Softears RSV VS Thieaudio Hype 10

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Softears RSV breaks the usual BA timbre stigma with a natural, cohesive presentation that avoids the metallic edge often blamed on poor crossovers. Its tuning lifts the upper-mids/early treble just enough to throw vocals into center stage, creating a lively contrast against an otherwise balanced base. At higher volumes the treble feels smooth and correct—cymbal hits sound “right” without glare—while the midrange stays clean, forward, and free of bleed.

Technically, it’s above average but not a show-off: speed, separation, and imaging are tight, yet sets like SA6 Ultra or U12t resolve a touch sharper. Bass carries typical BA traits—quick, textured, but without dynamic-driver slam—though U12t still edges it for bass texture. Where RSV shines is vocal immersion and timbre, arguably among the best under $1,000; just note its source sensitivity at loud listening—pair it with a clean, capable source to avoid distortion. Not a pick for bassheads, but for vocal lovers chasing a smooth, lifelike top end, RSV feels special.

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Thieaudio Hype 10 comes across as a competent all-rounder with a lush, boosted bass shelf, but feedback repeatedly notes a touch of boom and occasional treble peaks that undermine cohesion. Staging and detail feel decent yet unremarkable, and several listeners point to cleaner contrast and dynamics on alternatives like the Helios. While one participant enjoyed the “boom-boom” soundstage and put Hype 10 near the top, most impressions describe the bass as slightly bleedy into the mids and the overall presentation as less resolving than expected at its price.

Against its siblings, the Hype 4 frequently wins praise for a more natural midrange, better balance, and a smoother, more versatile listen; multiple listeners preferred it over Hype 10. Versus the step-up Monarch Mk3 (only ~$100 more), the consensus favors the Monarch for being cleaner, more refined, and more detailed. Non-audiophile participants often struggled to distinguish the lineup, but seasoned ears consistently grouped Hype 10 as a decent generalist that doesn’t feel particularly special next to Hype 4 and Monarch Mk3.

Takeaway: Hype 10 offers familiar, bass-forward isobaric flavor with broadly agreeable tonality, yet value perception is mixed. For most listeners, Hype 4 reads as the smarter buy, and if budget stretches, Monarch Mk3 is widely recommended over Hype 10 for its more resolving and cohesive sound.

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Softears RSV brings a 5BA recipe with a shell that’s handsome but larger than average, featuring a recessed 2-pin that can fuss with some cables. Comfort is generally fine, yet the size and wide body may test smaller ears. Sonically it’s a neutral-leaning tuning with clean mids and polite highs, but the presentation trades off texture, sub-bass weight, and upper-air sparkle. Stage feels spacious, extension is more average, and while the technicalities are solid, the current crop of mid-fi monitors has pushed beyond what this 2021 design delivers.

Stacked against today’s options, RSV gets pressure from several directions: Elysian Pilgrim hits harder down low with greater perceived clarity; Supernova offers a more natural tonality and better sub-bass; HiSenior Mega5 EST graphs similarly but adds a touch more air; even value picks like a “super mix”/EM10-style V-tune bring fun, slam, and engagement. RSV remains easy to pair and its upper-mids are tastefully set, yet vocals can feel a bit soft—more “fun and cozy” than pristine. At typical new pricing around the mid-$500s it’s tough to champion; catch it closer to $350–$400 (or a good used deal) and it becomes a very enjoyable pick for those who prize smooth mids over maximum bass grip and airy bite.

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Build & comfort hit the modern Thieaudio groove: a compact shell with a gentle wing, secure nozzle lip that plays nice with most tips, and a faceplate that’s tasteful if not flashy. The stock EST cable feels soft and skin-like with tidy ear hooks, a steady chin slider, and a clean Y-split—nothing fussy, everything practical. On-ear fit is extremely comfortable, light, and stable over long sessions.

Tonally, Hype 10 brings impactful—but controlled—bass, pristine mids/treble, and a spacious stage with convincing imaging. It reads neutral with a hint of fun: satisfying sub-bass lift, healthy upper-mids, and air/extension that adds space without splash. Note weight and slam aren’t “insane,” but resolution is high and the overall presentation is natural, clean, and engaging. It’s also one of those rare sets that doesn’t beg for EQ.

Against the lineup and peers: Hype 2 feels flat and unexceptional by comparison; Hype 4 is very close, but Hype 10 fixes the upper-air/treble shortfall and steps up stage and resolution. Versus Monarch Mk I, Hype 10’s extra bass avoids leanness; against Oracle MK3, it avoids that 4–6 kHz “flat energy” rise and sounds more natural up top. Dunu’s Mirai charms but runs leaner with a sharper edge; Jupiter can out-punch and extend, yet the price undercuts its appeal; Diva has special upper mids but the dip-switch fiddle and pricing dull the value. Net: under $1,000 (open-box deals around $800 sweeten the pot), Hype 10 is a standout recommendation—and while Hype 4 gets you ~99% of the flavor if its treble suits you, Hype 10 is the more complete, everyday-ready choice.

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Softears RSV delivers a rare combo for a full-BA set: organic timbre without the plasticky edge. The bass carries sufficient weight with a mid-bass emphasis—tight and tasteful rather than earth-shaking, and understandably shy of a DD’s thump. Midrange separation from the bass is clean yet never thin; male vocals keep their body, while female vocals and instruments sound natural, relaxed, and true-to-life. Treble sits neutral and tame—enough sparkle to animate vocals and instruments, but not tuned to spotlight microdetail. Detail retrieval is above average for the price, though not a detail monster, and staging plus imaging sit comfortably slightly outside the head with competent placement. The overall takeaway is a beautiful all-rounder that prioritizes realism and balance over fireworks.

Against peers, RSV squares up closely with Thieaudio Oracle: choose Oracle for more dynamic bass, pick RSV for more organic mids and vocals. Versus sets like Moondrop Variations, RSV trades a touch of separation/analytical edge for fuller lower mids and a more lifelike tonal weight. It won’t chase the widest stages or the sharpest micro-etch, but the tuning and timbre are so dialed that technical trade-offs fade into the background. As the most affordable Softears model, RSV feels like a love letter to musicality: realistic tone, versatile tuning, and a presentation that simply sounds right across genres.

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Softears RSV presents as a premium, well-finished all-BA set with five balanced armatures, a secure, slightly deeper fit and above-average isolation. The package feels thoughtful—nice case, multiple tips, cleaning tools—while the shells have a tasteful, dark flake aesthetic. Ergonomically it fills the ear a bit more than comparable models like Moondrop’s S8, but comfort and stability are standouts.

Tonally, RSV opts for a warm, laid-back Harman tilt: elevated sub-bass with restrained mid-bass, even mids with a touch more body than typical Harman, and an upper-mid presence that’s assertive yet not shouty. The treble is notably smooth and controlled—never sharp or sibilant—contributing to an unfatiguing, polished listen. For an all-BA design, the bass is punchy and clean, staying out of the midrange; the main trade-off is a stage that can feel narrower versus more expansive peers.

Against benchmarks, RSV comes across as the “gentleman’s” alternative to the more energetic Moondrop S8 and the livelier, deeper-reaching ThieAudio Monarch, while showing more consistent bass body and smoother treble than DUNU SA6. At roughly $730, it emphasizes balance and refinement over fireworks, earning a solid four-star verdict: extremely competent tuning and execution for those prioritizing maturity, comfort, and smoothness over maximum excitement.

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$900 tribrid with a naming twist: despite the “10,” it’s a 12-driver stack—2x dynamic for the lows and 10x BA for the rest—tuned to feel like a single DD done right. It’s easy to drive yet scales with better amps, delivering a warm, cohesive cloud of sound with a shockingly natural low end from the dual dynamics and clean, clarified treble from the BAs. The tonality straddles the line between fun and audiophile: throw on bangers and it hits; cue up quiet, moody scores and it gets soft, spacious, and atmospheric without smearing detail. Compared to a reference single-DD like Softears Twilight, this set brings better bass authority and brighter treble definition, giving up a tick of soundstage in exchange for a more enveloping, “everything-just-blends” presentation that feels more cohesive than a 2+10 should.

Build and pack-ins are the buzzkill: the shells are huge, the finish can look plainer than promo photos, and the accessories are sparse (basic case, tips, adapters, standard cable). Tip rolling matters—silicone (e.g., Dunu SS) keeps the bass tight and the vibe relaxed; foams can blunt the magic. Despite the light bundle, the tuning is a no-brainer recommendation at this tier: flagship-level dynamics with zero obvious deal-breakers, equally at home with industrial grit and orchestral whispers. Call it a confident 9/10: fewer trinkets in the box, but the sound is the show—and it’s the real hype.

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Build & package: Both arrive with the same tips, case, and box, but the Hype 10 adds an interchangeable 3.5/2.5/4.4 mm cable. The shells differ in size—Hype 4 is smaller—while the Hype 10’s faceplate is a standout, galaxy-like design. Driver & price: Hype 4 runs 2DD + 4BA at $399; Hype 10 upgrades to 2DD + 10BA at $899, featuring Sonion bass/mids and Knowles ultra-tweeters, plus dual 10 mm isobaric DDs.

Sound & use-case: Versus Hype 4, the Hype 10 brings tighter, punchier bass with more texture and quicker attack, cleaner mids with a slightly more natural timbre, and a treble that’s crisp, airy, and more analytical. It offers better separation, layering, and a slightly larger stage, making instruments, vocals, and even orchestral passages easier to parse—excellent for music and single-player titles with cinematic scores. For competitive gaming, however, the Hype 10’s elevated presence region turns gunshots/explosions spicy and can crowd out footsteps, while the Hype 4 stays smoother up top and keeps positional cues clearer with comparable imaging. On the Wall Hack Certified list: Hype 4 = B+, Hype 10 = B. Net: both are fantastic, but at half the price and with stronger FPS performance, the Hype 4 remains the easier recommendation and current daily driver.