Thieaudio Hype 4 VS Ziigaat Arcanis
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Thieaudio Hype 4 and Ziigaat Arcanis use 2DD+4BA and 2DD+5BA driver setups respectively. Thieaudio Hype 4 costs $400 while Ziigaat Arcanis costs $399. Thieaudio Hype 4 is $1 more expensive. Ziigaat Arcanis holds a clear 0.9-point edge in reviewer scores (7.5 vs 8.4). User ratings place Thieaudio Hype 4 at 8 and Ziigaat Arcanis at 8.5. Ziigaat Arcanis has significantly better mids with a 1-point edge, Ziigaat Arcanis has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge, Ziigaat Arcanis has significantly better dynamics with a 1-point edge and Ziigaat Arcanis has better soundstage with a 0.5-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Thieaudio Hype 4 | Ziigaat Arcanis |
|---|---|---|
| Mids | 7 | 8 |
| Treble | 6 | 7 |
| Soundstage | 7 | 7.5 |
| Dynamics | 6 | 7 |
| Tonality | 6.5 | 7.4 |
| Technicalities | 6 | 7 |
Jaytiss Reviews Comparison
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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Ziigaat Arcanis reviewed by
8.4
Reviewer Score
Youtube Video Summary
The Ziigaat Arcanis, priced at $400 as the brand's most expensive standalone IEM, presents a mixed bag outside of its core sound. Build quality is decent but unremarkable, featuring comfortable shells with a well-fitting nozzle, though the aesthetic is described as slightly "weird." The included cable feels distinctly mid-tier and underwhelming for the price, while the case shows noticeable fraying almost immediately, contributing to an absolutely horrific unboxing experience deemed unacceptable at this cost.
Sonically, the Arcanis is a deeply divisive set with an extremely dark tilt and a significant dip around 6kHz. Initial impressions can be harsh or disappointing, but extended listening reveals its strengths: pure, clean sound free of sibilance or harshness, quality bass, clean highs, and beautiful vocals. This unique tuning philosophy creates a smooth, sophisticated, and non-fatiguing presentation. While the $230 Odyssey is praised as a fantastic value and the second-best in Ziigaat's lineup, the Arcanis is considered sonically superior, offering a more refined experience – albeit only marginally better for some. It competes favorably against sets like the Mega5EST and Dunu DaVinci, and surprisingly challenges far pricier offerings like the $1,800 Apostle in tonal beauty, though the Apostle has more "show." The $320 Volume S is a close competitor with a different, brighter tonality, making the Arcanis's value proposition relative.
Ultimately, the Arcanis shines as a beautifully dark, serious, and smooth IEM that excels at high volumes without becoming offensive. It delivers great detail without fatigue, standing out in a market saturated with energetic tunings. Despite the subpar accessories and unboxing befitting a much cheaper product, its unique and effective sound signature makes it a highly recommended pick under $400 for those seeking a refined, non-sibilant listen, though the Odyssey remains the smarter choice for budget-conscious buyers.
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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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Ziigaat Arcanis Details
Driver Configuration: 2DD+5BA
Tuning Type: Neutral, Bright
Brand: ZiiGaat Top ZiiGaat IEMs
Price (Msrp): $399
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Thieaudio Hype 4 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B+- The tuning leans easygoing, yet occasional unevenness nudges it away from greatness. A bit of EQ polish can smooth things nicely.
Average Technical Grade
B- An honest, middle-of-the-road performance preserves structure without chasing micro-detail. It's respectable for everyday listening sessions.
Ziigaat Arcanis Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A-- It balances warmth and clarity well, showing only minor quirks along the way. Timbre feels believable with most instruments.
Average Technical Grade
A-- You get a controlled, composed performance, marrying decent clarity with a still-modest sense of space. A safe technical performer for the price bracket.
Thieaudio Hype 4 User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewClean V-Shaped set, with good technical performance, and smooth, luscious bass that seems to float in the mix. Unfortunately has spicy air treble (tip rolling necessary), but otherwise is a very engaging and good set.
Pros
The bass quality is great. Bass texture is phenomenal. Sounds like a sub in a large room. Other than that, the set has decent tech, soundstage, and overall tuning. Very good build quality. For bassheads.Cons
Bass can bleed slightly into mids. Air frequencies can be extremely distracting, so tip rolling is a must, especially due to the strange and extremely large fit. Pinna gain at 3khz can be too forward for some users. Imaging + separation ≈ 200$ set worth.Ziigaat Arcanis User Reviews
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewA refined smooth-neutral IEM offering exceptional vocal transparency and fatigue-free listening, though let down by underwhelming accessories
Pros
Natural midrange with excellent vocal clarity, smooth non-fatiguing treble extension, and tight technical bass with good textureCons
Subpar accessories including basic cable and minimal ear tips, noticeable driver flex when adjusting fit, lacks balanced cable optionFind your next IEM:
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