Thieaudio Origin VS Moondrop Illustrious
IEM Comparison: Expert & Community Scores Side-by-Side
Thieaudio Origin and Moondrop Illustrious use 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC and 1DD driver setups respectively. Thieaudio Origin costs $849 while Moondrop Illustrious costs $899. Moondrop Illustrious is $50 more expensive. Thieaudio Origin holds a decisive 1.6-point edge in reviewer scores (7.8 vs 6.3). Thieaudio Origin has significantly better bass with a 4-point edge, Thieaudio Origin has significantly better mids with a 2.5-point edge, Thieaudio Origin has better treble with a 0.5-point edge, Thieaudio Origin has significantly better dynamics with a 4.5-point edge and Thieaudio Origin has significantly better soundstage with a 1-point edge.
Insights
| Metric | Thieaudio Origin | Moondrop Illustrious |
|---|---|---|
| Bass | 9 | 5 |
| Mids | 8 | 5.5 |
| Treble | 6.5 | 6 |
| Details | 7.8 | 5 |
| Soundstage | 8 | 7 |
| Imaging | 7.8 | 5 |
| Dynamics | 9 | 4.5 |
| Tonality | 8.1 | 6.1 |
| Technicalities | 7 | 6.8 |
Thieaudio Origin Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Moondrop Illustrious Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Thieaudio Origin Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+4BA+2EST+1BC
Tuning Type: Bass-Heavy Balanced
Brand: ThieAudio Top ThieAudio IEMs
Price (Msrp): $849
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Moondrop Illustrious Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD
Tuning Type: Moondrop
Brand: Moondrop Top Moondrop IEMs
Price (Msrp): $899
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Thieaudio Origin User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
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Moondrop Illustrious User Review Score
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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
7Gaming Grade
A-Moondrop Illustrious Gaming Score
Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
5.6Gaming Grade
B-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.
Moondrop Illustrious Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
B- Generally enjoyable tonal character with some noticeable unevenness. Maintains listenability while showing room for refinement in frequency balance.
Average Technical Grade
B+- Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Thieaudio Origin Reviews
8.5
* score normalized
8.5
Reviewer Score
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 Youtube Channel
8.5
Reviewer Score
Great set, has a lot of positives and is amazing on bass tracks. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
7*
* The score of this reviewer influences only the Gaming Score
7
Reviewer Score
Mega bass additiveness Bass too much Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
6*
* score normalized
Interesting sound. It becomes it's own thing. Fit is not great.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
8.5
Reviewer Score
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.
Moondrop Illustrious Reviews
7.5
Reviewer Score
Basically the Softears Twilight with less sub-bass extension, alot more neutral and monitor like, and very pricy since Twilight goes on sale for $700 with a more musical playback. This is just neutral. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Valhalla lands as an “endgame” all-rounder with standout resolution, micro-detail, and imaging. Layering and separation are locked in, with vocals that aren’t scooped—mids stay present and natural. Sub-bass hits rumblier than the U12t and the treble avoids that sudden, sharp peak, making the overall presentation smoother yet still airy. Versus the Cadenza 12, Valhalla is less treble-heavy, a touch bassier, and not as bright-leaning; the Cadenza 12 may edge it on micro-detail by only a few percentage points, so it’s a straight tuning preference: go Cadenza 12 for leaner/brighter sparkle, go Valhalla for the better-balanced bassy all-rounder.
On value, this isn’t twice the performance of a Monarch Mk II/Mk III—think ~10% better with clear diminishing returns. For the “chase the very best” crowd, it’s absolutely worth a listen; for most, Monarchs/LTD/Crimson are already more than enough for a so-called endgame. Final call: Top Tier for tuning and sound refinement—not a value pick, but a legit endgame-grade set.
7.5
Reviewer Score
Nice single DD, not a benchmark, but very nice. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
Gizaudio Axel
2025-07-31
6
Reviewer Score
Open-back IEM with a mellow sound. Good for long listening but not for those seeking strong bass or high resolution. Warm, full-bodied mids with natural timbre and safe treble. Light bass with low sub-bass, lacking treble air and sparkle, and underwhelming detail.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
6*
* score normalized
Sounds like an open-back IEM. It delivers on open design. Something to consider if you are looking for that.Super* Review original ranking
Super* Review Youtube Channel
4.3
Reviewer Score
Sounds like it has metallic timbre. Percussino compression around 5kHz due to lack of treble extension and generally bad tuning. Precogvision Youtube Channel
Thieaudio Origin User Reviews
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