Empire Ears Zeus XIV VS Thieaudio Origin

IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side

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Empire Ears Zeus XIV and Thieaudio Origin use 14BA and 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC driver setups respectively. Empire Ears Zeus XIV costs $750 while Thieaudio Origin costs $849. Thieaudio Origin is $99 more expensive. Thieaudio Origin holds a decisive 3.2-point edge in reviewer scores (4.7 vs 7.8). Thieaudio Origin has significantly better bass with a 6-point edge, Thieaudio Origin has significantly better mids with a 4-point edge, Thieaudio Origin has significantly better treble with a 2.5-point edge and Thieaudio Origin has significantly better dynamics with a 5-point edge.

Insights

Metric Empire Ears Zeus XIV Thieaudio Origin
Bass 3 9
Mids 4 8
Treble 4 6.5
Details 7 7.8
Soundstage 4.7 8
Imaging 6 7.8
Dynamics 4 9
Tonality 3.4 8.1
Technicalities 7.1 7

Empire Ears Zeus XIV Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Precogvision Crin

Average Reviewer Score:

4.7

Generally Unfavorable


Thieaudio Origin Aggregated Review Score

Average Reviewer Scores

Super* Review
Fresh Reviews Tim Tuned
Z-Reviews Jays Audio Jaytiss IEMRanking AI

Average Reviewer Score:

7.8

Strongly Favorable


Empire Ears Zeus XIV User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Thieaudio Origin User Review Score

Average User Scores

Average User Score: n/a

Based on 0 user reviews

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Empire Ears Zeus XIV Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

5.5

Gaming Grade

B-

Thieaudio Origin Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade

  • The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.

Gaming Score

7

Gaming Grade

A-

Empire Ears Zeus XIV Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

D
  • Significantly flawed tuning. Noticeable frequency imbalances and unnatural timbre distract from music. Lacks versatility across recordings.

Average Technical Grade

A-
  • Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Bass D
Bass is light and underwhelming. While some faint rumble exists, it lacks punch and authority in any meaningful way.
Mids C-
Midrange is passable but unrefined. Lacks detail and smoothness, with occasional harshness in upper mids.
Treble C-
Average treble performance - present but lacking refinement. Some graininess or splashiness affects clarity.
Dynamics C-
Average dynamics - passable but unexciting. Transients are rounded and micro-dynamics lack refinement.
Details A-
Excellent detail retrieval: highly resolving without being clinical. Effortlessly reveals micro-details and textural subtleties.
Imaging B
Good imaging with precise instrument placement. Clear localization within the soundstage including front/back positioning.
Gaming B-
Moderate spatial presentation conveys general directionality. Suitable for casual play where precision isn't critical. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Thieaudio Origin Scorings

Average Technical & Tuning Grades

Average Tunign Grade

A+
  • Refined execution with coherent frequency integration. Natural timbre reproduction and engaging presentation. Strong versatility.

Average Technical Grade

A-
  • Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
Bass S
World-class bass performance. Perfectly balanced between visceral impact, texture, and depth with zero bleed into mids.
Mids A+
Superb midrange that's rich and resolving. Exceptional transparency and micro-details with perfect vocal/instrument balance.
Treble B+
Good treble response - clear and detailed without fatigue. Well-extended with proper air and sparkle.
Dynamics S
Reference-class dynamics: perfect micro/macro contrast with lightning transients. Utterly realistic reproduction of musical energy.
Soundstage A+
Exceptional soundstage with holographic imaging. Creates a truly three-dimensional space where instruments float naturally around you.
Gaming A-
Good fundamental spatial awareness for most gaming scenarios. Handles basic positioning well but may lack nuance in complex situations. Bad value-to-cost for gaming purpose - not recommended

Empire Ears Zeus XIV Reviews

Reviewed by: Precogvision

Precogvision 4.8 Reviewer Score
D+ Tuning
B- Tech
Wonky tuning and plasticky timbre, but pretty detailed.

Precogvision original ranking

Precogvision Youtube Channel
Bass: D Mids: C- Treble: C- Dynamics: C- Details: A- Imaging: B

Reviewed by: Crin

Crin 4.5 Reviewer Score
D Tuning
S- Tech
Top tier detail and resolution with poor tone and timbre reproduction.

Crin original ranking

Crin Youtube Channel

Thieaudio Origin Reviews

Reviewed by: Z-Reviews

Z-Reviews 8.5 * score normalized
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Reviewed by: Jays Audio

Jays Audio 8.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech
Best bassy set under $1K. Bassy/thicker meta tuning. You can actually feel the reverb and vibration from the bone conduction drivers, great control and low-end texture. Mids and treble are also well extended with no major issues, although it can get sharp at times with the snares/electronic stuff ie, past 3:30 on Time by Hikaru Utada.

Jays Audio original ranking

Jays Audio Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: Jaytiss

Jaytiss 8.5 Reviewer Score
A Tuning
C+ Tech
Great set, has a lot of positives and is amazing on bass tracks.

Jaytiss original ranking

Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Mids: A+ Treble: C+ Dynamics: S Soundstage: A+

Reviewed by: Fresh Reviews

Fresh Reviews 7* * The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score

Reviewed by: Tim Tuned

Tim Tuned 7 Reviewer Score
A- Tuning
A- Tech
Mega bass additiveness Bass too much

Tim Tuned original ranking

Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Bass: S Mids: A+ Treble: A+

Reviewed by: Super* Review

Super* Review 6* * score normalized
Interesting sound. It becomes it's own thing. Fit is not great.

Super* Review original ranking

Super* Review Youtube Channel

Reviewed by: IEMRanking AI

IEMRanking AI 8.5 Reviewer Score
S Tuning
A+ Tech

The Thieaudio Origin delivers a bass-forward signature with a substantial 12dB sub-bass boost that provides visceral rumble and slam, particularly effective for electronic or hip-hop genres. Despite this emphasis, the neutral midrange avoids bloat, preserving vocal clarity and instrument separation, while the electrostatic drivers contribute a smooth, airy treble free from harshness or sibilance. Its technical performance is strong, offering a wide, holographic stage and precise imaging, though micro-detail retrieval falls slightly short of some competitors in its price tier.

Comfort is divisive due to the large shells, which may cause fatigue or fit issues for those with smaller ears, necessitating careful tip selection for optimal seal. The package includes a high-quality modular cable with swappable terminations (3.5mm/4.4mm) and a distinctive round Alcantara case, though the included ear tips may not suit all users.


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