Short answer: the ThieAudio Legacy 4. It ranks #18 of 297 in-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.8/5); the ThieAudio Legacy 2 ranks #157 (rated 4.1/5).
What the ThieAudio Legacy 2 does well: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 75, and the median of 13 squig.link measurements keeps sub-bass, bass, low mids and upper mids within 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound clean and correctly weighted. The catch: 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.
The ThieAudio Legacy 4 is the better-sounding pick. The Legacy 4 pairs one dynamic driver with three balanced armatures, and the median of twelve hobbyist measurements on squig.link shows bass essentially on target, slightly above it at 30 Hz. The catch: A 4.3 dB dip near 3.75 kHz and a presence band about 2.3 dB low can push vocals back and soften the attack of guitars and snares.
Buy the ThieAudio Legacy 4. It is rated higher for sound quality than the ThieAudio Legacy 2.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| ThieAudio Legacy 2 | ThieAudio Legacy 4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $50.99 |
| Ranked | #157 of 297 in In-Ear Headphones | #18 of 297 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 84 (median of 12 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.10 dB standard deviation | 1.19 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 3 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature | 1 x 8mm dynamic + 3 x balanced armature |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 9.4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB | 108 dB |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | No |
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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 Legacy 2 AliExpress eBay
Pros: Crinacle’s measurement gives it a preference score of 75, and the median of 13 squig.link measurements keeps sub-bass, bass, low mids and upper mids within 0.7 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound clean and correctly weighted. The hybrid pairing of a 10mm dynamic driver with a balanced armature holds deep bass to 20 Hz, and 108 dB sensitivity at 32 ohms makes it easy to drive from a phone.
Cons: 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. A 4.4 dB peak near 10.3 kHz just below that dip makes the upper treble a little uneven.
Full ThieAudio Legacy 2 review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.10 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-0.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 223 Hz | -2.5 dB | 1.18 |
| Peak | 1,933 Hz | -2.7 dB | 1.52 |
| Peak | 9,528 Hz | +4.3 dB | 0.46 |
| Peak | 225 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.37 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 858 Hz | +1.1 dB | 2.58 |
| Peak | 7,553 Hz | -3.0 dB | 5.71 |
| Peak | 6,208 Hz | +2.3 dB | 5.96 |
| Peak | 4,888 Hz | -1.8 dB | 5.37 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
ThieAudio Legacy 4: $50.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: The Legacy 4 pairs one dynamic driver with three balanced armatures, and the median of twelve hobbyist measurements on squig.link shows bass essentially on target, slightly above it at 30 Hz. With about 1.2 dB of unevenness and a preference score of 84, its bass, mids and treble sit within half a dB of target on average. It rates higher than the less expensive CCA Phoenix, and 108 dB sensitivity makes it easy to drive.
Cons: A 4.3 dB dip near 3.75 kHz and a presence band about 2.3 dB low can push vocals back and soften the attack of guitars and snares. There is no microphone, and the EPZ G20 and EPZ Q1 Pro both rate higher while costing a little less.
Full ThieAudio Legacy 4 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.19 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 3 balanced armature) |
| Drivers | 1 x 8mm dynamic + 3 x balanced armature |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 84 (median of 12 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 9.4 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.10 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples