Thieaudio Legacy 2 Review

Contents

Thieaudio Legacy 2 in leather case

Thieaudio Legacy 2 Review

Thieaudio has quickly become one of the prominent names in the Chinese audiophile scene. They are one of the brands that are dominating both the budget and high-end price market. Products such as the Legacy 3, Clairvoyance, and Monarch prove this. 

The Thieaudio Legacy 3 that we previously checked out was a strong contender for its price range. This time around, Thieaudio is releasing a more budget-friendly version in the form of the Thieaudio Legacy 2

This model seems to be very promising on paper. But as with most budget models, it has to prove itself with its real-world performance. Find out in our full review if we think Thieaudio has struck gold with their budget model. 

Disclaimer

We would like to thank Linsoul for providing the review unit and for making this review possible. However, this does not influence our review in any way. Everything written here is my honest opinion. 

Packaging and Unboxing Experience

thieaudio legacy 2 in ear unboxing

The Thieaudio Legacy 2 comes in similar packaging to the Legacy 3. The box is pretty classy and does not contain any unnecessary text or art. 

Inside, you are greeted by the Legacy 2 shells as well as the rest of the accessories. There isn’t anything that stands out with the unboxing experience. However, I would say that Thieaudio once again delivers a premium unboxing experience with the Legacy 2. 

You get a decent number of accessories with the Legacy 2. There are two types of silicone ear tips, three sets of black ear tips and three sets of white ear tips. There are no foam ear tips here which isn’t an issue for me as I prefer silicone ear tips.  

But the best accessory that comes with the Legacy 2 is the color-matched magnetic leather carrying case. I always appreciate it when brands give you a case that looks elegant and unique. You usually do not get this level of quality when it comes to sub $200 Chi-Fi IEMs. 

The carrying case is a step below the one that came with the Legacy 3. But again, for its price point, I have no complaints. Overall, the Legacy 2 stars off in a good start. Let us proceed with the design and build quality to see how Thieaudio’s budget-priced IEM holds up. 

Included Accessories: 

  • 3 Sets of White Silicone Ear Tips
  • 3 Sets of Black Silicone Ear Tips
  • Magnetic Leather Carry Case
  • Stock Cable

Design and Build Quality

thieaudio legacy 2 in ear front view

IEM Shells

One of the things that I have praised with the Thieaudio Legacy 3 was its build quality. Even with its lower price, you were still getting an incredibly high-quality product. Now, since the Legacy 2 is even lower-priced, I was expecting the design and build quality to drop slightly. 

However, this was not the case. I was very surprised with how stunning the Legacy 2 looks and feels. It once again feels like a product that is worth more than its asking price. 

The build quality is almost identical to the Legacy 3. There aren’t any gaps or any indications of poor build quality. It also seems to be made of the same high-quality acrylic material that was used in the Legacy 3. 

Also, the nozzle is made from the same acrylic as the rest of the IEM. I am glad that Thieaudio chose to do this instead of using a cheaper material such as plastic. The nozzle feels very sturdy, and I am confident that it won’t suddenly snap off while changing ear tips. 

What seals the deal for me are the faceplates. They almost have a holographic finish that slightly changes depending on the lighting. The only visible branding is the Thieaudio logo on the left faceplate and the model number under the nozzles. 

Thieaudio previously claimed that they are unmatched when it comes to the build quality of their IEMs. The budget-priced Legacy 2 easily proves this. And overall, I am very happy with how the Legacy 2 looks and feels. 

Cable

Thieaudio Legacy 2 in ear cable

The stock cable of the Legacy 2 is equally as good as the shells. Of course, it isn’t the most premium feeling cable. However, for its price, I have no real complaints. 

The cable is soft and very easy to manage. During my testing, I did not encounter any tangles after storing them in the leather case. 

And in terms of build quality, the stock cable feels very sturdy. Metal parts have been used for the MMCX connectors as well as the 3.5mm plug. 

Compared to the Legacy 3, the materials and overall quality are a step below. But again, for its price point, it does not have any real flaws. 

Power Requirements 

The Thieaudio Legacy 3 is an efficient IEM. I have tried it with multiple sources, from budget dongles such as the ddHiFi TC35B to DAPs such as the Fiio M11. Pretty much all sources can run this without encountering any significant performance loss. This makes it a perfect pair for beginners who do not own any high-resolution sources. 

Sound Quality

thieaudio legacy 2 in ear Fiio M11 player

Tested with: Fiio M11, iFi Nano iDSD Black Label, Earmen Eagle

Presentation

The main difference between the Legacy 2 and Legacy 3 is the driver configuration. The Legacy 2 still maintains the Legacy Series’ hybrid driver structure. But this time around, it is only rocking one 10mm Beryllium dynamic driver and one Knowles 29689 balanced armature driver. 

In terms of its tuning, Thieaudio has done a fantastic job. The Legacy 2 features a balanced signature that highlights each of the major frequencies perfectly. 

The bass slams and is very satisfying for instruments such as the kick drum. It also does a good job of adding weight to the low end without muddying up the mix. 

Both the lower and upper mids have good clarity and are able to reproduce vocal-based tracks with ease. And lastly, the highs are perfectly controlled and avoids any kind of harsh peaks. 

Of course, the Legacy 2 is still bound by the usual limitations that are found at this price point. Its technicalities are lacking at times, especially in passages where multiple instruments are playing at the same time. 

The overall resolution is also lower compared to its more expensive siblings. But again, none of these are directly the Legacy 2’s fault. And overall, I find the overall tuning, clarity, and detail to be very good.

One key difference between the Legacy 2 and the Legacy 3 is that the Legacy 2 does not feature dip switches. But honestly, I find the tuning to be perfect. Both the lows and highs shouldn’t need a boost. As per usual, we will also discuss the key frequencies in more detail.

Bass

One key difference between the Legacy 2 and Legacy 3 is the use of a beryllium dynamic driver. This naturally produces a different kind of bass response to the Legacy 3. And in the context of the Legacy 2’s tuning, the bass fits perfectly. 

The bass frequencies aren’t quite as boosted as the Legacy 3. I highly prefer this since it leaves more room for the upper frequencies to shine. However, this does not mean that the bass is boring. 

Low notes are incredibly punchy and can easily make any track come to life. It exposes key elements such as the kick drum with ease. It does this in a way that isn’t too distracting, as I didn’t find the bass to be in places where it shouldn’t be.

The Legacy 2 also does a good job of properly filling up the low end. The overall sound feels as if it has weight and does not sound as tinny as the other IEMs that are trying to achieve a more balanced sound signature. Overall, the bass is incredibly well done with the Legacy 2. 

Mids

The mids on the Legacy 2 have a good amount of clarity and are overall very satisfying to listen to. Both male and female vocals truly come to life with these IEMs. 

Additionally, the Legacy 2 displays perfect control with the upper mids. Songs with vocals that are usually harsh and sibilant on my other IEMs don’t have any issues with these IEMs. Vocals on the Legacy also sound full and thick enough for my tastes. 

But with that said, it is in the upper mids where I noticed some of the limitations of the Legacy 2. With how well the Legacy 2 controls the upper registers, it is to be expected that some of the details in those areas are lost. You will only start noticing this when directly comparing the Legacy 2 to other IEMs, such as the BLON Prometheus A8 or the more expensive Thieaudio Legacy 3. 

But as I have mentioned earlier, this does not negatively impact the Legacy 2. The way these IEMs are tuned more than makes up for it. 

Highs 

It is apparent that the highs are the focus of the Legacy 2. However, this should not be an issue unless you are specifically looking for clarity and detail in the high-end. 

For the music that I listen to, elements such as cymbals are easily heard. Detail retrieval on these frequencies is also quite decent. 

However, it is fairly noticeable that the intensity of these frequencies is reduced. Of course, this is done to avoid harshness that will surely lead to a fatiguing listening experience. But overall, I still found the highs to be quite decent. 

Imaging and Soundstage  

The imaging and soundstage isn’t the Legacy 2’s strongest suit. However, its performance is up to par with similarly priced competitors.

The Legacy 2 does a good job of making it feel as if there is adequate space in your tracks. Telling where specific sounds and instruments are coming from isn’t too difficult. 

However, the Legacy 2 lacks the ability to reproduce the massive sound of orchestras and other similar kinds of music. This may be due to the recession that is happening in the upper frequencies. But its overall performance is still pretty respectable. 

Comparisons 

Thieaudio Legacy 3

legacy 3 sound presentation

I find the Thieaudio Legacy 3 to be better than the Legacy 2 in a lot of ways. The lows are deeper and punchier, the mids are thicker, and the highs are better extended. And, of course, you can adjust the lows and highs depending on your preferences. 

Also, the overall resolution is clearly higher than the Legacy 2. More massive-sounding albums such as the Attack on Titan OST and Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn OST sound better on the Legacy 3.

But, of course, this does not make the Legacy 2 a bad-sounding IEM. It carries some of the key characteristics of the Legacy 2 and does its best with its two-driver hybrid configuration. 

BLON Prometheus A8

WGZBLON in ear with detached cable

One of the most interesting IEMs that has been released at this price point is the BLON Prometheus A8. This is primarily due to its shell design. But how does it sound compared to the Legacy 2?

Compared to the A8, the Legacy 2 has less intense upper registers and less detail in the highs. However, its bass is tighter and has more weight. And overall, the Legacy 2 sounds fuller than the Prometheus A8. 

Overall, the Legacy 2 is a bit warmer than the A8. It also has a more safe tuning compared to the A8. However, as I have mentioned earlier, I find the Legacy 2 to have a more complete sound. 

However, at the end of the day, both IEMs are great performers. Choose the IEM that best fits your preferences. 

Verdict 

The Thieaudio Legacy 2 caught me by surprise. I did not expect such a high-quality IEM at this price point. Not only are you getting a gorgeous looking IEM but also, you are getting an IEM with commendable tuning that can be enjoyed regardless of what music you are listening to. 

Of course, the Legacy 2 still has its limitations. It isn’t the best at reproducing high frequencies, and it certainly doesn’t have the largest soundstage. However, its excellent tuning is easily able to compensate. If you are looking for a high-quality budget-priced IEM that has the looks and the performance, the Thieaudio Legacy 2 is an easy recommendation. 

Specifications 

  • Sensitivity (1 KHz) – 108 dB
  • Frequency Range – 20 Hz-20 KHz
  • Impedance (1 KHz) – 32 Ω
  • Driver – Knowles 29689 + 10mm Beryllium
  • Noise Isolation – 26 dB
  • Connector – 0.78 2-pin
  • Plug – 3.5 mm
  • Cable – 1.2 m

Albums Used For Testing 

  • Milet – Who I am 
  • Babymetal – Legend Metal Galaxy 
  • Mamamoo – Travel
  • Periphery- Periphery 3 and 4
  • Blackpink – The Album 
  • Final Fantasy VII Acoustic Arrangements 
  • Square Enix Jazz- Final Fantasy VII At Billboard Live Tokyo
  • Sawano Hiroyuki – Best of Vocal Works
  • Hiroyuki Sawano – Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn OST and Attack on Titan OST

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