Short answer: the ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#255 and #257 of 450 in-ear headphones), and the ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII costs $399 against $449 for the Softears Studio 4, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Buy the ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $50 less than the Softears Studio 4.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Softears Studio 4 | ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #257 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #255 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 74 (median of 27 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 74 (median of 11 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.88 dB standard deviation | 1.68 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.25 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.54 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.0 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 4 x balanced armature | 2 x 8mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 12 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 123 dB/Vrms | 101 dB |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII compares with other leading options:
- ThieAudio Hype 2 vs ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII
- ThieAudio Hype 4 vs ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII
- 7Hz Aurora vs ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII
- ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII vs Linsoul Avant
- ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII vs Hisenior Cano Cristales
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Softears Studio 4: $449.00 Amazon eBay
Full Softears Studio 4 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.88 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Balanced armature |
| Drivers | 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 74 (median of 27 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 12 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 123 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.25 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII: $399.00 Amazon eBay
Full ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2025 (11 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.68 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 2 x 8mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 74 (median of 11 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.54 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons