Table of Contents
Introduction
Most of you would already be familiar with the ThieAudio brand: Linsoul’s entry into the headphone and IEM game starting with the Phantom planar headphone, and then branching out into the Legacy and Voyager series of IEMs.
In case you aren’t aware, I’ve actually reviewed the whole ThieAudio IEM lineup prior to their newest releases, the links for which are listed below:
- ThieAudio Legacy 3
- ThieAudio Voyager 3
- ThieAudio Legacy 5
- ThieAudio Legacy 9
- ThieAudio Voyager 14
- ThieAudio Clairvoyance
- ThieAudio Monarch
In general ThieAudio isn’t inconsistent per se, but it would be accurate to say that they’re been rather hit-or-miss when it comes to performance under IEF metrics. Sure, when they hit they hit it big (Monarch and Clairvoyance being the prime examples) and when they miss they aren’t completely stumbling, but so far it’s been rather 50/50 on whether or not I’d like ThieAudio’s newest release, whatever it may be.
After the $250 Legacy 5, ThieAudio now releases the $200 Legacy 4. And now weeks after virtually every other reviewer has gotten a review out, now it’s finally IEF’s turn. So here we answer the usual question: how good is the Legacy 4 actually?
Product page: https://www.linsoul.com/products/thieaudio-legacy-4
MSRP: $200
Driver configuration: 3BA + 1DD hybrid
This Legacy 4 was kindly provided by Linsoul.
Non-audio opinions
My unboxing posts are pretty much the only times I’ll ever talk about build quality, accessories and the like. I’m not really the person to ask about these things as I don’t really care about them that much.
Accessories:
- Large canvas hard case
- Small canvas hard case
- Tips
Cable: 4-wire cable in round-braid configuration. Soft and pliable, good skinfeel. No complaints.
Connection: flush 2-pin. Per usual, would’ve preferred recessed 2-pin instead. Flush 2-pin is one of the least secure connections available.
Build: typical resin build. Nothing seems out of the ordinary.
Fit: pseudo-custom. Good fit for my ears, but may pose a problem for really small ears.
Isolation: good.
Initial impressions
- The Legacy 4 is probably the best of the ThieAudio’s Legacy series (3, 4, 5, and 9). At the very least, it is my favourite.
- Like with the Legacy 3, switch “1” does basically nothing.
- Assuming your starting point is with switch “2” off, turning on switch “2” makes the Legacy 4 slightly less V-shaped and more neutral.
- Overall tonal balance is solid with the technicalities being a little lacklustre.
- A very, very competitive IEM for $200, but would still struggle to overthrow established mainstays like the JVC HA-FDX1 or the Etymotic ER2.
Measurements
All data has been uploaded to the Graph Comparison Tool.
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7 thoughts on “ThieAudio Legacy 4: Unboxing”
I think this iem will be held back by it’s (lack of) technicalities. Lots of good option at this price point (ER4XR is going for $211 and ER2 is $100 right now) and lower.
Do you recommend this ober the kxxs?
Wonder how it fares against chifi peers such as the FH3.
Confort shoud be much better with this than JVC HA-FDX1 or Etymotic ER2…
I agree I have the er2 and they are extremely uncomfortable i only use them when i need extreme noise isolation like at concerts or when i play drums
Interesting thing about this IEM is that it can be made into a custom for $60 more – Linsoul accepts digital impressions – $260 for a 4 driver hybrid custom is not a bad deal – unless it sucks – and apparently it doesn’t. But if the performance is middling, and you get bored, you will have a harder time selling a custom. Bumps up against my motto – I would rather have 1 expensive & excellent (something) than a handful of affordable & mediocre (somethings)
So how would you grade these?