Released in 2024, the $399 Hype 4 from Thieaudio has earned significant praise as a high-value IEM. The same can be said for the $219 Quintet from Kiwi Ears, which debuted in 2023 and has also gained considerable recognition.
Both earphones’ housings are made of medical-grade resin, but the Quintet features a metal faceplate, while the Hype 4 incorporates a decorative inlay.
When it comes to the driver configuration, they are more different. Starting with the Hype 4, it employs two Sonion 26A balanced armature drivers for the midrange, while the treble is handled by two Sonion E50 series “Hummingbird” ultra-tweeter balanced armature drivers. Further, the Hype 4 features the IMPACT² bass driver that utilizes two 10mm composite diaphragm drivers in an isobaric chamber.
The Kiwi Ears Quintet is also a multi-driver hybrid IEM, but it takes a different approach. While the Hype 4 relies on a dual dynamic driver and four balanced armatures, the Quintet pairs a single dynamic driver with a planar magnetic driver, two balanced armatures, and a piezoelectric bone conductor for added high-frequency resolution.
My review of the Quintet can be found here, my Quintet comparison reviews are here.
THIEAUDIO HYPE 4 SPECIFICATIONS
- Drivers: 10mm dual diaphragm dynamic driver + two Sonion 26A and two Sonion E50 balanced armature drivers
- Impedance: 17 Ohm
- Sensitivity: 105 dB (±1dB) @1kHz
- Frequency Response Range: 10Hz-22kHz
- Nozzle Diameter: 6.2mm
- Inner Nozzle Diameter: 5.0mm
- Earphone connectors: 0.78mm dual-pin
- Cable material: silver-plated OCC
- Cable termination: 3.5mm jack
- Cable length: 1.2 m
Check the current price here:
KIWI EARS QUINTET SPECIFICATIONS
- Drivers: 1 diamond-like carbon (DLC) dynamic driver, 2 balanced armature (BA) drivers, 1 planar magnetic driver, and 1 piezoelectric (PZT) bone conductor
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 106 dB
- Included cable: 1.2 m detachable silver-plated OFC cable
- Cable plug type: 3.5mm
- Cable plug IEM: Detachable 0.78mm, 2 Pin
Check the current price here:
- Linsoul: Kiwi Quintet
- Amazon: Kiwi Quintet
COMPARISONS
Associated equipment: Topping A90 amplifier with the RME ADI-2 DAC FS as the source. I used Azla Xelastec ear tips on the Hype 4 and SpinFit CP145 on the Quintet.
Bullet to Your Head by Rage Against the Machine
They are quite different, relatively speaking. Not radically different, but it is very apparent. The Quintet is crisper and drier, the Hype 4 thicker and fuller. Both have great detail.
Aura by Bicep
They both sound good with this electronic track. The Hype 4 is warmer and more organic sounding, with a fuller and thicker tonality. The Quintet is crisper, lighter, and slightly drier. Both have good levels of detail and a nice soundstage.
Limit to Your Love by James Blake
They both handle the massive base impressively. The Hype 4 is again warmer, the Quintet crisper, and in this case, it feels clearer, yet not more detailed.
Daddy Lessons by Beyonce
For some reason, this song reverses some of the traits, with the Quintet getting less bright. The Hype 4 is also markedly clearer and more open-sounding, more dynamic, and generally just performs better.
Graceful Touch by Tord Gustavsen Trio
Moving on to some smooth jazz, the Hype 4 sound more natural and organic, with a clearer and more present piano. The Quintet is not bad, but the Hype 4 is significantly better in my ears.
As Before by Olga Konkova
Also with this jazz track, the Hype 4 comes off as more organic, albeit not with the same margin. Both the female vocals and the piano feel more balanced; the low notes and high notes are more evenly rendered.
Jambi by Tool
The Quintet has a drier, textured sound. The Hype 4, on the other hand, is again more organic. It also sounds clearer with better separation between instruments and more precise imaging.
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
I am beginning to repeat myself: the Hype 4 is more natural, slightly warmer but with better definition and detail; it sounds more resolved and organic, while the Quintet is drier and less precise.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
They both sound fairly neutral. However, the Hype 4 is warmer, with fuller bass and more rounded yet nuanced edges. The Quintet is crisper and brighter.
Treble
The treble is dryer and crisper with the Quintet. The Hype 4 offers a more organic and liquid, and also a more resolved high end.
Midrange
The midrange is more forward-sounding with the Hype 4, and it is also cleaner and more detailed. The Quintet has a slight dryness to it.
Bass
They both are strong in the bass region, but the Hype 4 is better in terms of quality and also has more quantity, contributing to a warmer feel.
Soundstage and Imaging
Both the Quintet and the Hype 4 have a relatively large and open soundstage. The imaging is significantly more precise with the Hype 4.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
As good as the Quintet is for the price, the Hype 4 delivers better detail, with a more liquid treble, a more pronounced and articulate midrange, and better, more organic bass. It is generally more dynamic, with better dynamic contrast all along the frequency spectrum. When it comes to the timbre, the Hype 4 sounds more organic and natural than the drier and crisper-sounding Quintet.
CONCLUSION
In this review I’ve been comparing a renowned $219 to a renowned $399 IEM, and it comes as no surprise that the more expensive earphone is better. However, it is always good to compare gear from different price ranges to see how big the difference really is.
While the Hype 4 excels in virtually every aspect, the Quintet still performs well for its price. On the flip side, despite being twice as expensive, the Hype 4 justifies its higher price tag with ease.
Thanks for reading. You can support us by purchasing anything you might need by clicking any of our affiliate links:
- Linsoul: Kiwi Quintet
- Amazon: Kiwi Quintet
