Softears Studio 4 VS Thieaudio Hype 4
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Softears Studio 4 and Thieaudio Hype 4 use 4BA and 2DD+4BA driver setups respectively. Softears Studio 4 costs $450 while Thieaudio Hype 4 costs $400. Softears Studio 4 is $50 more expensive. Softears Studio 4 holds a clear 0.5-point edge in reviewer scores (8 vs 7.5). Thieaudio Hype 4 carries a user score of 8. Softears Studio 4 has significantly better mids with a 1-point edge, Softears Studio 4 has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge, Thieaudio Hype 4 has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge and Softears Studio 4 has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Softears Studio 4 | Thieaudio Hype 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 8 | 7 |
| Treble | 7 | 6 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 7 |
| Dynamics | 5 | 6 |
| Tonality | 7 | 6.5 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 6 |
Jaytiss Reviews Comparison
Softears Studio 4 reviewed by
8
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Starry Edition brings a fresh faceplate to the Softears Studio 4 without changing the tuning. The translucent, slightly large shell seals firmly and delivers strong isolation; the only nit is a modest nozzle lip that still holds tips fine. Packaging leans “studio”: compact Pelican-style case, extension cable, tips, 6.3 mm adapter, and a soft black cable that feels nice but lacks a chin slider and terminates in 3.5 mm.
Sonically, this 4BA set is about clarity, air, and top-end extension—described as among the best heard under $800. Vocals come through vivid, mids are clean, and bass has a mild shelf: tasteful impact without bloat, though it’s not a slam machine. Expect excellent imaging, space, and detail; a touch of EQ can add weight if desired. It can be a bit source-picky: low output impedance sources suit it best, while a 10 Ω adapter pushes more treble and trims bass in a less pleasing way.
Against peers, Studio 4 is praised over Softears Twilight for air/extension (while acknowledging Twilight’s smooth DD charm) and over Volume for overall technicalities despite the small price gap. Versus RSV, Studio 4 avoids the RSV’s slight bass “muffle” and undercuts it on price; compared with Monarch MKII, it delivers a similar tonal aim without the occasional grain. Sets like Kiwi Ears 4, Truthear Hexa, and Binary Acoustics D Quattro trade blows on bass quantity versus air, but Studio 4’s upper-air detail and coherence make it a standout. At an often-seen street of ~$368, it’s framed as a benchmark sub-$500 pick and earns a full recommendation for listeners chasing articulate treble, lifelike vocals, and refined balance.
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Thieaudio Hype 4 reviewed by
7.5
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
Thieaudio Hype 4 arrives with surprisingly premium trimmings: a compact, comfortable shell (though some ears may need tip rolling for a secure seal), a supple cable akin to the latest Oracle 2/Monarch MKIII leads with a durable 3.5 mm plug, and a classy case lifted straight from pricier models. Overall presentation feels 2–3× its price, with tidy accessories and a cable that’s pleasant in hand even if it won’t lay perfectly flat.
Sonically it’s impactful and engaging: bass is lush and deep without smearing, mids keep vocals forward yet smooth for podcasts, and treble has air and detail without piercing. The tuning graph shows excellent channel matching and hugs a preferred target—3 kHz rise with a 5–6 kHz dip—which explains the easygoing clarity. Minor nitpicks surface: some cymbal shimmer can feel a touch “off,” and a few drum hits could carry more thump/realism; otherwise it’s a cohesive, “just sounds right” presentation that can deliver goosebump moments when the beat drops.
Against peers, Hype 4 comes off as a safer buy and more exciting listen than the Hisenior Mega5 EST (cheaper, better cable/case, and far less dull). It edges the Binary Chopin on overall quality—though Chopin stays a killer budget pick—and proves more fun and library-friendly than the detail-leaning Performer 8. Versus Monarch MKII it’s livelier with better sub-bass and treble reach; compared with Monarch MKIII, it avoids the fatiguing 4–6 kHz energy. The verdict: a mid-fi standout with near top-tier tuning, top-shelf packaging, and a value that challenges pricier options—highly recommended despite not being the absolute cheapest route to great sound.
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Softears Studio 4 Details
Driver Configuration: 4BA
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: Softears Top Softears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $450
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Thieaudio Hype 4 Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+4BA
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: ThieAudio Top ThieAudio IEMs
Price (Msrp): $400
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Softears Studio 4 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- It balances warmth and clarity well, showing only minor quirks along the way. Timbre feels believable with most instruments.
Average Technical Grade
A-- The presentation feels orderly, balancing workable detail retrieval with acceptable imaging cues. It keeps momentum without smearing transients.
Thieaudio Hype 4 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- The tuning leans easygoing, yet occasional unevenness nudges it away from greatness. A bit of EQ polish can smooth things nicely.
Average Technical Grade
B- An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
Softears Studio 4 User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewThieaudio Hype 4 User Reviews
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You need to be signed in to write your own reviewClean V-Shaped set, with good technical performance, and smooth, luscious bass that seems to float in the mix. Unfortunately has spicy air treble (tip rolling necessary), but otherwise is a very engaging and good set.
Pros
The bass quality is great. Bass texture is phenomenal. Sounds like a sub in a large room. Other than that, the set has decent tech, soundstage, and overall tuning. Very good build quality. For bassheads.Cons
Bass can bleed slightly into mids. Air frequencies can be extremely distracting, so tip rolling is a must, especially due to the strange and extremely large fit. Pinna gain at 3khz can be too forward for some users. Imaging + separation ≈ 200$ set worth.Find your next IEM:
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