ThieAudio Legacy 9 and Softears Studio 4 use 1DD+8BA and 4BA driver setups respectively. ThieAudio Legacy 9 costs $550 while Softears Studio 4 costs $450. ThieAudio Legacy 9 is $100 more expensive. Softears Studio 4 holds a decisive 2.1-point edge in reviewer scores (5.3 vs 7.4). Softears Studio 4 has better bass with a 0.5-point edge, Softears Studio 4 has significantly better mids with a 2.3-point edge, Softears Studio 4 has significantly better treble with a 1-point edge and Softears Studio 4 has significantly better imaging with a 1-point edge.
Insights
Metric | ThieAudio Legacy 9 | Softears Studio 4 |
---|---|---|
Bass | 6 | 6.5 |
Mids | 5 | 7.3 |
Treble | 6 | 7 |
Details | 5 | 5 |
Soundstage | 5.3 | 8 |
Imaging | 4 | 5 |
Dynamics | 5 | 5 |
Tonality | 5.6 | 7.5 |
Technicalities | 5.4 | 7.1 |
ThieAudio Legacy 9 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
Softears Studio 4 Aggregated Review Score
Average Reviewer Scores
ThieAudio Legacy 9 Details
Driver Configuration: 1DD+8BA
Tuning Type: Bassy
Brand: ThieAudio Top ThieAudio IEMs
Price (Msrp): $550
Support our free service! Buying through our affiliate links costs you nothing extra:
Softears Studio 4 Details
Driver Configuration: 4BA
Tuning Type: Neutral
Brand: Softears Top Softears IEMs
Price (Msrp): $450
Support our free service! Buying through our affiliate links costs you nothing extra:
ThieAudio Legacy 9 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!
Softears Studio 4 User Review Score
Average User Scores
Average User Score: n/a
Based on 0 user reviews
No user reviews yet. Be the first one who writes a review!
ThieAudio Legacy 9 Gaming Score

Gaming Score & Grade
- The gaming score is prioritizing technical capabilities of the IEM (Separation, Layering, Soundstage) and good value.
Gaming Score
4.9Gaming Grade
CSoftears Studio 4 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-ThieAudio Legacy 9 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
C+- Satisfactory technical performance. Handles basic detail retrieval adequately in most tracks. Maintains reasonable cohesion in simpler arrangements.
Softears Studio 4 Scorings
Average Technical & Tuning Grades
Average Tunign Grade
A- Well-executed tonal character. No major flaws with good technical control. Smooth presentation works with multiple genres.
Average Technical Grade
A-- Competent technical presentation. Handles separation and detail well in most tracks, with modest soundstage and acceptable imaging capabilities.
ThieAudio Legacy 9 Reviews
Bass a little too slow and sluggish with minor quirks in the midrange-treble transition. Crin Youtube Channel
Solid bass and sparkly, well-extended treble. Could use more work in the detail and imaging department. Precogvision Youtube Channel
Softears Studio 4 Reviews
Just great all around, balance with amazingly clean midrange Tim Tuned Youtube Channel
Something magical about this set, but it's not the Bass. Jaytiss Youtube Channel
A benchmark for tonality and timbre. Neutral, accurate sound with great bass, tonal accuracy, forward vocals, and natural timbre. Excellent isolation. Unvented design and BA bass may not suit everyone.Gizaudio Axel original ranking
Gizaudio Axel Youtube Channel
Best all rounder under $500. "Correct" and neutral tuning. Perfect vocals, not as forward like RSV but zero faults. Slight Improvement over RSV in-terms of seapration and stage size/treble is same/not as warm. Jays Audio Youtube Channel
Sounds plasticky and smoothed; inoffensive to the point of being offensive. Precogvision Youtube Channel
ThieAudio Legacy 9 User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own reviewSoftears Studio 4 User Reviews
"This is an example review"
Pros
- Example pro 1
- Example pro 2
Cons
- Example con 1
- Example con 2
Share your experience and build your personal ranking list.
You need to be signed in to write your own review