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Kiwi Ears Astral vs THIEAUDIO HYPE 4 MKII: which should you buy?

Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Kiwi Ears Astral vs THIEAUDIO HYPE 4 MKII, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Kiwi Ears Astral leads on 4 of 4 measures.

  • Kiwi Ears Astral
  • THIEAUDIO HYPE 4 MKII
HearWiki score
82
-
Sound
8.6
-
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$300
$400

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Same generation

Both shipped in 2025. These are the same generation of hardware - nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.

  • Astral2025
  • HYPE 4 MKII2025

Specifications

AstralHYPE 4 MKII
Type
Wired IEMs
Wired IEMs
Price (USD)
$300
$400
HearWiki score
82
Not scored
Released
2025
2025
Availability
Sold new
Sold new
Driver
1DD + 6BA hybrid
hybrid
Driver type
hybrid
hybrid
Driver configuration
1DD + 6BA
-
Driver size
10 mm
8 mm
Drivers per side
7
-
Impedance
23 Ω
18 Ω
Active noise cancelling
No
-
Water resistance
IPX4
-
Detachable cable
Yes
-

What reviewers said

Kiwi Ears Astral

The Kiwi Ears Astral is a hybrid wired IEM that blends a dynamic driver with six balanced armatures, delivering a bass-forward yet detailed sound with smooth highs and a natural midrange. While it offers strong clarity, good instrument separation, and a comfortable fit for many, its large shells may cause fatigue over long sessions, and the mid-bass and lower midrange could feel leaner than some listeners prefer. Overall, it's a well-rounded performer in the $300 range, though not perfectly neutral due to its elevated low end and relaxed treble.

  • Pro:Deep, impactful sub-bass with good control
  • Pro:Clear and detailed treble without harshness
  • Pro:Natural midrange with good instrument separation
  • Con:Large shells may reduce comfort during extended listening
  • Con:Limited included eartip selection
  • Con:Mid-bass punch and lower midrange can seem thin

THIEAUDIO HYPE 4 MKII

This wired hybrid in-ear monitor combines dual 8mm dynamic drivers with four balanced-armature drivers to deliver a versatile sound signature. It's engineered to appeal to those who want a mix of analytical accuracy and engaging musicality, without relying on active noise cancellation.

  • Pro:Balanced tuning that suits both monitoring and casual listening
  • Pro:Hybrid driver setup offers detailed and dynamic performance
  • Pro:Comfortable fit for extended sessions
  • Con:Lacks active noise cancellation
  • Con:Requires a quality source to fully shine
  • Con:May not satisfy bass-heads seeking extreme low-end boost

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparisonKiwi Ears AstralTHIEAUDIO HYPE 4 MKII