Softears Volume S and Thieaudio Hype 4 use 2DD+2BA and 2DD+4BA driver setups respectively. Softears Volume S costs $320 while Thieaudio Hype 4 costs $400. Thieaudio Hype 4 is $80 more expensive. Softears Volume S holds a decisive 1-point edge in reviewer scores (8.5 vs 7.5). User ratings place Softears Volume S at 8.2 and Thieaudio Hype 4 at 8. Softears Volume S has significantly better mids with a 2-point edge, Softears Volume S has significantly better treble with a 2-point edge, Thieaudio Hype 4 has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge and Softears Volume S has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.
Insights
Metric | Softears Volume S | Thieaudio Hype 4 |
---|---|---|
Mids | 9 | 7 |
Treble | 8 | 6 |
Soundstage | 8 | 7 |
Dynamics | 5 | 6 |
Tonality | 7.5 | 6.5 |
Technicalities | 8 | 6 |
Jaytiss Reviews Comparison
Softears Volume S reviewed by
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Thieaudio Hype 4 reviewed by
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.
Jaytiss Youtube Channel
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Price: $399
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Softears Volume S Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+2BA
Tuning Type: Neutral with Bass Boost
Brand: Softears Top Softears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $320
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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 Volume S Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Tuning feels well executed, keeping a natural flow across the spectrum. Switching genres feels seamless.
Average Technical Grade
A+- A very capable technical display delivers articulate layers and poised imaging. It portrays reverbs and echoes with confidence.
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 Volume S User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA well-rounded, coherent IEM that shines in low-impedance tuning with excellent midrange clarity.
Pros
Balanced, natural midrange with solid bass and rich accessories.Cons
High-impedance mode feels unnecessary and shells may be bulky for small ears.RSV with more bass quantity and better quality, at less than half the price.
Pros
Very nicely balanced sound signature for all-rounder duties, with tonality and technical performance that punches above its price. More even sub - mid bass profile which results in a more cohesive, better textured bass vs harman/meta tuned sets.Cons
Pinna gain isn't an ideal fit for my HRTF, hearing slightly too much upper-mid emphasis after extended listening and comparisons. Upper treble is lacking air vs more expensive sets, most evident in cymbal hits coming across dulled, not unlike the RSVThieaudio Hype 4 User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
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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