Nihal reviews the THIEAUDIO Valhalla, an all-BA 19-driver per side flagship universal IEM packaged with the company’s TOTL EliteNoir cable. It is currently priced at $1999.00.
Disclaimer: This is a sample in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank Linsoul and THIEAUDIO for this opportunity.
Click here to read more about THIEAUDIO products previously reviewed on Headfonics.
This article follows our latest scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
THIEAUDIO has built a solid reputation by consistently releasing impressive IEMs, one after another.
Among all the ChiFi brands, I find them to be one of the most genuine. They have evolved with every release, and as a result of their consistency, they are now regarded as one of the most reputable brands coming from China.
A good example is the Origin, which was the last THIEAUDIO IEM I reviewed. It lived up to my expectations and received a lot of praise.
Towards the end of 2024, THIEAUDIO announced the release of their new flagship, the Valhalla. This IEM quickly gained attention, not only because it was a flagship release from a reputable brand, but also due to its staggering 19 balanced armature drivers per side.
Ever since its release, I’ve been eager to hear what THIEAUDIO has created this time. Given their track record, the wait felt especially long.
In this review, I’ll take an in-depth look at the Valhalla’s performance and see how it stacks up against the likes of the LETSHUOER Cadenza 12 2024, Kinera’s ThorKing, and the Elysian Acoustic Labs APOSTLE.
Features
The Valhalla features a whopping 19 balanced armature drivers on each side. The highest number of drivers I have ever tried in an IEM is the 64 Audio U18s, which features 18 drivers on each side.
The drivers use a combination of drivers from Knowles and Sonion, both well-known names.
Specifically, there are four Sonion subwoofers for bass, ten Sonion drivers for low-midrange and midrange frequencies, four Knowles drivers for the mid-treble, and one Knowles ultra-treble tweeter for the highest frequencies.
THIEAUDIO took their own sweet time to develop the Valhalla, and there are plenty of features implemented inside each shell.
One of the unique features is the PBS (Precision Bass System), which helps deliver a true subwoofer-like experience. PBS integrates multiple low-frequency drivers within a specially designed resonance chamber to optimize bass production.
The Valhalla also uses a 4-way passive crossover network with a 4-bore acoustic tubing system to accurately split and deliver different frequency ranges. It also incorporates impedance neutralization to keep performance consistent across various devices.
Design
Valhalla features Grade 5 titanium shells, which give a strong and durable build. To pack in so many drivers, the shell size has to be compromised.
The shells are larger than typical IEMs, but thankfully, the weight is on the lighter side. The titanium shells have a matte finish, which I prefer over the polished ones, as the latter are more prone to scratches.
THIEAUDIO gives us the option to choose from a set of pre-customized faceplates for an extra charge, but I prefer the default one. The faceplate showcases a holographic design with a multi-colored, prismatic pattern.
From a distance, the surface appears to have a crystalline or shattered-glass aesthetic. When it faces light, it creates a very vibrant effect, almost like some psychedelic art.
This faceplate can have various interpretations. If someone says it resembles a DNA strand, I will agree. The “THIEAUDIO” logo is embedded in silver across the faceplate.
Most of the THIEAUDIO IEMs have large nozzles, and Valhalla is no exception. The nozzles are covered with mesh for extra protection from dirt. The nozzles have lips on them to help with a better grip for ear tips.
The IEM connects via a recessed 2-pin 0.78mm socket. There are three small vents on the body just below the faceplates.
Comfort & Isolation
The Valhalla has massive shells, no doubt, but the lightweight and ergonomic design comes to save the day. For me, the size did not bother me much, to be honest, but I can see it can be challenging, especially for those who have smaller earlobes.
Even if I get a stable fit, the shells stick out a bit. To give you an idea of their relative sizes, these shells are bigger than the Origin’s and Hype 10’s.
The shells have smooth curves and do not have any sharp corners, thus providing a comfortable fit.
Once you have paired the Valhalla with the right-fitting ear tips, they stay comfortably secure. Even when I am on the move, I do not feel any loosening or a feeling of falling out. I have been on morning walks with the Valhalla, and many a time have lost count of time.
The isolation is decent, and it blocks a fair amount of outside noise. If you are surrounded by a few people chatting at normal volumes, you would not even notice. In my time with the Valhalla, I did not feel any pressure build up either. I did not notice any driver flex either.
Ear Tips
The THIEAUDIO Valhalla comes with the same set of foam and silicone tips as we saw on most of the previous releases. I wished THIEAUDIO had added some extra ear tips with Valhalla, but that did not happen.
The silicone tips are available in small, medium, and large, as are the foam tips. The foamies have colorful stems for easy identification.
The silicone ear tips give me a very snug fit; however, with the wide bore, they reveal the treble a bit too much.
I had to experiment with aftermarket ear tips a bit to tame some of the treble, and ultimately, the SpinFit Omni ear tips provided some relief. I suggest trying narrow ear tips for the best coherent sound.
Stock Cable
Valhalla comes with the THIEAUDIO EliteNoir cable, the same cable that ships with the Origin. However, the Origin’s stock cable that I reviewed had a slightly different touch and feel, with some differences in the color tone and hardware designs.
I find this one to be a bit more well-designed. I would have loved to have seen a color scheme matching the faceplates.
The cable features high-grade components, including silver-plated 5N linear crystal oxygen-free copper (LCOFC) wire and silver-plated 4N LCOFC wire, totalling 161 wires in a 20 AWG configuration.
Additionally, the cable features spiral shielding and Litz Type 2 technology for enhanced durability and reduced signal loss.
It has a two-wire style with a dark, glossy, yet non-flashy black jacket on the outside. The twists are subtle, not too tight, giving it a flexible structure. The cable is not exactly stiff, but it takes up a bit of space for storage.
The cable connects to the IEM with a 2-pin system. It features a modular connector system, which allows users to swap the cable plug between 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced. The metal termination adapter is thick due to a slotted groove-like design, mixing bluish-grey and silver.
This style is also found on the 2-pin connectors. There are a small metal Y-split and a cylindrical metal slider that help with cable management and fit adjustment.
Packaging & Accessories
THIEAUDIO has been very consistent with their packaging, and the unboxing experience of the Valhalla feels no different. It is more colorful than the previous ones.
The outer sleeve is vivid and striking, featuring an image of the IEMs over a colorful, abstract design suggesting a cosmic or mythological theme.
Inside, you’re greeted with an organized layout. The carry case and IEM, along with the cable, are securely held in the foam cutouts. The accessories include a cleaning cloth, two sets of ear tips, and the stock cable’s termination adapter.
What feels a bit strange is the inclusion of almost the same accessories that were shipped with the Origin. Considering that Origin is less than half the price of Valhalla, the expectation for a more premium package is natural.
Carry Case
The Valhalla comes with a puck-style carry case that is handmade using eco-friendly Alcantara suede material. The case has a soft and elegant feel, and the build quality is decent as well. It has a soft lining on the inside to provide some cushion.
This round case opens by sliding the top, which remains firmly attached when closed, so it won’t open easily. The round design makes the case simple to carry, catering to on-the-go needs. This is the same case that THIEAUDIO has been shipping with their premium offerings.
However, the space inside the case is very limited, and I find it really hard to store the IEMs and the cable properly. For a premium IEM like the Valhalla, a carry case must have sufficient space.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and recommended pairings.
