Thieaudio Hype 10 VS Ziigaat Horizon

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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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Ziigaat’s Horizon follows the current meta-inspired recipe—think Astral, Metas, Crescent—but pushes the focus upward: the treble is the most prominent piece here. It’s bright-leaning without turning harsh, giving a crisp, “OCD-like” sense of transient bite and pinpoint imaging. Low end and vocals sit a touch behind the highs, so the presentation feels clean and lively rather than thick; at mid-volume, the top end drizzles detail over the mix like raindrops—engaging and textured, not shouty.

On the technical side, Horizon pulls strong detail retrieval and resolution for the price—above sets like Supermix 4 and near EM10/Volare —yet it doesn’t scale massively because of that treble lift. The bass is snappy and controlled, with good separation, but lacks the slam and rumble seekers of impact will want. Pairing and playlist matter: avoid hot, highly produced pop/K-pop/J-pop or most hip-hop where the combo of elevated highs and lighter bass can feel edgy; it shines with slower pop, R&B, indie acoustics, ballads, and classical where the sparkle reads as “high-fidelity.” Warmer sources help a bit, and tip-rolling (stock black/clear, or bass-adding options like Final E/divinus) can balance things—just skip anything that pushes treble further.

Against close competitors, Astral hit harder down low and feel more V-shaped and contrasty; Crescent is warmer and smoother but not as clear or micro-detailed. Horizon is the cleanest and brightest of the trio, with the most refined treble focus and “tickly” transients. Verdict: a value-minded all-rounder for detail lovers who prefer clarity and air over bass authority—technical, tidy, and energetic at sensible volumes, provided the library isn’t a treble minefield.

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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.

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Ziigaat Horizon arrives as a striking tri-brid in the ~$300 bracket (1DD + 2BA + 2 planar) with a tuning that brushes close to Kiwi Ears Astral yet comes across a touch thinner and more balanced. The low end focuses on sub-bass rumble that’s tight, clean, and richly tactile, while mids keep timbre accurate and treble stays controlled—never shouty or fatiguing—yielding a fun-yet-almost-reference presentation. Build and comfort impress: ergonomic shells with that aqua-to-silver fade can be worn for 8-hour sessions, and the package includes Ziigaat’s new two-pin cable with interchangeable terminations (3.5/4.4), a roomy faux-leather case, silicone sets plus foams; tip rolling (e.g., ASMR tips) pairs well.

In games, ambient clutter drops away and crucial cues get spotlighted with confident imaging, separation, and convincing verticality. Footsteps in Valorant are clear and positional, though the lightest taps can blur a bit under nearby low-end rumble or heavy gunfire; Apex performance is exceptional, just a hair behind Astral/Mangird Tea Pro when ultimates stack; Call of Duty delivers satisfying impact with disciplined decay, though micro-cues can soften during chaos. Net-net, Horizon is a great all-rounder with clean, technical bass and a natural balance that works across titles. On the WallHack list it gets A– overall (A– in Apex, B+ in CoD, Valorant just shy of top marks), primarily nudged down by occasional masking of the lightest cues during intense mixes.

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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 & 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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The Horizon aims for a neutral-natural tonality with a slightly lean lower midrange, delivering standout vocal transparency and crisp separation. Bass is mostly sub-bass focused—felt and supportive rather than boomy—giving notes a pleasing sense of density without smearing the mids. The trade-off is an elevated upper-treble that adds air and detail but can tilt gritty/sandy if the fit or tips aren’t dialed in.

Build and accessories are a mixed bag: a surprisingly nice carrying case and swappable termination, but a fussy cable and a resin shell that fits deep and may need shorter, grippier tips to shine. Once seated well, the Horizon’s imaging and instrument separation pop, making complex mixes feel organized and engaging.

Versus pricier hype pieces with similar FR, the Horizon feels like a “short king” take: not as refined up top as the best of them, yet more weighty and satisfying than some leaner peers. Compared to something like Volume S at a similar price, this set is clearer and more incisive (better separation), while Volume S is fuller and smoother with punchier bass presence. At $330, it’s the most compelling entry in its family so far—addictive for transparency and staging, with the caveat of treble sensitivity and fit quirks.