Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.1/5 (#347 and #320 of 1291 in-ear headphones) at nearly the same price ($96.85 vs $99), so choose on features and fit.
The case for the Sony PULSE Explore: Measured response gives it a very good Harman preference score of 75 with a 1.75 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural. The catch: Its 1.75 dB spread is less even than the best measured sets.
What the ThieAudio Legacy 2 does well: A hybrid in-ear pairing a 10mm dynamic driver with a balanced armature, with a clean, correctly weighted sound and a 75 preference score. The tradeoff: Presence runs about 2.9 dB and air about 3.4 dB below target, with a 6.8 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, so cymbals lack some sparkle and the top end feels slightly reserved.
Buy the Sony PULSE Explore or the ThieAudio Legacy 2 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
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Measured response gives it a very good Harman preference score of 75 with a 1.75 dB spread, and its mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound natural.
Amazon $96.85 eBay
A hybrid in-ear pairing a 10mm dynamic driver with a balanced armature, with a clean, correctly weighted sound and a 75 preference score.
AliExpress $99.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Sony PULSE Explore | ThieAudio Legacy 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $96.85 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #347 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones | #320 of 1291 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Connection | True wireless | Wired |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (6 g) per earbud | - |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 75 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.75 dB standard deviation | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.73 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Back | - | Closed |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | - | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 108 dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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