The Empire Ears Triton and THIEAUDIO Hype 10 are premium IEMs designed to deliver an engaging sound experience. We compare both models to help you find the best in-ear monitors for your listening preferences.
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The Triton and Hype 10 sit at two different price points.
The Triton comes in at $1,799.00.
The Hype 10 comes in at $899.00.
The Triton is significantly more expensive than the Hype 10. Let's dive deep into the specs, design, sound signatures, and features of both so you can get a better idea of what each IEM brings to the table.
The Triton is a hybrid IEM crafted for musical engagement, combining dynamic and balanced armature drivers to deliver a lively, full-bodied sound with enhanced bass response and immersive staging.
Empire Ears Triton Features:
Empire Ears Triton Specs:
Driver Configuration: Tribrid (W9+ Dynamic / EMP75 Balanced Armatures / Bone Conduction Drivers)
Frequency Response: 5 Hz - 40kHz
Impedance: 2.8 ohms @ 1kHz
Sensitivity: 99dB @ 1kHz, 1mW
Connector: 2-pin, 0.78mm
The Hype 10 is a high-end hybrid in-ear monitor from THIEAUDIO. It features dual dynamic drivers and ten balanced armatures to deliver a smooth yet engaging sound experience.
THIEAUDIO Hype 10 Features:
THIEAUDIO Hype 10 Specs:
Driver Configuration: 2x 10mm Dynamic Drivers + 10x Balanced Armatures
Impedance: 18 Ω
Sensitivity: 88 dB/mW
Weight: Approximately 5 grams per earpiece
Nozzle Diameter: Just over 6mm
Shell Material: Medical-grade resin
The Triton and Hype 10 are premium IEMs, boasting exceptional build quality, design, and ergonomics.
The Triton takes a more striking approach, blending luxury and performance with its stunning ergonomic design. Its shell is made from high-density resin reinforced with premium materials for enhanced rigidity and durability.
The faceplate design is eye-catching, showcasing Empire Ears’ attention to craftsmanship with a premium finish that feels and looks premium. While the housing is slightly larger to accommodate its hybrid driver system, the ergonomic shaping ensures it remains comfortable, with a secure seal that enhances both isolation and bass impact.
The THIEAUDIO Hype 10 features medical-grade resin shells for a robust and lightweight feel. Its faceplates feature a striking hand-painted galaxy design for a unique look.
The overall size of the Hype 10's shells are larger than average due to the dense 12-driver setup, but the smooth and ergonomic shell shapes ensure excellent on-ear comfort for extended listening sessions.
You're probably looking to see how these IEMs stack up on sound. We'll share our thoughts here, although keep in mind this information tends to be anecdotal and subjective.
The Triton, with its tribrid driver system with a powerful W9+ subwoofer, BA drivers, and Bone Conduction, deliver a fun and smooth sound signature.
The W9+ subwoofer brings impressive bass power for deeper, more textured bass with natural decay. The balanced armatures layered on top bring clarity and definition to the mids and treble, giving instruments and vocals weight while still preserving detail.
The slightly larger housing allows for better driver placement and airflow, which helps create a wider, more holographic soundstage. The result is a sound that feels immersive and full-bodied, perfect for listeners who want to feel like they're part of the performance.
The Hype 10's party trick lies in its IMPACT2 technology, which combines two dynamic drivers in an isobaric chamber to deliver powerful impactful bass to your music. Midrange on the Hype 10 is natural and detailed, which gives vocals a forward presentation in the mix. Treble is well-extended but smooth, adding space and detail to your music. The soundstage on the Hype 10 is spacious - instruments and vocals get excellent separation and are easy to locate within the soundscape.
At $1,799, the Triton features cutting-edge driver technology, reinforced resin housing, and premium aesthetics. Its dynamic driver subwoofer adds physical bass impact, while the multi-driver crossover system creates a layered, immersive presentation. The build is also really solid, featuring an expressive faceplate design and built-in resonance control features for a blend of aesthetics and performance.
At $899, the Hype 10 features an impressive 12-driver setup with IMPACT2 technology for improved bass. With its premium sound, lightweight and robust build, and generous accessories, the Hype 10 offers top-tier sound and features for audiophiles and casual music listeners alike.
Get the Empire Ears Triton if you're looking for a bassy in-ear monitor with excellent vocals and a non-fatiguing yet detailed treble. With a dynamic driver under the hood, the Triton delivers slam and impact only a dynamic driver can. Vocal performance is top-notch as well, allowing you to experience your favorite vocal-centric tracks with life-like clarity and detail.
Get the Hype 10 if you want an exciting sound experience without the premium price. At $899, the Hype 10 delivers exceptional value, boasting a similar dual-dynamic driver technology as higher-end THIEAUDIO IEMs. At half the cost of the Triton, the Hype 10 delivers an equally engaging sound, combining next-level bass impact and power with smoothness and clarity that allows you to listen to just about any genre for hours on end.
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