean vocals, to begin with. Other than this range 500-1000khz is very adequate to fit my taste, and it contributes to constructing missing thickness in female vocals since they occupy a higher register.
This range could’ve been EQed and the problem would have been solved to a great extent but out of the box, this recession in the lower half is very noticeable and felt to be desired. And coming from that humongous bass elevation, it feels more so.
Ear-gain Region
The most interesting part of this region is 1khz – 3khz. The sudden elevation and then rapid recession is the reason for making soundstages bigger than they actually are, more like an illusion. And I am glad to say they have done their job pretty good. Then the plateau at 3khz-5khz is pretty flat and this flatness gives it a rich tone that doesn’t feel honky. I am a fan of this plateau, and I have no complaints whatsoever with this region.
6khz-10Khz
In this range, the only peak that I can see is in the 8K range. I would’ve ignored this peak due to the resonance frequency of the coupler but this test has been done on the 5128 Coupler so there is very little doubt to have. What it contributes is nothing much but you can get an elevated feeling in a few “S” Sounds.
Overall this range is very good, but to nitpick, I would’ve liked a more even graph here. There is an expected 9khz dip and the rest of the frequency range is very well extended. Keep in mind that this range is the most altered/varied from person to person.
>10khz
This range is superbly extended and there is loads and loads of air to give the listener. The electrostatic driver made its presence noticeable very confidently.
There is a sudden peak at the 16khz area, companies are often likely to boost this range because of the psychoacoustics of the sound and it helps nonetheless. So if you know what ThieAudio is doing, you could feel that extra emphasis on the psychoacoustics of the resolution.
Overall the treble on this IEM is great and there is nothing to complain about at this price point and the dip in the 10khz-16khz is a great way to present an inoffensive sound.
Objective Tuning Analysis
Bass
The Bass of this IEM is very deep and authoritative. It feels like there is a separate subwoofer for this section only (which is true in a sense but so does Blessing 3). The Subbass region is elevated and it gives loads of power to offer to the sound. Subbass has physicality and authority if tracks are asking for it.
The transition from the sub-bass to mid-bass is flawless, there is a gradual roll of the bass into the mids. but there is a little bit of dip which doesn’t let any warmth enter the midrange.
The bass is very analogue-like, where the fall-off and attack is very organic doesn’t feel rushed. The decay is very organic too, which gives a lot of time to retain authority.
Mids
The mids are as you can expect from a Harman-inspired tuning. They are not neutral so naturally, it take a backseat giving bass and treble priority. It starts thin in the male vocals but picks up the pace in the female counterparts.
Although the mids are recessed but they are well extended due to the treble region, Texture might not be up to the mark but resolution is good.
Treble
Disclaimer – I love treble, so much so that I find treble smooth where others feel sibilant. For me, treble of this IEM is again good. The lower treble is not peaky anywhere and the upper treble is extended with a hint of resolution enhancement elevation in the 8khz range.
There are loads and loads of air to offer at the end of the spectrum. Making is superbly spacious and extended.
The treble didn’t feel a bit uneven or peaky. The tuning here is very well done and brings joy to listen to instruments that require higher registers.
Subjective Review
Soundstage
The soundstage of this IEM is very good. It is not very good at layering or pinpointing instruments at every depth of the stage but the expansion of the stage is very enormous.
It scratches 360 degrees in both axes giving a very equal soundstage around your head. You can feel a little bit of stretching left to right but that might be just the recording itself.
I can confidently say that this is one of the most spacious-sounding IEM I ever used. Along with Yanin Alladin. So much so, that it pushes intimate sounds further than the skull. It might not be optimal for emotional sessions but it sure is hell lot of fun.
Imaging
The imaging capabilities of this IEM is above average. From panning to localization can be done effortlessly, although pin-point accuracy is still not possible.
The stereo imaging/separation is very well done too. The switching is fast and accurate.
Resolution
The resolution of this IEM is satisfactory for this price point. It won’t blow you off with it’s resolution capabilities nor it will feel low res.
I noticed that this IEM produces resolution according to the frequency range. Mids are not as resolving as treble. And bass too is not as resolving.
Details are there in the audio, nuances can be heard but it is not effortless. Micro details and micro-contrasts won’t jump out to you to give you a hyper-detailed feeling.
Genre Compatibility
Few genres match with this IEM a lot
HipHop
The sub-bass takes care of every track. The recessed mids are not a problem in this genre. The treble is extended enough to make every track exciting as well as detailed. Although, the main highlight is the bass itself. It’s so authoritative and huge that it makes my head bang. The proportion between sub-bass and midbass is so good that it takes tracks to a new level.
ALBUMS
Ek tha Raja – Baadsah
KARAM – KSHMR
Lunch Break – Seedhe Maut
Rock/Alternative
The Guitar tonality especially in this genre shines. The bass region is grunty enough to give it the heft. You can always feel the presence of sub-bass if there is any in the track. Mids are not getting in the way of stealing any enjoyment. Treble is very good in extension to give tracks airiness which I always look for in an IEM. The resolution is on point. Imaging is again on point.
ALBUMS
Remember That You Will Die – Polyphia
Currents – Tame Impala
Prottasha – Miles
Pop
This Genre matches with this set a lot. The bass is as always the main focus here. It steals the show and takes the limelight. The mids are adequate and the treble is resolving too. I find this genre a great fit with this IEM. And it makes me enjoy this genre which I don’t listen too much. I am confident to say that, all thanks go to the isobaric configuration of the dynamic drivers.
ALBUMS
Voice Notes – Charlie Puth
Sub Rock – John Mayer
The Mathematics – Ed Sheeran
Besides these few, artists like D Punk who create digital music sound excellent. (Yes I know D Punk does everything in analogue, I am referring to this genre in general and albums like “Random Access Memories”).
Conclusion
This IEM is made for fun and you shouldn’t try to make it work like a tool. This sound is for pure enjoyment purposes, thus I haven’t discussed the timber characteristics of this IEM. I can only recommend this IEM to people who prefer Soundstage, Imaging, Bass and Treble in exchange for Neutrality, Timber and texture. This is also a great IEM for watching films.
Pros
- Bass
- Soundstage
- Imaging
- Treble Extension
Cons
- Midrange Tonality
- Textural Information
Comparison with AFUL Performer 8
- Bass is leaps and bounds better in HYPE 2
- Midrange overall is a bit better on Performer 8
- The treble extension is similar
- The soundstage is way bigger than Performer 8
- Imaging Capabilities are equal if not better than Performer 8
- Resolution is better in Performer 8
- Hype 2 is a much more fun IEM
- Performer 8 is a very reference grade IEM
Cable
The cable is very good both aesthetically and in hand. There is a bit of memory although it helps sometimes, but no microphonics whatsoever. The cable looks beautiful and it is well-made. Splitters and connectors feel premium to touch and handle.
