During CES 2025, THIEAUDIO showed off its most ambitious creation yet: the Valhalla in-ear monitors. This flagship model, priced at $1999, represents an engineering marvel in personal audio technology, combining significant driver configuration with meticulous handcrafting. The Valhalla's most striking feature is its remarkable 38-driver architecture, with 19 balanced armature drivers positioned in each earpiece. It incorporates premium components from renowned manufacturers Knowles and Sonion, enabling the IEMs to reproduce sound with exceptional precision across the entire frequency spectrum. At the heart of Valhalla's innovative design lies the proprietary Precision Bass System (PBS), which helps with low-frequency reproduction in IEMs. By housing multiple bass drivers within a specially engineered resonance chamber, the PBS delivers subwoofer-quality bass response reaching down to 5 Hz while minimizing listener fatigue.

The production process of each Valhalla unit is equally complex. A single engineer dedicates an entire day to handcrafting each set, carefully measuring and matching drivers before assembly. The implementation of a sophisticated 4-way passive crossover network, combined with advanced acoustic tubing, helps seamless frequency transitions and optimal tonal balance throughout the audio spectrum. Complementing the Valhalla's acoustic prowess is the EliteNoir cable, which features silver-plated LCOFC wires that maximize signal integrity and durability. This premium cable enhances the IEMs' already impressive soundstage and imaging capabilities. Preorders are now open, and production times are estimated at 2-3 weeks. The design is equally interesting, and you can see it in the pictures below.

The EPOMAKER x LINSOUL booth at the 2024 International CES had a lineup of ThieAudio in-ear monitors. We begin our tour with the Hype 10. The name apparently stands for "hybrid performance." Each of these IEMs comes with two 10 mm composite diaphragm drivers arranged in an isobaric design to make a subwoofer. These offer a broad frequency response range from 10 Hz to 40 kHz with 105 dB/Vrms @ 1 kHz sensitivity. ThieAudio has these priced at $900 a pair. Next up, is the more feature-packed Prestige LTD, with 1DD + 4BA + 4EST Tribrid setup, and an electrostatic driver that provides a broad 10 Hz to 20 Hz frequency response. Each earphone contains 4 Sonion electrostatic drivers, plus 2 Knowles mid-treble balanced armatures, plus 2 Sonion low-mid balanced armatures, and a 10 mm dynamic subwoofer. The maximum frequency response thanks to this setup is as high as 80 kHz. Sensitivity tops out at 98 dB @ 1 kHz. ThieAudio prices these at $1,300.

While ThieAudio focuses on audiophiles, the Kiwi Ears series is for the mass market that just wants better sound. Kiwi Ears Forteza is an entry-level IEM by ThieAudio, with a much simpler 1 High-Mid balanced armature (BA) + 10 mm Mid-range dynamic driver (DD) + 10 mm Bass DD setup; a regular 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response, with 103 dBSPL/mW @ 1 kHz sensitivity; at an attractive price of just $59. Winding things up is the Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite, a more premium product positioned above the Forteza; with an 8 BA multi driver setup consisting of Kiwi Ears customized HI x2 + Kiwi Ears Customized MID x4 + Knowles LOW x2, per earphone. Available for pre-order now, the Orchestra Lite is priced at $249. Lastly, we ran into a number of face-plate customizations by Kiwi Ears.