Short answer: the ThieAudio Hype 2. It ranks #161 of 450 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $399; the ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII ranks #255, rated 4.0/5, at $399. The price gap is small enough that the sound-quality ranking should decide it.
Buy the ThieAudio Hype 2. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII at the same price, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ThieAudio Hype 2 | ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #161 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 | 77 (median of 30 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 74 (median of 11 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.51 dB standard deviation | 1.68 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.58 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.54 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.1 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 4 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 2 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature | 2 x 8mm dynamic + 4 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB/Vrms | 101 dB |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for ThieAudio Hype 2:
- ThieAudio Hype 2 vs ThieAudio Hype 4
- ThieAudio Hype 4 vs ThieAudio Hype 4 MKII
- Aful Performer 5 vs Aful Performer 7
- Kiwi Ears Cadenza vs Kiwi Ears Cadenza II
- Samsung Galaxy Buds2 vs Shuoer S12 Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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
ThieAudio Hype 2: $399.00 Amazon eBay
Full ThieAudio Hype 2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.51 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (2 dynamic + 2 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 2 x 10mm dynamic + 2 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 77 (median of 30 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.58 (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