Short answer: a tie on sound quality. Both are rated 4.1/5 (#216 and #212 of 450 in-ear headphones), so choose on features and fit.
Why pick the ThieAudio Legacy 2: 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.
Buy the ThieAudio Legacy 2 or the Tin HiFi C3 on features: they are rated the same for sound quality at close to the same price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| ThieAudio Legacy 2 | Tin HiFi C3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | - | $59.00 |
| Ranked | #216 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones | #212 of 450 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 76 (median of 15 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.10 dB standard deviation | 1.64 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.11 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.59 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Hybrid (1 dynamic + 1 balanced armature) | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic + 1 x balanced armature | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 32 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 108 dB | 106 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 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 (+0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
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- Tin HiFi Dudu vs Tin HiFi C3
- KBEAR KB03 vs Tin HiFi C3
- Moondrop Lan 2 vs Tin HiFi C3
- ThieAudio Legacy 2 vs ThieAudio Legacy 4
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
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
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Tin HiFi C3: $59.00 Amazon eBay
Full Tin HiFi C3 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.64 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 10mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (median of 15 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+0.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.59 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons