Thieaudio Hype 4 VS AFUL Dawn-X

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The Thieaudio Hype 4 brings a hybrid setup of 2DD + 4BA at around $400, wrapped in a distinctive all-white shell with tidy faceplate patterning and a slightly tinted cable. Shell size is medium and the ergonomics echo other modern Thieaudio designs: easy insertion, stable fit, and genuine all-day comfort. Build quality and finish feel a notch more refined than usual for the brand, making the whole package look and wear better than expected at this price.

Tonality targets a neutral with bass boost profile, with emphasis kept largely to the sub-bass so things don’t turn warm or boomy. Versus Hype 2, there’s a touch more mid-bass and, more importantly, a firmer bass attack—swapping the softer, pillowy edges for punch and control. Treble stays smooth and well-controlled without sibilance. The star, though, is the imaging and head-stage: unusually wide and clean at this price, giving precise placement and clear separation that pops immediately on first listen.

Not everything is perfect—midrange micro-contrast can feel a bit “glassy,” so ultra-fine vocal texture and analog grit aren’t its specialty. In lateral comparisons, Yanyin Canon 2 plays warmer and fuller with slightly better textural nuance, while Hype 4 sounds cleaner, airier, and more expansive for live and electronic material. With meaningful improvements over Hype 2 (especially in bass behavior) and standout staging, Hype 4 earns a confident 4/5 as a polished, engaging all-rounder.

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AFUL’s house sound shows up here in its most polished form: Dawn-X is a tribrid (1DD + 8BA + 4EST + bone conduction) flagship at $1,300 that prioritizes consistent fit and execution over flash. Build is understated with stabilized-wood faceplates, above-average isolation, and a medium/medium-large shell that fits better—and more consistently—than the Cantor. The accessory loadout is solid (four silicone tip sets, large but well-made case), though the stock cable does not have swappable terminations (choose 3.5 mm or 4.4 mm).

Tonally, it’s a balanced, warmer-leaning take on AFUL’s signature: a dense, controlled bass that borders on decadent yet stays quick and clean, slightly relaxed mids, and a precise, mildly forward lower-treble that keeps definition high without tipping into harshness for most listeners. Stage favors front-to-back depth over width; transients are clean and a touch clinical, giving strong separation without sounding smeary. The result is a mature, confident presentation that reads refined rather than showy.

Against peers: versus Cantor, Dawn-X is warmer, smoother, and far more consistent thanks to fit; Cantor can sound brighter and a bit wider. Compared with FiiO FX17, Dawn-X has tighter bass and crisper treble, where FX17 feels looser and fuller. The 64 Audio U4s plays softer and wider; Dawn-X is more precise/clinical. DUNU Glacier hits harder and more V-shaped with smoother treble but less natural acoustic timbre; Dawn-X sounds truer on instruments. Versus ThieAudio Monarch MK4, MK4 is more neutral, vocal-forward with greater width, while Dawn-X offers denser low-end and a calmer demeanor—and a friendlier fit for many ears. Verdict: 3/5 stars—not the flashiest in its bracket, but arguably AFUL’s best execution yet of its signature sound.

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HYPE 4 comes across as the sweet spot of the series: less bass than the HYPE 10, but tighter control with a midrange that feels more natural and unmasked. Listeners called it smoother and more versatile, with punch that doesn’t bleed into the mids and more apparent detail than the HYPE 2 and 10. Several blind testers either preferred it outright or put it neck-and-neck with higher-priced sets, estimating it around “$500” based on sound, while the actual tag sits near $400.

Against the rest, the HYPE 10 drew comments like “boomy,” “less cohesive,” and occasionally underwhelming, while the HYPE 2 read as Harman’s “cooler brother” with fuller male vocals but lower technical ceiling. The Monarch MK3 still edges the field on overall cleanliness, “air,” and refinement, and some would pay the extra $100 to jump there. But viewed through price-performance, the takeaway stayed consistent: HYPE 4 is the most worth it pick for most people, delivering a balanced, engaging presentation without the bloat or brightness trade-offs seen elsewhere in the lineup.

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Thieaudio Hype 4 arrives with surprisingly premium trimmings: a compact, comfortable shell (though some ears may need tip rolling for a secure seal), a supple cable akin to the latest Oracle 2/Monarch MKIII leads with a durable 3.5 mm plug, and a classy case lifted straight from pricier models. Overall presentation feels 2–3× its price, with tidy accessories and a cable that’s pleasant in hand even if it won’t lay perfectly flat.

Sonically it’s impactful and engaging: bass is lush and deep without smearing, mids keep vocals forward yet smooth for podcasts, and treble has air and detail without piercing. The tuning graph shows excellent channel matching and hugs a preferred target—3 kHz rise with a 5–6 kHz dip—which explains the easygoing clarity. Minor nitpicks surface: some cymbal shimmer can feel a touch “off,” and a few drum hits could carry more thump/realism; otherwise it’s a cohesive, “just sounds right” presentation that can deliver goosebump moments when the beat drops.

Against peers, Hype 4 comes off as a safer buy and more exciting listen than the Hisenior Mega5 EST (cheaper, better cable/case, and far less dull). It edges the Binary Chopin on overall quality—though Chopin stays a killer budget pick—and proves more fun and library-friendly than the detail-leaning Performer 8. Versus Monarch MKII it’s livelier with better sub-bass and treble reach; compared with Monarch MKIII, it avoids the fatiguing 4–6 kHz energy. The verdict: a mid-fi standout with near top-tier tuning, top-shelf packaging, and a value that challenges pricier options—highly recommended despite not being the absolute cheapest route to great sound.

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Large, sculpted shells with a bulbous rear (housing the bone conductor) make the Aful Dawn-X a substantial fit—comfortable for some, but risky for small ears. The stock cable feels quality but is 4.4 mm-only, and the case/accessories are tidy; importantly, the nozzle grips tips securely (unlike some past AFUL sets). Overall build is handsome and premium, with fit being the main variable.

Sonically, the tuning favors sub-bass over mid-bass, pairs rich mids with smooth, natural treble that avoids harsh spikes yet has mild 4–6 kHz energy, and presents a cohesive, almost speaker-like soundstage. It wakes up with a bit of volume/power, prioritizing clarity, micro-detail and air over outright slam; the bone conductor subtly supports the midrange more than the lows. At $1,300 it’s competitive for listeners chasing technical refinement and a natural tonality, while value seekers or mid-bass lovers may prefer cheaper AFUL options or sets with more punch.

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AFUL Dawn-X arrives as a premium, resin-shelled flagship with a striking red-wood faceplate, a soft 4.4 mm cable, a protective zipper case, and multiple silicone tips. The shells run large but are well-contoured and vented, offering excellent comfort for extended sessions; those with smaller ears should demo first. Build and accessories are solid overall, with only some cable memory above the chin slider worth noting.

Tuning follows a mild V-shape: a moderate, textured bass lift; natural mids with lifelike vocal timbre; and a smooth, extended treble that brings air and detail without harshness. Kicks have weight and EDM carries rumble, yet vocals remain clear; male voices retain grit without thickness, while female vocals sound airy and sweet. Treble presents shimmer and clarity in a non-fatiguing way—ideal for long listens, though not for fans of aggressively boosted highs or outright bass-head needs.

Technical performance is a highlight: resolution, separation, imaging, and stage depth rank among the best at the price, creating immersive layering and precise placement even on busy tracks. Versus AFUL Caner, Dawn-X offers stronger, tighter bass, smoother treble, better comfort, and more refined layering; compared to FiiO’s FX17 and BGVP Solomon, it sounds cleaner, more naturally voiced, and less fatiguing. Against Elleian Apostle, the Apostle hits harder down low, while Dawn-X feels more balanced and immersive. Recommended for those who want a fun-yet-natural, all-rounder flagship with effortless treble and textured mids—less so for meta-leaning bright V tunings or very small ears. Final verdict: 4.5/5, a top contender at its price.

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Thieaudio Hype 4 delivers the redemption arc this series needed: a $399 hybrid that channels the beloved Clairvoyance vibe at a lower price. The 2DD+4BA setup hits with a chest-filling low end—powerful yet clean—while treble comes through with airy, flute-and-violin sheen, free of splash. Imaging feels gapless and pinpoint; handclaps and spatial cues lock into place with convincing realism. Despite “studio monitor” marketing, the tuning is smooth and musical rather than dry or clinical, inviting long sessions and even some dancing. Tip rolling (from silicone to foam-injected silicone) nudges seal and focus but doesn’t derail the signature, signaling a universally forgiving character.

At 17 Ω, the Hype 4 is easy to drive and plays nicely with everything from sterile DAC/amps to warmer class-A and even tubes—differences show as subtle nuance, not hit-or-miss synergy. Build is handsome in black/blue/white shells (the white “dragon-meat” look gets a wink), with a comfy deep-recessed 2-pin fit and decent included tips/foams. The miss: a non-modular 3.5 mm cable at this price, plus the usual accessory minimalism. Sonically, though, this feels like the $600-tier polish of the old Clairvoyance—cohesive, punchy, and silky across the band—making Hype 4 an easy recommendation. Final verdict: a confident 9/10 on sound, dinged mainly for the cable, and a clear “this is what Thieaudio should sound like” moment.

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AFUL Dawn-X goes straight for spectacle: a $1,300 tribrid behemoth with 14 drivers per side—one dynamic, eight BAs, four electrostats, and a bone conductor—that turns familiar tracks into a surreal remix. The presentation is described as “Poltergeist in an IEM,” with spatial effects that feel like a live DSP engine: four imaginary DJs slicing and reassembling the mix on the fly. Every song becomes an event—an Unreal-Engine-in-a-cave vibe—yet it stays coherent enough to be addictive rather than broken, delivering a wildly unique listen that nothing else in the collection replicates.

Forget reading the squiggle: measurements look “normal,” but the sound is anything but. The stage is huge, imaging is hyper-layered, and transient effects pop out and retract with uncanny tactility—great for ASMR, movies, and games where holographic placement sells the illusion. Despite the driver count, it’s not hard to drive; volume needs are moderate, nowhere near planar-pain territory. This is the “break-glass-when-bored” set—the one to pull out after years in the hobby when everything else feels samey and a jolt of abnormal brilliance is required.

Build and accessories match the price: gargantuan shells with stabilized wooden faceplates, a premium cable, a neat leather strap, and a buffet of individually boxed tips, though termination is a simple 3.5 or 4.4 choice. Ergonomics demand some ear real estate, but the payoff is a sound signature that’s gloriously weird and deeply entertaining. Recommendation: not a first or only IEM—save it for collectors who already have “normal” covered and want a statement piece that rewires how music feels.

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Thieaudio HYPE 4 hits far above its price with a lively, bass-driven tuning that stays clean and controlled. The low end delivers physicality without muddying the mids or presence region, evoking a “mini Monarch MK3” vibe for music playback. Resolution and micro-detail—fingers on strings, vocal intimacy—come through impressively, though note that pairing (e.g., a Topping DX9) can influence bass texture and perceived air.

In competitive titles, HYPE 4 reduces ambient haze so audio cues cut through like they’re “piercing a fog,” elevating depth perception and imaging. It takes the edge in Apex Legends, The Finals, and Counter-Strike 2, where some effects can sound metallic on other sets; here, separation remains intact even amid explosions and ultimates. Despite the energetic low end, separation stays steady and never overwhelms complex scenes.

Versus the Yanyin Canon 2, HYPE 4 is the more fun and slightly more resolving listen; Canon 2 can be preferable on tight, bass-heavy maps in Valorant and Fortnite, with Rainbow Six Siege essentially a toss-up. Comfort is close, with a slight fit edge to HYPE 4 over longer sessions. Overall gaming grade sits around a B+ (≈88 ±2) on the “wallhack certified” list—an excellent hybrid that bridges music enjoyment and competitive clarity at its price.

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AFUL Dawn-X arrives as a 12-driver quad-brid flagship (1 DD, 8 BA, 4 EST, 1 bone conduction) priced at $1,300. The unboxing mirrors AFUL’s higher-end sets: big leather case, cable clip, four ear-tip sets, cleaning brush, plus a soft but slightly memory-prone cable available in 3.5 or 4.4—and given the set’s power hunger, 4.4 makes sense. Design skews conservative: a red stabilized-wood faceplate paired with a plain black shell that doesn’t showcase the intricate internals. The shell is also very large (think Monarch-sized), creating comfort issues; small ears will struggle. Tip sensitivity is high, and stock tips provide the most balanced result.

Tonally this is classic AFUL house sound: a mild V with a slightly warm, musical tilt that remains balanced overall. Bass hits with punch, texture, and sub-bass rumble without bloat—ample enough for bass fans yet controlled. The midrange is a standout: natural, lush vocals with male voices gaining a touch from the warmth and female vocals kept more neutral, preserving timbral authenticity and emotional nuance. Treble is rich, smooth, and well-extended; the ESTs are tuned tastefully—no harsh glare—adding just the right air and sparkle. The bone-conduction driver focuses on mids and stays subtle in practice.

Technically, Dawn-X competes with top peers: high resolution, excellent separation, and rare cohesion for a multi-driver design. Imaging and layering feel strikingly realistic, while stage favors depth over width (wider sets like Fatfreq Quantum still outspread it). As a recommendation, it suits listeners seeking a slightly warm, highly detailed, all-rounder; it’s not ideal for small ears, lean-bass preferences, or those wanting brighter upper-mids/treble. Despite strong diminishing returns above mid-fi prices, Dawn-X punches above its tag and earns a rare two-star recommendation from Kois Archive—a flagship that feels genuinely special if the fit works.