ThieAudio - Hype 4 MKII

Hexa has less bass, Hype 4 mk2 has a tack in mid-bass that makes for a different signature. I have all 3: Hexa, Hype 4 mk2, EP321 and prefer the last one of the three. SLIIVO SL224 (also have it) might be close in tuning. I did not make a thorough comparison, just a general feeling.

the Top Pro and Hyper 4 MK2 are basically sidegrades from what y understand, both being more or less equal with the Top Pro having better soundstage and instrument separation, while the Hype MK2 has better treble and sparkle, so it kind of depends how you like your audio. For me instrument separation is key to life to music, and the treble on the top pro is enough for me, Then again i do go back to my Aful P5+2 once in a while for that smooth microplanar treble, i guess thats why so many people enjoy the Daybreak by crinear, its basically a gift at 170 bucks.

i’ve been listening to my hype 4 mk 2’s for a few days now and gotta say i’m loving them. I like a good amount of bass in my sound usually but the way these make vocals sound is impressive enough to keep me content. I use them with a ifi hipdac3 with the “xbass” button on and although the bass isn’t anything to write home about you do still hear it. Although not very comparable i do prefer to use these over my sennheiser hd660s2’s for gaming due to the separation and directionality.

I'd get a decent set between 250 and 500, divines velvets and s&s, and at least a cs41x source. (Hype 4 mk 2, tanchjim soda, yu9que, ziigat horizon) maybe f1 pro if own no planar.

The hype 4 mk2 is pretty sick but I’m not sure what my actual favourite is

Against the Tea Pro SE and Top Pro it really comes down to really subtle differences like in the treble where the Top Pro edges out the Hype 4 Mk2 and Tea Pro SE but only by a bit from what I personally tried and demo'd a bit ago with a buddy of mine. All 3 of the sets are pretty damn good and trade blows in a lot, and from what I tested with a bit of PEQ, they all take PEQ phenomenally well. Kinda crazy how even 4-5+ years ago sets were coming out at double to triple the price that trade blows with modern cheaper additions in the 4-600 dollar range. I might cop these honestly but I already have the DUSK AND the Top Pro lol. Might instead save for a Monarch or IE900 or U4s but I need to demo all 3 at once before pulling the trigger.

Bought it! :P Found a black one on Ebay for $299. Less gaudy looking than the white one! Thank you for the suggestion! :P

I agree with that Blessing 3 take! :D That's how I hear it too! :D "Thin, slightly shouty, basically no bass presence, reasonably textured treble. This one's purely for the weebs." Gad damn. That's what I thought too! Agree, ironically, with his take on Airpods Pro 2. Those are honestly really great/awesome especially when you factor size to performance and comfort to performance. Lush is legit. RSV Mark 2 is great. (though I like RSV Mark 1 better) :P There's so much 64 Audio stuff. (I have zero knowledge in that area) (but I am super curious). But there's so much 64 audio stuff on this chart and it's a huge gap in knowledge in my side. :P Agree on Truthear Hola! What a legend at $20. THAT is the $20 iem that was so good for its price. RIP indeed. Agree on the take on Hype 4. That did have a bit too much treble. It's why I don't care for the Hype 4 MARK 2. They added moar treble in Mark 2. no no. Agree on the take of Hexa. Hexa to me is more bright than neutral. And Hexa is very much inconsistent in that there are many people who hate it, but few who love it. I personally hated that shindig. Agree on the Andromeda 2020 take. That IEM is so strange. Usually I associate soundstage and spacious with bright-ish iems. But Andromeda 2020 is undoubtedly warm but has the most soundstage I've ever heard on an iem to date. It's puzzling. Slight disagreement on Letshouer Galileo. To me, Galileo is neutral. Most reviewers call it neutral. Then again, could be another situation where no one is wrong here :P

I agree with that Blessing 3 take! :D That's how I hear it too! :D "Thin, slightly shouty, basically no bass presence, reasonably textured treble. This one's purely for the weebs." Gad damn. That's what I thought too! Agree, ironically, with his take on Airpods Pro 2. Those are honestly really great/awesome especially when you factor size to performance and comfort to performance. Lush is legit. RSV Mark 2 is great. (though I like RSV Mark 1 better) :P There's so much 64 Audio stuff. (I have zero knowledge in that area) (but I am super curious). But there's so much 64 audio stuff on this chart and it's a huge gap in knowledge in my side. :P Agree on Truthear Hola! What a legend at $20. THAT is the $20 iem that was so good for its price. RIP indeed. Agree on the take on Hype 4. That did have a bit too much treble. It's why I don't care for the Hype 4 MARK 2. They added moar treble in Mark 2. no no. Agree on the take of Hexa. Hexa to me is more bright than neutral. And Hexa is very much inconsistent in that there are many people who hate it, but few who love it. I personally hated that shindig. Agree on the Andromeda 2020 take. That IEM is so strange. Usually I associate soundstage and spacious with bright-ish iems. But Andromeda 2020 is undoubtedly warm but has the most soundstage I've ever heard on an iem to date. It's puzzling. Slight disagreement on Letshouer Galileo. To me, Galileo is neutral. Most reviewers call it neutral. Then again, could be another situation where no one is wrong here :P

[**ZIIGAAT Arcanis**](https://www.linsoul.com/products/ziigaat-arcanis?sca_ref=3431839.SsadRUmJUJ) if you love vocals [**Thieaudio Hype 4 MK2**](https://www.linsoul.com/products/thieaudio-hype-4-mkii?sca_ref=3431839.SsadRUmJUJ)[ ](https://www.linsoul.com/products/thieaudio-hype-4-mkii?sca_ref=3431839.SsadRUmJUJ)amazing seperation and details, all rounder, punches above its price point [**Ziigaat Horizon**](https://www.linsoul.com/products/ziigaat-horizon?sca_ref=3431839.SsadRUmJUJ)[ ](https://www.linsoul.com/products/ziigaat-horizon?sca_ref=3431839.SsadRUmJUJ)bright, great details [**Punch Audio Martilo** ](https://www.linsoul.com/products/punch-audio-martilo?sca_ref=3431839.SsadRUmJUJ)bass head sound [**xenns mangird top pro**](https://www.linsoul.com/products/xenns-mangird-top-pro) out of your price bracket at 400 bucks but def possible on sale. a less sharp and sparkly version of the mk2s also great unboxing experience . just overall amazing all rounder

Hype 4 mk2? Yes, it's excellent but I feel the trebble and mids might be less good for mixing.

**Merry Xmas ya'll!** Here's a quick list of the best IEMs I've heard that **came out** in 2025. Full video breakdown [here](https://youtu.be/jnNvbrCh8Yg). IEM Ranking List [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZHVib50XFQW4up3SwOZUTbI-hZB6Ir5LX6XnZblIM6o/edit?usp=sharing). \--------------------------------------------------------------------- **Under $25 (Sales Included)** * TangZu Waner 2 (Balanced/Clean) * Tanchjim Bunny/Zero Ultima DSP/3.5 (Balanced/All-Rounder) * HM: KZ Duonic (Bassy All-Rounder/Sub-bass focused) * HM: GK Kunten (Bassy All-Rounder) * HM: Kiwiears Belle (Warm/Bassy/Thick/Smooth) **Under $50 (Sales Included)** * 7Hz Elua Ultra (All-Rounder/Dynamic/Slight V) * KZ Zenith (Balanced/Clean/Smooth) * HM: Truthear x Crinacle Zero Blue 2 with 5 Ohm Adapter (Basshead) **Under $125 (Sales Included)** * Simgot EG280 (All-Rounder/Bright Leaning/Vocal Forward) * Tanchjim Fission (Neutral/Balanced/Smooth) * Kiwiears Airoso (Warm/Airy) * Kefine Quatio (Bassy/Dynamic/Versatile) * HM: JUZEAR Defiant (All-Rounder/Slight V/QC issues) * HM: Kiwiears Etude (Bouncy Bass/Scaling/Bone Conduction Drivers) * HM: 7Hz Diablo (Warm/Bassy/Thick/Dark) * HM: 7Hz Divine (Clean/Balanced) **Under $200** **(Sales Included)** * LETSHUOER S12 ULTRA (All-Rounder/Slight V/Bassy) * Crinear DayBreak/EPZ P50 (Balanced/Smooth/Vanilla) * Kiwiears Aether (Balanced/Airy) * Ziigaat Lush (Balanced/Warm Leaning/Scaling) * MYER CK2V (Bright/Sparkly) * HM: Punch Audio Portazo (Basshead) **Under $300 (Sales Included)** * Kiwiears Astral (All-Rounder/Slight V) * EPZ K9 (All-Rounder/Fuller-Less Shouty Harman 2019) * Softears Volume S (Balanced/Warm) * Ziigaat Crescent (Warm/Sparkly) * Punch Audio Martilo (Basshead) * Kiwiears Orchestra 2 (Neutral/Vocal Forward) * Yanyin Canon Pro/YU9 Que (Neutral/Smooth/Scaling) * HM: Kiwiears Septet (Bright/Airy) * HM: Tanchjim Force (Vocal forward/Clean) * HM: Juzear Defiant (Smooth/Scaling/Mid-Range) * HM: Dunu 142 (All-Rounder/Slight-V/Sharper Kiwiears Astral) **Under $500 (Sales Included)** * Thieaudio Hype 4 MK2 (Bright/Energetic/Clean) * Xenns Tea Pro SE (Balanced/Natural) * Xenns Top Pro (Balanced/Clean/Sparkly) * NICEHCK ROCKIES (Balanced/Full/Airy) * Ziigaat Luna (Warm/Airy) * Ziigaat Arcanis (Vocal Sauce/Mid-Range Scaling) * HM: HiSenior MEGA 7 (Balanced/Smooth/Neutral) **Under $2000** * Thieaudio Monarch MK4 (Clean All-Rounder/Bassy with Switch) * Thieaudio Valhalla (All-Rounder/Dynamic/Bassy) * LETSHUOER MYSTIC 8 (Neutral/Bright/Airy) * Softears RSV MK2 (Bassy All-Rounder/V-Shape) * FIIO FX17 (Warm All Rounder) * HM: AFUL DAWN-X (Sub-bass/Smooth/Scaling) * HM: BGVP SOLOMON (Bright/Slight V)

I’d go Hype 4 MK2 or Top Pro

Hype 4 MK2 Ranked: [JAY's IEM Ranking List](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZHVib50XFQW4up3SwOZUTbI-hZB6Ir5LX6XnZblIM6o/edit?usp=sharing). Graph [Here](https://jaysaudio.github.io/index.html?share=Harman_2019,HYPE_4_STOCK,HYPE_4_ULTRA_CLEAR). **HYPE4 MK2 OVERALL SOUND:** Clean, clear, bright-leaning with a crispy/airy/tingly treble playback, detail beast, great separation, quick transients/attack, lean low-end, can be too much for some, doesn't scale well - mid volume listening **HYPE4 MK2:** * First thing I noticed was how much detail I was getting bombarded with * Rides on the edge of being too much, thieaudio is basically limit testing how much treble they can push before frying our ears - your ears may vary * OCD like pin point imaging, sharp and light transients in the attack * Instruments and vocals are laid out clearly in front of you as the MK2 pulls the details out from them and hits you from all over your head stage * Treble has the "sauce" - crispy, very airy, extends like there's no tomorrow with an extended decay in the cymbals, sounds very "hi-fidelity" * Even though the treble is energetic it's also not overly peaky and sharp, the MK2 gives you just enough energy before pulling back - again, limit testing * Vocals are clear, open, with an airy end note to them, sits at a nice distance, not too forward, but enough to have the clarity. Not a vocal powerhouse, and male vocals could use more body/fullness to the sound * Bass is quick, snappy, well-controlled, tight, feels hi-res... but just doesn't have the impact/weight/slam, aka the sheer quantity as the OG Hype 4s * Not a set for bass lovers or anyone who wants more body/warmth to their sound as the MK2s can get too lean and bright on energetic genres **vs OG HYPE 4:** * Low-end wise the OG is much better imo, slams harder, more aggressive in the attack, thicker, extends deeper in the rumble, more powerful, and it just has that authority and body to the sound that the MK2 doesn't have due to the tamer amount * Male vocals also sounds more natural and less light/thin and fuller on the OGs * If you're looking for a bassy set, the OG is still the way to go, and tuning wise I personally prefer the OG more * Aside from that the MK2 is better in the other region, from its detail, separation, imaging, value, to the clearer and airier vocals, and that crispiness in the treble - if you're looking for pure value to performance then the MK2 is the way to go **vs Dunu Braindance:** * MK2 is a little fuller, less thin and bright leaning, and avoids being artificial while being a treble/detailed set - it's not as tilted towards the high end (well, at least my unit) * The extra mid-bass + vocal boost on the MK2 helps bring the other regions more forward and takes off some of the focus from the treble, this plus the tamer uppermids combined allows the MK2 to ride that fine line without crossing over and sounding artificial in the timbre * Transients have more bite and sharpness to them vs the softer and lighter timbre on the Braindance, more dynamic contrast and engagement imo * MK2 also $100 cheaper **vs XENNS TOP PRO:** * MK2 pulls out more treble detail, but is also more energetic/not as smooth * MK2 vocals are more laid back and less forward while Top Pro has more clarity to the singers with a hint of sparkle * Low-end is basically the same * If you want a clean sound with more vocal emphasize go with the Top Pros, if you want a more treble focused playback with more air and crisp go MK2 * I prefer the Top Pro by a little more since I prioritize vocals, but you can make the argument that the MK2 is the better value due it being $100 cheaper and pulling out a little more detail with better cable and build. **Volume Scaling/Genre Rec:** * Recommended listening volume is around 65-75dbs with R&B, slower pop/rock, ballads, indie, acoustics, instrumentals, classical - do NOT crank these * I'd avoid more energetic genres like kpop/jpop/edm due the amount of treble the MK2 has on top of the over boosted treble in most of those tracks - female vocals can also sound too thin and bright * Rock/metal/bands can also be a hit or miss since even though the cymbals are extra crispy... the MK2s may lack some of that punch and body to the drums and rhythmic section, and just in general can feel a bit disengaged due to tamer mid-bass and because you can't turn the volume up to bring them more forward * Basically the complete opposite genre wise to the OG Hype 4s which are better for hiphop, rock, edm, kpop/jpop **Technical Performance:** * Punches way above its price point, even giving my Valhallas a run for their money * Around the Monarch MK4 level, and slightly more technical than the TOP PRO/Rockies * Pretty bonkers for $400, but again, energy may be a deal breaker **Build & Fit:** * Around the size as the OG Hype 4s with no wing/edge * I have average size ears and it fits me snug * Around 6mm nozzle size including outer ring **Accessories & Packaging:** * Metal build with rainbow reflective earthquake pattern way? Pretty neat, not too bling since the colors change under lighting, and are less saturated than you'd expect * Very nice leather case, compact, sturdy, premium feeling, way better than the older ones and that scam puck case that comes with the MK4 and Valhallas * Inter-changeable 3.5/4.4mm Cable, dark blue hue, thick, well-built, sturdy feeling, the same as the Valhallas (Using the Elite noir cable I think, $100+ on its own) * Great accessories/build for the price **Final Ranking & Recommendation:** **HYPE4 MK2** Mid-volume (65-75 dbs) with R&B, slower pop/rock, ballads, indie, acoustics, instrumentals, classical * Tonality: 7.5/10 * Tech: 8.5-9/10 * Overall: 8/10 **RECOMMENDED (at Mid-Volume)** If you're looking for one of the best price to performance IEMs - these are it. Considering the fact that these are cheaper than the Top Pros, slightly more detailed, AND has better build/accessories - the MK2s are a no brainer if you're chasing detail... However, there is always a catch, or else we'd all be out of this rabbit hole by now. If you are sensitive or don't like much treble energy, or avoid bass-light IEMs like the plague, and loves to crank their music, then these are not for you - the OG HYPE4s would be better. These are for mid-volume listening - I made a [playlist](https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/hype-4-mk2/pl.u-55D6PmKiMZqGb9) of tracks that you can reference to see if they fit into your library, since on the right one, the MK2s can get very addicting with that treble playback as it rides on the edge of dynamics and transients.