I’ve spent a lot of time with the ThieAudio Valhalla recently. I listened to orchestral pieces. I enjoyed vocal-heavy acoustic sets. I loved fast-paced electronic tracks. I also had long gaming sessions.
ThieAudio has made a big impact in recent years. They offer high-end performance at prices that beat traditional luxury brands. But with the Valhalla, they’re stepping right onto the top tier. At $1,999, this 19-balanced-armature (BA) powerhouse is now the flagship model. It surpasses both the V16 Divinity and Monarch series.
So, does ThieAudio’s new peak IEM earn its place at the top of the mountain? Let’s break it down.
Build & Design
Thieaudio’s latest IEMs have a standout design. They are among the best-looking models they’ve produced. The colorful striped pattern and the titanium shell house the look and feel of this IEM. It is one that has much attention to detail behind it. Thieaudio did a great job here in the aesthetics department.
The Cable
However, the cable design I’m not as emphatic about. The cable here feels great, but its appearance clashes with the Valhalla. The audio has achieved a successful match of cables to IEM faceplates in the past. This includes the V16 Divinity and the Monarch MK2. However, this one doesn’t quite fit. We’ve seen this cable on Origin already. It’s not new. a flagship IEM should come with fresh features. I wish Thieaudio would add more design and detail to this cable. It would match the beautiful faceplate of Valhalla better.
Like I mentioned, though, this cable is very well made and the usability of it is great. It’s a modular design: you can swap from 4.4mm to 3.5mm with the included modulating ends. This cable is very flexible. I had little trouble with it. I wrapped it up with care, and it never caused problems when connected to the IEM.
Fit & Comfort
I’ve worked in customer service long enough to know that people will ask about the fit and comfort of this one. If you’ve had issues with Thieaudio IEMs before, Valhalla likely won’t be any better. The titanium housing weighs more than the resin shell designs. The nozzle size remains 6.3 mm in diameter. This is another large option from Thieaudio. It’s expected now. I hope they can achieve a large reduction in these sizes. But remember, this IEM has 19 balanced armatures, so it’s expected to be on the larger side.
To my ears, though, this one did fit and seal pretty well, as most Thieaudio IEMs have in the past. I was able to get around 4 hours of comfortable listening before I felt a little bit of fatigue. I used this one a lot for gaming and for music listening each session I had. I felt like by that 4-hour mark, I was kind of ready for it to come out of my ear.
Thieaudio conducts the rest of the unboxing experience in a pretty typical fashion. You have the puck carrying case, you get some ear tips, you get the cleaning tool, and a microfiber cloth. It’s not anything too special, but it’s well put together. If you’ve had Thieaudio IEMs before, you likely expect this unboxing experience.
Sound Quality
With all that out of the way, we are free to jump into sound here, and we’re going to start off with Facts as always.
- Factual Impressions:
Starting off in the low end, we have a pretty generous sub-bass lift here in Valhalla. Thieaudio IEMs are generally pretty bassy and warm. Valhalla keeps that trend but reduces the mid-bass emphasis found in the V16 Divinity.
The lower mids have a prominent presence here. They add a nice feel to string plucks and pulls. Upper mids feel well-defined here; vocals come through with clarity. They don’t feel pushed back or forward. They feel very natural. You’ll hear that term a lot in this review.
Finishing the treble is one of Valhalla’s best features. The sibilance control on this set is exceptional. - Personal Opinion:
This sound signature is best described as natural. That’s not always true for Thieaudio’s products. They’ve found success in their tuning. Some frequencies and sound parts feel excessively prominent to me. Valhalla stands out as the most natural option yet.
Bass
The bass has a sub-bass lift that adds engagement and liveliness to the sound. They have definitely cut down on the mid-bass hit that the V16 Divinity had, but you still have a good amount here. It reproduces drums with high fidelity. They sound clear and integrate well into the mix. The low end has great detail and extension, with a good attack and decent decay. Everything works here. The decay of strings and plucks lasts a bit longer than natural.
Mids
Note weight is still there; it’s very present and rich. The lower mids add a nice feel to the strings and plucks. This makes the sound signature more engaging. The vocals have great body and weight. Both female and male vocals are clear on this IEM. They stand out well from the rest of the mix. Even on vocal-free tracks, like Bill Evans’ “Waltz for Debby,” Valhalla shines. The song and album both sound great. Those lower mids add that tactility to string plucks and pulls from an upright bass guitar. Everything has great cohesion
Upper Mids & Treble
In the upper mids, Thieaudio nailed it with Valhalla. They are neither emphasized nor downplayed. They sit right where they should, sounding lively without being too forward. A song like “Damage Gets Done” by Hozier shows how much can happen with contrasting elements. Valhalla handles it with class. Valhalla presents information in a clear and detailed way. You get plenty of treble without it being too bright or sibilant. This means you can enjoy it without feeling fatigued
Soundstage & Imaging
Valhalla’s soundstage and imaging are lacking because of the treble tuning. If you want a sound that feels separated and spacious, Valhalla might not be for you. It doesn’t fit this price range or Thieaudio’s lineup. To my ears, I don’t find Valhalla too cramped or closed in, but it is definitely not the widest in their lineup
Comparisons: How Does It Stack Up?
Looking for a Thieaudio IEM? They’ve launched several in recent months. Let’s break down which one might be right for you.
1. Origin
This one has the most bombastic bass response. It almost kind of feels like an EQ profile of when I first started EQing and boosted the sub-bass. It is loud and proud in its bass response, and it has no shame in giving you a ton of low end. If you want the bassiest option from Thieaudio, choose Origin. Valhalla isn’t the one for that. Valhalla is the better IEM; it offers a more natural sound for music.
2. Monarch MK3
This IEM is very popular today. It has a closer comparison to Valhalla than to Origin. It has a pretty similar bass response, but the mids and treble are where these two differ quite a bit. The vocals in the Monarch MK3 stand out more than in the Valhalla. They feel a bit more present in this IEM. The Monarch MK3 has a more exaggerated soundstage and imaging. You get a bigger stage, plus a touch more treble brilliance and air. But the sibilance control on the MK3 is as good as that of the Valhalla.
3. V16 Divinity
It’s surprising that the V16 Divinity and Valhalla differ so much in this area. In the mids and treble, the tuning is quite similar. However, the bass response is the area where their differences are most pronounced. The mid-bass on the V16 Divinity is bananas! On the track “Is It True” by Tame Impala from The Slow Rush, the bass guitar shines with Valhalla. It almost distorts with Divinity due to the heavy mid-bass energy. Valhalla tames things back here, establishing order.
Should You Buy It?
What is the conclusion here of Valhalla? I believe this is one of Thieaudio’s best IEMs yet. That’s impressive, as many of their previous IEMs have sounded great to me.
The best way I can describe this IEM is effortless. Valhalla handles rap, rock, orchestral, jazz, and classical music with ease. If you’ve been looking for a Thieaudio IEM, the Valhalla is the best choice; you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you so much for reading! If you can’t afford the $2,000 price for Valhalla, don’t worry. There are many other great IEMs from Thieaudio and other brands. So be sure to check these out, or leave a comment down below on what you’re looking for in an IEM.
