Today, we review the ThieAudio Origin IEMs. It is selling for $849 USD.
Disclaimer: ThieAudio Origin was provided by Linsoul. We thank ThieAudio & Linsoul for the sample. As always, this review will reflect my unbiased perspective.
Launched in 2019, ThieAudio specializes in the research and development of audiophile in-ear monitors and headphones. Their mission, as stated on their website, is to serve as a creative platform, bringing together skilled engineering teams to oversee the design and manufacture of high-performance audiophile IEMs.
In just a few years, ThieAudio has built a strong reputation in the industry, offering products at various price points. I’ve covered many ThieAudio releases and have often been impressed by how well they perform for the price. We pretty much covered all the IEMs here on Headfonia, including excellent mid-tier offerings like the Oracle MKIII and Hype 4, and a range of higher-end models, including my favorites: the Prestige OG and the Prestige LTD. You can explore all our ThieAudio reviews here.
Today, our focus is on the ThieAudio Origin. It features a quadbrid configuration, which means that ThieAudio used four different types of drivers to create the Origin. We are used to seeing ThieAudio’s tribrid designs, but today we have something even better! Let’s get to it without further ado.
ThieAudio Origin – 8-Driver Quadbrid In-Ear Monitors
Quadbrid alright, with its one dynamic driver, four balanced armature drivers, two electrostatic drivers, and one bone conduction driver, the Origin represents a new era for the ThieAudio as this is the first time we are seeing a bone conduction driver being utilized by ThieAudio.
We see no mention of ThieAudio’s in-house IMPACT² technology, which combines two DD in an isobaric chamber, which was a big highlight of the Hype line-up and the Monarch MKIII; however, I believe Thieaudio wanted to save space due to the space requirement of the bone conduction driver and went with 10mm DD equipped with a bio-cellulose diaphragm instead, for this design.
According to ThieAudio, the Origin is tuned for bass enthusiasts, offering a whopping 12dB sub-bass boost while maintaining their classic balanced tuning. The Origin’s large 11mm bone conduction driver is said to enhance mids and treble, affecting the overall sound in an audible and measurable way.
The Origin also comes with a new cable called the EliteNoir cable, which features some interesting specs. It is nice to finally see a color-matching cable with a ThieAudio IEM. They look gorgeous together. The Origin retails for 849 USD and can be purchased from Linsoul.com.
Specs & Highlights
Driver Configuration: 1DD+2EST+4BA+1BC
Socket: 0.78-2Pin
Housing: Resin Body, Metal Nozzle, Artisan Faceplate, x3 Sound-Bores
Cable: 1.2m, 7x7x0.08mm Silver-Plated 5N LCOFC wires and 16x7x0.06mm Silver-Plated 4N LCOFC wires.
Interchangeable Connectors (4.4mm & 3.5mm)
Impedance: 9Ω
Sensitivity: 102dB (±1dB) @ 1kHz
Packaging & Accessories
ThieAudio has finally refreshed its packaging after a long period of keeping things the same. The Origin arrives in a box with artwork of the IEMs on the front and specifications listed on the sides. Removing the outer sleeve reveals a black cardboard box with a new font style.
Inside, the foam-padded interior has two compartments: on the right, the IEMs rest in a foam cutout, and on the left, you will find a compact, round, indigo-colored Alcantara case. The inside of the case is also lined with cream-colored Alcantara. It’s smaller than ThieAudio’s older, larger rectangular cases, so it can only house the IEMs and not much else.
The rest of the included accessories are found inside the case. My unit came with two sets of ear tips including one set of foam tips and one set of clear silicone tips with white stems. There’s also a black ThieAudio-branded cleaning cloth and interchangeable 3.5mm and 4.4mm plugs for the modular cable.
I wanted to dedicate a paragraph to the cable itself, as it is the highlight of this package. This is the new EliteNoir cable, which will be sold separately for the first time ever. It is a type 2 litz cable made of 7x7x0.08mm silver-plated 5N LCOFC wires and 16x7x0.06mm silver-plated 4N LCOFC wires, sheathed in a smoky black-blue PVC jacket. Each strand features 161 wires and ThieAudio used Mundorf’s well-loved Supreme solder. The thicker two-braid style and dark indigo look really match the shell color of the Origin, and I’m pleased that ThieAudio chose quality materials inside and out.
The interchangeable connector system, similar to a 4-pin mini XLR, feels durable. This time, there’s no textured shell or locking mechanism, which makes it more streamlined but a little less grippy. There’s still a small notch inside to ensure proper pin alignment. Overall, I really like the cable’s build quality. In my review of the Oracle MKIII, I mentioned that a dark indigo cable would look great with ThieAudio’s dark shells, and I’m glad they went that route here. Compared to their older brown or sand cables, the EliteNoir is a fantastic aesthetic match for the Origin.
Design, Fit & Build Quality
The Origin features galaxy-themed faceplates that resemble a nebula or comet shooting through space. Blue tones dominate, with a bit of yellow and red resembling the aftermath of a passing comet. ThieAudio went for a more matte finish this time, avoiding the heavy use of glitter and sparkles seen in previous models. The Origin looks good, but after experiencing the Oracle MKIII which I think is a true work of art, this design feels a bit bland. That being said, the artwork makes me think of Carl Sagan’s quote, “We are stardust,” which seems to fit the name and art concept behind the Origin.
The shells are made of high-quality, medical-grade acrylic resin. The opaque body blocks out light, and the semi-custom shape gives me a great, custom-like fit. I’ve used Divinus Wide aftermarket ear tips with these, and have achieved about 35 dB of passive isolation, enough to completely mute my PC fans. I’ve also tried BlockEar+ ear tips, and they provide a deeper, more bass-heavy fit. Like the rest of ThieAudio’s high-end line, the Origin offers excellent passive isolation.
In terms of fit, the concha support is slightly more rounded, and the bass vent, which is covered by a metal mesh, is positioned on the underside of the shell. This is similar to other ThieAudio models that use the Impact² driver array. I’ve never had fit issues with any ThieAudio monitor, and these are no exception. My ears and ear canals are quite large, so the semi-custom shell fits perfectly. In all honesty, it feels as if it was molded just for me. That said, ThieAudio’s shells aren’t small. The Origin is about the same shell size as the Hype 10, which I’d classify as “ML”. To give you a better idea, “L” is something like the Oriolus Monachaa, and “M” is more like the Mega5EST. If you have particularly small ears, feel free to leave a comment below and I can try to help you gauge fit before you buy.
The review continues on the next page. Click here or use the jump below.
Page 1: ThieAudio, The Origin, Packaging & Accessories, Design, Fit & Build Quality
Page 2: Sound Impressions, Low, Mid, High, Technical Capability, Comparison, Last Words
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