In this article, I review the new ThieAudio Cypher open-back headphones. The Cypher uses 50mm dynamic drivers and features a stainless steel and carbon fibre composite headband, finished with genuine lambskin leather. Pricing is set at $399 USD retail, with Kickstarter tiers of $329 (Super Early Bird), $349 (Early Bird), and $379 (standard campaign price).
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Linsoul for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
ThieAudio Cypher
Build and Comfort
Right out of the gate, I have to say the build quality here is outstanding. ThieAudio has come a long way since the days of the original Phantom. The Cypher features an all-metal build, starting with a stainless steel and carbon-fibre composite headband.
One of my favourite touches is the genuine lambskin leather used on the headband. If you live in a hot, humid climate like I do here in Thailand, you know that protein leather eventually turns into a flaky mess. This genuine leather won’t deteriorate like that.
The ear pads are lush and use a brilliant magnetic attachment system. They pop off easily, revealing the angled drivers underneath. Despite the metal construction, they are reasonably lightweight and the weight distribution is spot on. The cups rotate a full 180 degrees with a nice, tight swivel action that stays exactly where you put it.
Cable and Accessories
The stock cable is a lightweight, supple fabric-sheathed affair that handles beautifully. Interestingly, ThieAudio opted for a 3.5mm unbalanced termination. While many audiophile headphones are moving toward 4.4mm balanced as standard, I think many users will appreciate the wide compatibility with smartphones, laptops, and iPads.
You also get a lovely carrying case. It’s a bit large, but it allows the headphones to lay completely flat, making them very easy to slide into a bag.
Sound Quality
ThieAudio is marketing these as a “studio reference” headphone, and I’m perfectly fine with that. They aren’t strictly neutral, but they are very close—reminiscent of the legendary Sennheiser HD600 but with a few key improvements.
- Bass: Unlike the HD600, which tends to roll off in the sub-bass, the Cypher has surprisingly good extension. It’s not “bass-head” levels of boost, but you can definitely feel the rumble when it’s called for. The mid-bass is linear and tight with absolutely no bloat.
- Midrange: The mids are clear and neutral with just a hint of warmth for naturalness. Male vocals have good weight, while female vocals soar without becoming “shouty”—something I often find with other “Chi-Fi” offerings that over-boost the upper mids for perceived detail.
- Treble: The treble is well-balanced—neither dark nor overly bright. It’s energetic and airy enough to provide a nice counterbalance to the bass, giving transients clean, crisp edges without being sibilant.
Comparisons
vs Meze Audio 105 AER ($399): The Meze is the more “coloured” of the two. It hits harder and has more treble energy, which gives it a bit more micro-detail but moves it further away from accuracy. If you want a fun listen, the Meze is great, but for mastering or monitoring, the Cypher is the better tool.
vs Heddphone D1 (~$700): The D1 feels slightly more premium and has a “velvety smooth” tonality. However, the Cypher actually edges it out in micro-detail retrieval due to its slightly brighter treble. For $300 less, the Cypher holds its own remarkably well.
Verdict
I’m really impressed with what ThieAudio has done here. The Cypher is a robust, sturdy, and highly accurate headphone that works just as well for content creation as it does for sitting back and enjoying your library.
If you’re looking for a neutral, linear performer with top-tier build quality, this is a winner.