Thieaudio Origin - Boom Boom Pow (My IEM of The Year 2024)
Pros:
- Very good stock cable
- Great build quality
- Fun bassy sound signature done right
- Excellent bass performance
- Mids are presented well despite this much amount of bass
- Smooth and extended treble
- Good Macro dynamic, very punchy sounding
- Stage is wide and deep
Cons:
- Fit can be challenging for people with small ears
- Thicc shell
- Micro detail pickup is not the best
Specs And Driver Configuration
- 8 Drivers per Side 1DD+2EST+4BA+1BC
- Driver Details: 1 10mm bio cellulose diaphragm DD +2xSonion EST+ 2xKnowles TWFk-30017+ 2xSonion 2600+ 1xBC for mids and treble
- Impedance: 9Ω @ 1kHz
- Sensitivity: 102dB (±1dB) @ 1kHz
Before starting the review, I want to thank The Audiostore for providing me with the loaner unit. After the review, the unit goes back to them.
Accessories Package
As this is a loaner unit, I can’t comment on the full unboxing experience or the complete accessories package. I only received the IEM and the stock cable. That said, the cable is a significant upgrade over the one included with previous Thieaudio flagships like the Monarch MK3 and Hype 10. It feels thick, substantial, and robust. Despite its heft, it handles surprisingly well with minimal memory. The colourway also complements the Origin beautifully. Honestly, this is the kind of cable that should come standard with high-end IEMs.
Design and Build Quality
The faceplate design of the Origin is genuinely well-executed. There’s a noticeable sense of depth to it, with patterns that resemble a blend of sky and galaxy motifs.
The design doesn’t feel flat or generic, it carries a subtle complexity that catches the eye without being overly flashy. It’s a thoughtful aesthetic that adds character without trying too hard to stand out. The build quality is excellent; it is made out of very high quality resin and feels very dense and robust.
Fit and Comfort
The fit and comfort will likely be the most controversial part of this IEM. The shells are thiccc, and the nozzle has medium thickness with a relatively short length.
So, tip rolling is definitely recommended to get the best seal and comfort. For me personally, the Origin fits very well in my ears, and I didn’t experience any discomfort. I can wear it for hours on end without any issues. However, the shells do jut out of the ear a bit, so they’re not the most comfortable to use while lying down.
Sources Used
In terms of sources, I did most of my testing on my desktop stack, the Topping e70 velvet and a70 pro. For portable sources, I used chord mojo 2.
Sound
I used the Divinus velvet tips for my sound testing. Thieaudio Origin has a fun bassy sound signature and they pulled off this sound signature quite well.
Bass
The bass is the star of the show on this IEM. It’s fun, in-your-face, and bombastic. As a basshead set, the Origin delivers not just in quantity but also in quality. The bass dynamics and sense of punch are excellent, making it one of the standout aspects of this set.
The sub-bass digs deep and low, offering impressive rumble and texture, while the mid-bass comes through with satisfying thump and slam. The overall bass presentation has a real sense of physicality to it. For example, in the intro of Angel by Massive Attack, you can literally feel your ears shake with the bass, and it’s an absolute blast.
The initial attack of the bass is crisp and well-defined, with just the right amount of decay—not too fast, not too slow, just right. Overall, I loved the bass on the Origin. It’s addictive and incredibly fun to listen to.
Mids
The mids are surprisingly well-tuned, especially considering the amount of bass this set carries. The bass shelf is positioned well, and it starts correcting around 250 Hz, which prevents any bleed into the lower mids. As a result, the mids come across as clean, textured, and well-layered. This clarity is further enhanced by the bone conduction driver, which operates from the midrange up to the treble region. It adds a subtle texture and a sense of realism to the mids that really elevates the overall presentation.
The lower mids have good heft and body, making instruments in this range sound natural and full. The upper mids are also nicely done, they’re tuned to complement the overall sound rather than draw too much attention to themselves. They aren’t overly forward; instead, they take on a slightly relaxed character that aligns well with the current “new meta” tuning trend in this region.
Male vocals sound excellent, with a nice weight and richness. Female vocals are also well-rendered, though they’re not as open or extended as something like the Hype 10. Still, for this type of tuning, they sound quite good and don’t feel lacking. The presence region is also at the perfect level, vocals have enough bite without being sharp and sibilant.
Treble
The treble is also very well done—it’s smooth yet well-extended. Just like the upper mids, the treble is tuned to complement the overall sound signature rather than stand out or draw too much attention. It has enough bite to keep things engaging, though it might not be the absolute best in the segment in terms of sharpness or sparkle. That said, it’s still very good and suits the tuning approach of the Origin. There’s just the right amount of air in the treble, giving the sound a nice sense of openness and space
Detail Retrieval and Technical Performance
The detail retrieval and overall technical performance are good, though not the best I’ve heard in this segment. Macro detail retrieval stands out, Origin sounds dynamic and punchy, delivering an engaging and lively presentation. However, micro detail retrieval is just okay; it’s serviceable, but I’ve heard sets in this price range that resolve finer details better.
The soundstage is quite impressive. It has good width, and the front-to-back depth is excellent, contributing to a stage that, dare I say, feels very holographic. Instrument separation and layering are well-executed, and imaging performance is also solid for the price, nothing groundbreaking, but definitely respectable.
Conclusion
Thieaudio has created a smashing IEM with the Origin, arguably one of the best basshead sets available under $1000. They’ve pulled off the sound signature exceptionally well; it’s addicting, fun, and incredibly engaging. Now you know why I love this IEM so much and why I’ve given it my “IEM of the Year 2024” award.
That said, it’s not without its flaws. The fit might be challenging for people with smaller ears, and micro detail retrieval is decent at best. Most importantly, this sound signature isn’t for everyone—if you’re looking for something neutral or reference-tuned, this isn’t it. But despite these shortcomings, I absolutely love this IEM.
It’s honestly a bit sad that my time with the Origin is limited and I’ll have to send it back, but it’s left a strong impression, and I won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.